Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Singapore Skyline

By Mia Russell

Glitzy and glamorous, sleek and sophisticated, Singapore has it all. Take a peek behind the shimmering skyline and you’ll find a wealth of incredible things to see and do in Singapore in Autumn. From spectacular green urban spaces and awe-inspiring architecture to out-of-this-world shopping and a world-class culinary scene, Singapore will steal your heart.

Why visit Singapore in the autumn?

Autumn in Singapore runs from September through November and the rain and humidity tend to increase over this time. Temperatures are still very hot during autumn with averages of 30 °C (86 °F) during the day and the humidity begins to rise towards the middle of October.

This may not sound like the most comfortable weather for exploring the city, but it's nothing a good umbrella can’t handle. The rain and humidity tend to keep tourists away in autumn, so you’ll find some great deals on airfares and hotels around the city.

Autumn is also the best time to hit Singapore’s incredible art galleries and museums, which are air-conditioned and cool, and a saving grace from the rain. This is also the time to shop until you drop into the myriad shops and stores that make Singapore a world-class shopping destination.

 

Explore the city’s outstanding museums

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Escape the rain and heat and while away the day in a few of Singapore’s award-winning art galleries, top-notch museums, and one-of-a-kind cultural institutions.

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest and largest museum in the city and should be your first port of call. Opened in 1887, the museum is housed in a stately 19th-century Neo-Palladium-style building with a beautiful glass rotunda. Take a moment to admire the exquisite architecture – it’s a work of art in itself.

If you’re a lover of contemporary Asian art, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is a treat! The museum exhibits artworks in multiple spaces, including a satellite space at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, and the main building along Bras Basah Road. This is the one you want to visit not only to marvel at the beautiful architecture of the heritage buildings but to see some impressive art, too.

Next on the list is the Asian Civilisations Museum, a captivating journey through Asia’s cross-cultural connections.

If you are an art-lover, head to the National Gallery Singapore to admire an incredible collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art. Brave the Changi Museum & Chapel to learn the stories of POWs and held Changi Prison during the Japanese occupation of Singapore.

Another luminary in Singapore’s art world, the National Gallery Singapore is huge! The largest visual art gallery of its kind in the city, it's packed with the world’s largest collection of Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to the present. And there are interactive installations and exhibits for the kids too, so make a day of exploring this glorious behemoth.

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Singapore comes alive when the Mid-Autumn Festival rolls around. Also known as the Moon Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the end of the autumn harvest on the Chinese calendar and has been observed since the early Tang dynasty.

The city lights up with spectacular lantern displays and families gather to walk with lanterns and gaze at the moon. There is a vibrant atmosphere with mid-autumn festivities and performances around the city. Sweet treats abound with mooncakes taking center stage. These traditional round cakes are filled with salted egg yolk as the yolk is said to represent the full moon and reunion. They are both eaten and presented as gifts to families and friends.

One of the best places to view the fantastic lantern displays is Chinatown and the Gardens by the Bay in Marina Bay. One of the city’s most spectacular green spaces is lit up with the soft light of lanterns, creating a breathtaking display.

While you are there, wander around the park and marvel at the towering high-tech trees that also light up at night, the whimsical sculptures, and the misty biodomes. Use your pass to get free access to the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome.

Spend the day at Sentosa Park

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Sentosa Island is the perfect place to spend a rainy day. The all-ages playground is packed with things to do from an aquarium and a casino to some amazing theme parks.

Hop on the Singapore Sky Cable with your pass for a thrilling ride to Sentosa Island from Mount Faber on the mainland. Take in the amazing views on the way and spend the day enjoying all the attractions on the island.

Make your first stop Sentosa 4D AdventureLand. Use your pass to get into this amazing fantasy land where you can ride a super log through ravines and valleys and dive into crocodile-infested water. Zoom into a haunted old mine on a thrilling rollercoaster ride or saddle up and let your inner cowboy out as you go after the bad guys.

Other fantastic attractions you can use your pass to enjoy at Sentosa Island include SEA Aquarium, Universal Studios, and the exhilarating SkyHelix Sentosa.

Shop until you drop

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Rainy days are made for shopping and there is no better place to shop until you drop than Singapore! Singapore’s shopping scene is world-renowned, and people visit the vibrant city just to shop. The tiny island state is home to an impressive range of shopping malls, high-end boutiques, brand-name stores, and hidden gems. You can find everything from appliances to apparel and the choice of places to get them is nothing less than mind-boggling.

The best place to start your shopping spree is the epochal Orchard Road. Mega malls line the two-mile stretch of street and whatever you are looking for from budget clothing to state-of-the-art electronics, you’ll find it here. For something extraordinary, head to the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, where you do some window shopping while taking a relaxing gondola ride around the mall. You’ll also find some outstanding restaurants here when you start getting ‘hangry.’

 

Take a culinary journey around the world

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

Singapore is foodie heaven! This multicultural city is renowned for its incredible cuisine and whether you want to eat like a local or dine at the finest restaurants in the city, Singapore has it all.

The best place to get a taste of Singapore is on the street at the legendary hawker centers. From eye-wateringly hot Indian curries to melt-in-your-mouth murtabak, the city’s culinary scene has every dish conceivable. Be sure to try delicious local dishes like laksa, a spicy, coconutty noodle soup, and chicken rice with a twist.

If you prefer French champagne and foie gras, the city is home to several Michelin-star restaurants that offer out-of-this-world dining experiences. The top of the list is Odette. Located in Singapore’s National Gallery, this exceptional restaurant is helmed by Chef Royer brings French and Japanese cuisine together to create sublime plates. Try the Foie Gras terrine with kumquat marmalade.

For mouthwatering Italian cuisine, head to Garibaldi where Executive Chef Roberto Galetti cooks traditional Italian dishes like handmade pasta with caviar and snow crab. Sip some of the finest Chianti in the world.

 

Dance the night away

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

When the sun goes down, Singapore changes from flats to heels and really puts on a show. Trendy restaurants, buzzing bars, and glitzy nightclubs all vie for attention, while chic rooftop bars draw the cool crowd.

Kick off the evening with a complimentary Singapore Sling at the famous Raffles Long Bar – present your pass for your free drink. Then head out into the night and experience Singapore’s electric nightlife.

Start at Zouk, Singapore’s longest-running nightclub. Renowned for propelling the dance music movement throughout Asia, Zouk attracts some of the biggest names in the industry and you can party the night away to the sounds of Paul Oakenfold and The Chemical Brothers.

Another memorable nocturnal carnival experience can be found at MARQUEE. This massive club has three floors, sky-high ceilings, and a giant indoor Ferris wheel!

 

Make the most of your trip with a Singapore Pass. Save while you sightsee all of the best Singapore attractions.  

Alex Birungi
Go City Travel Expert

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The Mekong River zone at River Wonders wildlife park in Singapore.
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Singapore Zoo and River Wonders Guide Plus Backstage Pass

The Mandai Wildlife Reserve in northern Singapore is an epic tract of rainforest and wetland that just happens to contain some of the island’s finest natural attractions. We’re talking Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and more, all well worth a day trip (or two, or three) out of the city. Here we take a look at River Wonders and Singapore Zoo, including how to get there, what to see and how a Singapore pass from Go City can save you money when visiting these and other local attractions. Check out our whistlestop guide to Singapore Zoo and River Wonders below. Singapore Zoo Singapore Zoo has a whole host of credentials to its name. Not only is it one of the most popular attractions on the island, it’s also frequently voted one of the best on the planet (up there with titans like London and San Diego) thanks to its open-concept environment and world-leading focus on conservation and biodiversity. Zones at the zoo include Fragile Forest, a whopping 20,000 cubic meter biodome housing a tropical rainforest habitat that’s alive with the chatter of hundreds of cute and curious jungle critters. Here, golden-headed lion tamarin monkeys peep through the canopy, colorful eclectus parrots and majestic Malayan flying foxes soar from treetop to treetop, and timid lesser mouse-deer forage on the forest floor. Head to the plains of Wild Africa where you might encounter an inquisitive giraffe, shy white rhino or hair-raising pack of African painted dogs as well as some of the savannah’s legendary big cats. The RepTopia reptile house is where it’s at for regal horned lizards, cool and colorful panther chameleons, showstopping electric blue geckos and other such slithering, cold-blooded pals. And you can get up close and personal with Antipodean animals of all shapes and sizes in the Australasia zone. There’s even a dedicated island where orangutans are able to roam freely in the treetops. And that, frankly, is just for starters. Singapore Zoo Fast Facts Age: half a century – the zoo first opened back in 1973 Size: 69 acres Number of species: 300+ Number of animals: 4,200+ including lions, elephants, monkeys, reptiles and birds Annual visitors: approximately two million River Wonders River Wonders is just exactly what it sounds like: a watery tropical paradise, where meandering walking trails and boat rides allow you to meet some of the many beasties you’d expect to find living in and around rivers – everything from ferociously cute red pandas to the giant Mekong catfish. This is Asia’s first (and so far only) river-themed wildlife park, and it also just happens to be home to the world’s largest freshwater aquarium. There are a few ways to explore the various zones of River Wonders. You’ll be relieved to learn you can do it on foot without the need for waders. But you can also book the Amazon River Quest boat ride, designed to simulate a journey down the Amazon, where animals like tapirs, leopards and giant anteaters can be spotted around the water’s edge. Check out other epic zones including the Amazon Flooded Forest, a ginormous freshwater aquarium that’s home to manatees, giant river otters and red-bellied piranhas. The Ganges River is where you’ll find the rare Indian gharial – a relative of crocodiles and alligators – the frog-faced softshell turtle, and the fearsome goonch catfish (aka the giant devil catfish), a river monster with razor-sharp teeth and a taste for human flesh. Come face to face with cute tamarins in Amazonia Encounters and don’t miss your chance to say hey to the inhabitants of the Pavilion Capital Giant Panda Forest, among them the eponymous big guys, plus their diminutive red panda pals. Cute! Backstage Pass Add-ons to general admission at River Wonders include the Backstage Pass, which gets you access to Manatee Mania. Here’s where you can get really close to these magnificent marine mammals, taking part in their training sessions and even having a go at hand-feeding them during meal time. Find out more, including ticket prices here. River Wonders Fast Facts Age: the Giant Panda Forest opened in 2012 with the rest of the park following in 2014. Originally known as RIver Safari, it changed its name to River Wonders in 2021. Size: 30 acres Number of species: 260+ Number of animals: 11,000+ land and aquatic critters including manatees, giant river otters, pandas, leopards and catfish. Annual visitors: approximately one million Tickets A Singapore pass from Go City includes general admission to all four of the wildlife parks at Mandai. That’s Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and the Night Safari. Passes allow you to visit as many attractions as you like over several days, and also include other Singapore big-hitters like the Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios and the SkyHelix Sentosa. In other words, you can save up to 50% on Singapore attractions if you plan to visit a lot. Find out more about the different Singapore pass types and buy yours here. Alternatively you can buy tickets – including multi-park passes – direct via the Mandai Wildlife Reserve website. This is also where you should book add-ons not included with Go City, such as the Amazon River Quest boat ride and River Wonders Backstage Pass. Opening Hours Singapore Zoo: 8.30am-6pm. Last admission at 5pm. River Wonders: 10am-7pm. Last admission at 6pm. For opening times of individual attractions within the park check here. Getting There Take the red North-South MRT line from downtown and disembark at Khatib station, exit A. From here, a shuttle bus runs to and from the Mandai Wildlife Park. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
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Your Complete Guide to Singapore in August

Singapore has been attracting visitors since Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles established a trading post on the island in 1816. Two centuries later, Singapore continues to tick all the boxes. What’s more, Singapore in August is exceptionally explorable. Cultural diversity ensures even hawker centers serve up delicious tasting foods. Orchard Road provides an almost endless shopping extravaganza, while safety is never something you’ll have to worry about. At the same time, history seeps out of every street corner, even the high-tech Downtown area. In short, Singapore is not just a stopover, but a destination in its own right. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Singapore in August. Why August is a good time to visit Singapore Singapore’s weather in August is arguably the best of the year. Although it remains rainy in Singapore in August, rainfall is some of the lowest of any month. Since temperatures average 31°C year-round, and humidity levels around 82%, the other most important factor is sunshine hours. Less rain invariably means more sun, and August in Singapore is one of the sunniest of the year. In fact, along with June, July and September, August is considered one of the best times of year to visit Singapore. Add to this the festivities around National Day, and you’ll experience Singapore at its most celebratory! Things to do in Singapore in August With the weather set fair, a great way to delve into Singapore’s delights is with a Historical Singapore Bicycle Tour. Peddling along the city’s oldest streets, you’ll get your first glimpse of its grandest monuments. Free from the barriers of a vehicle, you’ll also absorb the extraordinary ambience of Chinatown and the Museum District. Thanks to reliable public transport, such as the MRT metro system, nowhere in Singapore is far away. But if in doubt, Big Bus Singapore has stops right throughout the city on its yellow and red hop-on hop-off routes. While in the Museum District, it would be a shame not to visit the National Gallery Singapore. That’s because the gallery contains the largest collection of Singaporean and southeast Asian art of any public institution. Highlights include works by Xu Beihong, Georgette Chen, and Liu Kang. No trip to this part of Singapore in August is complete without visiting Gardens by the Bay. Known for their 18 ‘supertree’ vertical gardens, Gardens by the Bay actually span over 100 hectares. Give yourself plenty of time to explore, since beyond Supertree Grove there’s also the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome greenhouses. The second is the largest in the world, and seeks to replicate a Mediterranean-style climate. Beyond Downtown Singapore A short distance from the Flower Dome, Singapore Cable Car links two very different Singapore attractions. Head south on the Sentosa Line, and you’ll get a bird’s eye view of family-friendly beaches (Palawan is one of the best) and the rollercoasters of Universal Studios Singapore. After all, Sentosa is the home of Singapore’s theme parks, with several to choose between. In the opposite direction, the cable car’s Mount Faber Line takes visitors to Singapore in August to the peak of the same name. Having traveled across lush rainforest, you’ll have the chance to follow forest paths. Alternatively, simply enjoy a cocktail (or two) at the cool bars at the top with uninterrupted views. But for an altogether different take on Singapore, head to Pulau Ubin. Reached via motor-powered bumboats from Changi (itself worth discovering), this tiny island harks back to the time of Raffles. Car-free, the best way to get about is by bike, although it’s also small enough to walk around without becoming exhausted. Sights include stone quarries readopted by nature, mangroves, coconut plantations, and Singapore’s last traditional village (kampong). End your visit with an order of Pulau Ubin’s famed chili crab. There are several charmingly ramshackle restaurants just by the boat jetty. Food and drink in Singapore Deciding what to eat will be your biggest problem when visiting Singapore in August. Because of the city’s cultural diversity, international favorites aren’t hard to find. But it would be a shame to depart Singapore having eaten nothing but burgers and pizza. Luckily, good food isn’t hard to find. Pretty much every neighborhood will have its own hawker center. So important are they, that they’re now listed by UNESCO as part of humanity’s Intangible Heritage. Although menus can be limited – each stall within a center tends to focus on a couple of dishes – your taste buds will thank you for it. Look out for Singapore noodles, laksa, and murtabak, a type of savory pancake. Chinatown is the obvious place to head for authentic Cantonese and Hokkien dishes. Many you’ll never have seen back home. And for the flavors of the Indian subcontinent, there’s only one place to head – the aroma filled alleys of Little India. Unmissable Singapore August events Singapore is a thriving destination for events, and August is no different. While the likes of Paris and Rome are snoozing in a mid-summer daze, Singapore is alive with unique experiences. The biggest event in Singapore in August is National Day, a public holiday on August 9. The days in the run-up see the red and white of the Singaporean flag appear right across the island. The day itself comprises a series of activities. These include a large military parade and live performances from top names. It comes to an end with a magnificent firework display. Should you miss National Day, Singapore Night Festival in the latter half of August is a good alternative. Running for more than a decade, it sees famous buildings decorated in lights. All manner of surprise live elements mark the city’s history and culture. Why not visit Singapore in August with Go City? Take the plunge, and you’ll find Singapore in August a destination that gives back ten-fold. All the same, Singapore does have a reputation for being on the pricey side. The answer? Travel with Go City. Our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes give visitors to Singapore incredible savings on admission to attractions big and small. It means you can do even more on your Singapore vacation without worrying about your bank balance.
Alex Birungi

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