Things to do in Singapore in Winter

By Alex Birungi
Published: July 18, 2024
Avatar the experience with Go City Singapore Gardens by the Bay

Bright lights, big city. Singapore conjures images of just this, along with lush landscapes, bustling street markets and world-class shopping. And she won’t disappoint no matter what the season. From breathtaking gardens and sublime beaches to globally-inspired cuisine, visiting Singapore in the winter is the perfect time to experience all the best Singspore attractions without the crazy crowds of summer.

Why visit Singapore in the winter?

Winter in Singapore runs from December to February and while temperatures and humidity levels remain fairly high, the rains have arrived, and you can expect rainfall and thunderstorms daily. Temperatures range between 28°C and 32°C and humidity levels are high. But don’t be put off by the rain – Singapore is packed with an incredible array of attraction and activities that can be enjoyed whatever the weather.

We’ve put together list of the best things to see and do in Singapore in winter. Grab a reliable umbrella and get exploring!

1. Hit the shops

Things to do in Singapore in Winter

We all love a bit of retail therapy and Singapore certainly delivers. Singapore’s shopping scene is world-renowned, and some 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 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.’

2. Explore Singapore’s superb museums

Things to do in Singapore in Winter

Escape the rain and explore some of the city’s excellent museums. Singapore is home to several outstanding cultural institutions that cover a wide variety of interests, and you are bound to find a few that will pique your curiosity.

Head the Asian Civilisations Museum to learn all about Asia’s fascinating cross-cultural connections. Wander through the galleries and marvel at ancient artifacts found on the Tang Shipwreck of 830 AD. Discover the grand religions of India from Buddhism to Jainism and admire some beautiful Islamic Art.

Another incredible museum to explore is the Indian Heritage Centre. Based in the heart of Little India Heritage District, this cultural centrer and museum focuses on the rich culture, heritage and history of Indian Singaporeans. Don’t forget to use your pass to get free access to these two amazing museums.

After your museum visit, why not take a stroll around the Little India Heritage District? One of Singapore’s cultural enclaves, Little India is a sensory overload with a cacophony of sounds, vibrant colors, and eye-watering aromas. It’s an experience not to be missed!

 

4. Soak up some spectacular views

Things to do in Singapore in Winter

Get a bird’s eye view of the city from the lofty heights of the SkyPark Observation Deck. Occupying the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands, the SkyPark Observation Deck is the perfect place to take in magnificent panoramic views of Gardens by the Bay and the impressive Supertree Grove. Try to spot Singapore's famous landmarks like the Merlion and the durian-shaped domes of the Esplanade.

Enjoy a guided tour of the deck and learn about Singapore's history. Escape the heat with a refreshing dip in the hotel’s famous infinity pool that seemingly floats over the city and sip a cool drink from the the CÉ LA VI SkyBar. Remember to use your pass to enjoy a free drink from the bar.

Top tip: Head up to the SkyPark Observation Deck in the evening to get the best seats in the house for Spectra, a nightly outdoor light and water show with fountain jets and dazzling laser beams.

4. Experience the Neon Lights Festival

Things to do in Singapore in Winter

One of the best experiences in Singapore in winter is the Neon Lights Festival. This unique two-day music festival runs over a few days in November and is a highlight on the city’s event calendar. The festival features over 150 music and art performances from both local and international artists. You’ll also find plenty of family-friendly activities and workshops, a silent disco and loads of delicious gourmet food. If you’re planning a trip to Singapore in winter, you should plan around this epic event.

5. Wander around Singapore’s beautiful gardens

Things to do in Singapore in Winter

Despite the rain, you should definitely spend a few hours exploring some of Singapore’s beautiful gardens. Wait for a break in the clouds and head to the Gardens by the Bay in Marina Bay. This is one of the city’s most spectacular green spaces and you’ll be amazed at the misty biodomes, the towering high-tech trees, and the comical sculptures. Get free access to the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome by using your pass.

Another enchanting oasis to meander around is the 82-hectare Singapore Botanic Gardens where you can admire over 550 species planted in beautifully laid out themed gardens. Stop in at the National Orchid Garden and the botanical art gallery in the Gallop Extension while you are there.

Top tip: Visit in the late afternoon and head up to the observatory at the top of the tallest Supertree for some breathtaking panoramic views over Marina Bay. Stay until the evening Garden Rhapsody show where the Supertrees burst into light. It is a sight to behold!

 

6. Enjoy a riverboat cruise

Things to do in Singapore in Winter

Take to the water to see Singapore from a different perspective. Use your pass to hop on a traditional bumboat for a Singapore River Cruise and take in the awe-inspiring city skyline.

Bumboats are traditional painted boats that are used to transport both locals and tourists around the bay. They are covered so you don’t have to worry about the rain and their brightly painted faces will protect you from oncoming traffic (or so it is believed). Marvel at the beauty of the steaming city as you glide past famous sights like Raffles, the Esplanade, and the Old Parliament House.

 

7. Eat your way around the world

Things to do in Singapore in Winter

When it comes to food, this tiny island-state packs a punch with everything from legendary hawker stall fare to Michelin-star meals. There are some incredible restaurants and trendy envelope-pushing dining concepts in the city, but the best place to get a taste of Singapore is on the street at the legendary hawker centers.

From charcoal-grilled kaya toast for breakfast to sublime Indonesian ayam penyet (smashed fried chicken) for dinner, you’ll be able to eat your way around the world and back again in a single day.

Top tip: Cash is king on the street, so carry cash in small notes when street dining.

 

8. Celebrate Chinese New Year

Things to do in Singapore in Winter

This is another fantastic festival that happens in winter that shouldn’t be missed! Also known as the Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year occurs at the end of January is the most important date on the Chinese calendar. It’s a time for celebration, and Singapore does this with aplomb.

Head to Chinatown and witness the official opening ceremony of the holiday called the Street Light-Up. Beautifully designed lanterns and stunning floral displays line the streets and vibrant processions wind their way through the neighborhood. Lively lion dances are held, and seasonal markets bustle with trade – the mood is nothing less than electric.

And then there is the food! Traditional Asian feasts are part and parcel of the festival and hawkers’ stalls heave with piles of delicious delicacies. Make sure you go hungry!

 

9. Hit the town

Things to do in Singapore in Winter

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 vye 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.

Alex Birungi
Go City Travel Expert

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Singapore to Seoul

For a heady mix of cultures, terrific and varied pan-Asian cuisine and a list of weird and wonderful attractions as long as your arm, Seoul and Singapore are second to none. Frequent direct flights between the two mean doing the Singapore to Seoul (or indeed Seoul to Singapore) double on your Asian vacation couldn’t be easier. Read on for our bite-size city guides and discover the best ways to get from one city to the other. Seoul: the Lowdown Split through its middle by the wide Han River, Seoul is a densely populated megalopolis of some 10 million people, its futuristic towers, bridges and skyscrapers set among ancient mountains and plains in the northwest corner of South Korea. Attractions here are many and varied with several ancient UNESCO sites, including the regal gardens and pagodas of Changdeokgung Palace and the royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty, which ruled over Korea for 500 years from the 14th to the 19th centuries. More modern pursuits include a visit to Seoul’s tallest building, the skyscraping 123-story Lotte World Tower, and its sprawling amusement park namesake on (and around) Seokchon Lake. Then there’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a space-age architectural marvel packed with shops, bars, restaurants, exhibitions and even a sensory playground for kids. And the achingly photogenic oasis that is leafy Nami Island, a mere 90 minutes from the city center. Seoul is dry and icy-cold in winter and very hot and humid in summer, with a monsoon season that runs between June and September. The relatively short spring and autumn seasons are therefore the best times to visit, when you can expect mild weather and clearer skies but also – as inevitably as night follows day – higher hotel rates. On the plus side, there’s accommodation here to fit most budgets, though visitors should remain conscious that a week in Seoul can be eye-wateringly expensive wherever you end up staying. As a general rule, downtown districts including Jongno or Euljiro are likely to be cheaper than Myeong-dong and Gangnam, while longer-term visitors might want to consider rented accommodation in student neighborhoods like Sinchon and Hongdae. Wherever you choose to lay your hat, you’ll find getting around Seoul a breeze thanks to its superb metro system, which has a whopping 300+ stops within the city’s relatively compact nine-mile radius. Just download the Seoul Subway Metro Map – an interactive route-planning app – pick up a T-money card (and add some credit) and you’re good to go. Handily, your T-money pass is valid for use on metros, buses and even taxis across South Korea. Save a bit of cash with Go City when you buy an All-Inclusive or Explorer pass to multiple major Seoul attractions. Singapore: the Lowdown There’s a whole world of fun awaiting in Singapore, from splashing around in the world’s biggest rooftop infinity pool (57 stories up atop the Marina Bay Sands Resort, fact fans) to gorging on chili crab and sticky pork satay in one of the wonderful hawker centers here. Then there’s the soaring Singapore Flyer observation wheel, authentic Singapore Slings at Raffles Hotel (where the iconic cocktail was invented), the Instagram-tastic Gardens by the Bay, and the island playground that is Sentosa, its myriad attractions – Universal Studios, the S.E.A. Aquarium and several of Singapore’s finest palm-lined beaches – easily reachable by monorail or cable car. In fact, getting around Singapore is remarkably straightforward in general, largely thanks to the super-efficient (and mercifully air-conditioned) mass transit system, or MRT. Six lines and close to 150 stations ensure good coverage of most of the island, but you’ll likely spend most of your time here in and around the downtown circle line which calls at many of the main attractions. Pick up a Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) for unlimited use of the network for 24–72 hours or simply pay as you go by tapping in and out of stations using your contactless debit or credit card. There’s also a decent cycling infrastructure here, and plenty of green space to explore – they don’t call Singapore the Garden Island for nothing, you know! Rent a bike and cruise your way around the epic Park Connector Network and beyond. The climate in Singapore is hot, humid and wet, with temperatures in the high 80s year round. Monsoon seasons between December to March and June to September all but guarantee daily downpours, but also make for some of the most competitive accommodation rates at these times of year. We’re speaking relatively, of course: Singapore is notoriously expensive, but you may just about be able to afford a stay at luxury icons like Raffles and Marina Bay Sands during the monsoons without the need to mortgage a kidney. Cheaper alternatives are of course available, with plenty of good budget and mid-range options available in the likes of Chinatown and even around the high-end shopping mecca of Orchard Road. Save a bit of cash with Go City when you buy an All-Inclusive or Explorer pass to multiple major Singapore attractions. Singapore to Seoul by Air and Rail Direct flights between Singapore and Seoul depart several times daily and take a shade over six hours each way. Carriers serving the route between Singapore’s Changi Airport and Incheon Airport in Seoul include Korean Air, Singapore Airlines and Asiana, with a one-way trip starting from around £300. Express trains from Incheon to downtown Seoul depart every 20–40 minutes and take 40 minutes; the slower, more regular trains make several stops along the route but still only take an hour to the center of town. At half the price and five times the frequency, these are probably the better bet, assuming you’re not in a crazy hurry. And if you’re really in no rush, you could even consider making the epic voyage from Singapore to Seoul by rail. Not for the faint of heart, this method takes you up through Malaysia, and across across Thailand and Laos (with a bit of bus travel required here), then onwards through Vietnam and China before finally catching the ferry from Qingdao in North Korea to Incheon in South Korea – because you can’t cross the North/South Korea border by land. If spending several days traveling 7,000 kilometers through unfamiliar countries on public transport sounds like an utterly absurd idea, that’s because it probably is. But adventurous souls with time on their hands could make it a reality, experiencing amazing coastal vistas, jungle trails, supercities, traditional villages and a mix of wildly different cultures along the way. Or, you know, go as far as Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok and catch your onward flight from there – both also epic adventures with plenty of fun to be had along the way! Save on attractions and activities in Singapore and Seoul Save on admission to Singapore and Seoul attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
The bandstand in Singapore Botanic Gardens.
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Singapore in May

As Singapore lurches towards the busy summer season, May presents one of the last opportunities to see the city in (relative) peace and quiet before the vacationing hordes descend. It’s also one of the hottest and most humid months of the year here but, again, it’s all relative on an island where the climate doesn’t really vary all that much from one end of the year to the other. Read on for our expert guide to visiting Singapore in May. Visiting Singapore in May Temperature: 77–88°F • Average Rainfall: 19 days/month • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day Don’t let that scary-looking rainfall stat put you off: May is so hot and humid in Singapore that, believe us, you’ll be glad of the respite provided by those occasional brief downpours. These short thunderstorms are mere amuse bouches for the monsoon season proper, which arrives in June and doesn’t begin to peter out until September. There’s also sunshine in May, and lots of it, so prepare accordingly by donning massive Jackie O sunglasses, light cotton and linen clothing and the floppiest, widest-brimmed sun hat you can lay your hands on. Or make like the locals and pack a parasol for the midday sun and an umbrella for the afternoon downpour. Like the climate, hotel prices don’t vary much across the year in Singapore. But May, loosely speaking, is low season, so you’re more likely to find good deals now than, say, in June or July. Our advice? Book well ahead to take advantage of any early bird discounts that may be available. Things to do in Singapore in May May’s hot, humid weather means you won’t want to be outdoors all the time. Indeed you’ll likely find yourself sweatily seeking out air-conditioned malls, restaurants, hawker centers and, heck, even public transport, every hour or so, just to get a bit of respite. A great way to spend a sizzling May day is to get out and about early, discovering the kinds of fine outdoors attractions that have earned Singapore its ‘Garden City’ nickname before the heat really begins to bite around noon. Dodge the soaring temperatures with a few indoor attractions in the afternoon before seeking out a beach or rooftop bar for cocktails at sunset. Perfect. Singapore’s many gardens and forests are great fun for exploring, and have the added benefit of providing a bit of natural shade and temperature control on warm days. Hotfoot it to the spectacular Gardens by the Bay where the OCBC Skyway provides some fine aerial views from 22 meters up in the canopy of the park’s iconic Supertrees. Or stick to the trunks, where your morning stroll is absolutely gratis. Step inside the vast durian-shaped hothouses for ancient olive groves, a sky-high waterfall and carpets of colorful blooms that emit an intoxicating riot of perfumes. Across town, Singapore’s Botanic Gardens provide further opportunities to smell the roses. And orchids. And Rafflesia. This sprawling 200-acre oasis also has a picture-perfect bandstand and peaceful Swan Lake, ticking off your Instagram and picnic requirements in one fell swoop. Equally alluring are the Southern Ridges, where six miles of elevated walkways and jungle trails, weave along the island’s south coast, connecting Mount Faber Park and the Labrador Nature Reserve. Expect to see (and hear) a rainbow of native birdlife as you tiptoe through the treetops, including orange-bellied flowerpeckers, red-whiskered bulbuls and many more tropical critters. Don’t miss the decidedly more manmade structure that is Henderson Waves, an architectural masterpiece of steel that snakes across the trees and, at 36 meters above ground, is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. A little further north, MacRitchie Reservoir (pictured above) is a huge natural playground with, yes, another epic treetop walkway that links the park’s highest points, plus plenty of running and walking trails and, this being a reservoir, an abundance of water for kayak enthusiasts to explore, perhaps spotting the occasional monitor lizard or macaque along the way. Hazy May afternoons in Singapore are best spent over long lunches in air-conditioned hawker centers. Order a sweet and refreshing bandung (condensed milk and rose syrup over ice) and gorge on local specialities including chicken rice, chili crab and pork satay before hitting the (also air-conditioned) mega-malls for a spot of light retail therapy. As evening approaches, catch the cable car across the bay to the tiny resort island of Sentosa, where a cocktail at the beach bars or dip in the 85°F waters that lap palm-lined sands are the ideal way to top off your day as the sun disappears over the horizon. What’s on in Singapore in May? Vesak Day is celebrated on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Which, for those paying attention at the back, generally means sometime in May. It’s a public holiday and precipitates an island-wide festival in celebration of the life of Buddha, usually manifested in various religious and cultural activities in and around Singapore’s many temples. Join the festivities at landmark beauties including the Insta-perfect Burmese Buddhist Temple and Lian Shan Shuang Lin Monastery, where you can also witness awesome candlelit processions at the end of the day. Culture vultures rejoice! For May is also the month of the Singapore International Festival of Arts, which showcases some of the finest in theater, music, dance and visual arts from Singapore and around the world. A wide and varied program includes ticketed performances as well as a number of free events around the city. But, if your idea of a great day out tends to involve giving your credit card a workout in chic boutiques, swanky stores and big-brand emporia stuffed with clothes, accessories, gadgets and toys, we also have something just for you. The Great Singapore Sale kicks off towards the end of May, bringing extended shopping hours and whopping great discounts (often as high as 70%!) to some of the city’s biggest retail outlets. Just don’t blame us when you get a fevered call from your bank manager the next morning! 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.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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