Things to do in Singapore when it's hot out

By Dom Bewley
Published: July 18, 2024
The rooftop infinity pool at the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel

Heat. Often it's what we seek when we head off on vacation. But sometimes, it can be overwhelming, forcing us to take shelter in the cold and dark. If you've suffered enough of the sun on your trip to Singapore, here are our picks of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out!

Including:

  • Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour
  • Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin
  • Virtual Room Singapore
  • Sentosa 4D Adventureland
  • Madame Tussauds Singapore
  • and more!
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Enjoy a Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour

One of the best ways to avoid the heat is to head out when the sun's gone down. No sun - no intense UV heat; a rule we should all live by. So if you want to see more of Singapore but don't want to sweat buckets, take an evening tour of Singapore's beautiful Marina Bay.

With an experienced tour guide in tow, you'll pass plenty of Singapore's blissful landmarks, from the Gardens of the Bay to the SuperTrees, and along the Kallang River. And if you want to know more about each place, your guide will be more than happy to drop some knowledge bombs on your trip.

If you're looking for things to do in Singapore when it's hot out, a nighttime cycle around the beautiful bay might be just the ticket.

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Experience a Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin

Or, why not brave the sun but embrace the cooling power of water? It's one of our favorite elements, easily beating out bottom-placed wind. The wind is fine, but it doesn't have the same fun factor. Anyway, with water in mind, why not take a splash on a nature kayaking adventure at Pulau Ubin?

Located just off Singapore's northeastern coast, Pulau Ubin is one of Singapore's last remaining villages. As such, they live life a little in the past. And that means plenty of untouched natural beauty, clean air, and good vibes. As you set off on your kayak adventure, you'll take in Pulau Ubin's thriving mangroves, which are home to a variety of flora and fauna like herons and kingfishers.

Of course, the whole thing is guided by an expert, so they'll be able to fill you in on the village's way of life, as well as the different species that call Pulau Ubin home. Good stuff.

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Enter Virtual Room Singapore

Want an even better way to avoid the heat when it's hot out? Why not look for things to do inside? There are plenty of fun things to do indoors in Singapore. You could even enter another reality if you like. And what better reality to enter than a virtual one?

At VirtualRoom, you'll find an award-winning VR experience like no other. Fully immerse yourself in high-definition, three-dimensional gameplay as you interact with your surroundings, walk, talk, and solve problems. Each adventure lasts 40-50 minutes, but in the delightfully air-conditioned building, you won't feel a single bead of sweat.

Play in your own dedicated room as you collaborate with other players in groups of two, three, or four. Then, solve puzzles, complete activities, and try to achieve sweet, sweet victory.

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Or fly a jet at Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience

Or, if you prefer your indoor, virtual entertainment with an injection of delicious adrenaline, then why not take to the skies in a VR fighter jet?

Embody the spirit of Maverick as you swoop past some of the biggest landmarks in America. Fly by the Golden Gate Bridge? Not a problem. Descend into the Grand Canyon and pull off some sweet trench maneuvers? Go get 'em, champ.

Even newbies can get involved, with an experienced instructor on hand to get you settled and show you the ropes. Take off, spins, drifts, and all the other terrifying maneuvers will be drilled into your brain before you're launched into the sky to do your thing. And, of course, you'll be surrounded by sweet, sweet air-con.

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Visit Sentosa 4D Adventureland

For more inside fun to dodge the heat, why not enter the 4th dimension? At Sentosa 4D AdventureLand, you'll discover that the 4th dimension isn't time. Really, it's fun! Who knew?

Pick two of the four rides on offer, and escape to another world entirely. On the Journey 2: The Mysterious Island ride, you'll relive some of the crazy sequences from the hit film, all while being splashed and feeling objects and insects fly past your face. Wild.

Or, take the plunge on the Extreme Log Ride, saddle up on the Desperados ride, or dodge ghosts and other spooky somethings on the Haunted Mine ride. Whatever floats your boat, Sentosa 4D Adventureland is sure to tickle your fancy. That's why it's one of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out!

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Image courtesy of nhumster/Shutterstock

Immerse yourself at Madame Tussauds Singapore

They say you should never meet your heroes. After all, celebrities have a tendency to quickly shatter the illusion you have in your head. You live long enough to see yourself become the villain and all that. But what if your favorite celebrity couldn't talk? What if they couldn't move? How could they ever tarnish the idea of them? They couldn't, which is why you should head to Madame Tussauds Singapore and snap some photos with your favs.

From David Beckham to Taylor Swift, you're sure to find someone famous you like around there. And with rides and other fun things to do, it's definitely worth a visit during your vacation!

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Image courtesy of Saiko3p/Shutterstock

Discover the National Museum of Singapore

Want to learn more about Singapore's culture and history while dodging the heat? Head over to the National Museum of Singapore and get some of that sweet knowledge in you.

Wander through multiple galleries that chart the course of Singapore's history, delve into its myriad cultures, and explore the stories of its residents throughout history. Learning about another culture is one of the joys of vacationing abroad, so you've got no excuse.

Plus, thanks to the air conditioning, it's easily one of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out!

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Venture out on a Night Safari

And finally, let's end on another evening adventure. On this night safari, you'll get the chance to see a variety of exotic species like lions, tigers, hippos, and hyenas during the darker hours, just like in those nature documentaries!

And best of all, at night, you can bet the temperature will be much cooler and more bearable.

And that's our list of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out! Looking for more experiences to make your trip special? Check out Go City! With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the best of Singapore for one low price.

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Loris in a tree.
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Singapore Night Safari Walking Trails

Singapore’s Night Safari is the world’s first nocturnal zoo, part of the epic Mandai Wildlife Reserve which also boasts Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise and River Wonders among its uber-popular attractions. The Night Safari’s whopping 86 acres of parkland houses some 100 species of night-loving creatures, with around 900 different animals to meet on its themed walking trails and tram tour. We’re talking Tasmanian devils, clouded leopards, giant anteaters, flying foxes, barking deer and more. You won’t even need night-vision goggles to spot these crepuscular critters going about their dusky maneuvers. Artificial moonlight means your eyes soon become accustomed to the gloom, allowing you to observe the inhabitants of this tropical forest during the hours of darkness, when even the slowest of lorises will be at its most active. The whole thing is open-air, too, with many curious critters often only separated from you, their human counterparts, by cattle grids. Board the complimentary tram for a 40-minute wildlife adventure complete with audio commentary, or stroll the four themed Night Safari walking trails to get even closer to the park’s residents. Our expert guide to the East Lodge Trail, Fishing Cat Trail, Leopard Trail and Tasmanian Devil Trail gives you the lowdown on what to expect from each walk. East Lodge Trail Titans of the African savannah meet majestic beasts from the Asian tropics on the awe-inspiring East Lodge Trail. This is where you’ll find cartoonish African aardvarks rubbing shoulders (or perhaps snouts) with majestic Malayan tigers and shaggy sloth bears (metaphorically speaking, of course). Compare African red river hogs with their distant babirusa cousins from the Indonesia island of Sulawesi. And see servals, spotted hyenas, bongos, white-faced owls and more peering at you suspiciously from their enclosures. Fishing Cat Trail If you’re a fan of oddball animals, this is the walking trail for you. Alongside the titular fishing cat – a small but muscular beast which, if you’re lucky, you might even see living up to its name at suppertime – you can expect to encounter spectacled owls, whistling ducks, gray-handed night monkeys and giant Asian pond turtles. Star of the show here, however, is the unbearably cute Sunda pangolin. These prehistoric-looking critters have been driven to the edge of extinction by poachers and motor vehicles – here’s your chance to see one living its best life in the safety and security of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. You’ll also spot palm civets frolicking in the vines like mini Tarzans, see the eyes of the slow loris glowing in the twilight, and hear the bone-chilling sound of the barking muntjac deer. Leopard Trail There’s more than just leopards along this trail, where animals indigenous to the Asian peninsula rule the roost. There are, as we have already established, leopards. Clouded leopards, for example, with their huge (and frankly terrifying) jaws. And leopard cats, which look a lot like domestic cats, but with pimped-up hunting skills that go well beyond your little Simba’s penchant for attacking balls of wool. Joining these formidable creatures of the night are majestic Asiatic lions from India’s Gir National Park and huge Malayan flying foxes that soar between the treetops. You can also meet inquisitive palm civets, ferociously cute bushbabies, powerful hog badgers and prickly porcupines. Tasmanian Devil Trail Further weird and wonderful beasts await intrepid night-time explorers of the Tasmanian Devil Trail, where it's all about animals of Antipodean origin. We’re talking New Zealand’s North Island brown kiwi, tree-dwelling sugar gliders, wallabies and – undisputed stars of the show here – the carnivorous critters that give the trail its name. If you’re lucky enough to reach their enclosure at feeding time, you’ll be rewarded with the bloodcurdling screeches and screams that accompany all mealtimes, as well as the spectacle of these ferocious little beasties tearing their supper to shreds in a feeding frenzy that puts larger animals to shame. Guided Tram Ride Before embarking on the Night Safari walking trails for those unforgettable up-close experiences with the animals, you should consider taking a ride on the tram. It’s a cool way to get a broad overview of the park, and means you get to catch a glimpse of some residents – including hippos and Asian elephants – that can only be viewed from the tram, not from the walking trails. The 40-minute narrated ride departs from right at the park entrance and takes you on a journey through six geographical regions, from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the Himalayas' lofty peaks. It’s included with your ticket and is the ideal appetite-whetter for your Night Safari experience. Creatures of the Night Show Also worthy of your attention is this twice-nightly show (three times on weekends) in the Night Safari Amphitheatre, in which expert handlers present a variety of the park’s animal ambassadors, such as the bearded pigs, raccoon dogs, Asian small-clawed otters and fennec foxes. Entry to the show is included with your ticket but you’ll need to book a seat at your preferred performance. You can do this via the park’s booking portal up to two hours before each presentation. Ticket Info and Opening Hours General admission to the Night Safari is included with a Singapore attractions pass from Go City, which can save you money if you plan to visit multiple Singapore attractions. The pass includes entry to the other Mandai Wildlife Reserve parks, plus Gardens by the Bay, SkyHelix Sentosa, the National Museum of Singapore, and more. Alternatively, you can buy tickets direct from the official Night Safari website, where options include multi-park tickets and other add-on experiences. The Night Safari is open daily from 7.15PM until midnight. Last entry is at 11.15PM. 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
Family at the Gardens of the Bay
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Singapore winter events to watch for

Whilst many destinations batten down the hatches from December through to the start of March, there are a slew of winter events which take place annually in Singapore. The start of peak season, Singapore winter events range from Christmas and New Year celebrations to music festivals. Temperatures at this time of year rarely drop below 24°C. Humidity levels are some of the lowest at any time in Singapore’s calendar. So although you’re likely to face a bit of rain, especially at the start of the winter season, it’s certainly not going to dampen spirits as Singapore’s winter events take hold! Want to know what not to miss? Check out the top Singapore winter events right here! Christmas events in Singapore Head to Singapore towards the start of December and there’s no getting away from the Christmas festivities! Many of Singapore’s year-round attractions make an extra special effort to show seasonal cheer, whilst pop up events aren’t difficult to find either. Head to Gardens by the Bay and you not only get to explore the like of the avatar experience at its Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, but also its Christmas Wonderland. In the shade of the famed Supertree Grove, visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, take to rides including a Victorian carousel and enjoy a magical sound and light show. Needless to say, the wonderland is at its best after dark. Any time of day is a good time to visit the Christmas market at Capitol Singapore’s Outdoor Plaza. As well as a great place to do some last-minute gift buying, there’s an eight-meter-high Christmas tree, some of the best Christmas lights in Singapore, and even a nightly ‘snowfall’ around 7 PM. Elsewhere, you can fulfil your Christmas ice skating dreams at the indoor rinks at JCube or Kallang Ice World whatever the weather. New Year events in Singapore As if to prove just how glorious Singapore is at this time of year, Singapore gets no less than two new year celebrations. Festivities take place across the island, but the top place to head for the December 31 countdown to midnight has to be Marina Bay. The waterfront is lined with entertainment and lights leading up to the event everyone has been waiting for – the magnificent firework display as the clocks strike twelve. And what about Singapore’s other new year celebration? If you visit Singapore towards the end of January, you won’t fail to notice the lead up to Chinese New Year. This two-week long celebration coincides with the full moon, giving it its alternative name of the Lunar New Year. Chinatown is the obvious place to head, where stalls sell special treats such as nian gao (sweet rice cakes) beside exquisitely-made lanterns and other decorations. Firecrackers are another essential ingredient of the traditions, used to scare away a mythical beast. The celebrations culminate in another unmissable fair and firework display at Marina Bay. Additional January events in Singapore Displays of another kind are to be had at Singapore Art Week. Marrying traditional gallery exhibitions with talks, tours and art walks, it has become Singapore’s premier art event since its creation roughly a decade ago. An island-wide arts extravaganza, it usually takes place in late December or January. Mid-January is the timing of Pongal, or Harvest Festival. It’s marked by many Singaporeans with colorful rice flour artworks at the entrance to homes and businesses. Hindu temples become busy with worshippers, and special performances crop up alongside a variety of family-friendly hands-on workshops. At around the same time, the Singapore Fringe Festival brings a range of provocative, contemporary and heart-warming acts to its Theatres on the Bay location. A mix of Singaporean and international performers engage audiences with ticketed performacnes as diverse as Singapore itself! Other Singapore winter events For unrivalled revelry to the beat of some of the world’s best DJs, Singapore has the ZoukOut Music Festival. A far cry from the country’s reputation of hardworking efficiency, ZoukOut provides a great excuse to let your hair down. Taking place in early December on Sentosa Island’s Siloso Beach, this dusk-till-dawn celebration of dance music has become one of the biggest in Asia. No surprise then that it attracts some of the top names in the business. Previous incarnations have seen sets by the likes of David Guetta, Stereo MCs and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Singapore’s pleasure island, elsewhere on Sentosa visitors will discover a range of superb attractions. Extreme sports enthusiasts will satisfy their need for a new adrenaline rush at AJ Hackett Sentosa Giant Swing and Skybridge. From its maximum height of 40 meters, equivalent to a 12-story building, you’ll get the thrill of a lifetime and incredible views! A great alternative for those who aren’t sure their life insurance is up to date is Singapore Cable Car. It links Singapore’s Keppel harbor front with Sentosa and Mount Faber, providing expansive vistas across the southern coastline along the way. Meanwhile, February is a big month for couples thanks to Valentine’s Day. The recently heartbroken might well want to avoid Singapore this month since it goes all out with hearts and other symbols of pairing up. Most restaurants create special menus just for the day – make sure you book in good time – but there are other events to look out for too. These include outdoor movie screenings at Keppel Bay and couples’ massages in many spas. Or how about a romantic cruise along the Singapore River, taking in some of the country’s finest cityscapes? Visit for Singapore’s winter events – save on Singapore’s top attractions There are lots of reasons to consider a trip to Singapore during the winter months. You might be after a little warmth as the weather turns colder back home. Or you might be keen to explore Singapore’s winter events schedule. Either way, don’t miss your chance to experience Singapore’s top year-round attractions as well. We think there’s no better way to do this then with Go City! We give you the opportunity to save on admission whilst taking in a massive range of picks, from museums to theme parks.
Alex Birungi
Gardens by the Bay
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Tuesdays in Singapore: Top Picks for the Ultimate Adventure

Who says Tuesday’s a slow day? Singapore serves up nonstop fun and flavor.

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