Singapore Night Festival 2026

Looking forward to the Singapore Night Festival 2026? So are we! Get ready to immerse yourself in an incredible celebration of light, art, heritage, music, and culture as Bras Basah.Bugis precinct transforms into Singapore’s largest open-air arts festival after dark.

Every year, the Singapore Night Festival attracts thousands of visitors with spectacular projection mapping shows, interactive light installations, live performances, family-friendly activities, delicious food, and immersive cultural experiences.

Whether you’re wondering what the Singapore Night Festival is, where it takes place, whether admission is free, or what families can expect, BusyKidd has everything you need to start planning your visit. From breathtaking building projections and interactive art installations to exciting performances and festival villages, here’s everything you need to know about Singapore Night Festival 2026.

Related Reading: Check out our guides to Flea Markets in Singapore, Kid-Friendly Escape Rooms in Singapore, Best Laser Tag Places in Singapore.

What Is The Night Festival

Singapore Night Festival (SNF) is one of the city’s most anticipated annual arts and heritage festivals, transforming the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct into a vibrant open-air playground of light, music, storytelling, and immersive art after sunset.

The 17th edition of the Singapore Night Festival returns from 21 August to 5 September 2026, spanning three weekends with the theme ‘Myths and Legends’. This year’s festival celebrates the rich folklore, traditions, and cultural stories of Singapore and Southeast Asia through spectacular projection mapping, interactive light installations, performances, and family-friendly experiences.

As night falls, historic buildings, museums, streets, and public spaces across the Bras Basah.Bugis district comes alive with dazzling digital art, larger-than-life sculptures, live performances, immersive walking trails, and exciting food villages. Most outdoor installations are completely free to enjoy, making the festival one of the best free family events in Singapore.

Whether you’re visiting with children, planning a date night, or simply looking for a unique evening out, the Singapore Night Festival offers something for everyone, from magical light displays and interactive installations to storytelling experiences, heritage walks, film screenings, and delicious street food.

Singapore Night Festival 2026 Highlights

The 2026 festival introduces an exciting mix of returning favourites and brand-new experiences. Visitors can look forward to:

Spectacular projection mapping on iconic heritage buildings
10 interactive Night Lights installations
A brand-new Museum Zone
Three Festival Zones
Family-friendly performances and workshops
Heritage-inspired walking tours
Food and retail villages
Outdoor art experiences throughout the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct.

Here’s what not to miss.

Projection Mapping

Projection mapping has become one of the most anticipated attractions of the Singapore Night Festival, transforming historic buildings into spectacular digital canvases after sunset.

Tales of Earth and Sea (National Museum of Singapore)

The festival’s signature projection mapping experience returns in 2026 with Tales of Earth and Sea, a breathtaking digital artwork inspired by Singapore’s myths, legends, and centuries-old relationship with the sea. Animated visuals are projected across the magnificent façade of the National Museum of Singapore, accompanied by an original soundtrack created by Artusik (Singapore) in collaboration with UiTM Malaysia.

This immersive experience combines storytelling, light, animation, and music, making it one of the must-see attractions of Singapore Night Festival 2026.

When: 21 August – 5 September 2026
Where: National Museum of Singapore
Admission: Free

‘MALAM’ Projection Mapping Competition at The Cathay

For the first time, the Singapore Night Festival introduces ‘MALAM’, an exciting projection mapping competition celebrating the creativity of artists from across Southeast Asia. The historic façade of The Cathay will become a spectacular canvas showcasing the Top 20 shortlisted projection mapping artworks, each offering a unique interpretation of this year’s ‘Myths and Legends’ theme.

Festival-goers can admire a diverse collection of digital artworks featuring folklore, cultural heritage, and imaginative storytelling brought to life through cutting-edge animation and light. As one of the brand-new highlights of Singapore Night Festival 2026, ‘MALAM’ offers visitors a chance to experience fresh artistic perspectives while celebrating the region’s vibrant creative community.

Admission: Free
When: 21 August – 5 September 2026
- Friday & Saturday: 7.30pm – 12am
- Sunday – Thursday: 7.30pm – 11pm
Where: The Cathay, 2 Handy Road, Singapore 229233

Night Lights: 10 Illuminated Installations

One of the festival’s biggest draws is the collection of interactive light artworks scattered across the district. Some highlights include:

Vikings of the Tropics

Discover a nautical-inspired installation celebrating the legendary Bugis traders and Singapore’s maritime heritage.

Where: Armenian Street

The Dragon’s Tooth: A Legend of Becoming Light

Inspired by the legendary Long Ya Men (Dragon’s Teeth Gate), this immersive installation combines storytelling with interactive lighting.

Where: SMU Campus Green

You and I, Believing…

An interactive sculpture inviting visitors to reflect on identity, hope and community through mirrored surfaces and personal stories.

Where: SMU Campus Green

Traces

Inspired by the mysterious Singapore Stone, this digital artwork explores Singapore’s ancient history and regional connections.

Where: SMU Sunken Amphitheatre

Once Upon A Time

Whimsical animal sculptures made from recycled materials by Singapore students.

Where: Capitol Singapore

Inter-Light

Walk through an ever-changing tunnel of projections, shadows and colourful light.

Where: Raffles City Singapore

Rising of Sister Islands

A speech-activated installation inspired by the legend of Singapore’s Sisters’ Islands.

Where: Funan Kinetic Wall

The Blooming Hearts Fortune Merlion

Meet the colourful 2.8-metre interactive Merlion made partly from recycled plastic bottles.

Where: Plaza Singapura

Stormy Straits

Experience the dramatic monsoon seas of the 1800s through illuminated sculptures and atmospheric sound.

Where: Bugis Street Art Lane

Lovebug

A playful inflatable installation inspired by Singapore’s native wildlife and folklore, complete with a mini book corner.

Where: National Library Building Plaza

Admission: Free

Must-See Festival Experiences

Birdmen

For one weekend only, mysterious illuminated creatures will roam the festival grounds in an unforgettable outdoor performance.

When: 21–23 August 2026
Admission: Free

Horror Nights at Oldham Theatre

Fans of Southeast Asian horror can enjoy special screenings of cult classics including Orang Minyak, Tiger Stripes, and Roh.

When: 22, 23, 29 & 30 August
Admission: $10

The Lost Legacy of Fort Canning: The Forbidden Hill

One of the festival’s signature experiences, this immersive after-dark walking adventure combines archaeology, mythology, live performances and soundscapes as visitors uncover the hidden stories of Fort Canning.

When: Selected dates between 21 August and 5 September
Duration: 70 minutes
Admission: $60

Legends in Motion

These specially curated heritage walks by The Artist Village blend storytelling, live performances and local history.

Highlights include:

Invisible City
When the Water Rose
Tickets from $25.

Festival Villages

Need a break between installations? Head to the Festival Villages for local food, live music, artisan shopping, performances and pop-up experiences.

The villages return bigger than ever in 2026 with food stalls, creative workshops, family-friendly activities and entertainment throughout the three festival weekends.

More details on participating vendors and programmes will be announced closer to the festival.

Singapore Night Festival

When: 21 August – 5 September 2026
- Friday & Saturday: 7.30pm – 12am
- Sunday – Thursday: 7.30pm – 11pm
Location: Bras Basah.Bugis Precinct, Singapore
Suitable for: All ages
Admission: Most outdoor installations, projection mapping shows and performances are FREE. Selected walking tours, immersive experiences and film screenings require tickets.
More Details