Singapore at night: 12 things to do after dark

Singapore is at its best after dark: the air is cooler, the skyline lights up, two free light shows play every night and the hawker centres stay busy until late. It is also one of the safest cities in the world to walk around at night. Here are our guides’ favourite things to do in the evening.

Free light shows

Times can change on public holidays, and shows may stop in heavy rain or lightning. Check before you go.

12 things to do after dark

1. Watch Garden Rhapsody, the light and music show at the Supertrees. Lie back on the ground under the trees for the best view.
2. See Spectra, the water, light and laser show over the bay in front of Marina Bay Sands.
3. Walk the Marina Bay loop from the Merlion past the Esplanade to the Helix Bridge, with the whole skyline lit up.
4. Visit the Night Safari, the zoo for animals that are awake at night. Entry times start at 7.15 pm, the last entry is 11.15 pm, and it is far from the city, so go by car or taxi.
5. Take a bumboat cruise on the Singapore River from Clarke Quay, past the old warehouses and the bridges to Marina Bay.
6. Eat satay at Satay Street next to Lau Pa Sat, open from 7 pm on weekdays (3 pm at weekends) until 3 am.
7. Have late-night barbecued seafood at Newton Food Centre. Seafood is sold by weight, so ask the price first.
8. Sit by the river at Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, full of bars and restaurants.
9. Walk Little India and Kampong Glam in the evening: the Sultan Mosque lit up, Arab Street and the small bars of Haji Lane.
10. See the city from above at the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck or on the Singapore Flyer.
11. Shop for souvenirs and eat in the lantern-lit streets of Chinatown.
12. Flying out late? Go to Jewel at Changi early for the Rain Vortex light show before your flight.

• Singapore Night Lights Tour by Car: The skyline lit up, two free light shows and supper at a hawker centre — with a private car between them. (4 hours, S$288 per group of up to 4 guests, private car included)
• Marina Bay & Gardens Night Tour: City lights, the Merlion and the evening light show in the Gardens. (3 h 30 min, from S$65 per adult, S$45 per child)
• Night Tour with River Cruise & Light Shows: A small-group evening with a licensed guide: a bumboat cruise on the Singapore River and both Marina Bay light shows. (3 hours, from S$85 per adult, S$62 per child)
• Night Safari by Private Car: Hotel Return Transfer: Skip the taxi queue at midnight: a licensed driver-guide drives you to the Night Safari, waits while you explore, and brings you back to your hotel. (5 hours, S$188 per group of up to 4 guests, private car included)
• Little India & Kampong Glam Evening Food Trail: Curry on a banana leaf, murtabak and teh tarik as the lights come on in two of Singapore’s most colourful quarters. (3 hours, from S$99 per adult, S$68 per child)

Getting around at night

• The MRT runs until about midnight. Plan your last train home if you stay out late.
• Taxis and ride apps are easy to find. Taxis add a peak surcharge in the evening and 50% to the fare from midnight to 6 am.
• A private night tour by car takes you between Marina Bay, the light shows and a hawker centre, and drops you back at your hotel.

Tip: Bring mosquito repellent to the Night Safari and the Supertrees, and a light jacket if you go to the Cloud Forest: it is cool inside.

Frequently asked questions

Is Singapore safe at night?

Yes. Singapore is one of the safest cities in the world, and the main areas are busy and well lit late into the evening. Use normal care with your phone and bag.

Which light show is the best?

Both are free and worth seeing. Garden Rhapsody at the Supertrees feels like a garden concert; Spectra at Marina Bay Sands is a big water and laser show over the bay. You can see both in one evening: Garden Rhapsody at 7.45 pm, then Spectra at 9 pm.

Is the Night Safari worth it?

Yes, especially with children. Book an entry time, take the tram ride first, then walk the trails. It is in the north of the island, so a car or taxi is the easiest way there and back.