The Singapore Night Festival (SNF) 2025 returns from August 22 to September 6 with more than 80 unique experiences across the Bras Basah-Bugis precinct. Now in its 16th edition, this year’s theme is Island Nights, inviting visitors to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with Singapore’s island heritage.
Festival director Qazim Karim explains that while Singapore is often seen as a bustling metropolis, the event aims to encourage people to pause and embrace a slower rhythm of life. “There is nothing wrong with chilling,” he says, pointing to installations and performances designed to create moments of reflection alongside high-energy celebrations.
Kampong Chill: A Bamboo Sanctuary in the City
One of the highlights of this year’s festival is Kampong Chill, an interactive bamboo pavilion created by artist duo Yok & Sheryo. Located at Capitol Singapore, the space offers a retreat from the crowds. Inside, visitors can sit quietly, watch candles burn, or notice a glowing totem that brightens as the space falls silent.
The artists describe it as a “time-squandering establishment” that embraces the simple act of slowing down. Workshops such as mindful breathing exercises will also be conducted at the pavilion, making it a hub for festivalgoers seeking a tranquil experience.
Night Light Installations and Facade Projections
No night festival is complete without spectacular light installations, and SNF 2025 promises plenty of visual highlights.
Outside Plaza Singapura, artist Yang Derong presents Cyberswordfish V2.0, a dazzling installation made from electronic waste, reimagining the legend of swordfish attacking Singapore in a futuristic twist.
On Armenian Street, artists Koh Kai Ting and Aw Boon Xin showcase Jiwa Laut, a luminous 2.5-metre-long crab inspired by Malay folklore. The work draws from tales of a giant crab living in a mystical tree, causing high tides.
Visitors can also explore neon-inspired works such as Maegzter’s Waves Of Time at Bugis+, evoking Singapore’s past neon glow, or step into LABSIXFIVE’s infinity room outside Raffles City. At the National Museum of Singapore, French artist Jeremie Bellot presents Mosaic, a breathtaking projection mapping performance that combines astronomical imagery with music by Ena Eno.
Musical Journeys: From Bunkers to Xinyao Classics
Music lovers will find plenty to enjoy at SNF 2025. At Fort Canning Hill’s historic Battlebox, the series Bunker By Night transforms the underground command centre into a space for experimental sound experiences. Two contrasting performances will take place on September 5 and 6, offering both ritualistic soundscapes and immersive headphone journeys.
Meanwhile, Our Songs, Our Stories at Bras Basah Complex invites audiences to sing along to xinyao and folk classics on September 5 and 6. For fans of Mandopop, The Theatre Practice stages Partial Eclipse Of The Heart at the Drama Centre, a jukebox musical featuring songs by beloved regional musicians.
Family-Friendly Attractions: Sky Castle and Nila’s Story
Families with children will find the festival equally exciting. The international installation Sky Castle, created by Australian art studio Eness, brings colourful inflatable arches to Cathay Green. Children can walk through the glowing structures while listening to a specially composed orchestral soundtrack.
At the Children’s Museum Singapore, little ones can embark on Nila’s Shimmering Shores, a sensory storytelling journey retelling the legend of Sang Nila Utama. Designed for neurodiverse audiences, the experience combines sound, scent and movement for an immersive adventure.
The museum will also open its galleries at night for everyone, creating opportunities for intergenerational exploration.
The Listening Biennial: Tuning Into Sounds Around Us
Another standout programme is The Listening Biennial, curated by Alecia Neo. This initiative encourages visitors to explore the art of listening through performances, workshops and installations.
Highlights include silent portrait sessions by deaf photographer Issy Lim, a participatory tidal walk at 42 Waterloo Street, and a workshop by Thai collective Hear & Found, who work with indigenous communities to document cultural soundscapes. Their installation, Earthsong: Indigenous Harmony From Thailand, will also be presented at the Stamford Arts Centre.
Puppetry, Ghost Tours and Heritage Stories
Beyond the main attractions, festivalgoers can enjoy a range of cultural and heritage-inspired activities. Three puppetry shows will take place, including shadow puppetry at the National Museum, Chinese hand puppetry by Paper Monkey Theatre, and a glove puppet adaptation of Journey To The West by Penang-based collective Ombak Potehi.
For those drawn to the supernatural, The Fort Canning Conspiracy ghost tour will guide participants through historic landmarks, blending folklore with eyewitness accounts. Meanwhile, Waterloo Street Stories brings together artists and community groups to showcase performances, photography, and installations celebrating the area’s rich history.
A Festival That Blends Heritage and Innovation
Organised for the first time by HeritageSG, the Singapore Night Festival 2025 seeks to strengthen ties with regional partners while positioning Singapore as a hub for light art and cultural exchange. With artists from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and beyond, the festival highlights Southeast Asia’s creative vibrancy.
Visitors can expect a mix of tradition and innovation, from neon lights reminiscent of Singapore’s past to futuristic digital art, puppetry, music, and immersive storytelling.
Event Details
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Dates: August 22 to September 6, 2025
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Locations: Bras Basah-Bugis precinct, including museums, cultural institutions and public spaces
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Admission: Free and ticketed events available
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Programme Info: Full schedule available at heritage.sg/sgnightfest
Conclusion
With more than 80 experiences spread across three weekends, the Singapore Night Festival 2025 offers something for everyone. Whether it is relaxing at Kampong Chill, marvelling at luminous marine creatures, listening to music in a historic bunker, or taking the family to see Sky Castle, the festival continues to be one of Singapore’s most anticipated cultural events.
