Singapore Night Festival returns for its 16th edition from 22 August to 6 September 2025, transforming the historic Bras Basah.Bugis precinct into an enchanting wonderland of light, art, and culture. Under the captivating theme “Island Nights,” this year’s festival invites visitors to embark on a journey through Singapore’s rich island heritage, celebrating the fascinating stories of belonging, exchange, and connectivity that define our nation’s identity.

Organised by HeritageSG, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board, the Singapore Night Festival offers over 80 immersive experiences spanning three consecutive weekends. The festival operates daily from 7:30pm to midnight, creating an after-dark playground where contemporary art meets historical storytelling in the most spectacular fashion.

Highlight Experiences That Define Island Nights

Sky Castle at Cathay Green

The crown jewel of Singapore Night Festival 2025 is undoubtedly Sky Castle, an interactive sound and light installation crafted by renowned Australian art and technology studio ENESS. This whimsical creation features a cluster of vibrant, inflatable arches that form a glowing rainbow pathway, responding to visitors’ movements with cascading symphonies of colours and xylophone melodies.

As festival-goers navigate through these magnificent arches, their steps trigger captivating colour changes and musical notes, creating a unique orchestral piece that evolves throughout the evening. The installation symbolises the joy and hope that rainbows bring after storms, making it both visually stunning and emotionally uplifting. Additional activities include inflatable costumes, cotton candy, and stick-on tattoos, enhancing the magical experience for visitors of all ages.

Entry to Sky Castle requires a modest $5 ticket (children aged six and below enter free), with admission available until 10:30pm and tickets purchasable through Klook.

Kampong Chill at Capitol Singapore

Artist duo Yok and Sheryo present Kampong Chill, a thought-provoking pavilion that challenges Singapore’s fast-paced culture by celebrating the art of rest and relaxation. This bamboo-constructed installation serves as an oasis within the urban landscape, encouraging visitors to pause, breathe, and embrace the slower rhythms of traditional kampong life.

The installation questions societal assumptions that equate rest with laziness or slowing down with failure, offering workshops and experiences that capture the essence of Singapore’s island lifestyle. Kampong Chill operates with extended hours on weekends (until midnight) and provides a perfect counterbalance to the festival’s more energetic attractions.

Stunning Projection Mapping Installations

Mosaic at National Museum of Singapore

French artist Jérémie Bellot, in collaboration with Ena Eno and Josselin Fouché, presents Mosaic, a breathtaking projection mapping spectacle that adorns the facade of the National Museum of Singapore. This immersive display weaves together themes of astronomical phenomena, navigation, and island exploration, incorporating traditional kebaya and batik motifs that reflect Singapore’s rich cultural heritage.

The projection takes viewers on a stellar journey through constellations and historical cartographies, celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties between Singapore and France whilst honouring the epic voyages that shaped our region’s maritime history.

CHIJMES Projection Showcase

The historic CHIJMES building becomes a canvas for four enchanting Island Night stories created by local female artists. These mesmerising projections explore themes of trading, marine flora and fauna, family history, and healing remedies, told through captivating combinations of light, colour, and spatial design.

Captivating Light Installations Across the Precinct

Cyberswordfish V2.0 at Plaza Singapura

Yang Derong’s imaginative sculpture reimagines the legendary Singapura Dilanggar Todak (Singapore Hit By Swordfish) through a cyberpunk lens. Constructed from electronic waste including cracked screens, frayed wires, and salvaged digital components, this installation provokes reflection on technology consumption and environmental responsibility in our rapidly advancing digital age.

Jiwa Laut at Armenian Street

Inspired by Southeast Asian crab folklore and coastal heritage, this luminous installation by Kai Ting and Boon features glowing crab sculptures that mimic the graceful movement of small boats along shorelines. The 2.5-metre-long sculptures highlight the eternal connection between urban life and the sea, drawing inspiration from legends like Pauh Janngi, which tells how tides are caused by a magical crab living in a tree.

Additional Night Lights

The festival showcases six additional light installations throughout the Bras Basah.Bugis district, including Waves of Time: Splash On Our Skyline at Bugis+, Utopia at the National Design Centre, and Two Sides of Our Island at Raffles City Singapore. Each installation celebrates Singapore’s island heritage through interactive elements, neon aesthetics, and photo-worthy installations.

Vibrant Festival Villages

Paradise Island at Armenian Street

This enchanting festival village transports visitors to a hidden paradise inspired by the Peranakan Museum. Operating on weekends from 7pm to 11pm, Paradise Island offers a magical space where contemporary art, meaningful conversations, and creativity flow freely. Visitors are encouraged to dress in island-inspired attire whilst exploring art installations and enjoying live performances.

Retro District at Bugis Street Art Lane

A nostalgic journey through Singapore’s past, the Retro District operates as the festival’s vintage fair from 3pm to 9pm on selected dates. This themed village features retro collectibles, vintage fashion, activity stations, and live performances that celebrate decades of Singaporean culture and style.

SMU Arts Fest: 2560

Located at SMU Campus Green, this festival village showcases local talent through stage performances and art installations. Running from 6pm to 11pm on selected dates, it provides a platform for emerging artists whilst offering visitors engaging cultural experiences.

Immersive Performances and Cultural Programmes

The Singapore Night Festival extends beyond visual spectacle to include diverse performances and educational programmes. Shadow puppetry at the National Museum of Singapore retells classic Southeast Asian legends including “How Singapura Got Its Name,” “The Story of Badang,” and “The Story of Redhill.”

The National Archives of Singapore presents Chinese hand puppetry performances featuring “The Tiger Hero” from Water Margin and adaptations from Journey to the West. Meanwhile, the Children’s Museum Singapore offers “Nila’s Shimmering Shores,” a sensory reimagining of the Sang Nila Utama tale through sound, texture, movement, and interactive play.

Extended Museum Hours and Special Exhibitions

Several institutions extend their operating hours during Singapore Night Festival, allowing visitors to explore galleries and exhibitions in a different light. The National Museum of Singapore opens until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, whilst the Peranakan Museum and Children’s Museum Singapore offer extended evening hours on selected dates throughout the festival period.

Planning Your Singapore Night Festival Visit

The festival operates across multiple zones within the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct, easily accessible via Bras Basah MRT station (Downtown Line), Bugis MRT station (East-West Line), or Dhoby Ghaut MRT station (North-South, Circle, and North-East Lines). Most experiences are free, with only select installations like Sky Castle requiring ticketed entry.

Visitors should plan for extensive walking between installations and are advised to wear comfortable shoes, carry water bottles, and bring portable fans or umbrellas. The festival’s comprehensive programme ensures there’s something captivating for every age group and interest level.

Singapore Night Festival 2025 represents more than just an art festival; it’s a celebration of our island nation’s unique heritage, cultural diversity, and creative spirit. As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence, this magnificent event reinforces our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and nurturing the creative community whilst honouring the deep connections and cultural exchanges that continue to influence our way of life.

Through its masterful blend of technology, artistry, and storytelling, Singapore Night Festival 2025 illuminates not only the buildings and streets of Bras Basah.Bugis but also the stories, dreams, and connections that make Singapore the vibrant island nation it is today.