Singapore Night Festival (SNF) returns from 22 August to 6 September 2025, and this year’s edition promises to be one of its most exciting yet. For the first time, the festival is helmed by HeritageSG, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board, and it carries a special theme that could not be more fitting—Island Nights.
Timed with Singapore’s 60th year of independence, SNF 2025 is more than just dazzling lights and art—it’s a celebration of our island identity, our heritage of connections, and the vibrant communities that continue to shape our story. Over 80 immersive and innovative experiences will light up the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct, transforming the district into a playground of art, culture, and imagination.
A Festival Rooted in Heritage
Surrounded by waters that have long connected us to trade, migration, and cultural exchange, Singapore has always been an island of stories. SNF 2025 takes these narratives and reimagines them in new and meaningful ways. Expect the familiar favourites like projection mapping across historic landmarks, Night Lights installations, and bustling festival villages, but also fresh experiences that encourage reflection on what it means to be an island city.
This year, SNF also strengthens its role as a hub for creative exchange. Alongside the festivities, you’ll find initiatives such as The Listening Biennial and the ALIGHT (A Southeast Asian Light Network) Conference, where artists, communities, and festival-goers come together to share ideas and spark collaborations.
Highlights to Look Forward To
Among the many installations and experiences, a few standout works are already creating buzz.
At Capitol Singapore, artist duo Yok and Sheryo present Kampong Chill, a bamboo pavilion that invites festival-goers to slow down and embrace rest as a form of resistance against hectic modern life. It’s a tranquil oasis designed for reflection, accompanied by workshops inspired by island living.
For something more playful, head to Cathay Green where Sky Castle by Australian studio ENESS turns giant inflatable arches into a rainbow pathway of colour and sound. Each step you take sets off musical notes and shifting hues, creating a symphony of light and joy. Do note that entry to this installation requires a $5 ticket via Klook.
At Plaza Singapura, the legend of Singapura Dilanggar Todak is reborn in a cyberpunk twist with Cyberswordfish V2.0. Built from e-waste such as cracked screens and salvaged wires, the sculpture is both a striking art piece and a reminder of the environmental costs of modern technology.
On Armenian Street, luminous crab sculptures bring Jiwa Laut to life, inspired by Southeast Asian folklore and coastal traditions. The glowing artworks mimic the gentle rhythm of boats along a shoreline, connecting city life back to the sea.
And of course, no Singapore Night Festival is complete without its breathtaking projection mapping. This year, the National Museum of Singapore will be illuminated by MOSAIC, a work by French artist Jérémie Bellot, blending constellations, cartographies, and motifs of kebaya and batik to mark 60 years of Singapore-France relations.
Over at CHIJMES, four local female artists—Adeline Kueh, HAFI, KangLi, and Tororo.aoi—will transform the historic façade with their own interpretations, the result of SNF’s Projection Mapping Masterclass.
Beyond the Light Installations
The festival isn’t just about visual spectacle. Expect roving LED performances by Starlight Alchemy, puppet theatre from Ombak Potehi, a community singalong of Xinyao and folk music, and even a puppetry adaptation of a classic novel by Paper Monkey Theatre.
Festival villages will also be buzzing throughout the three weekends. Paradise Island at Armenian Street and Retro District at Bugis Street Art Lane promise food, music, and shopping in unique settings, while SMU Arts Fest: 2560 returns at Campus Green to showcase the talents of local students.
Celebrating SG60 Under the Stars
SNF 2025 also connects with the nation’s SG60 celebrations through special National Day activations. From 1 August, monuments and hidden corners of the BBB precinct will be transformed into experiential zones under the theme Celebrating Our Island. These activations highlight Singapore’s heritage of food, flora, fauna, and culture, with a spotlight on the historic Sungei Beras Bassa, once home to nutmeg plantations.
Festival Details
Singapore Night Festival 2025 runs from 22 August to 6 September 2025 at the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct. Admission is free, though selected programmes such as Sky Castle are ticketed. Full programme details and ticketing information can be found at heritage.sg/sgnightfest.
As Festival Director Qazim Karim puts it, this year’s edition is about delving into Singapore’s identity as an island nation - celebrating our past, embracing our present, and looking toward our future. So, whether you’re there for the art, the lights, or simply to soak in the atmosphere, Island Nights at SNF 2025 promises a magical experience under the stars.
Singapore Night Festival 2025
📍 Around Bras Brasah.Bugis Precinct
📅22 Aug - 06 Sep 2025
⏰ 7.30pm - 11.00pm
🌐https://www.heritage.sg/sgnightfest
@sgnightfest (Facebook & Instagram) | @sg.nightfest (TikTok)
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