I just got back from the media preview of Singapore Night Festival 2024, and I’m still buzzing with excitement! This year’s edition is extra special as it’s the 15th anniversary, and for the first time ever, the festival will run over three weekends from 23 August to 7 September. That’s right! 16 whole nights to explore lights, art, and childhood memories brought to life.
Themed “The Art of Play”, this year’s festival transforms Bras Basah.Bugis precinct into a luminous playground, inspired by its legacy as the birthplace of some of Singapore’s earliest schools - like CHIJ, Tao Nan School, and SJI. It’s a beautiful blend of nostalgia, creativity, and joy, captured through more than 50 installations and performances.
As dusk falls, the entire precinct transforms into a whimsical wonderland bathed in neon light—ideal for photo moments, creative inspiration, or simply basking in the vibrant vibes. During the media preview, we were taken on a guided tour and only managed to experience a few highlights, so trust me, one night won’t be enough. With dazzling projection shows, enchanting light installations, late-night performances, and hands-on play zones, the festival beautifully reimagines the precinct’s educational roots through the playful lens of childhood nostalgia.
What’s New in 2024?
This year’s festival is the biggest yet, with:
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A full extra weekend (perfect for school holidays!)
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Themed Festival Villages - including one that stays open till midnight at GR.iD
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A new Bugis Street Art Lane full of Insta-worthy surprises
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And of course, the return of crowd favourites like projection mappings, live acts, and interactive experiences
Best of all? Admission is free, except for one highlight experience that stole my heart…
Light Installations & Highlights You Can’t Miss
Here’s just a taste of what to look out for:
"Wonder World – The Machine of Nostalgia"
Lcoation: Cathay Green
The standout experience of the night? Wonder World at Cathay Green. Designed by local artist Sam Lo, this throwback amusement park is like stepping into the 1950s, complete with game booths, kiddie rides, neon lights, and actors dressed in vintage outfits bantering with the crowd.
Even the food stalls have that old-school pasar malam charm (though they were still getting set up during our preview). You’ll need to purchase tokens for rides and games, which is a paid experience, but worth every cent if you love nostalgic vibes.
Bonus: There’s a wrestling ring right in the middle, with scheduled performances by Grapplemax Pro Wrestling! We caught them during the preview along with an alternative live set by Spoke & Bird, Singapore’s longest-running poetry open mic. They were both so witty and entertaining, making it such a good place to hang out after a busy day out.
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| Photo Credits: tobyato |
“Look Up, Sunbear!”
By: tobyato
Location: YMCA @ One Orchard
A larger-than-life sunbear balancing an apple on its nose! This playful sculpture celebrates YMCA’s 120th anniversary, symbolising the balance between play and learning.
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“Opera in Motion”
By: Ezekiel Wong, Hoo Jian Li, Lim Jia Ren & Ron Tu
Location: National Design Centre
Step into a dynamic reimagination of Chinese opera. Ride a tricycle to activate a magical zoetrope of opera scenes. Plus, there’s an artist talk happening on 24 August at the National Library.
“Scents of Being”
By: Aesop
Location: National Design Centre
Embark on a fragrance-filled journey through Aesop’s perfumes, each unlocking memories and identity in a dreamlike olfactory maze. Truly a multi-sensory retreat amid the visual light experience.
“The Happiest Days of Our Lives”
By: Rizman Putra
Location: Stamford Arts Centre
A neon mural of retro illustrations reawakens childhood memories, like flipping through your old schoolbooks but in glowing technicolour.
“Through the Rose Window”
By: Diva Agar
Location: Stamford Arts Centre
A nostalgic video installation hidden in a garden chapel near Stamford Arts Centre, inspired by a traditional schoolyard singing game. I bet those in girls' schools will recognize this nostalgic game immediately.
“Red House Café”
By: Jaxton Su
Location: Raffles City
Remember Red House Bakery that once graced the Carlton Hotel location? This cute light-up cake and curry puff installation is a cute homage to that and it is a photo op waiting to happen, as you pose alongside these larger-than-life delights.
“Fortune Beads”
Drawing inspiration from the abacus, the age-old counting tool still used in parts of Asia today. Fortune Beads is a nostalgic nod to Hock Lam Street, where Funan now stands. Come check out this playful, gamified installation that will bring out your competitive streak in the most delightful way! The goal? Tap as many illuminated beads as you can to rack up points and aim for the top score. Blending strategy, speed, and a whole lot of fun, this interactive experience invites festival-goers to test their reflexes while embracing a little light-hearted fortune chasing.
“Delulu High”
By: Pop GlitterFreak Collective
Location: Bugis Street Art Lane
Head into the hidden back alley near McDonald's at Bugis to find a bright pink Disco Bus, a playful school bus-turned-party zone complete with disco ball, music, and that “delulu” student energy. Don’t miss the pastel gym setup and colourful stair affirmations that make such an amazing backdrop for a dopamine-filled pic!
“First Flight”
By: Aaron Lim & Quek Jia Li
Location: SMU's Yong Pung How School of Law Building
This is an enchanting interactive installation that pays homage to the playful spirit and schoolyard memories of the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct. Inspired by the simple joy of flying paper planes, this larger-than-life illuminated sculpture celebrates the boundless creativity of childhood and the dreams that once soared through the historic grounds of Singapore’s earliest schools.
You are invited to fold and launch your own paper planes within the installation, creating a shared moment of nostalgia and imagination. It’s a beautiful blend of past and future, reminding us of where we came from, while inspiring how we play and dream moving forward.
Projection Mapping at CHIJMES & Peranakan Museum
CHIJMES will light up with four enchanting projection works: PINBOLA (Yanyun Chen), Play Downstairs (Rachodoodles), A Whimsical Playground (Aaah - Ryan Len & Ella Zheng), and A Prototype of Play (deniseardenise). Expect to see nostalgic childhood toys like a pinball machine filled with cherished playthings and artifacts, animations inspired by the boundless creativity of children’s imaginations, everyday objects transformed into portals of extraordinary adventures, and celebrations of our playful spirit that turns simple moments into joyful games.
Meanwhile, for the very first time at the Singapore Night Festival, The Peranakan Museum will showcase a stunning projection mapping installation on its façade. Titled Between Threads (Clare Chong, Jennifer O'Connor, Taufiq Hidayat & Jaymi McManus), this collaborative piece by regional artists and international collectives honors the intricate craftsmanship and rich cultural narratives of Peranakan communities, weaving together diverse perspectives into a vibrant visual tapestry.
4 Festival Villages + Fringe Fun!
Fuel your night out at any of the four Festival Villages, each offering food, drinks, performances, and a chance to chill:
GR.iD (open till midnight!)
SMU Green
CHIJMES Lawn
Armenian Street
Armenian Street is set to transform into Pixel Paradise, a vibrant world inspired by the intricate beadwork of the Peranakan Museum and the nostalgic charm of retro video games. Step into this pixelated universe filled with playful art and interactive, gamified experiences that invite you to rediscover the joy of play.
Don’t forget to check out the Children’s Museum Singapore and Peranakan Museum, which will be open after hours for a special nocturnal adventure!
Plus, don’t miss out on:
Jazz shows at Capitol
Getai performances at Waterloo Street
Outdoor photography exhibitions
Tarot readings
Arcade games at National Museum
A “Library Party After Dark” at the National Library Building
Plan Your Visit
This is not your average night out. Whether you’re on a date, exploring with friends, or bringing the fam, Singapore Night Festival 2024 offers something for everyone. Best part? With its extended duration from 9 to 16 days, there’s more than enough time to catch the magic, again and again. Come for the light art, stay for the nostalgia, and relive the happiest days of your life - illuminated!
👉 Full programme details at: www.nightfestival.gov.sg
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