Singapore is a beautiful city at night. The sun is setting, the heat and humidity dissipate and it’s time to go for a walk. There are tons of interesting things to do in the evening, bustling hawker centers, Michelin star restaurants, gardens galore, and beautiful views from the water, docks, and air. There is something for everyone to do, see and experience.
We could easily write a 50 to-do list, but we’ve narrowed it down to the top 16.
1. Have a cocktail in the clouds at Marina Bay Sands
Everyone who has thought of visiting Singapore has seen a photo of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. It is an iconic and technical marvel with the tallest and longest infinity pool in the world. If you’re not staying there, stop in for a sunset cocktail and you’ll be treated to stunning views of the bay as the sun slowly sets over the Singapore River.
2. Go on a night safari
The Singapore Zoo Night Safari is a unique experience for everyone, especially children. To be at the zoo at night is to hear the lions roar and see the otters running. You can take a tram ride, hike the trails around the park, or leave early and do both. We recommend that you take the time to see the creatures in the night show.
If you arrive early enough, you can take the tram twice – once when the light is fading and once in the dark after the show.
3. Enjoy Gardens by the Bay and the Supertrees Light Show
We love the Supertrees at Gardens By The Bay. The trees are 16-story vertical gardens and impressive to view during the day. At night they are beautifully lit. There is a short music and light show that we always make time to see. The trees have observation decks and a walkway.
Pro tip: You can’t see the light show from the observation deck, but there are plenty of places to view the trees in the park.
4. Watch the Marina Bay Sands Spectra show
The Spectra show at Marina Bay Sands is a wonderful experience. The fountains, lights and musical spectacle are beautifully choreographed. If you look from the lower level, you can smell the mist from the fountains (and risk getting your camera wet). This is our favorite place to watch. Arrive early for the best spot.
5. Enjoy the views from the esplanade
A night stroll along the Esplanade is a magical experience with the best views of the iconic Marina Bay Sands and the Art Science Museum. You can also see the Merlion from afar. If you’re lucky, there will be a free outdoor concert in the amphitheater. Check out the shows – some free, some not – at Theaters on the Bay.
6. Delight in the botanical gardens
Most people go to the Botanical Garden during the day. A little known fact is that the gardens are open until midnight. Bring a picnic and stroll through the gardens. The scent of the garden is especially alluring at night.
7. Spend time in Little India
Want Indian cuisine? Singapore has some of the best (outside of India, of course). Head to one of Little India’s restaurants for dinner, then finish with a shopping spree at Mustafa Center, an iconic Singapore experience. Mustafa’s is open 24 hours a day and it can take that long to browse everything it has. Stop by the supermarket on the second level to stock up on Indian and Asian spices.
8. Shop at the boutiques of Haji Lane in Kampong Glam
Kampong Glam is home to the Sultan’s Mosque. It is a beautiful mosque and the center of Singapore’s Muslim community. Stop to admire and take some photos. A few blocks away you’ll find Haji Lane, one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city. Bars, restaurants, shops and amazing street art. It’s a great place for cocktails and strolling.
9. Dine over the city in a cable car
For a truly unique experience, dine on a cable car as you cruise through Singapore. You’ll see Mount Faber, Sentosa, Keppel Bay and more from 100 meters in the air. The three-course meal with champagne or sake is almost as good as the view. Cable Car Sky Dining is a unique way to enjoy an evening as the sun begins to set.
10. Catch the sunset at West Coast Park
West Coast Park is a vast park of 50 hectares located in the southern part of the island. The park faces the south harbor and is very peaceful, calm and serene. You will find many joggers, families with children or dogs enjoying an evening run or walk. Given its location on the island, it’s one of the best places to watch the sun go down as it descends in the distance. Shipping is one of Singapore’s most important industries – you’ll see some of the container ships moored in the port.
11. See the city from the Singapore River
Get a different perspective of Singapore from the river with an evening bumboat ride. Feel the evening river breeze and see the skyline light up as you cruise the Singapore River, passing Clarke and Boat Quays and Marina Bay Sands. You will also learn about the history of the Singapore River and its contribution to trade in the 18th century.
12. Soak up the atmosphere at CHIJMES
CHIJMES, previously known as Convent of the Holy Child Jesus, began life as a Catholic convent in the 18th century. The town convent, as it was known, was founded in 1854 by an order of French nuns. Today, parts of the building are designated a national monument. Now it’s full of cafes and restaurants. You can lounge on the “mini” lawn, play games and enjoy the atmosphere. During Christmas and the holidays there is a lovely light show on the interior buildings.
13. See and smell Chinatown at night
Chinatown after dark is a different experience than during the day. Restored shophouses are transformed into bars, bistros and speakeasy. This is the place to go for a late supper – especially if you’ve partied and are hungry by 1am. It’s also the place to find LGBTQ+ nightlife.
Look up, sometimes bars are housed in the upper levels of a store and may not be obvious from street level. We stumbled across a gay bar, Dorothy’s, when we spotted the flying rainbow flag hanging over the 2nd floor balcony above a plant shop.
14. Walk the lights along Orchard Road
If you are in Singapore at Christmas, take a stroll along Orchard Road to see the
Christmas illumination. There is a different theme each year. In 2022, it was Christmas in bloom. Besides shopping, you’ll see thousands of strings of lights (estimated to be over 42 miles long) along Orchard Road. From mid-November the lights are usually on for about 7 weeks.
15. Enjoy a romantic dinner and a stroll along Clarke Quay
Located at the mouth of the Singapore River, Clarke Quay (pronounced “key”) held an important place in the 18th century as a loading dock with warehouses serving bustling commercial activity. Today, these charming shops are historically preserved and transformed into restaurants, with tables spilling out onto the sidewalk for an alfresco dining experience.
The evening breeze refreshes you as you sample famous Singapore dishes like Chilli Crab, washed down with Tiger Beer, a house brew. If you’re craving international cuisines – Mexican, Japanese, Italian, Spanish and Greek – you’ll find it here too.
There are many other activities in the Quay. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, try the Slingshot or the Extreme Swing on the Singapore River. If you prefer yoga, take an evening outdoor yoga class at The Quay.
16. Admire the view from the Swissotel – The Stamford
Can’t get a reservation at any of the rooftop bars and restaurants at the Marina Bay Sands hotel? The next best alternative is to grab a drink at SKAI Bar on the 70th floor of Swissotel – The Stamford. The hotel is one of the tallest in Singapore with stunning views of the harbor and financial district.
Pro tips
The Asian Civilizations Museum and the National Gallery are both located within walking distance of Clarke Quay. Plan to spend a few leisurely hours viewing the exhibits in progress, then take a water taxi or cruise around the Singapore River before meeting along the quayside for dinner.
You can combine the Supertrees show and the Marina Bay Sands show on the same evening. They are within walking distance and a crowd usually walks from one to the other. Check the timing as it may change.
Check the Marina Bay Sand Spectra show schedule before you go – the show has been discontinued due to COVID-19.
There’s so much more to do at night in Singapore – the Skyline Luge and Wings of Time show at Sentosa, the Singapore Flyer, roller skating, ax throwing, prawn fishing, evening bike rides and more. Moreover. Our advice: get out and explore. You will be rewarded with fantastic experiences.
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