Back for its 10th year running, the Singapore Night Festival returns this weekend with more food, fun and festivities. Here are some highlights to check out at the event, as well as useful tips to make your experience better.
(Source: Bras Basah.Bugis Facebook)
Event Highlights
1. Instaworthy lights galore!
Well, could you really expect any less at one of Singapore’s biggest night festivals? This year, the Singapore Night Festival will feature over a dozen light installations and displays, including a few interactive ones that will make your photos look extra Instaworthy. Be sure to check out The Flower of Life and the Infinite Self by Starlight Alchemy, a dome-shaped installation with geometrically arranged convex mirrors to create a kaleidoscope effect. If you’re after something a little more interactive, head over to the Singapore Art Museum to catch The Standing Men by ADDN, an art installation of 16 human-sized figurines which come to life when you talk to them.
Dates: 18 to 26 August 2017
Time: 7:30pm to 12am
Venue: Various locations. See here for details.
Admission: Free
(Source: Singapore Night Festival)
2. A disco in a dome?
If you’ve ever wondered what it’d be like to party in a dome that’s lit (both literally and figuratively speaking), here’s your chance. Disco in the Dome will see DJ Ulysses spinning beats at The Flower of Life and the Infinite Self installation, which means…you get to chill in that really cool kaleidoscopic dome in the picture above.
Dates: 25 & 26 August 2017
Time: 8.30pm to 10.30pm (25 August); 6pm to 9pm (26 Aug)
Venue: Inside The Flower of Life and the Infinite Self installation, located at Stamford Green at the National Museum of Singapore.
Admission: Free
(Source: Singapore Night Festival)
3. Crazy cool street performances
If there’s one performance you shouldn’t miss at this year’s Singapore Night Festival, it’s Globe by Close-Act Theatre. The street theatre company will combine various disciplines of performing arts – such as dance, music and circus acts – with pyrotechnics, video projections and stunning mobile props for a truly impressive performance. Your Instafeed will thank you for going, we promise.
Dates: 24 to 26 August 2017
Time: 8pm to 8.30pm; 10.30pm to 11pm
Venue: Cathay Green (the field across The Cathay)
Admission: Free
(Source: Singapore Night Festival)
4. A fight club showdown
If the light installations and street performances just aren’t exciting enough for you (seriously though, why), how about a little WWF Superstars-esque action instead? Grapple MAX Dojo invites you to get up close and personal with the adrenaline-pumping action, as they combine acrobatics and combat grappling for an interactive fight performance.
Dates: 24 & 25 August
Times: 7pm to 7.30pm; 9.15pm to 9.45pm
Location: The Pit at Singapore Management University
Admission: Free
(Source: Grapple MAX Dojo Facebook)
5. Roaming light bulbs
Now here’s your chance for a really cool photo op – The Bulb Heads by Sans Compagnie Fixe are two silhouettes with huge vintage-style bulbs as heads, roaming the streets for festival-goers to interact with.
Dates: 24 to 26 August 2017
Time: 7.30pm to 8pm (SMU); 9pm to 9.30pm (National Museum of Singapore); 10.30pm to 11pm (Armenian Street)
Venue: Varies. See here for details.
(Source: Singapore Night Festival)
6. A Night Heritage Tour
Fancy getting some pre-Halloween spooks? Sign up for one of the Night Heritage Tours during the festival, which will take you around Fort Canning Park. Yes, at night. Go on, we dare you to unmask the legends of the Forbidden Hill.
Dates: 18, 19, 25 & 26 August 2017
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Venue: Meeting point is at Stamford Green, beside the National Museum of Singapore
Admission: Free, but registration is required.
(Source: Singapore Night Festival)
Useful Tips
1. It’s going to be hot. Really hot.
Yes, the event takes place in the evening, but do you know what happens when crowds of people gather in one area? It gets hot and sticky. Remember to bring a water bottle, something to fan yourself with and…something to poke annoying people with (just kidding, but you will get people shoving past you).
Also, dress comfortably. We know you want to look cute and all for your photos, but the last time we checked, the sweaty look wasn’t really cutting it.
2. Have we mentioned the crowds?
Certain performances tend to attract large throngs of people, so it’s likely that you might be getting pretty up close and personal with the people beside you. Stay vigilant, keep an eye on your belongings and…smell nice. Seriously though, it would do everyone around you a service, because no one likes getting stuck next to a sweaty armpit.
3. Go public.
With your transport, that is. Certain roads in the Bras Basah and Bugis area will be cordoned off for the event, so you can expect traffic to be heavier than usual. Also, parking in the area isn’t exactly cheap, so your best bet is to stop at Bugis, City Hall or Bras Basah MRT station and walk over. If you really insist on driving though, there are several carparks located within the vicinity, such as the ones at Bugis+, Bugis Junction, Wilby Central, Waterloo Centre, Bras Basah Complex and Cheng Yan Court (open air).
4. Plan ahead.
The Singapore Night Festival takes place over two weekends, but certain activities might only be held during one of the weekends. Check the programme line-up to see which performances or activities interest you, then plan your route accordingly. The festivities will take place across five zones in the Bras Basah and Bugis area, so you might have to do a lot of walking if you don’t plan ahead. Festival staff will also be on hand to give out maps or directions, so keep an eye out for them.
5. Eat something before heading down.
There will be food and drinks available at the Festival Village located at SMU’s Campus Green, but getting a seat may not be the easiest thing during peak hours. Also, the prices won’t exactly be cheap. Some restaurants and cafes in the vicinity will remain open during the festival, but not all items on the menu may be available. Have a bite at home first, so you don’t have to brave the crowds on an empty stomach.
