10 Things to Do in Singapore at Night

Discover the most fascinating side of Southeast Asia's nightlife, with Singapore's irresistible offerings led by cultural shows, street tastings and ghost hunts.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

8 min read

10 Things to Do in Singapore at Night

Julieta Navarro

Singapore's night-time outlook is exciting and enriching, as it is a safe and enlightened city where you can wander late into the night without worry, to enjoy the best local activities. If you are adventurous, you can immerse yourself in the wildlife at the night safari at the local zoo. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter plan, I suggest dining on the city's cable car for panoramic views.

The local atmosphere also thrives on the gastronomic offerings of street stalls and underground restaurants. In addition, there is no shortage of Southeast Asia's most electrifying cultural performances. Some of them can be enjoyed on board tour buses, which take you to special places on a carefully planned route. Want to discover Singapore by night? Read on!

1. Tour the city aboard the Big Bus by night

Glide through the most iconic areas aboard Singapore's best sightseeing buses, which usually offer a well-rounded experience full of Singapore's vibrant energy. The route usually starts after sunset and you'll only have to spend about three and a half hours enjoying the culture, history and fascinating scenery.

At night the city comes alive and on board a double-decker open-top bus, you'll get all the visual information you need. This way, you'll have access to spectacular sites such as the Bay Gardens, Marina Barrage and the famous Orchard Road. Prepare your retinas because you may be able to enjoy the Garden Rhapsody sound and light show at the SuperTree Grove.

You can get off at the stop of your choice, but I recommend staying until the end, as a visit to the Victorian Lau Pa Sat Market is often offered. It is located in the financial district where you can experience **Singapore'**s unique cuisine up close. These spaces are known as hawker and this particular one is one of the oldest Victorian structures in Southeast Asia. This experience can be found from €42 and usually includes a local guide, but meals and drinks are on your own.

Book a ticket for the night tour bus

2. See the world's first nocturnal zoo

Singapore is the City of the Future and has earned this title for its technological innovations and out-of-the-box attractions, a prime example being the Singapore Zoo's night safari. It was built in 1994 to provide an educational space for nocturnal tropical species including bats, flying squirrels and Malayan tigers. That's not all, be amazed by the majesty of more than 1,000 animals, whose glowing eyes sparkle in the darkness.

It's one of the best things to do in Singapore with kids, so it's ideal if you're going as a family. The creatures that meander through the place are not the only attraction, as you can also opt for a thrilling tram ride, which will take you through special places that you can't access on foot. This way, you can watch the animals in action as they graze, hunt and stalk. On board this fun vehicle you will also find an audio guide with relevant information about the giraffes, hippos and other endearing animals.

3. Dinner on board the Sentosa Cable Car

The Cable Car is an innovative concept that connects to Sentosa Island, where Singapore's best activities are hidden. By day it offers a glimpse of the most captivating attractions, showing another side of the city and providing easy access to certain locations. By night, however, it transforms into whatever you want it to be - you just have to let your imagination run wild. From a private veranda to couples cabins with a romantic ambience, I recommend booking a dining experience on board in advance.

You can dine on Asian cuisine, either traditional or with a modern twist, while enjoying the panoramic views. The starry sky on the horizon will take your breath away from the tourist crowds, and it's definitely a different kind of evening out, allowing you to enjoy themed events or shows.

Buy tickets for the Sentosa Cable Car Sky Pass

4. Take a night-time bike tour of Singapore

Bicycle tours are very popular in Singapore because of the variety of greenery, as well as the opulence of its waterfront, tourist areas and ethnic neighbourhoods. After dark this ride is more exciting than ever, as it contrasts with the lights of the skyscrapers, the bustle of people and the smells of street food. You can do it on your own or join the best Singapore tours for an enriching experience and head to the most prominent locations.

Generally, you'll get a glimpse of Marina Bay, a bustling area at night. You may also stop to see Singapore's National Stadium, which is used for various sporting purposes, marathons and concerts. It's a great way to enjoy a leisurely, recreational stroll while avoiding the crowds and traffic. The best city sightseeing passes in the city usually include bike rentals until approximately 18:00.

Buy the Singapore Explorer Pass

5. Sign up for a night-time street food tour of Singapore

If you're one of those people who enjoy squeezing in the foodie scene of a new city, then you should immerse yourself in the flavours of **Singapore'**s award-winning street food. As the sun goes down, Singapore is multicultural and is dotted with street vendors and terraces where you can witness the vibrant nightlife. Singapore' s best tours offer gastronomic experiences that will challenge your palate through Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Malay, Peranakan and traditional cuisine.

During your tour you may stop at the characteristic open-air restaurants, but if you're more adventurous you could even get lost in the passages of the underground restaurants, which will make you feel like you're in a mystery novel. These establishments specialise in dishes such as dumpling or chicken with hainanese rice. Most require a formal dress code and are tucked away in Clarke Quay and Orchard Road. If you prefer a more carefree atmosphere, slip into street food for a taste:

  • Bak Chor Mee: a delight of dried noodles and mushrooms stewed in a vegetarian sauce.
  • Fried carrot cake: this curious dish has no carrots, but is so named because it resembles white carrots in appearance. It is actually made from eggs, preserved radish or chai poh and flour cake.
  • Chili Crab: Many dishes are prepared with crab, this one is no exception and is served with a spicy tomato sauce.
  • Kueh Lapis: Moving on to desserts, prepare to be amazed by this colourful layer cake, which is made with glutinous rice, coconut and sugar.
  • Ice Kachang: Try this refreshing shaved ice with delicious syrups and garnishes such as beans, flavoured jelly and sweet corn.

Book a food tour

6. Appreciate Singapore's nightly cultural shows

Singapore is a mix of ancestral traditions and mysticism, so it's no wonder that electrifying shows are unleashed in the evenings. Most tell fascinating stories of local culture, so they're suitable for all ages and a great alternative if you're looking for things to do with kids.

Popular ones include Spectra in Marina Bay, which is a free light and water show in Event Plaza. You'll see graceful dancers, colourful laser projections and lava or fog effects. If you plan to visit the Gardens by the Bay or take a tour aboard Singapore's best sightseeing buses, you must see Garden Rhapsody. Here the Supertrees light up, as they sway to the rhythm of Singaporean tunes.

There are also fun shows at local nightclubs such as the themed dances at Zouk, where you'll also find a playground for adults. At Marquee Singapore they use cutting-edge technology to create a multi-faceted show with dances, special effects and world beats that eclipse the nightlife. Cereza is another nightclub with themed events, where retro performances predominate.

Buy tickets for Gardens by the Bay

7. Enjoy the atmosphere of Chinatown and Little India at night

Many people venture to themed neighbourhoods such as Chinatown and Little India during the day, however these promising locales have an enticing nightlife scene that is worth exploring. If you plan to spend at least 2 days in Singapore, you have to give them a try.

To get from one location to another you can take the underground and be there in less than ten minutes. Or take advantage of Singapore's best sightseeing bus routes, which often include tours of these areas. Here's what you can do in these places at night!

Chinatown

  • Chinatown Night Market: enjoy the kaleidoscope of colours, the deafening hustle and bustle and the mix of aromas. Here you will find all the contrasts of the Chinese community living in Singapore, through open-air stalls under traditional lanterns.
  • Kreta Ayer Square: This area hosts a cultural extravaganza with traditional Chinese performances, lion dances, martial arts and much more.
  • Chinese New Year: If you want to get a taste of the culture, I recommend visiting Singapore in February to see the nightly events of this worldwide celebration. It is considered the most important celebration of Chinese culture and features dragon dances, lantern parades and themed floats, street stalls and more.

Little India

  • Deepavali Festival: ideal if you are looking for things to do in Singapore in November, offering several days of events with Hindu traditions, traditional sweets and thousands of lights everywhere.
  • Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple: until 21:00 you can visit this majestic Hindu temple, which was built in 1881. Don't miss the typical rituals performed at dusk.
  • Little India Night Market: to compare Chinese and Indian delicacies, a visit to this market is a must. It is a sensory experience that celebrates the traditions of this community.

8. Party till dawn

Adventurous spirits are drawn to Singapore's non-stop nightlife, so if you still have energy at the end of the day, you can party until dawn. There's plenty of choice, starting with the more upmarket nightclubs on the perimeter. Zouk is one of the most famous, where hundreds of people of different nationalities gather to watch themed dances and international DJs. Canvas is another alternative, where visual art is combined to offer modern and vibrant installations.

If you want to dance from the heights, move to Clarke Quay where there are nightclubs, terraces and exotic cocktail bars. You can also opt for beach parties where the fun starts from noon to night at popular venues such as Tanjong Beach Club. Also, if you're travelling in July you can take advantage of the nightly food festivals, or wait for the music festivals in August.

9. Take a ghost hunt around Singapore

Most ghost stories take place at night. So you can plan a game of exploration through scary stories and folk legends, or join the best tours in Singapore for a ghost hunt. These types of tours take place mostly in old Changui, where you'll visit haunted hospitals and streets full of urban legends.

During these types of experiences you will hear about black magic, strange drownings, spooky testimonies, portals to the underworld and much more. If you plan to do activities with children in Singapore, be sure to check with your service provider about age restrictions, as some tours have sensitive images. You can also take advantage of local traditions at the Hungry Ghost Festival, an all-ages cultural event featuring candle-lit spirits, food and entertainment.

10. See the skyscrapers from the city's best rooftops

If partying until dawn isn't your thing, perhaps you can appreciate the nightlife from a more relaxed perspective. Terraces are worth a chance, especially at night or before sunset, for amazing panoramic views. From the top you'll be on the same level as the towering skyscrapers and you'll see the Singapore River where the typical boat rides concur.

In fact, it's a great option if you're visiting Singapore in December, as Christmas decorations completely transform the city. Here are the best options for a good night out:

  • Cé La Vi: it is one of the best dining and entertainment locations, where you can see Marina Bay from another angle. Also, the sunsets are unique and can be appreciated without crowds.
  • Artemis Sky Bar: is a Mediterranean terrace and restaurant, where you can eat on an open-air rooftop. I recommend you to try the craft beers and keep cool amidst the hot Singapore weather.
  • Long Bar: is a location located in the Raffles Hotel, which you can access without a reservation through Singapore's best tourist cards. Here you can enjoy an experience that will take you back to the 20th century, where the most renowned planters used to gather. You also have the option to indulge in the Singapore Sling, a traditional cocktail created by a bartender at the hotel in 1915, which became an icon of alcohol culture.