Lights by the Lake 2026: The Ultimate Family Guide to Jurong Lake Gardens’ Mid-Autumn Celebration

Lights by the Lake 2026 returns to Jurong Lake Gardens with massive lantern displays and family fun activities for more family fun times this Mid-Autumn Festival! 

Venue: Jurong Lake Gardens (Lakeside Garden, Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden)
Dates: 19 - 27 Sep 2026 (Lantern displays till 4 Oct), 6.30 pm - 10.30 pm daily
Admission: Free

Looking for a magical family evening out this Mid-Autumn Festival? Lights by the Lake 2026 is returning to Jurong Lake Gardens, spanning across Lakeside Garden, the newly reopened Chinese Garden, and the tranquil Japanese Garden.

From breathtaking illuminated lantern sets depicting traditional tales to bouncy castles, food markets, outdoor concerts, and stargazing sessions under the stars, here is everything families need to know to plan a day out!

1. Breathtaking Lantern Displays 

The star of the festival is the array of large-scale, handcrafted lantern installations illuminated across the water and gardens:

• The Legend of the White Snake (Lakeside Field): A 5-scene storytelling trail following Bai Suzhen, Xu Xian, Xiao Qing, and Abbot Fa Hai — from their rainy meeting at Broken Bridge to their battle at Jinshan Temple.

• Moonlit Reunion & Whispers of the Jade Rabbit (Cleansing Biotope Ponds, Chinese Garden): Floating lantern installations of Chang'e surrounded by lotus flowers on the water, alongside playful Jade Rabbits spreading festive cheer.

• Reimagined Harmony (Cloud Pagoda, Chinese Garden): A heartwarming alternative ending featuring the characters of the White Snake legend reuniting in peace in front of the pagoda.

• Princess Kaguya’s Moon Garden (Floral Garden, Japanese Garden): Inspired by Japanese folklore, featuring Princess Kaguya surrounded by moonlit flowers and playful bunnies.

• Waters of Abundance (Resthouse Pond, Japanese Garden): Colourful floating koi carp lanterns gliding across the water, symbolizing good fortune.

• Sunken Garden Light Display (Sunken Garden, Japanese Garden, 19 - 27 Sep): A vibrant wash of multicoloured lights transforms the Sunken Garden into a .magical after-dark spectacle.
  

2. Mesmerising Light Shows 

Catch nightly light shows at the Cloud Pagoda, Chinese Garden. 

• Cloud Pagoda Light Show: A Love That Endures Time (19 - 27 Sep, 7.30 pm - 10 pm, every 30 mins): Through a mesmerising fusion of projection, music and lantern light, the Cloud Pagoda transforms into a world of memory, longing and hope as it tells the story of the White Snake.

3. Zone-by-Zone Highlights for Families

Lakeside Field: Carnival Games & Food Market

• Bouncy Castles & Games (Weekends: 19, 20, 26, 27 Sep | 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm): Organized by Families for Life, kids can jump on large inflatable bouncy castles and play interactive games (Ring Toss, Maze Game, Basketball) to win free temporary tattoos and sticker sheets.

• Festive Food Market (Daily: 19 – 27 Sep | 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm): A feast for all ages! Enjoy BBQ, Thai food, pasta, kebabs, Ramly burgers, taiyaki, and sweet potato balls alongside carnival game booths and festive stalls.

Wave Plaza: Art Workshops, Lantern Riddles & Inclusive Music

• Roving Art Studio by National Gallery Singapore (Weekends: 19, 20, 26, 27 Sep | 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm): Interactive art stations inspired by Georgette Chen’s Still Life (Moon Festival Table) where kids can draw family portraits or paint at the "Lotus in a Breeze" photo installation.

• Mediacorp Lantern Trail & Animation Premiere (Sunday, 20 Sep): Join a guided lantern walk from Wave Plaza to Ficus Lawn and catch the premiere screening of the new animation series Lil' Wild live on the big screen! Limited to 250 participants, sign-up here (link available from 7 Sep).

• Lantern Riddles (21 – 25 Sep | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm): Solve traditional riddles under the lanterns to win prizes.

• ART:DIS Inclusive Music Showcase (Sunday, 27 Sep | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm): Inspiring live performances by visually impaired and neurodiverse artistes (Daniel Ng, Adelyn Koh, and duo StrawberryStory).

Chinese Garden: Cultural Activities, Hanfu Photos & Outdoor Concerts

• Chinese Garden Stamp Rally by Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (19 Sep - 4 Oct): Embark on a stamp rally adventure inspired by the Legend of Madame White Snake. Visit key locations of Chinese Gardens and collect landmark stamps. Complete the rally to receive a special keepsake of your own! (Redemption only available on 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 Sep 2026 at Bonsai Garden from 6.30pm – 9.30pm.)

• Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival by Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (Weekends: 19, 20, 15, 26, 27 Sep): Come together for a host of fun and exciting activities celebrating Chinese arts, culture and heritage. Enjoy a vibrant variety of hands-on activities at the Bonsai Garden and Tea Pavilion, including lantern making, hanfu dress-up and photography, heritage discovery games, multi-layered stamp printing and more!

• LED Lion Dance (20 & 27 Sep, 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm): An exciting LED Lion Dance performance featuring a colourful light display set to music.

• Ficus Lawn Main Stage:

  • 19 Sep (6:30 pm onwards): NParks Concert Series in the Park: Rockestra® – Sing along to Mandopop and English classics.

  • 20 Sep (7:30 pm – 10:30 pm): DementiaSG short film festival screening.

  • 26 Sep (6.30 pm - 7.30 pm): Live performance, Music Oasis, by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

  • 26 Sep (8 pm) and 27 Sep (7 pm): 2 family-friendly films, Migration and The Wild Robot, will be screened.

Japanese Garden: Stargazing, Silent Disco & Nostalgic Games

• Celestial Nights by Science Centre Singapore (25 & 26 Sep): Go on a free, self-guided walk connecting the Science Centre's Metamorphosis zone to the Water Lily Pavilion at Japanese Garden. Children can follow lit panels depicting the planets, navigate the laser and mirror mazes, and complete trail activities at the Celestial Trail. Families are also invited to Science Centre Singapore for more family activities, including a stargazing session through the 16-inch telescope, $4 planetarium shows, free popcorn, and late-night snacks. See here for full details. 

• Moonstruck 2026 (25 & 26 Sep | 7.15 pm & 8.30 pm): An immersive 30-minute wellness performance featuring an intergenerational dance cast inside the timber-roofed Guesthouse.

• "Don't Play Play" Exhibition (Resthouse) (19 - 27 Sep): Discover nostalgic childhood board games (Snakes & Ladders, Aeroplane Chess) and collect stamps to complete a DIY Aeroplane Chess board to take home. The stamping activity is available 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 Sep from 7 pm to 10 pm.

PAssion Wave @ Jurong Lake Gardens: Night Dragonboating & Crafts

• Light Up Jurong Lake: Night Dragonboating (26 Sep | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm):  Experience a unique 1-hour guided ride across Jurong Lake on an illuminated dragon boat to view the lantern displays from the water! Suitable for ages 12–70. Pre-registration required at $15 per pax. 
• Hands-On Craft Workshops (26 & 27 Sep | 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm): Try your hand at Chinese Calligraphy, Zentangle (26 Sep only), and Clay Lantern Keychain crafts.

BYKidO Tips for Visiting Parents

1. Best Arrival Time: Head down around 5:30 pm so kids can enjoy the bouncy castles and food market before crowd levels peak when lights turn on at 6:30 pm.

2. What to Pack: Insect repellent, wet wipes, a light picnic mat, water bottles, and rain gear.

3. Stroller Access: Main paths throughout Lakeside, Chinese, and Japanese Gardens are wide and stroller-friendly.

4. Covers a Large Area: the installations and activities covers a large area. So do take note and prepare the young ones for lots of walking. 

Getting There & Parking

• Lakeside MRT Station (EW26): 3-minute walk to the Lakeside Plaza Entrance.

• Chinese Garden MRT Station (EW25): 5-minute walk to the Chinese Garden Bridge Entrance.

• Jurong East MRT Station (NS1 / EW24): 20-minute walk to the Japanese Garden Bridge Entrance.

• By Public Bus:

  • Bus Services: 49, 154, 180, 198, 246, and 335.

  • Bus Stops: Located along Yuan Ching Road, Boon Lay Way, and Jurong Town Hall Road.

• Driving & Parking:

  • Car Park Locations: North Carpark (104 Yuan Ching Rd) and South Carpark (50 Yuan Ching Rd).

  • Rates: $0.60 per 30 minutes.

  • Note: Public transport is strongly recommended as carparks fill up early on weekend evenings.

For more details, visit https://juronglakegardens.nparks.gov.sg/lights-by-the-lake/.