Singapore Night Festival 2026: Family-Friendly Things to See and Do

Discover dazzling projections, whimsical installations, creative workshops and immersive performances inspired by myths and legends at Bras Basah.Bugis this August and September.

Venue: Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct, including the National Museum of Singapore, Children’s Museum Singapore, CHIJMES, Capitol Singapore, Fort Canning Park and surrounding locations
Date: 21 Aug to 5 Sept 2026
Time: Evening programmes; timings vary by programme
Admission: Free for most programmes; selected programmes and activities may require fees or registration

Myths and Legends Come Alive

The Singapore Night Festival (SNF) 2026 returns for its 17th edition, transforming the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct into an after-dark celebration of stories, culture and creativity.

This year's theme, “Myths and Legends”, invites families to discover folklore and traditions from Singapore and Southeast Asia through immersive artworks, projection mapping, performances and interactive experiences.

CHIJMES: Step Into a World of Light and Stories

At CHIJMES, the historic venue becomes the setting for Singapore’s first and largest indoor projection mapping experience, with stunning visuals bringing myths and legends to life within its iconic hall.

Families can also admire exterior facade projections that illuminate the building after dark.

Selected nights will feature additional activities, including an adidas Night Run Experience and Neon Glow Art Jamming Workshop, offering families and older kids a more hands-on way to enjoy the festival.

Capitol Singapore: A Creative Night Market and Community Art

Over at Capitol Singapore Outdoor Plaza, families can explore a lively creative enclave featuring a night market with live caricature portraits, henna tattoos and handmade crafts.

The plaza will also feature a large-scale community installation by local artist Natalia Tan, where a collaborative tapestry comes to life throughout the festival. Crafted from laundered, recycled uniforms donated by Cora Environment, the modular tapestry invites visitors of all ages to contribute fabric scraps and embellishments, creating an evolving artwork that celebrates sustainability, intergenerational participation and collective creativity.

The installation also features striking upcycled sculptures inspired by the region’s rich biodiversity and the mythical creatures woven into Southeast Asian folklore.

Tales of Earth and Sea: Watch the National Museum Light Up

During the launch weekend, head to the National Museum of Singapore for Tales of Earth and Sea, a spectacular facade projection by Indonesian multimedia artist team The Fox, The Folks.

The work reinterprets local folklore through striking visuals and an original cross-border soundtrack.

Adding to the experience is Birdmen by Dutch street theatre group Close-Act Theatre. Keep an eye out for the glowing, fantastical stilt walkers dressed as pterodactyl-like creatures as they roam alongside the projections.

Journey Into Singapore’s Legends at Fort Canning

For families with older children, The Lost Legacy of Fort Canning: The Forbidden Hill offers a different way to experience Singapore’s history.

This 70-minute nocturnal walking trail takes visitors through Fort Canning Park, uncovering the myths and ancient secrets surrounding Bukit Larangan.

Atmospheric soundscapes and live traditional Malay dance help transport visitors back to the 14th-century world of early Singapura.

See The Cathay Turn Into a Giant Screen

Art and technology come together at the MALAM Projection Mapping Competition, which showcases works by emerging artists and collectives from across Southeast Asia.

The top 20 entries will be projected onto The Cathay during the first week of the festival, giving families another colourful and visually engaging stop to add to their SNF evening.

Explore More at SMU Campus Green

Several installations will also be featured at Singapore Management University (SMU) Campus Green, offering families more opportunities to explore the stories and legends behind Singapore’s heritage.

Look out for The Dragon’s Tooth: A Legend of Becoming Light by Starlight Alchemy, which combines bamboo structures, refracted light, interactive elements and performance to reimagine monuments as places of remembrance.

You and I, Believing... by the Yellow Ribbon Community Arts Festival Committee 2026 draws inspiration from the Bras Basah convict jail in the 19th century, while Traces by Filipino artist Isaiah Cacnio explores the legend behind the inscriptions on the Singapore Stone.

Discover More Installations Around the BBB Precinct

Along the fringes of the BBB precinct, families can also discover a variety of installations at nearby CapitaLand shopping destinations, including Bugis Street, Funan, Plaza Singapura and Raffles City Singapore.

At Raffles City Singapore, local artist Ching Kai presents Inter-Light, a participatory installation that uses light, shadow, sound and projection to explore Singapore’s multicultural landscape and traditions of street performance.

Over at Funan, Singapore-based SERIAL CO_ presents Rising of Sister Islands, which explores the legend of Singapore’s iconic Sister Islands and how myths and legends are passed down through generations through oral storytelling.

At Plaza Singapura, families can check out THE BLOOMING HEARTS FORTUNE MERLION by UNIPLAY, a vibrant Merlion-inspired installation that uses recycled plastic to raise awareness about plastic recycling while debunking common recycling myths.

Meanwhile, Bugis Street Art Lane becomes a voyage through Singapore’s seafaring past with Stormy Straits. Created by the Melting Po(r)t Collective, the installation invites visitors to navigate glowing lighthouses and monsoon storms while uncovering long-forgotten tales of the sea.

Families can also look out for Lovebug by ART-ZOO, in collaboration with the National Library Board. This whimsical large-scale installation draws inspiration from Singapore’s native animals and plants, reimagining the endangered Raffles’ Banded Langur and saga seed as nostalgic symbols of love in local stories.

Discover Vikings of the Tropics

At Armenian Street Lawn, local creative studio TELL YOUR CHILDREN presents Vikings of the Tropics, a nautical installation inspired by the myths and legends of La Galigo and the Vikings of Nusantara.

The work also shines a light on the rich maritime heritage of the Bugis and Buginese traders who once used Singapore as an important port hub.

Light Together Bras Basah.Bugis

As part of the inaugural Light Together Bras Basah.Bugis (LTB), festivalgoers can also discover four additional installations presented in conjunction with SNF 2026 and the National Day celebrations.

Also inspired by the Myths and Legends theme, LTB takes a playful look at colloquial myths and superstitions, transforming familiar local beliefs into tongue-in-cheek artworks that families can discover around the precinct.

Plan Your Family Night Out

With free admission for most programmes, Singapore Night Festival 2026 makes for an easy family night out. From dazzling projections and interactive installations to hands-on workshops and cultural experiences, there are plenty of ways for families to explore Singapore’s heritage through stories, creativity and play.

The festival runs across three weekends, from 21 August to 5 September 2026. An interactive map of the different zones and personalised trails will be available on the official Singapore Night Festival website during the festival period, making it easier to plan your route.

Tip: Programme timings and admission requirements vary, so check the official Singapore Night Festival website before heading down, especially if you are planning to attend a specific workshop or ticketed experience.