15 Best Free Things to Do in Singapore at Night
As that pop song goes, the best things in life are free. We believe the same thing applies to stuff you can get to enjoy in Singapore without needing to pay for them.
So for this listicle, we gathered some of the most fulfilling and fun experiences you can have minus having to shell out a single Singapore dollar.
What can you do for free in Singapore at night?
Despite the reputation that Singapore is an expensive city to live in, there are many things to see, hear, and feel here for free. So much stuff happens during the golden hour that doesn’t require any form of spending.
Yes, Singapore is alive at night and can offer many exciting experiences for everyone. So whether you’re a music lover or a nature aficionado, you’ll likely find something fun and free to do when the sun goes down.
Have a free nature immersion
Singapore has several natural parks to offer for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city living.
We hope the suggestions below give you that much-needed respite you need, even for just a few hours.
1. Take a stroll at Marina Barrage
Location: 8 Marina Gardens Drive Marina Barrage Singapore 018951
Hours: Open 24 hours except for select locations
💡 Free friendly tip: Public spaces are on a first-come-first-served basis, so get there before the crowds do.
Marina Barrage is a testimony to the efficiency and organisation of Singapore. It’s not just a good-looking tourist spot but also one that showcases Singapore’s water supply and flood control processes.
This freshwater reservoir is the perfect backdrop for all sorts of water-based recreational activities like kayaking. It’s a great spot for seeing art dedicated to nature by way of the Arts Trail and the Sustainable Singapore Gallery as well.
At night, Marina Barrage gets filled with joggers and strollers traversing the grounds nearby. And LED kite-flying has become popular here, so it’s quite a sight to see the night sky lit up with different neon colours flying around.
2. Explore some great hiking trails
Location: MacRitchie Reservoir Park, The Southern Ridges, Clementi Forest
Hours: Accessible 24 hours
💡 Free friendly tip: Avoid hiking trails during the rainy season and wear long pants and sleeves to protect yourself from bug bites and tall grasses.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous (on a shoestring), you’ll be glad to know that there are great hiking trails in Singapore to explore. So put on your sturdiest hiking boots, and get ready to breathe in some fresh air once the sun sets.
Check out MacRitchie Reservoir Park, which is Singapore’s oldest nature park. The hike might take around three hours, so make sure to head out before it gets dark (or at least bring a flashlight with you).
The Southern Ridges have well-developed trails that can bring you to the awe-inspiring Henderson Waves bridge.
But if you want something more rugged and rustic, try hiking at Clementi Forest. Take extra care, though, as there are no defined trails there.
3. Take a coast trek on Changi Point Costal Walk
Location: 6 Changi Village Rd Singapore 509907
Hours: Open at all hours
💡 Free friendly tip: Wait until the path gets lit up for a romantic ambience.
Taking a stroll near the sea is always a balm to the work-weary soul. And unlike a session with a psychiatrist, it’s free.
So go catch some sea breeze during a sunset stroll at the Changi Point Coastal Walk. You can listen to the waves as you walk under a canopy of stars.
And if you keep on walking until sundown, you’ll likely be rewarded with a gorgeous sunset view. The coastal path itself gets lit up when night hits, so it becomes an almost magical experience.
Catch some live music and sound shows
Singapore has some great live music venues and jazz clubs. But don’t worry if you don’t have the budget for them because you can always catch some aural delights for free if you know where to look.
4. See a free concert at the Esplanade
Location: 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 03898
Hours: 12 NN to 6 PM daily
💡 Free friendly tip: Check out free show schedules by visiting the Esplanade website.
Yes, you can watch and appreciate live music in Singapore without buying a ticket or paying an entrance fee. And a lot of these free concerts and musical performances can be seen at the Esplanade.
A look at Esplanade’s online calender reveals dozens of free events, including theatrical and visual arts shows. It’s easy enough to see which ones don’t require tickets as there’s a blue “free” tag on particular events.
From indie pop to traditional and classical music, the Esplanade Concourse has become the platform for thousands of musical shows. These performances run anywhere from a few days to a full month, so there’s plenty of time to catch them.
5. Witness the Light and Sound Show at the Jewel Changi Airport
Location: 78 Airport Blvd Singapore 819666
Hours: 7:30 PM to 12 MN
💡 Free friendly tip: Don’t forget to check out the four-storey high tropical forest while you’re there!
There are several good reasons why Singapore Changi Airport has been named the world’s best airport for eight years running. It’s not just efficient, but it also has The Jewel.
The Jewel showcases airport interior design features you won’t see anywhere else. There’s a breathtaking 40-metre tall indoor waterfall called the Rain Vortex, which is at the heart of a free nightly light and sound show.
So if you want to feast your eyes and ears on a free glorious display of visual and aural rhapsody, be at The Jewel starting at 7:30 until midnight.
6. Participate in local festivals
Location: Spots in Chinatown, Little India, and other heritage places
Hours: During major festivals
💡 Free friendly tip: Consult a good travel agency or the Singapore tourism website for festival schedules.
Being a multi-cultural melting pot, Singapore has more than its fair share of festivals anyone can participate in. Most of them, such as the Chinese New Year festivities, have colourful parades and performances like the Lion Dances you can enjoy for free.
The CNY, in particular, spans a couple of days, so you can join the revelry starting with the light-up ceremonies in Chinatown. There’s also the River Hongbao Festival, which features various musical and stage performances as well as life-size lantern parades.
So if you’re going to Singapore any time soon, it would be a good idea to plan your itinerary around a major festival so you can enjoy lots of free presentations.
Watch movies and performances for free
Whoever claimed that Singapore is boring has probably never witnessed the vitality and vibrance of the theatrical, musical, and orchestral performances here. And yes, some of them come free of charge, too!
7. Catch a free screening at MovieMob
Location: 70 Shenton Way 07-07, Singapore 079118
Hours: Monday to Friday, 10 AM – 7 PM, closed on weekends
💡 Free friendly tip: Check out the screening schedules and other events on the MovieMob website.
Imagine the casual yet fun vibe of a backyard movie viewing with a projector mixed with a drive-in and picnic vibe. Now, imagine that it won’t cost you a single Singapore dollar.
This concept is offered by MovieMob, which offers free movie screenings “under the stars.” People can enjoy everything from Hollywood blockbusters to local films for free.
MovieMob transfers from one location to another, though, so you might want to check out the website for scheduled screenings.
8. Watch some free shows at the Botanic Gardens
Location: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Hours: 5 AM – 12 MN daily
💡 Free friendly tip: Take some time to explore this sprawling UNESCO World Heritage Site and its selection of rare plants.
Known for being a massive UNESCO heritage site featuring several sub-gardens, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is also the backdrop of various free performances. They’re usually held at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage in Palm Valley.
Aside from housing rare plants and blooms, you can become the audience of shows ranging from classical string ensembles to traditional Japanese dances. You can check out the other performances and programmes via the Singapore Botanic Gardens page.
Most heritage shows at the Botanic Gardens don’t require pre-registration, though only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed on the concert grounds.
9. Swoon to a free Singapore Symphony Orchestra concert
Location: Check out shows with free admission on the Singapore Symphony Orchestra website
Hours: As scheduled
💡 Free friendly tip: Get to the scheduled venue as early as possible to get the best free “seats.”
What could be a better live music experience in Singapore than getting to witness the splendour that only the Singapore Symphony Orchestra can bring?
We could only think of one way, and that’s getting to be the orchestra’s audience for free.
So bring a date with you to the next performance venue, whether it’s at a park, botanical garden, or the concert halls of major institutions. The fact that it’s free doesn’t make the orchestra experience less thrilling, soul-soothing, and uplifting.
Have a free fun day at the park
Whether it’s for picnics or somewhere you can take your e-scooter for a spin, spending a day at the park is always an exhilarating experience. And it doesn’t have to mean just sitting down on a park bench and watching the world go by, either.
10. Get gnarly at Somerset Skate Park
Location: 1 Somerset Rd, Singapore 238162
Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM daily
💡 Free friendly tip: Weekends can get crowded with skateboarding students.
We’re featuring a concrete haven for skaters and extreme sports fanatics. The Somerset Skate Park isn’t just any old park but one designed to showcase Singapore’s underground culture.
It’s a 3,000-square-metre playground for skaters with ramps, rails, ledges, and other obstacles. Anyone—from beginner to advanced levels—can try out these obstacles until 10 PM (when they turn the lights off).
While you’re there, check out the various “graffiti” from local street artists and muralists. Don’t worry because these kinds of street doodles and art are legal and are meant to showcase local artists’ works.
11. Go biking at Bukit Timah Bike Trail
Location: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (end of Hindhede Drive)
Hours: 7 AM to 7 PM daily
💡 Free friendly tip: Watch out for crossing monkeys or monitor lizards as you ride past! Also, check out the trail difficulty rating here.
As part of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, the Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail has become a favourite among cyclists who want to be surrounded by nature. If you’re a physically fit biker, you’ll likely appreciate the challenges posed by this bike trail.
Night-time cycling is safe at Bukit Timah, thanks to the recent renovations the trail has undergone. There are still spots of rough terrain, though, so don’t worry about it being an “easy” ride.
And while it’s meant for mountain bikes, even those with folding bikes can ride here as long as the park’s biking etiquette is strictly observed.
12. Have a night-time picnic at Gardens By the Bay
Location: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Hours: 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM daily
💡 Free friendly tip: Take the Bayfront MRT to get there, but try to beat the crowds so you can get a scenic spot for the free light show.
Want an Instagram-worthy experience that’s both free and fantastic? Then head over to Gardens by the Bay and witness the Supertrees light up and “dance” starting at 7:45 every night.
It’s the perfect spot to have a romantic picnic dinner, surrounded by lush foliage and a free musical show accompanied by magical illumination. It’s a dazzling light and sound display that won’t cost you anything.
Make sure to be in the vicinity during sunset so you can have the best vantage point to see everything.
Watch the sunset from somewhere romantic
Singapore has some gorgeous sunset spots in case you want to impress your date with a scenic backdrop that comes free, day after day. Check out the following suggestions for a swoon-worthy golden hour.
13. Be at Merlion Park during the golden hour
Location: 1 Fullerton Rd, Singapore 049213
Hours: 24/7
💡 Free friendly tip: Wait for the skyscrapers to get lit up to take the best pictures.
The Merlion is the most iconic representation of Singapore, so it would be almost criminal not to spend some time at Merlion Park.
The Merlion Park is also one of the most recommended places in Singapore to visit at night because it lends the water-spouting half-lion, half-fish statue an otherworldly appeal.
And since its surroundings get beautifully illuminated at night, there are plenty of magical angles for you to appreciate and document. The fact that you can do all this for free is only the cherry at the top of this mythical monument.
14. Wait for dusk at Changi Boardwalk
Location: 51 Lorong Bekukong Changi Point Ferry Terminal, Changi East Singapore 499172
Hours: 24/7
💡 Free friendly tip: Watch out for starfish during low tide.
If you want to catch a glimpse of boats at night, check them out via the Changi Boardwalk before and after dusk has settled. The way the night transforms the coastline is nothing short of phenomenal.
The Changi Boardwalk offers a leisurely stroll for families, courting couples, and even people on their own.
It’s a gorgeous spot to watch the golden hour, especially during the low tide. With the sound of waves, you can forget that you’re in a busy city and imagine you’re on an exotic island resort, instead.
15. Catch the last rays of the sun at Punggol Waterway Park
Location: Sentul Crescent, Punggol Waterway Park, Singapore
Hours: 7 PM to 7 AM daily
💡 Free friendly tip: If you have the time and energy, consider strolling to nearby park connectors like the Punggol Nature Walk and the Punggol Point Walk.
Watching the sunset will always be universally free. Why not do it in the most non-touristy way possible in Singapore?
So if you want to witness pink and gold sunsets, check out Punggol Waterway Park atop the Jewel Bridge.
The waterfront location provides a gorgeous backdrop to the golden hour, making the entire experience breathtaking and calming at the same time.