This year marks the 14th edition of the Singapore Night Festival, set to illuminate the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct in the theme Singapore, the Great Port City. The festival will showcase Singapore's evolution from its early role as a port city, to the modern metropolis it is today. Shining a light on our rich history spanning 700 years, there will be a ton of programmes to immerse you in the sights, flavours, and stories of BBB.
What is the Singapore Night Festival?
The Singapore Night Festival celebrates the best of Singapore’s art scene and cultural heritage over the last two weekends of August. Each year undertakes a refreshing theme that ties all the programmes together.
When and what time does the Singapore Night Festival start and end?
The festival runs from August 18 to 26, 7.30pm to 12.00am.
Where is the Singapore Night Festival 2023 held?
The main festival village will be held, for the first time, at SMU Campus Green, with two other festival villages at CHIJMES and Armenian Street. Expect 50 experiences to indulge in – including project mapping installations, experiential programmes, snazzy light installations, festival food market, and roving performances. This year’s edition will also feature its very first family zone around Fort Canning Rise with activities catered to children by the Children’s Museum Singapore.
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Not to be missed at the Singapore Night Festival 2023:
Projection Mapping at CHIJMES
Head over to CHIJMES to witness three beautiful project mappings installations, each by different artists. Evolution of Bras Basah Entertainment Scene is a neon showcase that highlights the importance of Singapore’s entertainment scene since the mid-1800s. Port(al) City sheds light on Singapore’s heritage through the lens of the people that call this country home in both past and present times. And lastly, Birth in Bloom presents a kaleidoscope animation of animated flora and fauna that pays tribute to exports like the rubber plant which played an important role in Singapore’s trade industry.
700 years
Catch Singapore’s very first theatrical projection made possible by playwright Zizi Majid, illustrator Muhammad Izdi and multimedia specialist Jérémie Bellot. The 6-minute animation projected on the National Museum of Singapore – our nation’s oldest museum – illustrates how female protagonist Seri Anggerik from the 14th Century time travels 700 years forward into the present day where she is taken aback by how much Singapore has advanced. This captivating display celebrates how far our nation has progressed since our founding days.
More information about the short animation here.
Time is a Black Circle
This year’s highlight allows you to roller skate into an art installation dedicated to remembering the nostalgic yesteryears where the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct served as the go-to hub for live discotheques and spirited parties, defining the era of Disco Fever. As you step into the “disco time portal” by Singaporean artist Dawn Ng, you’ll find yourself in a misty rainbow circular chamber with throwback tunes that echo within its walls, bound to get you singing along.
Purchase your tickets here. And for those who aren’t looking to skate, no worries – you’ll be able to visit the artwork for free from 10am to 4pm.
The Island At The End
For most of us, imagining what life was like in the 14th Century is out of question, let alone beginning to fathom what a medical hall and apothecary back then would be like. This interactive installation however allows you to step into a setting from the past, engaging all your senses – from smell to touch. In this enclosed space, guests can participate in a ritual of incense burning often practised in the past. Simply choose from a range of rotating scents, ignite it in the burner, and then witness the space fill up with your chosen aroma, transporting you back in time.
PORT CITY 2.0 at Armenian Street
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View the festival map here.
Find out more about the events happening here.