Singapore Night Festival returns to the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct from 21 August to 5 September 2026, bringing projection mapping, installations, performances and after-dark experiences across the district.
Now in its 17th edition, the festival takes on the theme Myths and Legends, drawing from folklore, traditions and stories from Singapore and across Southeast Asia. Most programmes are free to attend, making it easy to explore the festival across multiple evenings.
This year also introduces a dedicated Museum Zone, centred around the National Museum of Singapore and Children’s Museum Singapore. It joins three other festival zones stretching across landmarks including CHIJMES, The Cathay, Waterloo Centre, Bras Basah Complex and Stamford Arts Centre.
With plenty happening across the precinct, here are four programmes worth looking out for at Singapore Night Festival 2026.
Tales of Earth and Sea
One of this year’s major highlights takes over the façade of the National Museum of Singapore.
Created by Bandung-based multimedia artist team The Fox, The Folks, Tales of Earth and Sea reinterprets local folklore through large-scale projection mapping. The visual work is accompanied by an original soundtrack created through a cross-border collaboration between Singapore multi-ethnic music collective Artusik and UiTM Malaysia.
The experience becomes particularly immersive during the festival’s launch weekend, when the projection is paired with a roaming street theatre performance.
Location: National Museum of Singapore
Admission: Free
Birdmen
Look out for giant illuminated creatures roaming outside the National Museum during the opening weekend.
Making its Southeast Asian debut, Birdmen comes from Dutch theatre group Close-Act Theatre and features performers on stilts dressed as large, pterodactyl-like creatures.
Rather than a conventional stage performance, the Birdmen move among festivalgoers and interact with the surrounding space. The performance takes place alongside Tales of Earth and Sea, combining projection mapping and live street theatre into one of the festival’s biggest opening-weekend experiences.
Location: National Museum of Singapore
Admission: Free
MALAM Projection Mapping Competition
Another building to look out for this year is The Cathay, which becomes the canvas for the inaugural MALAM Projection Mapping Competition.
The new competition provides a platform for emerging artists, students and collectives from across Southeast Asia to experiment with projection mapping and light-based art. Close to 50 submissions were received for its first edition.
During the opening week of Singapore Night Festival, the top 20 entries will be projected onto The Cathay’s façade. Five submissions will then be selected to remain on display for the rest of the festival.
It is one of the easiest programmes to add to your festival route, particularly if you are already exploring the nearby Museum Zone and Waterloo Street.
Location: The Cathay
Admission: Free
The Lost Legacy of Fort Canning: The Forbidden Hill
For something more immersive, The Lost Legacy of Fort Canning: The Forbidden Hill takes visitors away from the main festival streets and into Fort Canning Park after dark.
Created by Sight Lines Co. and The Urbanist Singapore, the 70-minute nocturnal walking trail explores the ancient stories and myths surrounding Bukit Larangan, or Forbidden Hill.
Atmospheric soundscapes and live traditional Malay dance accompany the experience as visitors journey through the park and into stories inspired by 14th-century Singapura.
Location: Fort Canning Park
Duration: Approximately 70 minutes
Admission: Ticketed
More to explore around Bras Basah.Bugis
The four highlights are only a starting point. Across Bras Basah.Bugis, familiar spaces will be transformed with artworks drawing from maritime legends, local folklore and Singapore’s cultural history.
At Armenian Street Lawn, Vikings of the Tropics by local creative studio TELL YOUR CHILDREN looks at the sea-trading history of the Bugis and Buginese. Over at Singapore Management University Campus Green, visitors can find works including The Dragon’s Tooth: A Legend of Becoming Light, inspired by the history and legends surrounding Dragon’s Tooth Gate.
The festival also extends into unexpected corners of the city. Bugis Street Art Lane becomes a maritime-inspired installation with Stormy Straits, while artworks can also be found at Funan, Plaza Singapura and Raffles City Singapore.
Singapore Night Festival 2026: What You Need To Know
Dates: 21 August to 5 September 2026
Location: Bras Basah.Bugis precinct
Admission: Most programmes are free; selected experiences are ticketed
Theme: Myths and Legends
An interactive festival map covering the Museum Zone and Zones 1 to 3 will also be available through the Singapore Night Festival website during the festival period, alongside personalised trails for visitors planning their route.
For the full programme, timings and ticketing information, visit the official Singapore Night Festival website.
For more ideas on what to do this week, check out our guide to things to do in Singapore from 17 to 23 August 2026.