Singapore Night Festival 2026: Projection Mapping, Light Installations & More (21 August – 5 September)

Singapore Night Festival, one of our Little Red Dot’s more anticipated art festivals, is back in August for its 17th edition. The theme of Singapore Night Festival 2026 is ‘Myths and Legends’. Festival-goers can explore the rich stories, folklore and traditions of Singapore and Southeast Asia through a series of immersive experiences.

This edition of the Singapore Night Festival stretches over three weekends around Bras Basah.Bugis precinct. Besides festival favourites such as the projection mapping artworks and light installations that come alive after dark, the festival villages will also make a return with food and retail offerings. Look out for highlights such as a new Museum Zone, three festival zones, illuminated installations which you can experience for FREE, and an array of curated programmes.

Read more about the highlights at Singapore Night Festival 2026:

1. Projection Mapping at Singapore Night Festival

You cannot say you’ve attended the Singapore Night Festival without having witnessed the iconic projection mapping installations. Head over to the National Museum of Singapore to watch the building facade light up with digital illuminations. Titled ‘Tales of Earth and Sea’, the display is inspired by local folklore and the relationship between land and water, and is accompanied by an original soundtrack by Artusik (Singapore) in collaboration with UiTM Malaysia. For the first time ever, there’ll also be a projection-mapping competition called ‘MALAM’ held at The Cathay, featuring the top 20 artworks by artists from across the region!

Tales of Earth and Sea projection mapping
When: 21 August – 5 September 2026, Friday – Saturday 7.30pm – 12am; Sunday – Thursday 7.30pm – 11pm
Where: National Museum of Singapore
How much: Free!

‘MALAM’ projection mapping
When: 21 August – 5 September 2026, Friday – Saturday 7.30pm – 12am; Sunday – Thursday 7.30pm – 11pm
Where: The Cathay
How much: Free!

2. Night Lights at SNF 2026: 10 light installations around Bras Basah.Bugis district

Vikings of the Tropics @ Armenian Street: This nautical installation is inspired by the myths of La Galigo, highlighting the seafaring legacy of the Bugis traders and Singapore’s role as a historic trading port.By TELL YOUR CHILDREN

The Dragon’s Tooth: A Legend of Becoming Light @ SMU Campus Green: an immersive installation inspired by Long Ya Men (Dragon’s Teeth Gate), with interactive light displays and storytelling elements.
By Starlight Alchemy

You and I, Believing… @ SMU Campus Green: This interactive public sculpture encourages visitors to reflect on identity, community and second chances through mirrored surfaces, photographs and symbolic design.
By the Yellow Ribbon Community Arts Festival Committee 2026

Traces @ SMU Campus Green, Sunken Ampitheatre: This digital art installation takes inspiration from the Singapore Stone, exploring its undeciphered inscriptions and Singapore’s connections to early regional trade and history.
By Isaiah Cacnio

Once Upon A Time @ Capitol Singapore: Animal sculptures celebrating Singapore’s wildlife, made from recycled bottles, boxes and other everyday materials by students across Singapore.
By Natalia Tan

Inter-Light @ Raffles City: Walk through an interactive installation with changing light, moving images and shadow projections.
By Ching Kai

Rising of Sister Islands @ Funan Kinetic Wall: An interactive, speech-activated installation inspired by the legend of Minah and Linah of Singapore’s Sisters’ Islands.
By SERIAL CO_

THE BLOOMING HEARTS FORTUNE MERLION @ Plaza Singapura: The 2.8-metre Fortune Merlion is an interactive sculpture made partly from recycled PET bottles.
By UNIPLAY

Stormy Straits @ Bugis Street Art Lane: Experience what the monsoon storms of the straits was like back in the 1800s, complete with cloud like forms and towering sculptures.
By Melting Po(r)t Collective

Lovebug @ National Library Building Plaza: A colourful outdoor inflatable experience inspired by Singapore’s native wildlife, plants and folklore, with a nearby book kiosk featuring nature and storytelling titles.
By ART-ZOO

Night Lights at SNF 2026
When: 21 August – 5 September 2026, Friday – Saturday 7.30pm – 12am; Sunday – Thursday 7.30pm – 11pm
Where: Various locations around the Bras Basah.Bugis district
How much: Free!

3. More programmes at SNF 2026

Birdmen

Catch this roving installation for one weekend only! It resembles bizarre flying creatures and will make its way through the district.

When: 21 – 23 August 2026, 730pm – 11pm (two 45-minute sessions)
Where: National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Management University Campus Green, Armenian Street
How much: Free!

Horror Nights @ Oldham Theatre

Vintage cinematography and Singaporean horror cinema take the spotlight here, with film screenings of ‘Orang Minyak’, ‘Tiger Stripes’ and ‘Roh’.

When: 22, 23, 29 & 30 August 2026, 7.30pm – 9pm
Where: Oldham Theatre at National Archives Singapore
How much: $10

The Lost Legacy of Fort Canning: The Forbidden Hill’

One of SNF 2026’s highlight programmes, this 70-minute after-dark walking experience combines archaeology, ancient myths, immersive soundscapes and live traditional Malay dance. Take it as an opportunity to explore the rise and fall of early Singapura, and hear all the tea on buried treasure, sacred sites and the hill’s enduring mysteries.

When: 21, 22, 27, 28 & 29 August, 3, 4 & 5 September 20026, 8pm & 10pm
Where: Fort Canning Hill
How much: $60

Legends in Motion by The Artist Village – invisible city

This experiential walking trail visits historic sites where local artists once found refuge and built creative communities as the city evolved.

When: 21 & 28 August, 4 September 2026, 6pm – 7.30pm & 8.30pm – 10pm
Where: Handy Road Stamford Canal
How much: $25

Legends in Motion by The Artist Village – When the Water Rose

This two-hour immersive walking experience follows the historic route of Sungai Bras Basah, with live performances, storytelling and specially crafted non-alcoholic drinks at each stop.

When: 22 & 29 August, 5 September 2026, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Where: Outside National Archives Singapore
How much: $35

4. Festival Villages at SNF 2026

In between exploring the BBB precinct, admiring the artworks, and snapping plenty of photos, take some time to wind down at one of the Festival Villages. Stay tuned for more info on this!

Over the three Singapore Night Festival weekends, there’ll also be fringe events and performances happening around the BBB precinct. Check them out here.

Want to find out more about the various Singapore Night Festival installations? Click here for a detailed list of installations, displays and performances plus all the ticketing information you need!