Our Top 10 Family-Friendly Events and Activities in Singapore (September 2026 Edition)
September is here, and if you're wondering what to do with the kids, we've rounded up 10 family-friendly events and activities happening across Singapore, including ideas for the September school holidays.
September is shaping up to be an exciting month for families in Singapore. The September public school holidays run from 5th to 13th September, and the month brings a wonderful mix of immersive experiences, cultural celebrations, glowing night-time events, aviation adventures and plenty of opportunities to explore the city together.
From stepping into an ancient Egyptian-inspired garden and wandering through a glowing Sanrio wonderland to discovering Singapore's aviation history, exploring the Singapore River after dark and experiencing the ocean in a whole new light, there is plenty happening beyond the usual indoor playgrounds.
As always, we've focused on experiences that work particularly well for families with young children, activities that are not only exciting for kids but interesting enough that parents will genuinely enjoy them too.
And because September is also when Mid-Autumn Festival takes over Singapore, you'll find several festive picks on this month's list, including lantern displays, cultural activities, mooncake festival and plenty of opportunities to experience Singapore after dark.
Whether you're planning activities for the September school holidays, looking for something to do on a weekend or simply want to discover something different, here are 10 family-friendly events and activities to check out in Singapore this September 2026.
#1 Lilytopia
If you haven't stepped into Lilytopia yet, September is your final chance.
The Flower Dome has been transformed into an ancient Egyptian-inspired landscape filled with more than 7,000 lilies representing 46 species and varieties, transporting visitors into a world inspired by the gardens, architecture and mythology of ancient Egypt.
Look out for the spectacular 4.5-metre-tall façade inspired by the Great Temple of Abu Simbel, colourful hieroglyphs and larger-than-life statues of Egyptian deities.
There are also architectural elements inspired by Egyptian temples, a solar barque and traditional Egyptian irrigation tools, such as the shaduf and Archimedes screw.
For kids, it's a great opportunity to learn about ancient Egyptian civilisation while exploring a spectacular floral display, and there are plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
📅 Fri, 21 Aug - Sun, 27 Sep 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
📍 Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
🎫 Admission to Flower Dome applies
See the Gardens by the Bay website for ticket information.
Pro Tip: Don't wait until the last weekend. Lilytopia ends on 27th September, and you can combine your visit with the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations at Gardens by the Bay later in the month.
#2 Singapore Night Festival 2026
Singapore's biggest after-dark arts festival continues into September, but only for a few more nights.
The Singapore Night Festival 2026 has transformed the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct into a spectacular playground of light, art, performance and storytelling.
This year's theme, "Myths and Legends," draws inspiration from folklore and stories from Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Expect spectacular projection mapping, immersive installations, interactive experiences and performances scattered throughout the neighbourhood.
One of the highlights is MALAM, the festival's inaugural projection-mapping competition, where artworks from Southeast Asian artists are projected onto the façade of The Cathay.
You can also look out for Tales of Earth and Sea at the National Museum of Singapore and watch Textures Through Time in which the iconic CHIJMES come alive through spectacular projections that blend history, heritage and contemporary visual storytelling.
📅 Fri, 21 Aug - Sat, 5 Sep 2026
⏰ Sun - Thu: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM | Fri - Sat: 7:30 PM - 12:00 midnight
📍 Bras Basah.Bugis precinct
🎫 Most programmes are free
Some selected experiences are ticketed.
See the Singapore Night Festival website for the full programme.
Pro Tip: If you haven't been yet, make a plan for 4th or 5th September because this is your final weekend to experience the festival. Wear comfortable shoes and don't try to see everything in one evening - pick a few installations and enjoy the atmosphere. Also keep the SG Night Fest map handy, which you can either get online or collect physical maps from the moderators stationed at the different installations.
#3 Singapore River Festival 2026
The Singapore River is getting a whole new personality this September.
Celebrating its 10th edition, the Singapore River Festival 2026 brings together Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay under the theme "The Quay Collective."
Each quay has its own personality and programme.
At Boat Quay, you'll find the Entertainment Zone with roving performances and projections.
At Clarke Quay, the Expression Zone brings interactive light experiences and performances.
And at Robertson Quay, the Lifestyle & Wellness Zone offers immersive light displays and opportunities to slow down and enjoy the riverside.
Families can also try the MONOPOLY: HIDDEN Singapore interactive adventure, where you'll solve clues, uncover hidden stories and even enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Singapore River.
There's also a curated land and boat heritage tour, taking families through Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay while uncovering some of the lesser-known stories behind the river.
📅 Fri, 11 Sep - Sun, 20 Sep 2026
⏰ Various timings
📍 Boat Quay, Clarke Quay & Robertson Quay
🎫 Many experiences are free
Selected programmes are ticketed.
The festival officially opens on 11th September 2026. See the Singapore River Festival website for the full programme.
Pro Tip: Don't just visit one quay. The whole idea of this year's festival is to explore the different personalities of Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay. Wear comfortable shoes and turn it into a riverside family adventure.
#4 Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay
September wouldn't be complete without a visit to Gardens by the Bay after dark.
The annual Mid-Autumn Festival returns from 12th to 27th September, filling the Gardens with glowing lantern displays, family-friendly activities, workshops, carnival games and festive food.
This year's festival features Fenbao and her friends, who guide visitors through an illuminated world where lights, nature and fantasy come together.
Families can wander through the lantern displays at Supertree Grove, take photos at colourful installations and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
There's also a Marketplace with food, carnival games and family-friendly rides.
Kids can get creative at the Craft Corner, where selected activities include making your own Rabbit Lantern and creating festive keepsakes.
And don't miss the LED Lion Dance on opening night and the Dragon Dance on the final evening.
📅 Sat, 12 Sep - Sun, 27 Sep 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Supertree Grove, Bayfront Plaza, Flower Dome & surrounding areas
🎫 Free admission to the outdoor festival
Admission charges apply for Flower Dome activities.
See the official Gardens by the Bay programme for the full schedule.
Pro Tip: Bring your own battery-operated lantern if the kids want to carry one around. Open-flame lanterns, candles and sparklers are not permitted. And because the car park can fill up quickly, MRT is your best bet.
#5 Lights by the Lake @ Jurong Lake Gardens
Looking for something a little different from the usual Mid-Autumn celebrations? Head west for Lights by the Lake, Jurong Lake Gardens' annual celebration of Mid-Autumn.
The event transforms the Gardens into an illuminated wonderland featuring larger-than-life lantern displays, music, cultural performances, exhibitions, tours and family-friendly activities.
The main festival runs from 19th to 27th September, while the lantern displays continue until 4th October, giving you a little more time to catch the lights even after the festival ends.
There will also be hands-on activities for families, including craft sessions, such as clay lantern keychains, art activities and traditional cultural experiences.
📅 Sat, 19 Sep - Sun, 27 Sep 2026
⏰ 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM daily
📍 Jurong Lake Gardens
🎫 Free admission
See the Lights by the Lake website for the full programme.
Pro Tip: Go after sunset when the lanterns are fully lit. Bring mosquito repellent, comfortable shoes and a battery-operated lantern for the kids if you wish. Open flames, candlelit lanterns and sparklers are not allowed.
#6 Sanrio Characters Moonlit Garden at VivoCity
If your kids are obsessed with Hello Kitty, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll or Pompompurin, this one is practically guaranteed to be a hit.
Sanrio Characters Moonlit Garden has transformed VivoCity's Sky Park into a whimsical Mid-Autumn wonderland featuring six immersive themed worlds and larger-than-life Sanrio character displays.
Look out for Hello Kitty, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin and friends surrounded by glowing moon-themed decorations and illuminated installations.
There's also the Kuromi Carnival Kingdom, where families can play Sanrio-themed carnival games and win prizes.
And if your kids would rather meet the characters than simply take photos with them, there are scheduled Sanrio character Meet & Greets on selected September dates.
📅 Tue, 25 Aug - Sun, 27 Sep 2026
⏰ Moonlit Garden: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM daily
📍 VivoCity Sky Park, Level 3
🎫 Free admission
Some activities, games and Meet & Greets require qualifying purchases.
See the VivoCity website for the latest programme and redemption details.
Pro Tip: Visit around sunset. You can explore VivoCity, have dinner and then head up to the Sky Park as the installations light up. If your kids want to meet a particular character, check the Meet & Greet schedule before visiting because spaces are limited.
#7 Takashimaya's Mid-Autumn Festive Celebration 2026
Mid-Autumn Festival isn't just about lanterns - it's also about mooncakes!
Takashimaya's annual Mid-Autumn Festive Celebration returns to Takashimaya Square with an impressive 61 local and international brands offering mooncakes, confectioneries, tea and festive gifts.
You'll find everything from traditional luxury hotel mooncakes and heritage favourites to modern creations, durian mooncakes, snow-skin varieties and unusual flavours.
One of the new collections this year comes from Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, with its "Beneath The Rainforest Moon" collection inspired by wildlife including the pangolin, macaw, panda and gibbon.
There are also some rather creative options, including an ice cream mooncake and ORIG.CO's lava custard pineapple mooncake.
📅 Thu, 20 Aug - Fri, 25 Sep 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM - 9:30 PM daily
📍 Takashimaya Square, Basement 2, 391A Orchard Road
🎫 Free admission
The fair features 61 brands and runs until 25th September, which is Mid-Autumn Festival day.
Find more information on the Takashimaya website.
Pro Tip: You don't need to buy a mooncake to enjoy the fair. It's also a fun place to browse the colourful boxes, discover new flavours and pick up festive gifts. If you are buying, check the early-bird promotions as discounts vary by brand.
#8 Air Force Day 2026
Have a child who can identify an aircraft from half a kilometre away? Take them to Air Force Day 2026 at the Singapore Air Force Museum.
The two-day event gives visitors the chance to get up close to aircraft, explore aviation exhibits and try interactive experiences.
Expect aircraft displays, simulators, hands-on activities, workshops and a food bazaar, making this much more than a regular museum visit.
It's a particularly good option for children who are interested in planes, engineering, technology or the military.
📅 Sat, 5 Sep - Sun, 6 Sep 2026
⏰ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
📍 Singapore Air Force Museum, 400 Airport Road
🎫 Free admission
Advance registration is required. Selected workshops may have separate charges.
Check the latest information from Defence Collective Singapore before visiting.
Pro Tip: Arrive early and wear comfortable shoes. There are plenty of things to see and do, and the museum can get busy during a special event weekend. If your child is particularly interested in aviation, check whether the workshops or simulator experiences require separate registration.
#9 Into the Glowcean at Singapore Oceanarium
The Singapore Oceanarium at Sentosa is getting a neon makeover.
Into the Glowcean transforms Singapore Oceanarium after dark into a glowing underwater world combining marine life, neon art, music and interactive experiences.
One of the highlights is Oceanic Glow, featuring handicraft glass neon marine sculptures created by Singapore glass neon artist Megan Foo. The experience also includes special marine encounters and creative activities, including neon-inspired art and marine-themed keepsakes.
Kids can also look out for skeleton-costumed divers during special feeding sessions, making the experience particularly fun as Halloween approaches.
And if you're looking for something extra unusual, there are special after-dark experiences throughout the season, including a silent disco against an underwater backdrop.
📅 Sat, 5 Sep - Sun, 1 Nov 2026
⏰ After-dark sessions and selected activities at various timings
📍 Singapore Oceanarium, Resorts World Sentosa
🎫 Singapore Oceanarium admission applies
One-Day Ticket: $55 Adult / $43 Child & Senior
See the Singapore Oceanarium website for the latest programme and ticket information.
Pro Tip: This is one of our top picks for the September school holidays because you get the Oceanarium experience plus a completely different atmosphere after dark. Check the schedule for the special activities before you go so you can plan your visit around them.
#10 Halloween Horror Nights 14 at Resorts World Sentosa
Ready for a really spooky night?
Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Studios Singapore this September, bringing haunted houses, scare zones, roaming horror and plenty of things designed to make you jump.
The 2026 edition runs across selected nights from 25th September to 1st November, with four haunted houses and two scare zones.
But there's an important catch for families:
This is NOT one for younger children. Resorts World Sentosa specifically states that Halloween Horror Nights may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under 13.
So if your family includes older teens who love horror, this could be an exciting September night out. If you have younger children, skip this one and opt for the much more family-friendly Into the Glowcean or the daytime Halloween activities at Universal Studios instead.
📅 Selected nights from Fri, 25 Sep - Sun, 1 Nov 2026
⏰ 7:30 PM - 12:30 AM
📍 Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa
🎫 Tickets start from $58
See the Resorts World Sentosa website for ticket information and the full list of event dates.
Pro Tip: Don't assume every September night is available. The first September dates are 25th and 26th September, so book according to the official event calendar. And seriously, check the age advisory before buying tickets if you're planning this as a family outing.
Pro Tips for Parents
Make the Most of the September School Holidays
The September public school holidays run from 5th to 13th September 2026, making this a great time to plan a few special outings with the kids.
If you're looking for activities during the school break, some of our top picks are:
Air Force Day
Into the Glowcean
Lilytopia
Sanrio Characters Moonlit Garden
Singapore Night Festival
Singapore River Festival
For ticketed experiences, booking ahead is always a good idea during school holidays.
Embrace the Mid-Autumn Season
September is one of the best times of year to experience Singapore after dark.
This month, you can choose between:
🏮 Gardens by the Bay
🌙 Lights by the Lake
🐱 Sanrio Characters Moonlit Garden
🥮 Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Festive Celebration
Each has a completely different atmosphere, so you could easily turn September into your family's annual Mid-Autumn adventure.
Prepare for Singapore's Weather
September can still be hot and humid, and evening outdoor events can involve quite a bit of walking.
Pack:
💧 Refillable water bottles
💨 Portable handheld fans
🧢 Hats
☀️ Sunscreen
☔ Umbrellas
🦟 Mosquito repellent
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
🔦 Battery-operated lanterns
And remember - open flames, candles and sparklers aren't allowed at Gardens by the Bay or Jurong Lake Gardens.
Don't Leave These Until the Last Minute
Some of September's experiences have very specific end dates.
Singapore Night Festival - ends 5 Sep
Air Force Day - 5 & 6 Sep
Singapore River Festival - 11 to 20 Sep
Sanrio Moonlit Garden - ends 27 Sep
Lilytopia - ends 27 Sep
Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay - ends 27 Sep
Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Celebration - ends 25 Sep
Halloween Horror Nights - starts 25 Sep
So if there's something your family really wants to experience, put it on the calendar now rather than leaving it to the last weekend.
Make This September One to Remember
September might just be one of the most fun months of the year to explore Singapore as a family.
There's something wonderfully different about this month. The city lights up after dark for Mid-Autumn Festival, the Singapore River becomes a festival playground, the Flower Dome transports you to ancient Egypt, Sanrio characters take over VivoCity and Singapore Oceanarium gets a neon makeover.
And if you're brave enough - or have teenagers who are - there's even a little Halloween horror waiting at the end of the month.
The best part? You don't need to travel far to find an adventure.
Sometimes, you just need to look at familiar Singapore through a completely different lens.
Which of these September activities are you adding to your family calendar? Let us know in the comments below - and don't forget to follow us on social media and tag @TheSingaporeCollective in your family adventures!