This year’s Singapore River Festival returns for the fourth time, with the largest outdoor bazaar across Clarke Quay, plus more spectacular outdoor circus performances, movie screenings, gameshows and lots of prime eats. Underrated as it can sound, the Singapore River Festival combines all three quays—Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay—to produce an expanse of carnival-ish activities with experiences you won’t soon forget. Here’s what to check out.
A massive outdoor bazaar in the Clarke Quay area
Kicking off the Festival with a month-long bazaar everyday from Oct 16, 3 to 10:30pm, the Local At Heart (LAH) Bazaar aims to outdo all the previous bazaars in scale and offerings, with uniquely Singaporean brands, talents and traditions stretching across the three quays. This will also be Singapore’s first cashless marketplace with fuss-free transactions, (you can pay by EZ-link)—so no more long queues at the ATMs or being turned away at stalls because the vendors don’t have enough change.
A dazzling LED kites light show
Like last year, expect an insane display of light-emitting diode (LED) kites in a light show by local start-up GoFlykite. While last year’s was a dazzling array of flying dragons, where dragon-headed remote-controlled LED kites were set adrift through the skies, this year’s theme is the “Sky Aquarium”, which hints at LED aquatic creatures. It’s set to be an insta-worthy scene, so come with fully charged phones.
Delightfully local circus acts
What festival is complete without circus acts? Over two weekends (Oct 26-27 and Nov 2-3), the iconic Clarke Quay Central promenade transforms into a stage for performances by Singaporean circus acts, musicians and other personalities.
Gameshows, movie screenings and freebies galore
Apart from the indispensable circus acts, there will be lucky draws and romantic outdoor movie screenings happening beside Fort Canning on specific dates. Raving alcoholics can get their fix with the pub crawl; but the highlight is the series of specially curated live gameshows, starting off with a “Family Feud” trivia battle this year. Take part in the interactive gameshows for a chance to win prizes like hotel staycations and restaurant vouchers; for the ultra-competitive, the grand prize pool for the Master Brain quiz is $10,000, if you get 10 consecutive questions right.
A Singapore-themed Halloween street party
The event falls within the Halloween period every year but this year, Singapore River Festival’s Walaoween will bring you a Halloween bash with local flavor. Get your fill of spine tingles at the street party on Circular Road, as you meet with Singaporean myths and ghouls—along with a groovy lineup of local musicians and the mass of revelers that party on through the night. People typically rock up in full Halloween gear; to get the most out of the festivities, we suggest you do the same.
Singapore River Festival 2018 takes place on Oct 16–Nov 11 along the Singapore River. More information here.
