No trip to Asia would be complete without a stop at the exciting, multicultural city-state of Singapore. We would like to preface this guide by assuring you that Singapore is an amazing place to visit any time of the year. In fact, the best time to visit Singapore is any time of the year. We highly encourage you to make a stopover in Singapore no matter when you choose to go.
This is due to the fact that Singapore has a tropical climate offering consistent (though typically high) temperatures year-round. There is a wet and a dry season which is worth bearing in mind when planning your trip. However, you will find this largely inconsequential once you arrive and find yourself spending most of your time indoors where the air conditioning is on high.
High Season (Mid-November to January/February & June to July)
The high season typically falls from mid-November through to January or February. Singapore doesn’t really have a discernible high season, however, visitation definitely peaks during the holiday months.
Much of the world is on holiday from December to January, combined with Christmas in Singapore and the Chinese New Year landing around late-January / early-February. This results in increased tourist numbers over these months.
June and July coincide with the Great Singapore Sale which is a significant event drawing in visitors from all around the world. If you are keen on shopping, this is a perfect time to brave the crowds and visit Singapore, just make sure to book accommodation well in advance.
The high season falls in Monsoon Season which results in significantly higher rainfall during the months of December and January. Temperatures and humidity will be high year-round.
Shoulder Season (February to May)
The Singapore shoulder season falls between Chinese New Year and the Great Singapore Sale. This is still a great time to visit, in particular, the months of April and May which fall outside of the Monsoon seasons.
These months have significantly less rainfall than December and January, making them one of the best times to travel to Singapore if you are looking for drier weather.
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Low Season (August & October)
Singapore’s tourist numbers drop slightly during the months of August and October. This is mainly due to the lack of major holidays or events.
Weather for these months tends to be very wet, but better than November to March which falls within the North-East Monsoon season. As usual for Singapore, temperatures and humidity remain high during these months.
We’ve excluded September from the Low Season simply due to the fact that the Singapore F1 Grand Prix falls in the middle of this month. Tourist numbers spike significantly as this is an extremely popular event. If you are into motorsports, make your trip in September, otherwise, consider a different month.
When to Visit Singapore
Best Time to Fly to Singapore
The best time to fly to Singapore is when the flights are ‘free’. This is why we recommend making Singapore a stopover to or from your final destination. Singapore is a major gateway hub in Asia, so finding a route stopping in Singapore on the way to Australia, New Zealand or most of Asia is easy to accomplish.
If Singapore is your final destination, you’ll find flights are slightly more affordable during their low or shoulder seasons mentioned above. Try to avoid November to January/February and June to July.
Cheapest Time to Visit Singapore
Firstly, finding affordable flights to Singapore is essential. Make Singapore a stopover, or pick the months with the cheapest flights. Try mid-February through May and book your tickets well in advance.
Accommodation is expensive all year round in Singapore. Again, make an effort to book accommodation in advance and during the shoulder or low seasons. Definitely avoid any major public holidays or events, such as the Singapore Grand Prix and Chinese New Year.
Flights and accommodation may peak from June to July, but if the aim of your trip is shopping, then these months will be the best for you. Time your visit during the Great Singapore Sale and you will find cheaper shopping.
Best Time for Shopping in Singapore
Singapore is renowned for its immensely popular shopping scene, and it’s one of our favourite things to do in Singapore. No matter your reason for visiting Singapore, you will definitely find yourself in the comfort of an air-conditioned shopping mall on a daily basis.
The best time for shopping in Singapore is without a doubt during the Great Singapore Sale. This is a massive shopping event held each year for about two months. This event is organised by the Singapore Retailers Association where stores and malls offer significant sales each year in order to boost Singapore’s tourism through shopping.
This is a peak period in Singapore as shopaholics around the world converge on the small island’s countless shopping malls. And for good reason. This is the perfect time to find sale pricing and high-quality, major brands at significantly discounted prices.
Aside from this, there are countless other expos and sales throughout the year.
Chinese New Year is another great time to visit Singapore for shopping as the significant Chinese population celebrate. Ensure you travel to Singapore around January to February if you wish to catch these sales, and make your way into Chinatown for the biggest selections. During this time of the year, the streets are filled with stalls and shops selling all kinds of products – perfect to take back home!
Check out the boxing day and New Year sales if you are in Singapore post-Christmas where the sales can be significant, as much as 70% off on well-known brands. These sales tend to be much shorter but can offer discounts as good as you would find during the Great Singapore Sale.
Best Time to Visit Singapore for Your Honeymoon
Singapore is an amazing and underrated honeymoon destination. Sure, you won’t really get the pristine white beaches of Langkawi (though it’s just a short flight to reach them), but Singapore offers so much more for newlyweds than a deserted island ever could.
From the Singapore Flyer to the luxurious Marina Bay Sands hotel, and the numerous rooftop bars scattered around the city.
The best part about Singapore as a honeymoon destination is that you can make your honeymoon any time of the year you want. So you don’t need to fit your wedding around the weather or the tourists, as Singapore is relatively consistent all year-round.
Best Time to Take a Cruise to Singapore
Singapore is fast becoming a major hub for cruises, with all cruise lines basing their ships in Asia.
The peak season is a great time to visit Singapore, with a lot going on and the weather not too hot. However, it is also the busiest and most expensive time to book a Singapore cruise.
We recommend the best time to take a cruise to Singapore is November and March, where the weather is great, crowds are slightly diminished and the prices will be far more affordable.
Best Time to Visit Singapore Flyer
There isn’t a time of year that is best for visiting the Singapore Flyer, but it truly is a must-do activity as part of your itinerary in Singapore. Make your way here around sunrise or sunset for the most epic views possible.
Time your experience near the start of your trip in order to get a solid understanding of Singapore geographically.
If you want the clearest views, you are likely to find the dry seasons (April-May is great) to be the best times of the year to ride the Singapore Flyer.
Singapore Weather by Month
Singapore is an island-based country located off the coast of Malaysia in Southeast Asia. In common with its neighbours, Singapore has a tropical climate that lends itself to consistent temperatures year round. These temperatures tend to be on the hot and humid side, with an indistinct wet and dry season.
The wet seasons are defined by the Northeast Monsoon occurring from mid-November to March, and the Southwest Monsoon Season from June to September.
By travelling outside of these months, in the dry seasons, you will experience significantly less rain and wind making your trip a bit more pleasurable.
All year round, make sure to pack comfortable summer clothes (think t-shirts, shorts and summer dresses) and a decent umbrella or raincoat. It rains all year round in Singapore, so don’t be presumptuous just because it’s the dry season. Fortunately, this makes for light-weight packing – check out our full guide on the best packing hacks for travelling.
Singapore Weather in January
January is the ‘cool’ season in Singapore where temperatures sit a bit lower than the other months. This isn’t by any means ‘cool’, but pack a light cardigan in your daypack as it can get cool in malls or public transport.
Precipitation is very high in January with rain to be expected on most days. If you visit in January, also consider bringing a small umbrella for the unexpected flash rains which Singapore is renowned for.
Average High Temperature: 30°C / 82°F
Average Low Temperature: 24°C / 73°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 235mm
Singapore Weather in February
The Northeast Monsoon Season comes to an end here allowing average temperatures to rise making it perfect pool or beach weather (check out Sentosa Island). Humidity tends to be a bit more bearable in February, but honestly, it’s super humid all year long in Singapore.
This month you will find the least amount of precipitation on average and fewer rainy days. A lot of Singapore is covered, including the pathways, so you should be fine to forego the wet weather gear.
Average High Temperature: 32°C / 84°F
Average Low Temperature: 24°C / 78°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 113mm
Singapore Weather in March
March is a great time to travel to Singapore thanks to the highest percentage of clear, cloudless days. This makes March a particularly sunny time of the year, alongside high average temperatures.
As usual, you can expect rain during your stay, so consider bringing a raincoat or umbrella if you plan to venture away from the shopping malls.
Average High Temperature: 32°C / 84°F
Average Low Temperature: 25°C / 78°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 170mm
Singapore Weather in April
April has the lowest average wind speed of 8kph for the year. The high temperature makes April one of the warmest months of the year, as well as one of the most humid.
This combination of low wind and high humidity can make the already high temperature feel particularly hot. Be prepared to remain indoors, and ensure to lather up the sunscreen when you venture outdoors.
Average High Temperature: 32°C / 88°F
Average Low Temperature: 25°C / 80°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 155mm
Singapore Weather in May
May experiences the highest humidity levels of the entire year for Singapore. That is not to say the other month’s aren’t painfully humid, rather May is just a bit worse.
Average temperatures remain high and rainfall is slightly higher so remember a light umbrella or raincoat.
Smoke haze has been a problem in Singapore in the past. This is caused by fires in nearby Malaysia and Indonesia. This is dependent on the wind, if you experience irritation from the smoke pollution, you should be able to purchase a face mask.
Average High Temperature: 32°C / 88°F
Average Low Temperature: 25°C / 80°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 171mm
Singapore Weather in June
Temperatures, humidity and rainfall all remain consistently in June. The start of the Southwestern Monsoon Season marks an increase in the frequency of light showers and thunderstorms during the mornings.
Time your outdoor activities for the afternoon when you should experience less rainfall.
There is also a possibility of increased smoke pollution from fires in Indonesia. This is dependent on the direction of the wind, but grab a face mask if this causes irritation.
Average High Temperature: 32°C / 88°F
Average Low Temperature: 25°C / 77°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 131mm
Singapore Weather in July
Visiting Singapore in July you will arrive during the Southwestern Monsoon Season. You can continue to expect higher rainfall and thunderstorms in the mornings, and less rainfall in afternoons – though spontaneous showers tend to happen all the time in Singapore.
Temperatures, humidity and rainfall are still consistently high so aim to be indoors and bring a raincoat in case you get caught in a downpour.
Average High Temperature: 31°C / 86°F
Average Low Temperature: 25°C / 82°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 154mm
Singapore Weather in August
Temperatures, humidity and rainfall remain very high in August. Rainfall and thunderstorms are still more common in the morning but can strike at any time throughout the day.
Risk of smoke haze from Indonesia is still possible in August, so remember to wear a face mask if you suffer from asthma or respiratory diseases.
Average High Temperature: 31°C / 86°F
Average Low Temperature: 25°C / 78°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 149mm
Singapore Weather in September
September is a great time to go to Singapore, when humidity is slightly lower than previous months and rainfall is yet to peak as it does from November onwards.
Expect continued high temperatures, with highs around 31°C. Despite being drier than the months to follow, you should still be prepared for showers anytime due to the tropical climate in Singapore.
Average High Temperature: 31°C / 86°F
Average Low Temperature: 25°C / 78°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 157mm
Singapore Weather in October
Average rainfall in October is similar to previous months, but the times switch slightly with heavy rainfall more common in the afternoons. This is due to the end of the Southwest Monsoon Season.
Smoke haze should also be cleared up by October. Expect random thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, come prepared with a raincoat and move indoors if it starts raining as it can be very heavy.
Average High Temperature: 32°C / 88°F
Average Low Temperature: 25°C / 77°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 155mm
Singapore Weather in November
November experiences slightly less wind than previous months, combined with high humidity can make it feel even hotter than the temperature suggests.
Precipitation sees a significant increase this month as you come towards the start of the Northeast Monsoon season. You can expect thunderstorms and showers frequently on most days, so ensure you have a compact umbrella in your bag at all times.
Average High Temperature: 31°C / 84°F
Average Low Temperature: 24°C / 78°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 259mm
Singapore Weather in December
December is obviously considered a popular time to visit Singapore as the tourist numbers surge coming into the holiday season. Temperatures are slightly lower due to the Northeast Monsoon season, but this also causes December to be the wettest month of the year.
Expect continuous, moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in the afternoons and evenings. Mornings are often drier. Bring an umbrella and you should be able to get around Singapore comfortably without getting wet as most of the city is undercover (even the walkways).
Average High Temperature: 30°C / 85°F
Average Low Temperature: 24°C / 80°F
Average Rainfall(Precipitation): 319mm
All weather statistics are based off 30-year averages from http://www.weather.gov.sg.
Public Holidays in Singapore
Singapore is an extremely multicultural country with a diverse range of religions. Public holidays play an important role in Singapore as a result of each group’s independent needs to celebrate or remember certain events.
The four main religious groups are made up of Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Christians. The public holidays tend to be based around these religious groups.
As a result, Singapore has 10 events that are celebrated by 11 public holidays. These are announced yearly by the Singapore Government, which can be found here: Singapore public holidays.
Festivals & Events in Singapore
As Singapore is an extremely popular tourist destination, with a dense population of over 5 million people, it is the home of many festivals and events.
Make sure you are aware of each of these, as arriving shortly after an event is possibly the worst time you could go to Singapore. You get to deal with the crowds and the mess, but you won’t experience or partake in the event itself.
If you are big on culture and wish to immerse yourself fully into the Singapore lifestyle whilst you are visiting, we highly recommend checking out a few of the events in Singapore.
New Year’s Day
1 January
Singapore celebrates numerous New Year’s Days for each religion and calendar. New Year’s Day represents the first day of the year for the standard, Gregorian Calendar. In Singapore, it is recognised as a public holiday and celebrated widely. You will often find significant sales and celebrations (or people recovering from celebrating the night before). It is also a particularly busy time of the year.
Chinese New Year
January or February
Chinese ethnicity makes up 76% of the population in Singapore. As a result, the Chinese New Year is a significant event in Singapore and is celebrated all over the country – but most of all in Chinatown. Each year this day changes based on the Lunar Calendar, but it’s celebrated for weeks in the lead-up.
Embrace the culture and enjoy as much Chinese cuisine as you can in your time there. Sales are very common and don’t forget to take photos of the decorations – especially lanterns in the shape of the animal for the year. There are two public holidays associated with the Chinese New Year.
Thaipusam
January or February
Thaipusam is a major festival celebrated by the Hindu Tamil community in Singapore. The date changes based on the Tamil calendar. It is an opportunity for Hindu Tamils to give thanks and to celebrate upholding their vows. It is an incredibly colourful and exciting festival which involves a parade that is not to be missed.
Devotees pierce their body with skewers and carry colourful & elaborate Kavadis decorated with flowers and peacock feathers.
Make your way to Serangoon road to catch the procession – this is the best spot.
Singapore River Hong Bao
January or February
Singapore River Hong Bao is a festival held as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It has been running since 1987 and draws in crowds of over a million people each year.
Make your way to NS Square (formerly known as the Floating Platform) at Marina Bay where you will find handcrafted lanterns, as well as a myriad of activities, ranging from amusement rides to street performances. And don’t forget to treat your taste buds to some delicious Chinese cuisine.
In typical New Year’s style, there is always an unbelievable and unique fireworks display at the end of the countdown to bring us into the New Year.
Chingay Parade
January or February
The Chingday Parade takes places each year in February as part of the Chinese New Year festivities. Despite this, the parade is actually an opportunity to celebrate the multicultural heritage of Singapore.
Expect to see performances from Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian performers; this is a huge, lively and colourful street performance. A great spot to experience this parade is from NS Square in Marina Bay.
Singapore Design Week
March
Singapore Design Week is an amazing time to visit Singapore for anyone who gets excited by design.
This is a huge week, with nothing design-related forgotten. Everything from architecture to art to business design is covered amongst the 80+ programmes.
St Patrick’s Day Street Festival
March
Outdoor bars set up in Downtown Singapore come to life to celebrate all things Irish. Expect folk music and dancing, green everything and shed loads of Guinness.
Singapore International Jazz Festival
April
For lovers of all things jazz, this is the perfect festival for you. Every year there is an exciting lineup filled with a huge number of local and international artists.
The location is Marina Bay Sands and the festival runs over three days.
Qingming Festival Singapore
April
The Qingming, or Tomb Sweeping Day, is a Chinese festival observed in Singapore on the fifth solar term of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar.
It is a day used by Chinese families to remember and honour their ancestors. An important part of this tradition is to make an offering to their deceased family members, which is often done by giving food or burning paper. This paper can include fake money and drawings.
World Gourmet Summit
April
An annually held culinary event in Singapore. This event is your opportunity to experience some of the best fine cuisine, wines and dining experiences in the entire world.
Here you will find and meet the world’s top chefs and sommeliers. If you enjoy travelling for food or consider yourself a wine expert, then the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore is the perfect time for you to visit Singapore.
Vesak Day
May
Vesak day is celebrated by Buddhists in Singapore to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Vesak day is a public holiday and is a time for joy, peace and reflection.
To experience the festivities of this day, make your way to a Buddhist temple. Here hymns will be sung and offerings made to Buddha. We highly encourage taking this day as an opportunity to give back to the community – make a donation, visit an elderly home or even let someone through the door first.
Singapore International Festival of Arts
May
Make sure you visit Singapore during the month of May in order to catch the spectacular display of arts across the Island.
Whether you find inspiration in theatre, dance, music, photography or something else, you will find it in Singapore during the International Festival of Arts.
Check out www.sifa.sg for more information.
Ramadan
May
The start of Ramadan marks a month of fasting for Muslims all around Singapore and the world. This month of fasting is done as an act of devotion to Allah.
It isn’t necessary to fast to take part in the Ramadan festivities and celebrate Muslim culture. Ramadan Bazaars will be set up across the island where you can indulge in consumerism. Also, remember to support your Muslim friends with their beliefs.
The end of Ramadan is marked by Hari Raya Puasa. This is the Festival of Eid where Muslims are no longer permitted to fast. As you can imagine, it is a joyous time of celebration – and especially eating a lot of food.
Great Singapore Sale
June to July
If you’re considering when to go to Singapore, it is very important to take into consideration the Great Singapore Sale. If you’re a shopping-focussed traveller, then visiting Singapore during July is an absolute must-do. Conversely, if you are looking to avoid the crowds, then consider choosing a different date.
The Great Singapore Sale (GSS) is a huge shopping event organised by the Singapore Retailers Association to help drive tourist numbers over the months of June to July. In the past, this was a 10-week event, but due to dwindling sales numbers, the association has chosen to reduce this to one month. So expect bigger crowds – and hopefully bigger discounts!
There is a reason people travel from around the world to be in Singapore during this event. The discounts are steep, often as much as 70% off the retail prices on known brands (and unknown brands if that’s what you’re into).
If you’re visiting Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale, Orchard Road is the place to be. Here you will find name brand items and the best sales. Make sure you check out Chinatown, Little India and any of the numerous malls around the city as well. You’ll be more likely to find something new and unusual if you explore beyond the typical Orchard Road shopping centres.
Singapore Food Festival
June to July
For two weeks Singapore transforms into a culinary haven with the annual Singapore Food Festival. Expect to find island-wide culinary events, such as cooking classes, competitions and special tastings. A perfect time to travel to Singapore for any foodie.
Racial Harmony Day
July
Singapore is a young country, and as with a lot of other countries, it has faced challenges with Racism. One particular day was July 21st 1964 Race Riots where 22 people lost their lives.
Singapore takes this day each year to celebrate how far the country has gone to achieving racial harmony. Take this opportunity to visit Singapore to learn more about different cultures in Singapore. Students dress in traditional clothes from other cultures – you are more than welcome to do the same.
Singapore National Day
August
National Day is celebrated every year on August 9th. On this date in 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia, marking the start of the Republic of Singapore. The entire country takes this day to commemorate their independence with parade and fireworks celebrations.
For this day the country turns red and white. A spectacular parade takes place in either Padang or the National Stadium with military marches, performances and aerial displays. This is all finished with a firework extravaganza.
Singapore’s Hungry Ghost Festival
August
The Ghost Festival is a Chinese tradition where it is believed the ghosts of the dead walk the Earth. Singaporeans leave offerings around the country, typically fake paper money, which are burned to pay respect to their lost ones. Food offerings are also left around the city.
Make sure to attend one of the numerous island-wide performances called Getai. Typically anyone is welcome, so ask a local where you can find one. Make sure not to sit in the front rows – these are purposely left empty for the ghosts of the dead – and avoid taking photos.
Lantern Festival
September
The Chinese Lantern Festival in Singapore is one of the most spectacular festivals of the year. Head on down to Chinatown for the mid-autumn festival where you will see millions of lanterns, lion dances and Chinese stalls.
Make your way to Gardens by the Bay for a bustling marketplace amongst the spectacular Supertree Grove, as well as a huge lantern display.
Also, make sure you grab some mooncakes. These are a delicious treat and the main highlight of the entire festival – don’t miss it!
Singapore Grand Prix
23 September
The Singapore Grand Prix is one of the busiest times to travel to Singapore despite it falling outside of the high season. It is a massively popular Formula One motor race that takes place in the streets of downtown Singapore.
Nine Emperor Gods Festival
September to October
On the 1st day of the 9th lunar month, Chinese communities welcome their gods into their temple where they are worshipped for 9 days.
Make your way to Hougang Tou Mu Temple on Upper Serangoon Road on the 1st day to catch the Welcome Ritual. This procession includes lion and dragon dancers alongside devotees carrying chairs and statues to the Serangoon river to welcome their gods.
Luckily, there is a sending-off ritual if you miss the welcome ritual where the gods depart. They are similar, so make sure to catch one of them if you’re in Singapore.
Singapore Fashion Week
October
Also known as the Audi Fashion Festival, Singapore Fashion Week is a series of fashion events held in Singapore each year. If you come to Singapore at this time of the year, you will get to experience the most lauded fashion designers in the world and the most up to date and exciting couture.
Singapore World International Film Festival
October
The Singapore World International Film Festival showcases some of the best up and coming international films from all around the world.
This festival has been accredited for the discovery of some of the most renowned Singaporean filmmakers to have made it globally.
Deepavali
October
Also known as Diwali or the Festival of Lights, Deepavali is an annual Hindu celebration of the triumph of light over darkness.
Shows, activities and bazaars will be located around the city, but Little India is the main point of interest. Go here – you will experience dance troupes, traditional food/snacks (these are delicious by the way) and stalls selling ethnic clothing and jewellery.
Singapore River Festival
October to November
The Singapore River Festival is a fun-filled time to visit Singapore where buskers fill the streets in Boat Quay and Clarke Quay for a week. The event is free and a must-do if you’re in Singapore at the time, but you are more than welcome to donate to the talented street performers.
Singapore Writers Festival
November
The Singapore Writers Festival is an amazing multilingual literary event showcases aspiring and established writers from around the world.
Orchard Road Christmas Markets
December
All around Singapore Christmas markets pop up to celebrate the festive time of the year with sales and decorations.
Orchard Road is possibly the most popular and spectacular market to visit when you are in Singapore for Christmas. The street lights up to a theme, with irresistible deals available for you to find the perfect gift. Make your stop here in the evening to best experience the lights.
Zoukout
December
Zoukout is an epic dance festival held annually on Sentosa Island in Singapore. Over 30,000 young locals and tourists descend onto the man-made Siloso beach. Are you into partying? Then Zoukout in early December is the perfect time for you to visit Singapore. If you aren’t, then don’t worry about it – unless you are planning a trip to Sentosa Island!
Christmas
25 December
Singaporeans love to celebrate, and Christmas is no exception. For Christmas lights, great food and shopping, make Orchard Road your destination.
Our top tip if you’re travelling to Singapore for Christmas is to head on down to a Hawker Center for your Christmas Dinner. Order a plate from everywhere and enjoy a Christmas Feast in typical Singaporean style.
New Year’s Eve
31 December
Singapore is one of our favourite places to visit for New Year’s Eve. The city buzzes to life (which is crazy considering this is just one of many New Years’ celebrated in Singapore) with parties across the island and crowds in the hundreds of thousands flocking to the streets.
The biggest party is the countdown in Marina Bay, but be prepared to head on down early to get a spot. Here you will find the most spectacular fireworks display.
We prefer to avoid the crowds by spending New Year’s Eve at a nice bar – there’s plenty to choose from. If you pick a rooftop bar, you can still catch the fireworks.
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