Singapore River Festival 2026

Singapore River Festival 2026

Clarke Quay might be a usual haunt for drinks and late-night suppers, but come September, there’ll be plenty more happening along the Singapore River than bar hopping and partying into the night.

Singapore River Festival will be returning from 11th to 20th September 2026 for its 10th edition, this time with the theme The Quay Collective . Best of all, the festival is free to enter, so you can pretty much make a night out of it without spending anything – unless, of course, the matcha, açaí, and riverside restaurants tempt you along the way.

What to expect at Singapore River Festival 2026?

Singapore River Festival 2025.

Here’s what to know before you head down:

Boat Quay : Entertainment Zone with roving performances and live entertainment.

Clarke Quay : Expression Zone including light installations and dance and acrobatic performances.

Robertson Quay : Lifestyle and Wellness Zone where markets and relaxed outdoor experiences can be found.

Entertainment Zone @ Boat Quay

Heritage shophouses turn into portals through time

Image credit: Singapore River Festival

More times than you can count, you’ve probably walked past Boat Quay’s rows of shophouses without giving them much of a second look. But this September, you’ll want to pay closer attention to those tucked along Kinrara Lane .

Heritage facades will become larger-than-life portals for The River Echo Chambers , a projection show tracing the Singapore River from its trading days to today’s waterfront, before taking us on a peek at what its future might look like.

Pop in your earphones and pull up the Cinewav app ( App Store | Google Play ) too, as the cinematic visuals come with an original soundtrack that is meant to immerse you in the full experience.

Catch a samba parade travelling by boat

SMU Samba Masala.

Image credit: Singapore River Festival

Forget watching a parade that passes down the road – this one comes sailing down the Singapore River.

The River Song Parade features SMU Samba Masala kicking things off aboard a boat travelling from the Clarke Quay area towards UOB Plaza, before continuing the festivities on land. There will be drums, percussion, and choreographed dancing to get you all hyped up for the festival.

On 11th and 12th September , the boat performance runs from 8pm-8.30pm , followed by a roving performance from 9pm-9.30pm .

Sing along to live performances by local musicians

Leandra Lane (left) and Omar Kenobi (right).

Image adapted from: @therealleandralane & @omar.kenobi via Instagram

For those who are into the local music scene, The River Emergence brings community singalongs and performances from local acts including Ann Siang Sounds , Leandra Lane , and Omar Kenobi . This is one to work into your itinerary if you prefer ending the evening listening to live music rather than calling it a night immediately after the installations.

Catch these artists on 11th and 12th September at their respective performance times:

Date Time Artist

11th Sep 2026 8.30pm-9.30pm Ann Siang Sounds

9.45pm-10.30pm Ann Siang Sounds

12th Sep 2026 8.30pm-9.30pm Omar Kenobi

9.45pm-10.30pm Leandra Lane

Expression Zone @ Clarke Quay

Control Read Bridge’s lights with your movements

Artist’s impression of Read Bridge at Singapore River Festival 2026.

Image credit: Singapore River Festival

If your childhood dream was to have lights magically switch on or move whenever you waved your hands around, consider this its very glowed-up adult equivalent.

Head to Read Bridge for The River Rhapsody , where your movements become part of the show. Wave, dance, or throw a pose, and watch the bridge respond with changing lights, colours, and sounds.

Essentially, this usually unsuspecting pedestrian bridge will be turned into one giant interactive dance floor.

Watch street dances, flash mobs & acrobats at Fountain Square

Keep your eyes peeled as you wander around Clarke Quay, because the entertainment at Read Bridge isn’t all.

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