If you’ve already popped by the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, which reopened in 2024, you’ll know they’re now a go-to for chill walks, photo ops, and zen vibes. Well, the vibes there are about to get livelier, with the annual Lights by the Lake festival, happening from 19th to 27th September 2026 at Jurong Lake Gardens.
This year’s edition features large, handcrafted lantern displays scattered across the gardens. Apart from the pretty, lit displays, catch free light shows and cultural performances at the festival. Plus, there’s a tented food market to feast on Mid-Autumn Festival goodies.
Image credit: NParks
At the Lights by the Lake festival, there will be a total of 23 different lantern displays, programmes, and activities to check out. We’ve got you covered with all the highlights you need to know, along with their respective deets.
Lights by the Lake’s 2026 edition runs from 19th-27th September 2026. Opening hours are 6.30pm to 10.30pm daily at Jurong Lake Gardens. Although the festival ends on 27th September, the lantern displays remain on view till 4th October 2026.
With only 250 slots up for grabs for the Mediacorp Lantern Trail, embark on this new family-friendly and guided walk while carrying lit lanterns through Jurong Lake Gardens, and catch a premiere screening of Lil’ Wild – a new animated series from Mediacorp. As it is a one-time event, be sure to submit your registration beforehand.
Dates: 20th September 2026
Time: 7pm to- 9pm
Location: Wave Plaza, Lakeside Garden & Ficus Lawn, Chinese Garden
Arguably the festival’s main attraction, the Legend of the White Snake Lantern Display lights up the garden with larger-than-life lanterns that bring the beloved Chinese folk tale of a white snake spirit who takes human form – Bai Suzhen, along with 3 characters – Xu Xian, Xiao Qing, and Fa Hai – to life, through 6 different scenes along the Lakeside Field.
Just in front of the Food Market, you’ll find a row of these displays, titled The Spirit Awakens, Fateful Encounter on the Bridge, A Mortal Life Together, The Realgar Wine Revelation, The Battle at Jinshan Temple, and Legend of the White Snake: The Reunion.
Location: Lakeside Field
Support local artists by catching free music performances on selected nights. These will be held on the stage at Wave Plaza, right next to the Chinese Garden Gate. Look forward to tunes by symphony orchestras, puppet storytelling, and live performances from buskers, art groups, and an Inclusive Music Showcase featuring ART:DIS artistes.
Dates: 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th September 2026
Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Location: Wave Plaza
If you’re the type of person who loves a challenge, the Lantern Riddles segment will be right up your alley. Simply tune in to LOVE972’s special riddles broadcast and stand a chance to score some prizes if you crack them all correctly.
Dates: 21st to 25th September 2026
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: Wave Plaza
Get your creative juices flowing at the Roving Art Studio by the National Gallery Singapore through an interactive activity inspired by Georgette Chen’s Still Life. Try your hand at creating a self-portrait or your own family’s celebration, and head to the Lotus in a Breeze photo space and experience the park’s flora in a new light.
Dates: 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th September 2026
Time: 6.30pm to 10.30pm
Location: Wave Plaza
A different yet touching ending to the folk tale of the White Snake legend, catch this lantern display just in front of the Cloud Pagoda.
Location: Cloud Pagoda
Based on the Chinese legend, these displays at the Cleansing Biotope focus on the Moon Goddess, Chang’e, and her life after ascending to the moon through depictions of her celestial home.
Location: Cleansing Biotope Ponds
Image credit: Lights by the Lake
Sure, the colourful displays are a treat, but the Cloud Pagoda Light Show is where the gardens truly come alive. Stand back and watch as the mesmerising beams of light dance across the pagoda and illuminate the entire garden. The light show runs every 30 minutes from 7.30pm onwards.
Dates: 19th to 27th September 2026
Time: 7.30pm to 10pm
Location: Cloud Pagoda
Explore the different parts of Chinese Gardens through this interactive stamp rally that follows Xiao Qing – Bai Suzhen’s companion in the folk tale – as she goes on a delivery mission that draws inspiration from the Legend of Madame White Snake. Plus, completing the rally entitles you to receive an exclusive token to bring back home!
Dates: 19th September to 4th October 2026
Time: All day
Location: Various landmarks in Chinese Gardens
For free, wholesome activities to do with the family, the Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival offers hanfu dress-up and photography, lantern-making, heritage games, and more. If you’ve been wanting to discover more of the vibrant traditions of the Mid-Autumn Festival for yourself or with your loved ones, here’s your chance.
Dates: 19th, 20th, 25th, 26th, 27th September 2026
Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Location: Bonsai Garden
If you’ve yet to properly experience the beauty of the Chinese Garden but want an experienced guide to show you around and discover more about various fruits and vegetables, sign up for the free guided tour on the NParks website, where you’ll get to discover its lush greenery and landmarks.
Dates: 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th September 2026
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Location: Grand Arch
A festival favourite, this year’s Rockestra takes place at the Ficus Lawn in the Chinese Garden. Themed “Hits Through The Decades”, it showcases various local talents with a solid fusion of popular English and Mandopop songs, and will be hosted by POWER98 DJ JK and 88.3JIA DJ Ben.
Date: 19th September 2026
Time: 6.30pm till late
Location: Ficus Lawn
To commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day that falls on 21st September, 5 short films from the anthology A Singapore Dementia Story will be screened – along with a brief sharing on dementia by the Director of Advocacy & Communications, Bernard Lim.
Date: 20th September 2026
Time: 7.30pm – 10:30pm
Location: Ficus Lawn
For families heading down, there will be screenings of 2 animated movies – Migration on 26th September, 8pm and The Wild Robot on 27th September happening too, so there’s something for everyone.
Date: 26th and 27th September
Time: 8pm and 7pm respectively
Location: Ficus Lawn
As the Singapore Chinese Orchestra makes a return to the Jurong Lake Gardens, sit back and enjoy Chinese orchestral gems such as Restart, Brewing Tea Under The Moon, Grandma’s Words and more performed by local artists such as Gao Mei Gui, Desmond Ng, and Bonnie Loo – and take part in the celebration of festivities, culture, and music.
Date: 26th September
Time: 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Location: Ficus Lawn
Now, cross over to the Japanese Garden if you want to catch a few more adorable lantern displays. Be warned, though, that these are a little further apart and require more walking.
Expect a dreamy lantern display of playful rabbits, fleeting clouds and blooming flowers surrounding Princess Kaguya – royalty from a Japanese folktale – as you pass by the Floral Garden.
Location: Floral Garden
Personally, we wouldn’t suggest missing this elegant display featuring colourful koi drifting through the pond just beneath the floating lanterns – allowing you to sit back, relax and take in the serene scene.
Location: Resthouse Pond
Image credit: Aditi Kashyap
At night, the Sunken Garden Illumination comes alive with a bright, multicoloured light display, giving its usually zen vibes a lively, playful twist.
Dates: 19th to 27th September 2026
Time: 7.30pm to 10.30pm
Location: Sunken Garden
Image credit: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre
Experience a free, self-guided trail starting from the Science Centre to the Water Lily Pavilion as you discover captivating facts about the moon and other planets in the solar system. Upon completion of the journey, participants can enjoy an exclusive discount on limited-edition Quby pins, while stocks last.
Other activities include a Silent Disco Moonwalk titled MOONBEATS that’s happening for 1 night only on 26th Sep 2026, as well as stargazing, live planetarium shows, and a 16-inch telescope viewing. Starting from $4, these programmes can be booked through Science Centre’s website.
Date: 25th & 26th September 2026
Time: 6.30pm to 10pm
Location: Water Lily Pavilion
If you’re a fan of all things theatrical, you might want to catch this 30-minute show titled Watermarks of the Moon – where shadow play and dance come together to deliver a thrilling performance in the timber-roofed Guesthouse.
Date: 25th & 26th September 2026
Time: 7.15pm & 8.30pm
Location: Guesthouse
For the young or young at heart, here’s a chance to discover how board games came about in Singapore. The Don’t Play Play exhibition lets you reminisce about the popular ones such as Snakes & Ladders and Aeroplane Chess through a stamp-collecting activity to build and bring home your very own aeroplane chess board.
Date: 14th to 27th September 2026
Time: All day (Stamp activity available from 19th September, 7pm to 10pm)
Location: Resthouse
All that walking is sure to leave you feeling a bit peckish, in which case you’ll have plenty of F&B establishments to choose from. Treat yourself to the yummy pasar malam fare available at the Food Market. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can check out the unique Starbucks near Lakeside Plaza, Fusion Spoon at Eco Pond, and Bingxue at Bonsai Garden over at Chinese Garden
Otherwise, the Eden Cafe serves fusion Singaporean dishes like Rendang Burger ($20), while Canopy is a pet-friendly cafe with an open view of the greenery outside.
While not technically part of the Lights by the Lake festival, there’ll be a series of programmes happening on the 26th and 27th September 2026 at PAssionWave@Jurong Lake Gardens that are worth checking out too. Some noteworthy activities range from Chinese calligraphy to clay lantern keychain craft.
Browse the full list of programmes at PAssionWave@Jurong Lake Gardens.
Take the MRT and alight at Lakeside MRT Station on the East-West line, which is located close to the main entrance of Jurong Lake Gardens. Take Exit A from there.
Alternatively, you can alight at the Chinese Garden MRT Station. After that, it’s a 5-minute walk from Exit B to the Chinese Garden Bridge, the east entrance of the garden.
Either way, both stations will lead you straight to the festivities.
So, whether you’re running out of free date ideas or just looking for the perfect excuse to explore the West side of Singapore, swing by the Lights by the Lake festival at Jurong Lake Gardens for a fun time out.
Admission: Free
Date: 19th to 27th September 2026
Time: 6.30pm to 10.30pm
For other free attractions, check out:
Cover image adapted from: NParks
Last updated by Abigail Buligan on 8th September 2026.
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