Since it’s the year of SG60, there’s no end in sight to the fun that comes with Singapore’s Diamond Jubilee. Next up on the calendar is Singapore River Festival 2025 (SRF), and this year’s run returns with its very first Design Edition, presented by Singapore River One (SRO) in collaboration with the DesignSingapore Council and spotlighted as a key event of Singapore Design Week (SDW).
Running from 12th-21st September, this is set to be SRF’s 9th edition since its inception in 2015 as part of our Golden Jubilee celebrations. The annual event celebrates culture and community, set against the backdrop of our historic Singapore River, with projection mapping, Instagram-worthy bridge light-ups, music performances, tours, hands-on workshops, and an outdoor market, featuring collaborations with homegrown designers.
Held in conjunction with Singapore Design Week, Singapore River Festival 2025: Design Edition is anchored in storytelling, design, and connection, in a brand new celebration that heralds our 60th year of nationhood.
First up, let yourself be mesmerised by the River of Dreams – an immersive theatrical journey that takes place along the Singapore River. Specially designed projection mapping syncs up with the illumination on Cavenagh Bridge to transform Boat Quay into a life-sized canvas.
Sit back and relax as it tells the story of Wei Ming, a young man guided by the ancient spirit of the river through a magical realm.
Download the Cinewav app to listen to the storytelling and musical soundtracks using your very own headset. You can even submit your own dream for the Singapore River through the app for a chance to hear it woven into the finale song. Bring a picnic mat along to chope your spot at the River Promenade in front of UOB Plaza. If you don’t have your own, there will be headsets and chairs available on-site.
River of Dreams is a 25-minute show that takes place at various timings from 7:30pm to 10:30pm on 12th-14th September, and 19th-21st September.
The Singapore River is enchanting by night, but Symphony of Lights takes it up a notch at 3 of its bridges: Cavenagh Bridge, Read Bridge, and Robertson Bridge.
Tune in to the Cinewav app for the complete experience, with ambient music to match the illuminations.
For those of you who don’t know, these bridges have been around since Singapore’s earliest days; Cavenagh Bridge, which is the oldest bridge in town, was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of the Straits Settlements.
As dusk falls each day of the Singapore River Festival, each of these bridges will be illuminated in a tapestry of light that’ll make for the perfect photo op while you muse on their storied pasts and the parts they’ve played in Singapore’s history.
Created in collaboration with Light Collab, the bridges will come aglow from 7.30pm-10.30pm daily.
For a day-to-night adventure at your own pace, go for a self-guided adventure with the Singapore River Passport that’ll take you on a trip through the 3 quays: Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay.
Pick up your free passport at any of these quays, and collect 6 different stamps across the checkpoints that you’ll find on your adventure to redeem an exclusive Singapura Otter iron-on patch. Do note that there are only 1,000 iron-on patches available on a first-come-first-served basis, and each visitor is only eligible to redeem one.
It’s not just projection shows and bridge light-ups at the Singapore River Festival 2025 (SRF): Design Edition – head down to the open area outside Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore for the Dreamriver Market. Taking place on the weekend of 20th-21st September from 3pm-9.30pm, this outdoor market will feature stalls that celebrate sustainable living, design, and craft.
Specially curated by Sunday Social Market, this edition shines the spotlight on eco-friendly fashion, local artisans, and slow-made goods – created intentionally for function with an emphasis on conscious living.
Photography buffs, this one’s for you: Illuminating the Past, Heritage Reimagined is a guided photo walk led by Fujifilm and award-winning photographer, Joseph Goh. Look forward to glimpses of the Singapore River as you never would have imagined on the 2.5h walking tour, which spans a wealth of architectural design, from heritage structures to modern buildings against the illuminated cityscape.
If you’ve always wanted to tap the brain of a maestro, here’s your chance to experience first-hand how he finds all the camera angles that you’ll need to up your phototaking game. There’s only 1 session a day, priced at $20/participant, taking place from 6.30pm-9pm on both 20th and 21st September.
P.S.: Don’t forget to bring your camera with you for pics that prove you did take a lesson from the master.
P.P.S.: There’ll be beer samplers from Brewerkz for you to cool off with after the walk too.
Also a part of the Singapore River Festival 2025: Design Edition are upcycling workshops held at The Residence, InterContinental Robertson Quay on 20th-21st September. Curated by Studio29, these workshops are centred around design thinking for a sustainable future.
There’s Totes Fun Club! Workshop ($38/participant), running from 2pm-3.30pm, where you’ll design your very own bag with upcycled scraps of fabric.
Then, there’s the Pressed to Impress Workshop ($38/participant) from 4.30pm-6pm, where you’ll get the chance to use a manual injector machine to transform discarded plastic into a personalised accessory tray.
Otherwise, head to the Discovery Room at the Asian Civilisations Museum for the Dream City – Mini Wire Art Sculpture Workshop ($38/participant) on 20th-21st September from 2pm-5pm, run by local sculptor Mr Yeo Chee Kiong. Create your own wire sculptures of what you’d like to see in your dream home – which will come together to form a city as a collaborative effort by the participants, and explore it through the eyes of a mini remote-controlled car.
Of course, no festival is complete without music, and Rhythmic Symphony by Singapore River One brings together homegrown artistes, including lewloh, Shazza, LAYYI, omarKENOBI, and SMU Samba Masala for live performances by the river. Give your ears a treat the weekend of 12th-13th September from 8.40pm and 7.15pm respectively at the River Promenade in front of UOB Plaza.
Image credit: Singapore River One
If you’re bringing your furry paw friends along on a day out, SingaPaw Dream will take place from 13th-14th September at CQ @ Clarke Quay, so bookmark this weekend. It’ll be a day for your pet pals to remember, with pet-friendly cruises, obstacle challenges, a pet market, and other fun games for your furbaby.
Make it a movie night under the stars with Starlight Cinema by the River on 20th September outside King’s Centre, where Singapore River One presents a screening of Disney and Pixar’s Elemental from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Like at the River of Dreams, you’ll get to enjoy this movie with your own headset, synced with the Cinewav app. Grab your picnic basket, pop some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy.
Also happening that day is the My Melody & Kuromi Kawaii Walk at Clarke Quay Central, with 2 fun-filled sessions at 8am and 6pm that’ll take you along the Singapore River as you celebrate 50 years of My Melody, and 20 years of Kuromi.
Those who prefer to have a sit-down meal instead of a picnic can head instead to any of the many dining establishments which line our historic Singapore River. Cop a Pawtail for your furry pal with a minimum spend of $70 at pet-friendly Publico, or enjoy 1-for-1 Wagyu Sirloin at $98++ when you dine at Les Bouchons Singapore.
Then, there’s 15% off at Mimi Restaurant, otherwise you can pick up a free drink with any spend at Tian Tian Fisherman’s Pier Seafood Restaurant or a limited-edition tote bag with a minimum spend of $50++ at Baba Nyonya.
Besides the dining deals, there are specially curated dishes that you can enjoy along the river for the month of September, starting with the Signature Flying Noodles with Singapore Chilli Crab at Tian Tian Fisherman’s Pier Seafood – it’s a true ‘gram-worthy dish with noods that fly 1m off your table.
Otherwise, The Seafood Market is serving up a Lobster Nasi Lemak served in a traditional sampan, for a truly indulgent take on the classic dish. If you prefer something more Oriental, check out the East Treasure Aged Duck Marinated with 5-year Tangerine Peel at East Treasure Chinese Restaurant instead.
Tag a mate, or the whole fam, for a September that’ll have you seeing the Singapore River in a different light. Even if you’ve been to previous editions of the Singapore River Festival (SRF), this year’s maiden Design Edition promises to be fun for everyone.
This post was brought to you by Singapore River One.
Photography by: Hui Wen Chan
Cover image adapted from: Cinewav, Sunday Social Market, YABAI YABAI
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