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.
Singapore River Festival 2025.
Here’s what to know before you head down:
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.
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.
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 |
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.
Keep your eyes peeled as you wander around Clarke Quay, because the entertainment at Read Bridge isn’t all.
Performers will take over the precinct with street dance, flash mobs, and acrobatic acts for The River Rhythm, so even if you’ve visited Clarke Quay countless times for dinner and drinks, you might find yourself amused by a spontaneous show along the way.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: Eatbook
Matcha lovers, you’ll want to make a beeline for Matcha Central at Clarke Quay Central. The 3-day event, running from 18th-20th September, brings together matcha drinks, a curated lifestyle market, live DJ sets, and a slew of matcha-themed activities.
Some experiences, however, are tied to a spend-and-redeem promotion. Shoppers who spend at least $100 in up to 2 same-day receipts at participating Far East Malls can redeem perks including access for 2 to the Matcha Appreciation Workshop, where participants can learn more about different matcha grades and whisk their own cup using traditional tools. The workshop also includes a complimentary tin of premium matcha powder.
Other redemption activities include the Matcha Bar, where you can sip freshly whisked brews, a Matcha Shaker Charm Customisation Bar, and the quirky Matcha Therapy Counter for a “matcha diagnosis”.
Otherwise, you can still browse the artisan wares at the curated lifestyle market and soak in the vibes with live DJ sets for free.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: Eatbook
While Clarke Quay and partying are quite synonymous, Acai Social is here to switch up the usual formula.
Held inside The Riverhouse, a historic building in Clarke Quay, the daytime sober party will run from 3pm-6pm on 12th September and swap cocktails out for açaí bowls. Your ticket (from $28) comes with an açaí bowl and soft drink, perfect for those who like the social side of clubbing minus the alcohol.
Get tickets to Acai Social.
Image credit: Singapore River Festival
Once you’ve had enough of the hype from dancing and live performances, make your way towards Robertson Quay for the calmer side of the festival.
The Flow of Serenity pairs gentle light sequences with the waterfront surroundings, and is designed as more of a breather than a spectacle, giving visitors a spot to slow down and take in the riverside atmosphere. You can even sit by the river and engage in a guided meditation session via the Cinewav app.
Silent movie experience, with audio via the Cinewav app.
Image credit: Singapore River Festival
Instead of your usual cinema and popcorn, spend Saturday night watching Toothless soar across an outdoor screen beside the Singapore River, as Riverside Cinema will screen the 2025 live-action How to Train Your Dragon outside STPI at Robertson Quay on 19th September for free.
You can bring along a picnic mat and snacks if you want the full outdoor movie experience, although chairs will be available too. Audio will be streamed via the Cinewav app rather than being blasted through speakers, so bring your own earphones and adjust the volume to your liking. Earphones can also be loaned on-site.
Those who prefer leisurely weekend browsing can also pop by the riverside market around Robertson Quay. Expect a selection of local makers and artisanal goods against the riverside backdrop, a good pit stop before dinner or the outdoor movie screening.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: Singapore River Festival
Forget fighting over the last property on the board, for MONOPOLY: HIDDEN Singapore – Singapore River Festival Edition takes the game right into the real world.
This is a self-guided adventure that will send you exploring Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, with instructions delivered through WhatsApp. You’ll solve clues along the way, take on interactive challenges, and learn bits of history about the Singapore River.
The special festival bundle also comes with a Singapore River boat ride that can be redeemed within a week of playing, plus exclusive Water B merchandise. The bundle is priced at a discounted rate of $61 throughout September. Visit between 11th and 20th September, and you’ll score another 10% off with promo code SRF10.
Do note that children under the age of 13 need an adult companion to play.
Image credit: Tagvenue
If you belong to a certain generation of Singaporeans, you might remember Jiak Kim Street as the former home of Zouk. These days, however, you don’t normally get to wander inside its conserved warehouses.
That can change if you partake in Whispers of the Twin Quays, a special 90-minute experience comprising both a boat ride and guided heritage walk through Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay.
Led by heritage educator Yong from The Urbanist Singapore, the tour dives into the stories that shaped this quieter stretch of the river, including the history of the now-vanished Pulau Saigon.
There’s only 1 tour happening from 4pm-5.30pm on 12th September, so heritage lovers will want to take note. Tickets have to be pre-booked and cost $50.
Get tickets to Whispers of the Twin Quays.
The festivities also extend to the restaurants surrounding the Singapore River. From 1st-30th September, enjoy dining and lifestyle promotions, with participating establishments offering special menus and discounts.
Some deals to look out for include 50% off lunch and dinner buffets at Paradox Singapore’s Ellenborough Market Café (Clarke Quay), and 30% off the total bill at Food Capital (Robertson Quay).
You can also look out for the Singapore River Signatures, with participating restaurants serving special dishes such as chilli crab pizza and beef rendang.
Since Singapore River Festival 2026 takes place across Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay, the nearest MRT station will depend on which part of the festival you’re heading to.
For Boat Quay, alight at Raffles Place MRT Station and take a short walk towards the river. Those heading straight to Clarke Quay can alight at either Clarke Quay MRT or Fort Canning MRT stations.
Meanwhile, Robertson Quay is accessible from Havelock MRT, Great World MRT, and Fort Canning MRT stations, followed by a short walk.
Those who plan to check out activities across all 3 zones can start at one end of the festival and make their way along the Singapore River on foot.
Whether your ideal weekend night involves dancing with interactive lights or watching a movie by the river, Singapore River Festival 2026 has something for you.
It’s extra special that each quay offers a different vibe this year. With most of the festival’s key programmes free to attend, all you really need to do is round up a few friends, put on some comfortable shoes, and step into a night of adventures and lights.
For more to do in Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: Singapore River Festival
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