What to know before you go to Singapore in September

Xperience Team

3 min read

Singapore in September is chef's-kiss perfect. The weather’s still hot (you’ll want that fan-mister thing), but the crowds? Way more manageable. It’s just before big events like the F1 Grand Prix and Mid-Autumn Festival roll through, lighting up the streets with everything from mooncakes to race-day madness. You’ll find shorter queues, smoother strolls and just the right amount of excitement in the air. Whether you're museum-hopping in the air con or catching light shows Marina Bay Sands, it’s a brilliant time to nab good value without missing out on the city’s big cultural calendar.

Is September a good time to visit Singapore?

Yep, September is one of those sneaky-good months to hit Singapore. It’s technically between monsoon seasons, which means you’ll still get sunshine, just with a side of steamy afternoons and the occasional dramatic downpour. The result is you’ll be sharing Singapore with way fewer tourists. If you can book at the right time, you might find yourself attending F1 week, when the whole city lights up with concerts, light shows and late-night energy. Or, among the lanterns and mooncakes of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Is Singapore a cheap or expensive time to visit in September?

For most of September, Singapore sits nicely in the ‘not-too-expensive’ zone. You’ll find solid deals on hotels and flights early in the month, especially before the Grand Prix crowd roars up. Once F1 week kicks off, though, rates shoot up faster than a Red Bull pit stop — so book around it if you’re watching your budget. Day-to-day costs stay manageable: hawker meals still clock in under AU$10, the MRT is cheap and efficient, and you can pack your itinerary with free things (hello, Supertree Grove). Just skip the luxury hotels mid-month unless you’re an extreme revhead.

Weather in Singapore in September

September in Singapore is all about that steamy tropical cocktail: hot days, high humidity and the occasional surprise storm that rolls in like it owns the place. Expect temps hovering between 25–31 °C, with afternoon highs sometimes pushing 32 °C. It’s the kind of weather where air-con is your best mate, and a cold sugarcane juice hits different.

Rain? Yep, it’s on the cards. Expect about 12–18 wet days, usually short and sharp in the arvo. Still, with around six to seven hours of sunshine a day, there’s plenty of time to squeeze in gardens, galleries and a cheeky rooftop drink or two.

Where to go in Singapore in September

Gardens by the Bay – Come evening, it’s a full-blown lantern wonderland. Think glowing Supertrees, mid-autumn light displays and moon-viewing parties. Try baked mooncakes with golden yolks — they’re the classic for a reason.

Chinatown – This is where Mid-Autumn Festival traditions go all-in. Street lanterns stretch across the road, shops are stacked with snow skin mooncakes in every pastel colour, and you might catch a lion dance or two near the temples.

Southern Ridges or MacRitchie Reservoir – If you're chasing green space without the crowds, go early. These trails are all canopy bridges, boardwalks and the plenty of long-tailed macaque sightings. But pace yourself… the humidity kicks in quick.

Marina Bay – When F1 hits town, this is the epicentre. Streets close, stages go up, and the skyline throws its own party with fireworks and light shows. Even when there’s no race, it’s the go-to spot for sunset city views.

Bras Basah.Bugis precinct – This artsy pocket comes alive during the Singapore Night Festival. Light sculptures blink on, indie bands set up in alleyways, and wandering without a plan is the whole point of the evening.

Festivals and events in Singapore in September

Singapore Night Festival – One for the art lovers and night owls. Installations, live acts, and projection shows spill across the Bras Basah.Bugis district. It’s creative, chaotic, and totally worth staying out past bedtime. 22 August-6 September, 2025

Bubbling and Boiling Festival – A fresh arrival on the scene for 2025. Sentosa hosts this K-pop and Mandopop music event, blending island sunsets with idol stages, fan zones, and bubble tea everywhere you look. 13-14 September, 2025

Best things to do in Singapore in September

Museum-hop in the heat – September’s steamy afternoons are made for air-conditioned adventures. Duck into the National Gallery, ArtScience Museum or Asian Civilisations Museum and emerge cooler and (arguably) smarter.

Snack your way through a hawker centre – Rainy arvo? Perfect excuse to hang out at Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat or Tekka Centre. Grab some chicken rice, roti, laksa or sugarcane juice, and watch the city pass you by, one stool at a time.

Explore the city after dark – From late-night shopping in Bugis to glowing art installations during the Singapore Night Festival, this city stays up late. Take advantage of cooler temps and let your evening plans roll past bedtime.