By Andrew Thompson
Singapore winters may be almost nonexistent - the coldest the island gets in winter is still a balmy 23 degrees Celsius. But even so, when spring rolls around there’s a palpable change in the air with many unique things to do. Weather-wise, the months of March, April and May are usually pleasant - though you’ll still encounter the odd thundershower, the wettest months are behind you. What’s more, the city’s famously tropical climate is not yet potent enough to confine visitors to air-conditioned interiors. As such, outdoor events, annual festivals, and school holidays help drive a renewed energy that makes spring the best time to visit Singapore. There are dozens of things to do in Singapore over the months of spring, from filling up on famous Singapore street food, to attending music, art and religious festivals, cooling off on the famous islands, and spiking adrenaline levels at the popular Universal Singapore.
Things to do in Singapore in March 2020: The best music
Mach is a busy time in Singapore, with several music and cultural events to fill up your calendar. It’s a popular time for international artists to visit the city, and taking in a live show is one of the best things to do in Singapore at night. You’ll find a selection of top artists performing at bars, clubs and venues across the city throughout the months of spring. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival is also one of the year’s biggest outdoor parties. You can expect live music, plenty of beer, and lots of green attire and decorations as locals and tourists alike celebrate the famous patron saint of Ireland. Many restaurants in Singapore also join in on the action and offer three nights of Irish revelry across the city.
Art and culture
Singapore Design Week also takes place over the month of March, which all but consumes the city with a variety of creative endeavors. Design-centered events, lectures, activities and exhibits draw enthusiasts from around the world. Even if you’re not there specifically for Design Week, the energy from the various events emanates throughout the central locations. The city’s famous light art installations also kick off in March and run through to early April. The free I Light Singapore festival prides itself on being Asia’s leading sustainable light art event, and it takes place at various locations throughout the city. It’s an experience that has to be seen to be believed, with seemingly impossible displays transforming the already staggering Singapore skyline.
The outdoors
In Singapore in March, weather is warm and sunny, and it’s the perfect time to walk the city and view the numerous works of public art. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of spring, head to Gardens by the Bay, one of the most famous Singapore attractions. If you’re pressed for time and wondering what to do in Singapore in 2 days, this unique garden should easily occupy the top of your list, and it offers a reprieve from the hotter temperatures as summer heat approaches. In March the gardens celebrate the arrival of spring by showcasing Japan’s famous sakura flowers in full bloom, with the Sakura Japan Fair taking place there towards the end of the month.
Things to do in Singapore in April 2020 - jazz, food and bars
In Singapore in April, weather is perfect for spending time outdoors, and there are several festivals worth noting. The month kicks off on a musical note with the popular Sing Jazz festival, making April one of the best times to visit Singapore for music lovers. It’s a three day event that a selection of local and international acts, and it usually sells out long in advance. If you want to soak up as much nighttime culture as possible during your trip, April is also a perfect time to experience some of the city’s best kept after-dark secrets. Start your evening off with a sunset cable car ride over the harbor, follow it up with a street food feast in Chinatown, and then head on a bar crawl through the business district.
Customs and tradition
Qingming or Ching Ming festival offers a more traditional insight into local culture. This festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, takes place on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox, either the 4th of 5th of April, and involves Chinese families visiting ancestral tombs which they’ll clean, and then pray before making ritual offerings. Dining out is one of the best things to do in Singapore, and if you want to make sure you leave with a full stomach, make sure your trip coincides with the annual World Gourmet Summit. It’s a month-long event that features some of the best local and international chefs.
Things to do in Singapore in May 2020 - A thrilling adventure
The weather in Singapore in May is as predictable as other times of spring, although the minimum temperature does rise a few degrees. If this is the case, then it’s a good time to head indoors to embark on some shopping! There are a number of shopping complexes connected to the city’s subway network, which means even if you only have 48 hours in Singapore you can still fit in a bit of retail therapy. If you’re looking for more of an adrenaline rush, however, then head to one of the most popular Singapore attractions, Universal Singapore. There you’ll find over two-dozen rides and attractions, including a thrilling white water rafting excursion that will help cool you off. May is also the perfect time to head to one of Singapore’s famous islands. Both Sentosa Island and Pulau Ubin are easy to reach as day trips, and with weather heating up a dip in the ocean is the perfect way to cool off. Each offers unique attractions, from gentle walks to thrilling zip-lines, games of volleyball, a butterfly park, luge, and lush views.
Festival season
There are two notable festivals in May that showcase the city’s past and present. The month-long Singapore International Festival of Arts is a showcase of dance, music, and theater performances. These take place at locations across the city, and there’s a pleasant selection of both free and paid events that liven up the city. Vesak Day, which falls in the middle of the month, is a more traditional annual Buddhist festival that is also a fascinating experience. It involves several traditional Buddhist rituals, the most popular of which requires worshipers to bath Buddha in flower-decorated pools. There are usually candlelight processions that take place throughout the city, and many visitors and locals choose to observe the day at Phor Kark See Temple.
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