There’s a particular kind of thrill that comes with being invited to something you already love—especially when it’s an event you’ve watched grow into a proper Singapore institution. When Expat Choice was invited to the media launch of the National Gallery Singapore's Light to Night event in 2026, I felt that familiar spark: the sense that the city is about to put on its best outfit and invite us all outside to look up, look closer, and feel something.
This is the 10th edition of Light to Night Singapore, and it's not just “another festival”. It’s a decade-long story of how Singapore turns heritage architecture into a living canvas—proof that art doesn’t have to be gated, hushed, or intimidating. It belongs on the streets, in the parks, and across the façades we walk past every day.
And if you’re wondering how many years Light to Night has been running in Singapore: National Gallery Singapore staged its first “Gallery Light to Night Festival” in 2016, and Light to Night has evolved into today’s precinct-wide festival—now marking its 10th edition in 2026.
“The Power in Us”: why this year feels personal
This year’s theme, “The Power in Us,” lands on purpose. It’s about community strength—how shared experiences shape identity and how art becomes a meeting point rather than a private club.
A standout new feature is the SANTAI series (santai meaning “to relax”), which invites audiences into interactive installations designed for gathering, pausing, and participating—less “look but don’t touch”, more “come closer”.
As Silvia Fernandes puts it:
“It’s always a delight to see this event grow from year to year—Light to Night has become one of those rare Singapore nights where the whole city feels invited.”
Bigger footprint, better night out
What immediately struck me is how the festival has expanded—beyond the Padang this year, reaching Empress Lawn, the Front Lawn at The Arts House, ACM Green, and Esplanade Park. It makes the experience feel like a moving night walk through the Civic District rather than a single-site stopover.
The practical details matter, too—because this is exactly the sort of thing people search for when planning a weekend:
When: 9 to 31 January 2026 (spanning four weekends, for the first time)
Light projections: 8pm to midnight
Where: National Gallery Singapore and key Civic District outdoor spaces
People don’t just want “events.”. They want reasons—and they want them fast: What’s happening this weekend in Singapore? What’s worth seeing at night? Is it family-friendly? Is it free? Is it crowded? Guides on “things to do this weekend in Singapore” consistently highlight free options, family suitability, and unique, time-limited experiences—and Light to Night ticks those boxes in a way few events can.
But beyond the checklist, Light to Night matters because it changes your relationship with the city.
Singapore can feel relentless—work, deadlines, heat, routine. Light to Night interrupts that rhythm. It reminds you that the Civic District is more than just the location of the museums. It’s where Singapore’s old and new identities meet—architecture, culture, public space, and a collective mood.
And timing-wise, it’s beautifully placed in the calendar: January in Singapore carries that build-up energy—Singapore Art Week, the lead-up to Chinese New Year, and the sense that the year is finally “starting.”. Light to Night becomes part of that seasonal momentum: festive, bright, and outward-facing.
A simple way to do it: the walk that makes the night
Silvia’s advice holds: walk it. Start at the Padang, then let the festival pull you across the district—towards Empress Lawn, The Arts House lawn, ACM Green, and Esplanade Park. It’s the kind of evening where the weather (if you’re lucky) gives you a breeze, and you find yourself smiling at strangers because everyone’s watching the same thing at the same time.
If you’re going with kids, bring patience and let them play—this edition is designed for participation, not perfection. If you’re going as a couple or with friends, treat it like a night stroll with a purpose: art, light, heritage, and the quiet satisfaction of doing something that feels more nourishing than yet another mall lap.
What's happening this weekend in Singapore at night?
Light to Night Singapore 2026 is one of the most high-impact night events in January, with outdoor light projections and installations across the Civic District, running 9–31 January 2026 across four weekends.
What are good things to see in Singapore if I only have one night?
If you want a “Singapore-in-one-evening” experience: Civic District heritage buildings + night atmosphere + public art, Light to Night delivers all three—especially around the Padang and National Gallery precinct.
Is Light to Night Singapore free and family-friendly?
Much of the outdoor experience is designed as a public, accessible festival format (the draw is the outdoor installations and projections). Families looking for free weekend options in Singapore routinely prioritise events like this because they’re walkable, visual, and multi-generational.
What time should I go?
Go after dinner. Projections run from 8pm to midnight, so you can arrive around 8:00–9:30pm and still get a full experience without rushing.
Final word from Silvia’s lens
Light to Night is known for doing what good public art should: it draws attention. The buildings aren’t just background; they become the show. The streets aren’t just transit; they become the theatre.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “What should we do this weekend in Singapore that actually feels memorable?”—this is your answer.
Sylvia Fernandes reported on this event after attending as a guest of the media:
Expat Choice was invited to the media launch of the National Gallery’s 10th edition of Light to Night, and what a night it was. This annual event, featuring light projections that many people eagerly anticipate, has this year expanded beyond the Padang to include Empress Lawn, Front Lawn at the Arts House, ACM Green, and Esplanade Park.
Theme: "The Power in Us." This year celebrates the strength of communities with a brand new Santai (to relax) series of interactive and exciting art installations, light projections, and electrifying programs.
I would highly recommend walking to the Padang to immerse yourself in the celebrations, bearing in mind that projections are running from 9th to 31st January (8pm to midnight).
The festival has multiple kickstarts, so everyone is welcome to join. The concept is to celebrate the collective strength that emerges when artists, communities, and people share in the art experience. And that is what we did!
Allowing our inner child to play and experience, we walked down to the Padang and co-created experiences together. The weather was fine with a light breeze making it all the more pleasant. The mood was celebratory as we walked around the historic locations in the Civic District.
With two artworks in the Padang, grab the opportunity to head down with family to the Padang. Enjoy this once-a-year festival that is the talk of the town as we yet again immerse ourselves in the delight of Light to Night.
