Top 36 free things to do in Singapore (September 2023): Singapore River Festival, Sanrio garden light-up and more

Bored as well as broke? We’ve got good news for you. This September, there’s a slew of markets, fairs, performances, talks and workshops to keep you entertained and informed at zero cost.
Look forward to the Singapore River Festival 2023, a Sanrio-themed garden wonderland light-up, and a special FEASTival (their pun, not ours) coming to a shopping mall (hopefully) near you. Here’s your guide to the top 36 free things to do in September 2023.
The Singapore River Festival is back for its 7th edition from Sept 7, 2023 till the end of the month. No, it’s not just pretty lights by the Singapore River to make you go “ooh, pretty!”. The Singapore River Festival 2023 is bringing you live music, augmented reality (AR) experiences, and experiential food workshops, and Japanese pop culture-themed events.
Visit the Singapore River Festival website to see what events you can look forward to. My personal favourite highlight of the Singapore River Festival 2023 is a weekend (23–24 Sep) of pet-friendly activities by the river, including a best-dressed pet competition, a merchandise bazaar, pet health checks, and talks by veterinary professionals.
Calling all furry, feathered, or scaly friends! Crane at Joo Chiat is opening up their doors to you on Sept 9 and 10, 2023 for a weekend of yummy treats, fun playtime, and cute pet accessories. Like many of the other weekend fairs on this list, all vendors at Pets Weekend will be small businesses in Singapore so you can #supportlocal.
Thought farmers' markets could only be found overseas? We're happy to correct you on that one. Singapore has its very own farmers' market!
The Joo Chiat Farmers' Market happens every other weekend at Crane Joo Chiat. You'll get to shop foods and produce from local farmers, bakers, gardeners and artisans.
New month, new home? Deck out your living spaces in new furnishings from the Crane Living Pop-Up. This event brings together local homegrown brands selling home decor, accessories, dinnerware and more. You’ll see bone & pearl inlay homeware from The House of Lili, handmade ceramic pieces from Facets by Garima, and hair care products from Fayre Beauty.
This one’s for the kiddos. At this kid-themed pop-up, you’ll be able to get independently made clothes, toys, accessories and more for the little ones. The organisers haven’t released a list of participating vendors (yet), so check their IG above closer to the date.
Shopping small can make a big difference. This September, shop small at Amex's first-ever Shop Small Pop-Up Market in Suntec City. The market will feature 16 local businesses such as Creamier, Cat Socrates, and Woods in the Books, as well as social service agency ART:DIS.
It's a family-friendly event, with activities like a meet-and-greet with Baby Shark for the kids, and candle-making and jewellery-making workshops for everyone.
Charge a minimum of $50 worth of purchases at the market to your American Express credit card, and you'll receive a goodie bag of Shop Small vouchers and limited-edition merchandise (worth over S$130) designed by local artists, Isaac Liang and Esther Goh.
What if we told you you could buy a hairdryer for just $5? Or an entire bedsheet set for the same price?
Giant is having a mega clearance sale with all kinds of items offered at 1 of these 6 price points: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $40. These include:
The only catch is that these sales are only happening at 5 outlets: Tampines Hypermarket, IMM, Sembawang Shopping Centre, Loyang Point, and Pioneer Mall. For a preview of the latest items on sale, head over to Giant Singapore’s Facebook page before you make a trip down.
A lot of people like light-ups at night, and a lot of Singaporeans like cute Sanrio characters. This September, these worlds collide in the best way possible at VivoCity's Skypark with Garden of Lights. It's a nightly light-up wonderland featuring light installations of everyone's favourite Sanrio cuties, including Cinnamoroll, Gudetama, My Melody, and-of course-Hello Kitty.
Get your cameras ready and head there early to take advantage of the photo ops. The exhibit is open from 10am to 10pm daily, although the Sanrio garden wonderland only lights up from 6.30pm onwards.
Garden of Lights
Everyone wants a safe space where you can just be you, and be supported. Not everyone has such spaces in their lives—but everyone deserves them.
That’s why Growth Collective SG has organised Growth Circles, 2-hour sessions for individuals to connect meaningfully and feel empowered by each other. It’s about showing support, being present, and ultimately building a world where no one feels alone.
Here’s how a month’s worth of Growth Circle sessions looks like:
These are the Growth Circles sessions in September:
Date and time | Venue | Registration |
6 Sep 2023, 7.30pm | The Red Box, Level 2, 113 Somerset Road Singapore, 238165 | Register here |
12 Sep 2023, 7.30pm | Online | Register here |
26 Sep 2023, 7.30pm | Online | Register here |
30 Sep 2023, 10am | Caregiver Resource Centre, Blk 839, Yishun St 81, #01-298 Singapore, 760839 | Register here |
"Mental Wellness Begins with All of Us"-that's the theme of this year's Beyond the Label (BTL) Festival. Held at Jewel Changi Airport this year, the festival will feature educational workshops, games, fireside chats, and music/dance performances that aim to get you thinking and talking about mental health. The idea behind the theme is that mental wellness is a shared responsibility, and we all have a part to play in our homes, workplaces and common spaces.
The BTL Festival is a completely free, non-ticketed event open to all ages.
Beyond the Label Festival 2023
The Town Square at Our Tampines Hub is going to be turned into a carnival fairground this September. On Sept 9, head down for a Family Fiesta Carnival organised by Dementia Singapore. You can look forward to a giant inflatable playground with rides like Bumpy Car Escape and White Water Rapid Crossing, as well as free snacks like ice cream, kacang puteh, popcorn and candy floss.
Entry to the carnival is free, inclusive of the rides and snacks. All you need to do is register for a free Dementia Singapore CARA membership by downloading the app.
Dementia Singapore Family Fiesta Carnival
On Sept 9, 2023, wind down with quality family time at the Families for Life (FFL) Family Singalong Picnic in Gardens by the Bay. The soundtrack to your Sunday evening is going to be full of beloved, iconic tunes from timeless animated classics. We know you'll know the words, so sing along!
There'll also be free balloon sculpting and snacks for the kiddoes, and the dirst 200 families will receive complimentary picnic mats.
Families for Life (FFL) Family Singalong Picnic
One of my closest friends used to use the dating app Tinder-not to date, but to make friends. She would chat with people on the app-filtering out any creeps, of course-and actually made some meaningful friendships from her efforts.
These days, there's an easier, non-virtual way to make friends. Friendzone hosts community-building gatherings for young adults to connect with each other and develop friendships. They believe that Singapore is, and I quote, "full of diversity and interesting people that just haven't met yet". If you don't agree, maybe you should give one of their sessions a try.
This month, they have two free sessions you can attend. Remember to respect that these are friend-making events, not dating ones.
Session | Date and time | Venue and address |
Singapore_v2050.docChat about Singapore’s future and how you hope your life will look like in 30 years. | Sept 5, 2023, 8 – 10pm | OTC Cafe, National Library Building, Level 3 100 Victoria Street Singapore, 188064 |
SG SocialFor young adults aged 18-40 years old from all walks of life | Sept 20, 2023, 8 – 10pm | Crane (Claymore Connect), 442 Orchard Rd #01-11 Singapore, 238879 |
Friendzone Changi Simei: Let’s Talk About AdultingChat with young adults aged 18-35 living in Changi Simei about adulting. | Sept 21, 2023, 7.30 – 9.30pm | Parc Lumiere Foyer, 167 Simei Lane Singapore, 520167 |
Friendzone Out of Office → Sports & FitnessSports/fitness enthusiasts, meet others just like you. | Sept 21, 2023, 8 – 10pm | TBC (at time of writing) |
Westies, we hope you’re hungry. From now till Sept 10, 2023, Jurong Point is hosting the FEASTival Fair. The food fair will feature 26 participating food vendors from all over the world — Japan, Thailand, China, Malaysia, USA, and more. Look forward to all kinds of sweet and savoury snacks, including viral Korean cheese coins from 2Ninja 1 Fatty, fresh and aromatic cinnamon rolls from Cinnabon, and melt-in-your-mouth wagyu skewers from Niku Master.
Friday nights are always fun, but one Friday each month is extra special at The Providore's Downtown Gallery outlet.
This month, their Friday Night Tastings is going to be a triple threat. You'll get to try 10 tasting samples of wine and spirits, including wine from Manos Negras Winery, rum from Proof & Company, and Scottish whiskey from La Maison Du Whisky.
Don't forget to reserve your spot at the link below!
Friday Night Tastings at The Providore
Ever wanted a buffet spread of the best foods from Instagram? Crane at Joo Chiat is one step ahead of you. This September, the Crane Food Fair is bringing you yummies from independent businesses like Sherramelts, Tezzsolution, Botana & Tea, Tais’ Kitchen, and more. Here’s a Food Fair thirst trap from a previous iteration:
Hungry yet?
This September, 57 local and overseas educational institutions are coming together for a mega fair on postgraduate studies. Perfect for professionals considering further studies to aid career progression and personal development, the fair features 63 exhibition booths and 36 info sessions.
In the world of blockchain and digital assets for financial services, what do the next 10 years look like?
Find out at the release of the global programme on Blockchain and Digital Assets in Singapore. You’ll get to learn about the latest on blockchain and digital assets development, as well as network with experts and delegates from fintech hubs in London and Singapore.
Global Launch of the Blockchain and Digital Assets Programme in Singapore
Want to practise your public speaking skills, but don’t have a space you feel comfortable to do so? Join the Brilliant Advanced Toastmasters Club every third Monday of the month for their free public speaking sessions. Not only will you get to hone your own skills, but you’ll also get to hear from a different speaker each month with exceptional public speaking skill.
Practise Public Speaking with Toastmasters@CBD
Damaged wooden pallets get a new lease of life at CREUSE’s workshop, where they get transformed into lifestyle products that are useful, sustainable, and aesthetic. Not only will you be able to learn about the process, but you’ll also be able to get hands-on experience!
Uncle Chris is a self-described “everyday Singapore uncle” who’s seen a lot of Singapore over the years, and now loves showing it to others. Join Uncle Chris on his free walking tours to be entertained and even educated on the hidden heritage, culture and history behind various areas in Singapore. Uncle Chris spills all he knows, and isn’t afraid to touch on the darker parts of history; for this reason, do look out for tours that are adult only.
This September, the lineup for Uncle Chris Walking Tours includes:
Do note that while Uncle Chris Walking Tours are all free, you’re strongly encouraged to tip at the end of the tour.
Whether you’re looking around for a new job or just want to upgrade your skills at work, these next few programmes will be useful for you.
Thanks to the National Library Board (NLB) and their “Get Professional” series, you can access professional advice on resume writing, personal branding, public speaking, and EQ at work—all for free this month. Get guidance from industry experts who’ve coached hundreds before you and know all the tips and tricks to play the game.
View NLB’s “Get Professional” page for the full line-up of programmes in Jul 2023. Some highlights include:
Do note that some of the events are for participants aged 50 years old and up. These are part of their “Get Professional X TOYL” series, and are labelled accordingly on their page.
Is ChatGPT taking over the world? Not quite yet, but it’s certainly had a huge impact on the way many of us work. In the Future of Work series organised by the National Library Board, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are embraced as, well, the future of work. These workshops will equip you with the relevant skills and knowledge in our digital age to prepare you for the quickly evolving office landscape.
Here are some highlights this September:
Like NLB’s “Get Professional” series, some of the “Future of Work” events are only for participants aged 50 years old and up. These are again labelled as “Future of Work X TOYL” on their page.
“We are not a tapestry of separate strands; we are a woven fabric of interconnected lives.” — Bryant McGill
TEDxNTU 2023 is all about exploring interconnectedness. Across many strands of different cultures and backgrounds, we can “thread through” communities to celebrate diversity. How do we do that? And as we promote interconnectedness, is individuality lost? You’ll have to go down to TEDxNTU 2023 to find out.
TEDxNTU 2023: Threading Through
Singapore Design Week (SDW) showcases the best of local design and creativity. The theme for SDW 2023 is “Better by Design”. If that sounds familiar to you, that could be because it’s also Design Singapore Council’s’s motto, in commemoration of their 20th anniversary this year. The theme is a celebration of how Singapore design makes lives better, tackles challenges, and shapes our future.
SDW 2023 will feature a ton of events and exhibitions, including:
Check out all the SDW 2023 events.
What is design for? It’s not just about making things look good, or making things work at a practical level. Design is also about creating positive emotions in a space. When it comes to interior design, there’s no better place to explore this than the Singapore Interior Design Festival (SIDFest).
This year, the festival includes its annual flagship conference SID Convention 2023 on 23 Sep 2023, at the Sands Expo Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, as well as 5 SIDFest 2023 Symposiums that touch on topics like sustainability and AI in design business.
Singapore Interior Design Festival (SIDFest) 2023
The Little Prince turns 80 this year! To celebrate, head down to Punggol Regional Library. There, you can journey with The Little Prince around the world to check out augmented reality (AR) toys from the MINT Museum of Toys and book recommendations from the World and Us Zone and Children Zone.
Around the World with The Little Prince
Wanna train a robot dog? How about race against an AI driver?
At the ExperienceIT Showcase at Punggol Regional Library, you can get up close and personal with emerging artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. Learn how machines learn through bite-sized informative displays and hands-on activities. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of how these technologies can improve your day-to-day life.
ExperienceIT Showcase: Learn How Machines Learn
It feels almost like it should be a secret, but this is too good not to share. Every Sunday evening, tucked away in Bali Lane, you can get a taste of live jazz jams at The Jazz Loft @ Blu Jaz Café at no cover charge.
Called the Sunday Jam Sessions, each session opens with pianist Rachma Lim and her trio. Then, homegrown and international jazz stars take the stage—some familiar faces already well established in the jazz world, and some up and coming jazz musicians paving the way for a new wave of jazz. You never really know exactly who you’ll get to hear (to our knowledge, they don’t publish this anywhere), but perhaps the mystery is part of the appeal. Just like jazz improv, every iteration is unique.
Sunday Jam Session at The Jazz Loft
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just getting started, the Puma Run Club is a great community to help you meet your running goals. Remember how in 2.4km runs in school, you’d pick a fit person ahead of you to try to keep up with? Well for this run sesh, there’ll be pacers from Singapore Runners Club who’ll run alongside you at 7min/km, 6min/km, and 5.30min/km or less. After you’re done, the pacers will also lead you in a cool down to end off the session. So really all you need to do is to show up for yourself and give it your best shot!
There are many aspects to wellness, and many ways you can achieve wellness for yourself. This September, Wellness Point hits a ton of these. Organised by The Physio Circle as part of the Singapore Grand Prix Season Festival, the comprehensive one-day programme is designed to nurture mind, body, and spirit through meditation & breathwork, football conditioning, boxing, pilates, a motivation and movement talk, and a strength and conditioning sesh. The organisers have also picked the perfect setting for Wellness Point-the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia in Sentosa.
Register fast—the first 100 to register get a complimentary Adidas goodie bag worth up to $100!
Exactly as it sounds. These yoga sessions from Pay As You Wish Yoga are all donation-based, meaning you only pay what you can and want to. All proceeds from these sessions go to Yoga Circle, a non-profit organisation that aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in yoga.
This September, there are two sessions, both of which are suitable for any experience level:
Yoga studio Yoga Seeds is bringing you a free family yoga sesh every second Sunday of every month in 2023. The sessions are family friendly and held in the great outdoors, amidst the lush greenery of Bishan-AMK Park.
This September, the session will be held on 10 Sep 2023, starting at 8am. Come 15 minutes early for registration!
Outdoor Family Yoga in Bishan Park
Victoria Rose Activewear organises yoga events at the Singapore Botanical Gardens Eco Lake every month or so. Listen up, office/desk workers—this session will focus on opening up those tight chest areas and hunched over shoulders. Beginners are welcome!
Find peace for your mind, body, and spirit at Crane Joo Chiat with their Soulchella Holistic Wellness Pop-Ups. These pop-ups are for any seeking greater health and healing, and will include mini readings, reiki sessions, and booths with items like essential oil blends and crystals for growth. Best part: entry is free!
This month, Soulchella will feature the following pop-ups:
Sept 30, 2023 (Sat)
Oct 1, 2023 (Sun)
Soulchella: Holistic Wellness Pop-Ups
If you need an extra push to hit your fitness goals, Singapore’s New Balance Run Club (NBRC) may be the community you’ve been looking for.
NBRC meets every Tuesday evening at Suntec City’s New Balance outlet to work out together. They run (of course), do some HIIT (a classic!), and even do Fartlek—that’s Swedish for “speed play”. As the name suggests, it involves switching between fast and slow running to boost metabolism.
Everyone’s an athlete—that’s what the folks at HOKA Run Club Singapore believe, and what they want you to believe about yourself. Join them every Friday evening for a run session, no matter your age, background, or fitness level.
This article was first published in MoneySmart.