Free things to do in Singapore? Where do we begin?
By now, I’m sure we’ve established the fact that there are so many exciting things to do in Singapore beyond cafe-hopping. Whether you’re a local exploring the city on a weekend, or a tourist ticking off iconic tourist attractions of your bucket-list, we’ve got you covered with an extensive list of things to do in Singapore for free. Yes, absolutely free.
What are the best things to do in Singapore for free?
Free attractions and events in Singapore
1. Free workshops at Sentosa Festive Market
2. Outdoor movies at Movies by the Beach
3. Outdoor games and movies at UNWIND @ Raffles Place
4. Sentosa Sensoryscape
5. Free art exhibitions
6. Nature and Sustainability Tours at Gardens by the Bay
7. Farm-hopping in Singapore
8. Free concerts at Esplanade
9. Haw Par Villa
10. Light and water show at Marina Bay Sands
11. Thrilling slides at Admiralty Park
12. Free events in Jewel Changi Airport
13. Fishing at Bedok Reservoir
14. Free arcade games at Changi T4 Entertainment Corner
15. Explore Chinatown for its monthly activities
16. Take pictures at a Peranakan heritage gallery
Free things to do in Singapore for couples
17. Watch a movie
18. Solve a mystery murder case online
19. Take fun personality quizzes
20. Engage in deep conversations
21. Art jamming
22. Explore popular cycling routes
Nature places in Singapore to visit that are free
23. Hiking for beginners at Dairy Farm Nature Park
24. Take picturesque pic at Fort Canning Tree Tunnel
25. Waterside strolls at Changi Point Coastal Walk
26. Picnic at Marina Barrage
27. Trekking at MacRitchie Reservoir
28. Botanic Gardens
Annual free events to look forward to
Jun: i Light Singapore
Aug: Singapore Night Festival
Sep: Singapore Design Week
Oct: Deepavali Open House
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Check out our extensive guide of the 65 best things to do in Singapore, including both free and paid options, or our updated guide on the newest attractions and restaurants this month.
Free attractions and events in Singapore
1. Sign up for free workshops at Sentosa Festive Market
If you haven’t heard, Sentosa Festive Market is a pop-up market that occurs at Palawan Beach Walk every month.
But aside from a showcase of various cool brands, they also organise free workshops and activities for the public. For instance, a coffee appreciation session, zumba and kickboxing classes, and more.
Each month’s activities are different, so keep an eye out for the schedule on their Instagram.
Location: Palawan Beach Walk, Sentosa
2. Catch a free outdoors movie at Movies by the Beach
Outdoor movies screenings are pretty common nowadays. But, Sentosa’s Movies by the Beach is one of the two free ones available in Singapore.
There’s no sign ups required; you can just walk in. Hence, we recommend going earlier to get a good seat. To make the most out of your experience, you are allowed to bring your own picnic mats, foldable chairs, and foods.
Every month’s screening dates and movies is updated on Sentosa’s official page.
Location: Palawan Green, Sentosa
3. Lawn games and movies at UNWIND @ Raffles Place
If Sentosa is a little too out of the way for you, head down to Raffles Place instead for their monthly-ish unwind sessions.
Conveniently located outside One Raffles Place, you can expect fun lawn games like table tennis, badminton, giant jenga or putting green, in addition to their outdoor movie screenings.
For more information on what programmes to expect every month, check out our monthly guides at the start of every month.
Location: One Raffles Place, Singapore 048616
Love weekend markets? Check out our ultimate guide here
4. Take Instagrammable photos at Sentosa Sensoryscape
Sentosa Sensoryscape is a new immersive outdoor experience located on Sentosa Island in Singapore. It’s perhaps one of the best free things to do in Singapore as it offers visitors a multi-sensory journey through various interactive installations, combining light, sound, and nature to create captivating experiences.
This attraction in Sentosa features six different zones, each with its own theme, allowing visitors to engage their senses and explore the beauty of nature in innovative ways.
5. Explore free art exhibitions at museums
It is no longer a secret that you can visit exhibitions and museums for free in Singapore. In fact, most art exhibitions do not have a cover charge.
Popular museums in Singapore where you can enter galleries for free include National Gallery Singapore, Sundaram Tagore Gallery and Singapore Art Museum. An ongoing exhibition that is open to all is Cheong Soo Pieng: Layer by Layer, showcasing the aforementioned artist’s ingenious use of unconventional materials and mediums in his artworks.
If you’re always on a look out for free art exhibitions in Singapore, we update our art exhibitions in Singapore guide every month.
6. Embark on Free Nature and Sustainability Tours at Gardens by the Bay
In addition to admiring the grandeur of the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, here’s a new activity you can do for free.
The iconic tourist attraction in Singapore is offering free Nature and Sustainability Tours. So far, the tours that were completed include the Urban Wetlands Tour, where you get to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Kingfisher Wetlands, Seeds and Senses – Smell Tour, where you get to sniff and learn about the significance of various plants to our environment, and more.
The available tours change every month, and is updated on their website on the first Wednesday of every month.
Location: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
7. Farm-hopping
Embark on a farm-hopping adventure in Singapore’s Lim Chu Kang area, where you can enjoy goat feeding, cow petting, and even longkang fishing.
One of the best things to do in Singapore for free, Hay Dairies offers a chance to interact with goats and even feed them with no additional charge. Located nearby, Bollywood Farms allow you to explore their spices and herbs garden for free. However, if you’d wish to try them, you can pay a small price of $10-20 to enjoy their farm-to-table dining in the farm’s bistro.
8. Free concert at Esplanade
Only the most discerning Singaporeans know this — Esplanade offers free shows!
Yes, the popular “durian” does offer a chance to appreciate dance performances, live acoustic sets, and theatre acts for free.
You can check out their official website for the most updated schedule. But in general, the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre features live bands every night. Additionally, the arts centre hosts various free events across its performance spaces.
9. Haw Par Villa
Wait… is Haw Par Villa a free attraction?
Yes! Not many people know realise that this iconic cultural attraction is one of the best free things you can do in Singapore. You can explore the gardens and snap some photos in front of the temples and shrines there.
However, if you’d like to see the famous depictions of the ten courts of hell from Chinese beliefs, you will have to pay an additional price of $20 per adult and $10 per child.
10. Light and water show at Marina Bay Sands
The light and water show at Marina Bay Sands, known as Spectra, is one of the most popular free things to do in Singapore, especially among tourists.
It combines dancing fountains, colourful lights, and music for a mesmerising display over Marina Bay.
Spectra runs multiple times each evening, offering everyone the chance to enjoy its magic without needing tickets.
11. Slides at Admiralty Park
If you’re looking for exciting free things to do in Singapore, head down to Admiralty Park.
Located on hilly terrain with the Sungei Cina river, experience the thrill of 26 thrilling slides. Divided into Junior Play, Adventure Play, and Family Terracing Play, each slide offers a distinct design, allowing you to experience a jolt of adrenaline in 26 different ways.
Try The Curved Roller Slide, a 34-metre outdoor slide with black tubes for easy sliding. Also, explore the inclusive playground with features like a wheelchair swing, fostering inclusive play for all children.
12. Explore pop-ups and attractions Jewel Changi Airport
Jewel Changi Airport remains as a leisure and entertainment destination featuring the stunning Rain Vortex as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, surrounded by lush greenery in the Forest Valley.
However, beyond the stunning waterfall, this iconic attraction in Singapore offers many free things to do, such as the recent Avengers life-size statues and Super Mario installations. Do note that both free attractions are no longer available as of April 2024.
More fun activities at Changi Airport and Jewel here
13. Fishing at Bedok Reservoir
Bedok Reservoir is a favourite fishing spot for locals due to its abundance of non-native fish species like African Walking Catfish and Peacock Bass.
Enjoy the thrill of catching unique species in this nine-metres deep scenic oasis. In addition to fishing, locals usually cycle or jog along the park.
14. Free arcade games at Changi T4 Entertainment Corner
While this may not be applicable to most Singaporeans, since it’s located at the transit area of the airport, it’s certainly one of the most underrated things to do in Singapore for free.
At Changi Airport’s Terminal 4, enjoy a complimentary 24-hour arcade offering a variety of entertaining games and machines without any additional cost. The Entertainment Corner at Gate G18 on level 2 features Xbox Kinect games such as bowling, soccer, target shooting, and climbing, as well as classic arcade games like virtual pinball, Pac-Man, Street Fighter, foosball, racing, and more.
Changi T4 Entertainment Corner
15. Explore Chinatown
Explore the vibrant streets of Chinatown in Singapore, where rich heritage meets modern charm. Wander through bustling markets filled with colourful stalls selling traditional crafts, souvenirs, and local delicacies.
You can visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum for free, where you can take pictures, explore the impressive architecture, and learn about Buddhist culture and history.
16. Take pictures at a Peranakan heritage gallery
Forget the Peranakan Museum and Katong Antique House. If you want a quick photo opportunity without breaking the bank, head down to Rumah Kim Choo at East Coast.
Their Heritage Gallery on the second floor is open to public for free, with two rooms filled with traditional Peranakan furniture and knick-knacks.
If you want to level up your experience, you can even consider renting a kebaya or baju melayu.
Location: 111 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428801
Opening hours: 9am-9pm
Free things to do in Singapore for couples
You don’t need a lot money to go on dates. Hence, we’ve compiled a list of free things to do in Singapore — for couples and individuals who wish to go out on a solo date.
17. Watch a movie
Romance, thrillers, comedy, or one of the highly-anticipated movies of 2024 (assuming they’re already available for streaming), you really can’t go wrong with watching a movie.
If you’ve already exhausted your to-watch list on Netflix and Disney+, allow us to recommend an underrated option — TVB dramas.
18. Solve a mystery case online
Instead of looking for free things to do in Singapore, why not just… download a mobile app for free?
We recommend Unsolved Case, We Were Here, and Alone Together, where you can catch a myster killer, find an escape route, and solve a cryptic puzzle respectively.
19. Take fun personality quizzes
“If I turned into a worm, would you still love me?”
Well, how about… “what cake would you be based on your personality?” The internet is flooded with fun and dumb quizzes, like what onion you’d be, what breed of dog you are, and many more.
If you’re looking for suggestions, some of the cutest personality quizzes we’ve tried include CakeResume, Boo 16, and Cosmos Persona.
20. Engage in deep conversations?
Think you know your partner well? Ask each other deep and engaging questions about each other’s values and morals. Think “trolley dilemma” but on a wider scale.
While you can think of your own conversation prompts or search for them online, we recommend taking inspiration from Late Night Visions, a TikTok account that posts “tricky questions for deep thinkers” such as “if you had to choose between dying tomorrow or living forever, which would you choose and why?”
21. Art jamming
Don’t bother paying $20 to paint at art jamming workshops…
You can easily get art supplies at a fraction of the price at Art Friend or Shopee. Instead of just painting on a canvas, make it more interesting by swapping your canvas with your partner every five minutes. But of course, we did say this was a free things to do guide. So don’t worry. You can easily replace the paint with pencil and paper and start doodling!
22. Explore popular cycling routes
There’s more to just East Coast Park when it comes to cycling in Singapore.
You can explore the route between Botanic Gardens and Kranji, and even head down to Sentosa from Orchard. Komoot has curated ten great cycling routes with their respective maps on their website.
If you do not have a bike at home, you can either rent it from stores like or from bike-sharing companies like Anywheel and SG Bike.
Free nature places in Singapore to visit
23. Hiking for beginners at Dairy Farm Nature Park
For beginners in hiking, Dairy Farm Nature Park offers a gentle introduction with its 63-hectare expanse. The main trail is paved, ensuring a beginner-friendly experience without the need for rugged trekking.
Explore the Wallace Education Centre to learn about the park’s changing landscapes through interactive exhibits. Keep an eye out for colourful heliconias and various wildlife, including monkeys, pangolins, and butterflies along the way.
24. Take picturesque pictures at Fort Canning Tree Tunnel
Look for the iconic Instagrammable spot in Fort Canning Park.
Capture the beauty of Fort Canning Tree Tunnel, a lush vertical passage with a spiral staircase that leads to the sky. With its intertwining branches and soft light filtering through, it’s one of the most serene spot in the heart of Singapore.
25. Waterside strolls at Changi Point Coastal Walk
Experience the tranquil ambience of Changi Point Coastal Walk, where you can stroll along the shore and take in views of rustic fishing villages and peaceful waters.
Changi Village can be a far out for more Singaporeans. Hence, make the most of your time by visiting in the evening catch a beautiful sunset against the panoramic view of the sea.
26. Picnic at Marina Barrage
Gather your friends or family and have a little picnic at the famous spot, Marina Barrage. You can play kites, cycle along, play cards, and even bring your own speakers and play some music while looking at the famous Marina Bay Sands as the backdrop.
Relax away from the city’s hustle and bustle and keep your budget in check by bringing your own food from home.
27. Trekking at MacRitchie Reservoir
Explore the trails of MacRitchie Reservoir, Singapore’s oldest reservoir, surrounded by lush forests and teeming with wildlife.
28. Botanic Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a haven of free activities. Explore diverse plant collections, including the renowned National Orchid Garden, and at no cost.
Get fit and have a morning run amidst scenic landscapes or cycle along winding pathways. Attend complimentary concerts, performances, and educational events held regularly.
If you have additional budget for the day, why not check out one of the cafes in Botanic Gardens as well.
Annual free events to look forward to
Jun: i Light Singapore
Asia’s leading sustainable light festival, i Light Singapore presents various light installations and projections across the city centre, including Marina Bay, Tanjong Pagar, South Beach, and more.
Aug: Singapore Night Festival
Singapore’s largest nocturnal festival offers a mix of installations, games and exhibitions.
2024 theme was “Art of Play”, with highlights including free arcade games, a mini carnival in the middle of the city, and a scent-focused exhibition in collaboration with Aesop.
Sep: Singapore Design Week
Sick of the same few art exhibitions in Singapore?
The yearly Singapore Design Week — spanning across a whole month, not just a week — offers a range of free exhibitions and installations.
Beyond being a very limited-time experience, a handful of these exhibitions also incorporates interactive elements, making it even more fun.
Oct: Deepavali Open House
Every Deepavali, Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) opens its doors to the public for free on the weekends.
In addition to the free admission, they will also prepare cultural games and performances for the public.
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