SINGAPORE’S EVOLUTION BROUGHT TO LIGHT IN SPECIAL SG60 EDITION OF MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL AT GARDENS BY THE BAY
Lantern sets document Singapore’s journey from a humble fishing village to a modern city, as well as how Mid-Autumn celebrations have evolved for the community
In celebration of the milestone year of SG60, this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay (滨海花园庆中秋) is a special edition that traces Singapore’s transformation from a humble fishing village to a modern city through the dramatic beauty of large-scale lantern sets.
Alongside Singapore’s transformation, the festival highlights how Mid-Autumn celebrations have evolved over the decades – from simple tin-can lanterns to today’s LED-lit displays, and from traditional pig-in-the-basket confections to the diverse mooncakes enjoyed by different dialect groups today.
This year’s theme, Together (同在忆起), spotlights the joy of coming together across generations in a celebration of all things Singaporean. Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay runs until Sunday, October 12.
Minister for National Development Mr Chee Hong Tat launched the festivities this evening by lighting up Celebrating as One (同庆中秋), a massive lantern set featuring a HDB estate, that measures 20m across and floats on Dragonfly Lake. He then flagged off the festival’s signature Mass Lantern Walk.
A proudly local SG60-themed Mid-Autumn Festival
This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival features nine lantern sets. Five of these lantern sets are SG60-themed:
• Our Kampong Spirit (我们的甘榜精神)at Golden Garden recreates kampong scenes of yesteryear, highlighting togetherness, neighbourliness, and mutual help.
• Celebrating as One (同庆中秋), which floats on Dragonfly Lake, reflects modern life and enduring kampong spirit of care and community in Singapore’s “vertical kampongs” – HDB flats.
• Our Joyful Moments (我们的欢聚时光) near the Koi Pond is a tribute to provision shops at HDB void decks as well as kopitiams, both of which have long been cornerstones of heartland life.
• Lanterns Through Time (灯影情怀) at the Supertree Grove showcases how lanterns in Singapore have changed through the years – from simple tincan creations to cellophane lanterns, and finally to modern LED designs in dazzling shapes – illustrating how traditions adapt and endure across generations.
• Mooncake Medley (月圆乐聚)at the Supertree Grove features mooncakes from various Chinese dialect groups while also serving as a performance stage, with free cultural performances including Korean percussion, Chinese dance, jazz and live band on selected days.
Gardens by the Bay CEO Felix Loh said, “With SG60 being a special year, we wanted to create a Mid-Autumn Festival that not only brings out what it means to be Singaporean but also unites the community in the depiction of shared Singaporean experiences. The large-scale lantern sets this year portray familiar facets of Singapore, from hanging out at a HDB void deck to visiting the neighbourhood mama shop, which we hope will spark inter-generational sharing of stories and experiences, creating joyful moments of connection and togetherness for everyone.”
Adding to the local flavour are lantern versions of the beloved characters of Ang Ku Kueh Girl™, illustrated by local artist Wang Shijia. The titular character and her friends – Curry Puff Boy, Sugee Cake Girl, and Roti Prata Boy – make appearances across the SG60-themed lantern sets. They embody Singapore’s multicultural spirit and the joy of festive celebrations shared by all.
Displays of international friendship and exciting fringe events
The lantern sets also include two beautiful showcases of international friendship.
To commemorate 50 years of Singapore-Korea relations, Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, present Guardians of Light: Merlion & Haetae (光之守护者：鱼尾狮与獬豸), a lantern set featuring the Merlion and Haetae – a mythical guardian symbolising justice and fairness. This is complemented by small hanji lanterns painted by children from both countries during a cultural workshop.
Shanghai’s YUYUAN Inc – the company behind the renowned annual Yuyuan Lantern Festival – marks 35 years of Singapore–China relations with a lantern inspired by the classic Chinese tale Zhuangzi’s Dream of the Butterfly, titled Dream of Butterflies (蝶舞中秋).
Other than the dazzling lantern displays, there are also hands-on activities such as lantern crafting and Chinese tea appreciation, a lively marketplace with traditional snacks and carnival games, as well as free cultural performances at Supertree Grove. A special edition of Garden Rhapsody, Tales of the Moon, will also light up the Supertrees twice nightly with moon-themed songs.
On Oct 6, the actual day of Mid-Autumn Festival, visitors can collect free lanterns featuring beloved characters from Ang Ku Kueh Girl and Friends™ at Supertree Grove, while stocks last.
In an SG60 special, seniors who are local residents can enjoy a special $5 weekday admission to Flower Dome (U.P. $8) from now till Oct 15, when they sign up for a Gardens Rewards account. Gardens Rewards allows local residents to enjoy additional deals when they visit Gardens by the Bay. Terms and conditions apply.
Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay is supported by Tote Board, SPH Media’s Chinese Media Group, official radio stations UFM100.3 and 96.3 Hao FM, PropNex Realty, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, and 99 Old Trees.
📅 22 Sep to 12 Oct 2025
🕙 6pm – 10pm daily
📍 Golden Garden, Supertree Grove and Bayfront Plaza at Gardens by the Bay
🏷 Free Admission
For more information, visit here.
What to watch
| Date | Time | Programme | Location |
| Mon, 22 Sep | 7.40pm to 8pm | UKEESKA (Korean percussion performance) by U-hee Company | Supertree Grove |
| Sat, 27 Sep | 7pm to 7.30pm 8pm to 8.30pm |
Cello duo by CelloGayaguem | |
| Sun, 28 Sep | Wind percussion ensemble performance by Reverberance 回响 | ||
| Fri, 3 Oct | Music ensemble by yIN Harmony | ||
| Sat, 4 Oct | Live band by JumpStart | ||
| Sun, 5 Oct | Dance performance by Yao Dance Academy | ||
| Fri, 10 Oct | Jazz Standards by The Jazzlings | ||
| Sat, 11 Oct | Jazz Fusion by The Jazzlings | ||
| Sun, 12 Oct | Mando Jazz by The Jazzlings |
What to do
| Activity | Date | Time | Location |
| Lantern Walk Pick up a lantern and join a mass lantern walk through the Gardens – this leisurely stroll is an annual tradition, with free lanterns available on a first-come-first served basis. |
Mon, 22 Sep | Lantern collection: 6.45pm to 7.30pm Start of lantern walk: 7.30pm |
Meeting point: SG50 Lattice (beside Floral Fantasy near Bayfront MRT Exit B) |
| Bamboo Weaving Craft Experience the essence of the traditional craft of Bamboo weaving and create your very own colourful artwork. $18/pax. Pre-registration is required. |
Fri to Sun, 26 to 28 Sep, 3 to 5 Oct & 10 to 12 Oct |
6pm, 7pm & 8pm | Cannonball Room next to Jurassic Nest Food Court |
| Lantern Craft Making Discover the fun of making your own lantern from scratch, as you celebrate the joyous spirit of Mid-Autumn. $22/pax. Pre-registration is required. |
Fri to Sun, 26 to 28 Sep, 3 to 5 Oct & 10 to 12 Oct |
6pm, 7pm & 8pm | Cannonball Room next to Jurassic Nest Food Court |
| Chinese Tea Art Appreciation Gather up to three friends or family for a 45-minute guided small-group traditional Chinese Tea Art Appreciation experience, where you will learn to brew tea using a selection of Keemun Red Tea and Wuyi Rock Tea – among the most famous of red teas – or Osmanthus Keemun. $38 per session. Fee includes a take-home tea set, comprising of a ceramic tea pot, two cups and a padded storage bag. Pre-registration is required. |
Fri to Sun, 26 to 28 Sep, 3 to 5 Oct & 10 to 12 Oct |
6pm, 7pm & 8pm | Cannonball Room next to Jurassic Nest Food Court |
| Mid-Autumn Festival Ornament Craft Design your very own Mid-Autumn ornaments inspired by traditional symbols such as the moon, lanterns and jade rabbit. $10/ pax. Pre-registration is required. |
Fri to Sun, 26 to 28 Sep, 3 to 5 Oct & 10 to 12 Oct |
6pm, 7pm & 8pm | Cannonball Room next to Jurassic Nest Food Court |
| DIY Bookmark Create your own kueh-themed bookmark by stamping illustrations of traditional kueh with different coloured ink pads. Free, while stocks last. |
Fri to Sun, 26 to 28 Sep, 3 to 5 Oct & 10 to 12 Oct |
6pm to 10pm | Cannonball Room next to Jurassic Nest Food Court |
| DIY Lantern Painting Design your own unique lantern in this quick and simple DIY lantern painting activity. Free, while stocks last. *The last session is at 9.30pm. |
Mon, 29 Sep & 6 Oct | 6pm to 10pm | Cannonball Room next to Jurassic Nest Food Court |
| Chinese Tea Sharing Seminar Delve into the history of Chinese tea and join in discussions with fellow tea lovers to learn more about tea. Free, and conducted in Mandarin. |
Sat, 4 & 11 Oct | 8pm | Cannonball Room next to Jurassic Nest Food Court |
| Lantern Giveaway On the day of Mid-Autumn, Gardens by the Bay is giving out free lantern sets in limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis. |
Mon, 6 Oct | From 6pm | Supertree Grove |
| Marketplace Eat your way through the marketplace, which offers a mix of delicious food, ranging from traditional flavours such as candied hawthorn stick, kachang puteh and assorted kuehs to local street food favourites. There are also carnival games and family-friendly rides. Admission is free. Charges apply for food and carnival games. |
Mon, 22 Sep to Sun, 12 Oct | 6pm to 10pm | Supertree Grove |
Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 6 October this year. Remember to check out our list of Best Mooncakes and Best Bak Kwa in Singapore 2025.
Looking for what to do during the Mid-Autumn Festival? Read Mid Autumn Festival 2025.
Children’s Day 2025
Children’s Day is on 3 October 2025. Do check out our list of fun Things to do this Children’s Day long weekend.
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