Lights by the Lake 2026 returns to Jurong Lake Gardens with programmes and activities spanning across the Gardens to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
In addition to lantern displays across the Gardens, Lights by the Lake 2026 also offers a wide range of programmes and activities including cultural performances, movie screenings and heritage activities, for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Running from 19 to 27 September, Lights by the Lake is organised by the National Parks Board (NParks) in partnership with National Heritage Board, Science Centre Singapore, and the National Gallery Singapore, among others.
Key Highlights
- This year’s lantern displays are inspired by the Legend of the White Snake, bringing the beloved Chinese legend to life across Lakeside Garden.
- Family-friendly programmes and activities will be spread across Jurong Lake Gardens, including live performances, movie screenings, arts and heritage experiences, guided tours and other family-friendly activities.
o The activities organised by Science Centre Singapore include Moon Legends: From Myth to Mission on 25 and 26 September, where the public can enjoy a Mid-Autumn edition of the live dome planetarium show, and MOONBEATS: AFTERDARK, a silent disco on the night of 26 September. Spaces are limited and registration is required. Please refer below for more details.
o The Singapore Chinese Orchestra will present Music Oasis, a lakeside concert featuring local artistes and the world premiere of a new work inspired by the Chinese Garden.
o The National Gallery Singapore’s Roving Studio invites visitors to discover artworks from the National Collection through fun, hands-on activities, including a drawing inspired by a favourite celebration or festival. Visitors can enjoy a variety of performances, including ART:DIS, featuring performances by people with disabilities.
o Arts Fission will also be presenting Moonstruck 2026 – Watermarks of the Moon, a 30-minute wellness performance featuring an intergenerational cast.
o Families can enjoy an expanded range of immersive experiences by National Heritage Board, including the travelling exhibition Don’t Play Play – The Games That Shape Us. Participants can engage in a fun stamping activity to create an airplane chess board that they can bring home.
o Other hands-on workshops include Chinese calligraphy, Zentangle, and clay lantern crafts by People’s Association.
o Jurong Lake Gardens has also put together a diverse line-up of activities and programmes, including NParks Concert Series in the Park: Rockestra®, with a playlist of Mandopop and English hits spanning the decades, LED lion dance performances, lantern riddles, and other family-friendly movie screenings at Ficus Lawn. Edible Garden guided tours are also open for sign-ups, where one can explore the journey of fruits and vegetables from seed to table.
Programme line-up: Lights by the Lake 2026
📅 19 to 27 Sep 2026 (Lantern displays till 4 Oct 2026)
🕙 6.30pm – 10.30pm daily
📍 Jurong Lake Gardens
Some programmes and activities are free, but some may require payment and registration. For more information, please visit here.
Programmes and Activities
Mid-Autumn Festival Riddles by Love 97.2
📅 14 to 18 Sep 2026
Tune into Love 97.2 to catch Mid-Autumn Festival-themed riddles on air and stand a chance to win NTUC vouchers and Jurong Lake Gardens-exclusive stamps and pins.
NGS Roving Art Studio
📅 19, 20, 26, 27 Sep 2026
🕙 6.30pm – 10.30pm
📍 Wave Plaza, Lakeside Garden
Inspired by Georgette Chen’s Still Life (Moon Festival Table), visitors can reflect on the people, traditions and festivities that make celebrations meaningful before creating an artwork of their own.
Food Market
📅 19 to 27 Sep 2026
🕙 6.30pm – 11pm
📍 Lakeside Field, Lakeside Garden
The food market features a wide variety of local and international cuisines, including smoky BBQ, pasta, kebabs and Ramly burgers. Dessert options include taiyaki, sweet potato balls and Thai desserts.
Movie Screenings: Dementia Singapore short films
📅 20 Sep 2026
🕙 7.30pm – 10.30pm
📍 Ficus Lawn, Chinese Garden
In honour of World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September, the evening will open with a short sharing on dementia by Bernard Lim, Director or Advocacy & Communications at Dementia Singapore, followed by A Singapore Dementia Story, an anthology of five short films presented by Lien Foundation and Dementia Singapore, and produced by veteran producer Daniel Yun. The five films span a range of genres – romance, comedy, thriller, and animation. The films celebrate the resilience, humour, and love of caregivers and persons living with dementia.
Films
Another Go (directed by Gavin Lim, starring Tan Kheng Hua and Peter Yu) – A devoted husband cares for his wife as dementia takes hold, until a shocking diagnosis forces them both to confront an unexpected truth.
Really? (Directed by Jenny Ng) – Alvin tends to his elderly mother with quiet devotion, navigating their daily routines until a twist that reframes everything.
Two Ways to Forget (Directed by Raymus Chang, featuring the voices of Bernard Lim and Suhaimi Yusof) – An animated comedy drama following a corporate lawyer and a blue-collar worker who each hide their dementia until an unlikely friendship forms at a support group.
The Last Thread (Directed by Viknesh Silva) – Retired soldier Rajan navigates shifting memories and fragments of the past in a story about memory, family, and enduring bonds
What Day Is It? (Directed and written by Andie Chen, starring Oon Shu-An and Alaric Tay) – A couple’s playful and tender relationship is tested by young-onset dementia.
Mediacorp lantern trail 新传媒灯笼园游会 and Animation screening
Credits: Mediacorp
📅 20 Sep 2026
🕙 6.45pm
📍 Wave Plaza, Lakeside Garden | Ficus Lawn, Chinese Garden
Participants can collect a battery-operated lantern, mooncake & a drink, and a mooncake plushie at Wave Plaza before embarking on a symbolic lantern trail through the Gardens to Ficus lawn.
Additional mooncake plushies will also be available at Ficus Lawn on a first-come, first-served basis.
Families can head to the screening area after completing the trail to catch the premiere of Lil Wild, along with a special showcase of short films.
Visitors can register for the lantern trail here, limited to 250 slots. Registration opens on 7 September.
Cloud Pagoda, Chinese Garden
Light up of Cloud Pagoda for World Alzheimer’s Day
📅 21 Sep 2026
In conjunction with World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September, the Cloud Pagoda will be lit in yellow and purple, the colours of the global dementia movement.
Lantern Riddles
📅 21 to 25 Sep 2026
🕙 7pm – 9pm
📍 Wave Plaza, Lakeside Garden
Families can solve traditional riddles in a festive setting and stand to win prizes such as fans, keychains, lamps and other festive goodies.
Celestial Nights: Mid-Autumn Edition by Science Centre Singapore
📅 25, 26 Sep 2026
🕙 6.30pm – 10pm
📍 Water Lily Pavillion, Japanese Garden | Science Centre Singapore
Celestial Trail
Credits: Science Centre Singapore
Visitors can embark on a self-guided educational walk, starting from either Science Centre Singapore or the Water Lily Pavilion at Japanese Garden from 19 to 27 September. The trail follows a series of illuminated discovery points exploring how moons form, why they come in such shapes and sizes and more.
Hands-on activities are also available along the trail, and participants who complete the trail stand to receive a discount on a limited-edition Quby pin, while stocks last.
Moonbeats Silent Disco
Credits: Science Centre Singapore
For one night only, a silent disco will be available on 26 September, where visitors can wear wireless headphones and dance to specially curated music genres, transforming the science galleries into a dance party, along with a Silent Disco Moonwalk following a fixed route (limited slots available). The walk from Science Centre to Japanese Garden begins at 7pm, followed by the indoor disco from 8pm to 11pm.
Tickets will go on sale on 26 August, starting at an Early Bird price of $20/pax. Once Early Bird tickets are sold out, the Online Special price will be activated at $25/pax. Upon the sellout of the Online Special, limited tickets will be available for Door Purchase at $35/pax.
Tickets can be purchased here, with a complimentary drink per ticket.
Moon Legends: From myth to mission
Credits: Science Centre Singapore
A special Mid-Autumn edition of the live dome planetarium show is available on 25 and 26 September at Science Centre Singapore’s Omni-Theatre. The show explores the moon through the lens of both cultural heritage and modern science. Audiences will be introduced to the Chinese mythological figures associated with Mid-Autum Festival such as the Jade Rabbit, Hou Yi and Chang’e, and the science of lunar phases.
Shows will last aproximately 20 minutes, with showtimes at 6pm, 6:40pm, 7:20pm, 8pm, 8:40pm and 9:20pm. Each show can accommodate up to 200 participants, with free popcorn included. Limited edition Mid-Autumn beverages and late-night dining will also be available at Science Centre’s F&B outlets.
Credits: Science Centre Singapore
Visitors can also explore a mini-exhibition of deep-sky objects, interact with astronomy explainers, and if weather permits, look through telescopes to view the night sky. Viewing sessions run every 15 minutes on 25 and 26 September, from 7:45pm till 10pm.
Tickets will go on sale on 26 August at $4/pax and can be purchased here.
Film Screenings
📅 26 Sep 8pm, 27 Sep 7pm
📍 Ficus Lawn, Chinese Garden
Two family-friendly films will be screened at Ficus Lawn on 26 and 27 September.
Migration – A family of ducks embarks on an adventure when the overprotective dad agrees to take the family on a holiday, leading to unexpected detours and new friendships.
The Wild Robot – A robot stranded on a wild island must adapt to her surroundings and discover what it means to be a mother.
Visitors are welcome to bring picnic mats and foldable chairs to enjoy the screenings.
Hands-On Workshops
Chinese Calligraphy
📅 26 to 27 Sep 2026
🕙 3pm – 6pm
📍 Viewing Gallery, Level 2, PAssion Wave @ Jurong Lake Gardens
Participants will be introduced to basic brush strokes and techniques in Chinese Calligraphy. Participants can try their hand at this traditional art form and bring home a piece of calligraphy created by the trainer.
Art of Zentangle
A 30-minute guided session introducing participants to Zentangle, a drawing method using simple, structured patterns. Participants will create Mid-Autumn Festival-inspired designs. No prior art experience is needed. Sessions will run from 3pm to 5pm on 26 September only.
Clay Lantern Keychain Craft
Participants will craft a clay lantern keychain that they can bring home as a keepsake, using yellow, orange, and blue clay, inspired by the Mid-Autumn Festival.
While Walk-ins are welcome, pre-registration is encouraged. Click here for more details.
NParks Concert Series in the Park: Rockestra®
📅 19 Sep 2026
🕙 6.30pm till late
📍 Ficus Lawn, Chinese Garden
Rockestra® returns with a night of Mandopop and English hits spanning the decades, held in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Admission is free. Artistes performing include Music & Drama Company (MDC), Shili & Adi, Shirlyn and The UnXpected, and SuperSonic.
MDC will also be hosting a giveaway of 100 complimentary picnic baskets, courtesy of Kakee Konvoy. This giveaway will be hosted on POWER98’s JK and 883JIA’s Ben’s Instagram pages from 20 August to 6 September 2026. Winners will be able to collect these picnic baskets on site.
For more information, visit Rockestra.
ArtsEverywhere @ CDC
Credits: National Arts Council
📅 19, 26 Sep 2026
🕙 6.30pm – 9pm
📍 Wave Plaza, Lakeside Garden
ArtsEverywhere @ CDC brings quality arts performances and experiences to residential neighbourhoods, featuring both large-scale performances by established arts groups and intimate street performances by local artists.
LED Lion Dance
📅 20, 27 Sep 2026
🕙 7.45pm and 8.45pm
📍 Grand Arch, Chinese Garden
The LED lion dance performance features a colourful light display set to music, suitable for the entire family.
➡️ Related Read: Where to watch Lion and Dragon dance during Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore
Moonstruck 2026 – Watermarks of the Moon
Credits: Art Fission
📅 25, 26 Sep 2026
🕙 7.15pm and 8.30pm
📍 Guesthouse, Japanese Garden
Watermarks of the Moon transforms the Guesthouse into an immersive realm of reflection and light. Rooted in zen-like aesthetics, the space features a large circular moon and winding lines tracing a riverbed across the floor, creating a serene chamber where time slows down. This site-specific wellness performance will be performed by an intergenerational cast of ARTS FISSION professional dancers, senior performers from Tzu Chi Seniors Engagement & Enabling Node (Nanyang), and NAFA dance students. Breaking away from a traditional stage setup, the performance utilises three distinct spaces – the Reflection Pond, Guesthouse, and patio – to offer audiences an unhurried and calm space to step away from daily chaos.
Music Oasis by Singapore Chinese Orchestra
📅 26 Sep 2026
🕙 6.30pm – 7.30pm
📍 Ficus Lawn, Chinese Garden
The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) returns to Jurong Lake Gardens for Music Oasis, a lakeside concert celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival.
Conducted by associate conductor Lien Boon Hua and presented in collaboration with Mediacorp, the concert features local artistes Bonnie Loo, Gao Mei Gui and Desmond Ng. The programme includes popular songs such as Restart, Brewing Tea Under the Moon, Grandma’s Words, alongside a selection of Chinese orchestral classics and festive repertoire. Audiences can also expect the world premiere of a new work by Singaporean composer Germaine Goh, inspired by the Chinese Garden.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own picnic mat or foldable chair to enjoy the performance on the lawns.
ART:DIS performances
Credits: ART:DIS
📅 27 Sep 2026
🕙 7pm – 9pm
📍 Wave Plaza, Lakeside Garden
The evening will feature live performances by three ART:DIS artistes.
Daniel Ng is a self-taught musician and singer with over 30 years of experience, having performed with the White Cane Band and Sunsets Crew. His set will feature pop favourites and evergreen oldies.
Adelyn Koh is a LaSalle-trained musician who can sing, play the drums, ukulele, and piano. She has performed for Mediacorp’s President’s Star Charity and is also pursuing a career in voice acting.
StrawberryStory is a duo comprising Ivni Yaakup and Wan Wai Yee, two visually impaired artists who blend classical and pop music. Ivni performs on instruments and Wai Yee handles vocals.
Tours and Exhibitions
Edible Garden Guided Tours
📅 19, 20, 26, 27 Sep 2026
🕙 6pm – 7pm
📍 Grand Arch, Chinese Garden
Families can join a guided tour of the Edible Garden to learn more about the journey of fruits and vegetables from seed to table. There will be 2 sessions each weekend from 6pm – 7pm.
Tours are now open for registraion. Registration will close 3 days before the tour, or when registration is full. Successful applicants will receive a confirmation email at least 3 working days before the tour. For more information, please refer to this link.
Don’t Play Play – The Games That Shape Us by National Heritage Board
Credits: National Heritage Board
📅 19 to 27 Sep 2026
🕙 All Day
📍 Resthouse, Japanese Garden
This exhibition explores how the playing of board games has brought people together in Singapore over the years.
It highlights popular board games many Singaporeans grew up with and traces how these board games came into Singapore. It also spotlights popular homegrown titles that showcase Singaporean culture.
Visitors can explore the exhibition, games and engage in a stamping activity to form their own airplane chess gameboard they can take home to play. The stamping activity will only be available on weekends. This exhibition traces the history of board games in Singapore, from how games first arrived in Singapore to the homegrown titles that have become a part of local culture. Visitors can explore the three exhibition panels available, with interactive flip panels and games on display.
Visitors can also engage in a stamping activity where they collect all the stamps to form an airplane chess gameboard that they can take home to play. The stamping activity will only be available when there is supervision onsite to prevent misuse of stamps.
For more information, visit here.
September School Holiday 2026
It is the one-week September school break. Do check out our compilation of exciting September School Holidays Activities 2026 in Singapore.
Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 25 September this year. Remember to check out our list of Best Mooncakes and Best Bak Kwa in Singapore 2026.
Looking for what to do during the Mid-Autumn Festival? Read Mid Autumn Festival 2026 Events in Singapore.
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