Lighting Up the Singapore River, Introducing Mixed Reality to One of Singapore’s Most Iconic Landmarks

Singapore River Festival returns for the seventh year with key highlights and programming to entertain music-lovers, families, foodies and content creators alike across the month-long festival period

• 7 – 8 Sep: Rhythm of the River
• 8 – 9 Sep: Street Beats @ Circular Road
• 9 – 10 Sep: Wellness Fest @ Clarke Quay Central
• 16 -17 Sep: Moonlight Fiesta @ Robertson Walk
• 23 – 24 Sep: Purrfect Day to Night Out @ CQ @ Clarke Quay
• 29 Sep – 1 Oct: WORLD X FEST 2023 JAPAN EDITION @ Clarke Quay Central

Singapore River Festival 2023

Back for its seventh edition and marking its first physical comeback since 2019, the annual Singapore River Festival will see an even more interactive and engaging event for all. Starting from 7 September to 1 October 2023, the highly anticipated month-long festival will be a true celebration of local heritage, culture and innovation.

A hallmark in the city’s calendar, this year’s Singapore River Festival will also, for the first time ever, see the introduction of cutting-edge Augmented Reality (AR) activities in partnership with BytePlus, a ByteDance product that supports businesses in accelerating their digital transformation capabilities. As the cityscape transforms with the advancements of technology, the 2023 edition will bring a new dimension of excitement through immersive mixed reality experiences through an AR filter. With this innovative addition, festival-goers can look forward to a journey that seamlessly blends the past and the present.

“The Singapore River Festival 2023 represents a dynamic tapestry of experiences that bring together the essence of our precinct’s past and the spirit of our future. Beyond fostering a sense of community among festival-goers, the Singapore River Festival 2023 seeks to drive economic value to the precinct and its surrounding businesses, alongside our partners,” said Michelle Koh, Executive Director, Singapore River One – organiser of Singapore River Festival 2023.

“As the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s Singapore River Festival, we are excited to present our innovative suite of AR solutions through Saba’s Time Quest and other immersive experiences. We continue to use cutting-edge machine learning technology to develop digital experiences that help businesses of all sizes connect with their customers. We look forward to enabling the community to engage with these newly developed experiences,” added Kenny Tan, Head of Southeast Asia, BytePlus.




Key Highlights

Mixed Reality Adventure: Step into the enchanting world of AR as historical landmarks come to life with interactive storytelling. Discover the untold tales of Singapore’s rich heritage as AR brings to life an experience through Saba’s Time Quest. From the founding of Singapore to its evolution into a global metropolis, this AR adventure promises an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Singapore River Signatures (SRS): Indulge in an extraordinary culinary journey along the river as the much-awaited Singapore River Signatures returns. Celebrating stellar F&B establishments along the iconic Singapore River, this annual event promises a curated selection of the city’s best eateries and food vendors. Embark on a culinary journey with our Tales and Tastes of Singapore River tour, infusing Singapore’s heritage and gastronomy.

Renowned chefs from various F&B establishments have specially crafted SRS dishes, such as the Lobster & Citrus Multi-Coloured Pasta Arlecchino by Pasta Fresca, Ramly Special by DEADFALL by Barbary Coast, Flavour of the Sea Vermicelli by Shrimp Prawn Seafood, Bruschetta Flight by Brewerkz and Stout Braised Angus short Ribs by TEMPO Bar & Grill.

Immerse in the art of culinary mastery through engaging workshops, such as creating a Mao Shan Wang Rainbow Mille Crepe Cake or perfecting Italian pasta with a Spaghetti & Spritz workshop.*

singapore river festival

Weekly Events: Expect good vibes at Street Beats @ Circular Road, boost your mental health at Wellness @ Singapore River Festival, enjoy heartwarming family moments at Moonlight Fiesta, spend quality time with your furry friend at Purrfect Day to Night Out, and immerse yourself in Japanese Pop Culture, food, and music at WORLD X FEST 2023 Japan Edition @ Clarke Quay Central – all taking place throughout September. With new activities happening every weekend, look out for a dynamic array of events that promises to keep you engaged and entertained throughout the month.

📅 7 Sep to 1 Oct 2023

Light up on Bridges: Witness Singapore’s three iconic quays, Cavenagh Bridge, Read Bridge, and Alkaff Bridge, light up and transform into a mesmerizing canvas of colours with stunning light art installations. Inspired by the dreams of Singaporeans, each bridge represents a different dream: Future Progression, Lively Ensemble, and Garden City. The illumination on the bridges showcases these dreams through mesmerizing light displays, creating a captivating and enchanting ambience along the Singapore River during the festival. Visitors can also enjoy the unique symbolism and beauty of each bridge’s lighting as they take a boat ride or stroll along the river, adding to the magical experience of the Singapore River Festival.

📅 7 to 8 Sep 2023
⏰ 7pm – 10.15pm
📍 Read Bridge, River Promenade in front of Clarke Quay Central and Riverside Point




Rhythm of the River: Kickstarting the Singapore River Festival 2023 is a captivating line-up of performances featuring home-grown live music performers, Flame of the Forest, Caroline in the Sun, Samba Masala, and Born Fire, all set to dazzle the audience at Read Bridge, River Promenade in front of Clarke Quay Central and Riverside Point.

📅 8 to 9 Sep 2023
⏰ 8 Sep, 8pm to late | 9 Sep, 4pm to late
📍 Circular Road

Street Beats @ Circular Road: Embrace the diversity of Singapore’s cultural heritage through a vibrant street party. Immerse yourself in an eclectic blend of music, thoughtfully curated by the music-centric bar Offtrack and skilful DJs at spinning booths. Expect exciting arcade games for a sense of nostalgia and Tamiya racing – all in line with the spirit of the Singapore Grand Prix Season. Don’t forget to fill your stomachs with our communal dining experiences, bringing everyone together for a festive celebration.

📅 9 to 10 Sep 2023
⏰ 9 Sep, 3pm to 7.45pm | 10 Sep, 10am to 3.45pm
📍 Clarke Quay Central

Wellness Fest: In collaboration with Health Promotion Board, engage your mind with an exciting Word Hunt race, spanning various checkpoints along the river. Next, amp up the energy with Trampoline workout class, for a well-rounded cardio workout. Round off your day by settling down for our Serenity Sketching sessions, allowing you to artistically express your emotions and feelings.

📅 16 to 17 Sep 2023
⏰ 4pm to 8.30pm
📍 Robertson Walk

Moonlight Fiesta: Celebrate this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival by immersing yourself in curated family workshops like Bear Pour Keychain workshops to create your own bear figurines, Window Art workshops and even have a go at making your own lanterns at our Lantern Making workshop.

As the evening unfolds, be captivated by the mesmerizing lantern displays and step into the enchanting lantern festival walk alongside the Singapore River. Gather your family, including the little ones, and join in the joyous stroll along the scenic Singapore River, carrying beautiful lit lanterns. First 100 customers who sign up for the lantern walk at a registration fee will receive a goodie bag.

📅 23 to 24 Sep 2023
⏰ 12pm to 10pm
📍 CQ @ Clarke Quay

Purrfect Day to Night Out: Get ready for a tail-wagging Purrfect Day to Night Out. Dedicated to the furry companions of our lives, join the much-anticipated Best Dressed Competition, where pets don their most adorable and creative costumes to compete for the title of Best Dressed Pet.

What’s more? Make your way to the on-site retail haven, tailored to cater to your pet’s every need and desire. Immerse yourself in a diverse selection of pet products, ranging from trendy apparel and stylish accessories to delectable gourmet treats such as mocktails and ice creams.

Furthermore, ensure your pet’s well-being with the complimentary pet health checks and expand your knowledge through informative talks by experts in the field of pet care.

Amidst the festivities, relish in captivating music performances by the talented artists Harmon-ee and Jason Yu, rounding off this exceptional event with harmonious melodies.

📅 29 Sep to 1 Oct 2023
⏰ 2pm to 10pm
📍 Clarke Quay Central

WORLD X FEST 2023 JAPAN EDITION @ Clarke Quay Central: A grand finale on the final weekend – introducing a never-done-before matsuri (festival) celebrating Japanese gastronomy, anime and pop music.

Amidst all the recent Japanese craze, get to experience a taste of Japan right here at home. Explore different festival game stalls with some helm by guest cosplayers, or support local artists as they showcase their talents and creations at special mascot gijinka Cosplay competition, and win attractive prizes – all of that while revelling in J-Pop music performances by Japanese artists. Go Oishii with an array of mouth-watering delights from the food stalls, offering a diverse range of Japanese cuisine, serving up everything from savoury classics to delightful treats.

For more on the latest updates and event details, visit srf.sg and be sure to mark your calendars to join us in celebrating the Singapore River Festival 2023 – where the past meets the future!


Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 29 September this year. Remember to check out our list of Best Mooncakes and Best Bak Kwa in Singapore 2023.

Wang Lai Bakery Mooncakes

Looking for what to do during the mid-autumn festival? Read Mid Autumn Festival 2023 Events in Singapore.

Pang Sua Pond Mid Autumn Lanterns 2023


It’s the weekend and are you looking for things / activities to do? Check out our weekly roundup of Things To Do This Weekend In Singapore.

things to do over the weekend

For other upcoming events, visit Events in Singapore.

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