Your fave sustainable light festival returns for another immersive experience! Here's what you can expect at i Light Singapore 2025.
Look who’s back: i Light Singapore returns from 29 May to 21 June 2025 to illuminate the Marina Bay waterfront, the Singapore River, Raffles Place, and South Beach with 17 captivating light installations and plenty of fun activities for the family. We got a sneak peek before the official opening, so here’s everything we explored at the annual sustainable light festival.
P.S. this year’s theme, To Gather, is inspired by the colour red in commemoration of Singapore’s 60th birthday!
i Light Singapore 2025: Details at a glance
Best for: Couples looking for free date night ideas, families with kids who don’t have early bedtimes, and artsy friend groups
When: 29 May to 21 June 2025
Opening hours: 7.30pm to 11pm daily (extended hours to 12am on Fridays and Saturdays)
How much: Free admission; charges may apply for some programmes
Address: i Light Singapore 2025, multiple locations including Marina Bay, South Beach, and Raffles Place
Marina Bay installations
As with past years, the bulk of the illuminating action takes place at Marina Bay. We started at the steps of the Helix Bridge, where we spotted Mozart, a deconstructed grand piano that’s been reassembled into an abstract sphere.
It’s an interactive experience, with sensors on the steps functioning as piano keys. We had loads of fun skipping up the stairs and admiring the lights and sounds!
For more musical experiences, head to Piano Walk at Marina Bay Sands’ Event Plaza. The outdoor venue has been transformed into a larger-than-life piano that we merrily stepped on with strangers to create unique melodies.
P.S. the installation also plays an original composition by John McHugh every five minutes after visitor interactions.
At the Event Square, Embrace is a circle of life-sized silhouettes that illuminate with a touch. We placed our hands on the pads to light them up, and it was a wonderful, child-like experience when the entire circle connected, activating a music and light symphony.
After walking a little further, we found Urban Oracle at the pontoon near the Red Dot Design Museum. With 24 illuminated letters and red buttons that light up when pressed, we saw fascinating AI-generated messages inspired by Singapore’s past, present, and future.
Oh, and you can’t miss Fantastic Planet, a series of three glowing humanoid figures in different poses next to the Red Dot Design Museum. Fun fact for cinephiles: this set of artworks is inspired by René Laloux’s 1973 film La Planète Sauvage!
As we walked to The Promontory, things heated up with Sign. We’d recommend this as one of i Light Singapore 2025’s highlights – photos simply don’t do the exhibition justice! Marvel at the majestic display of “flames” created by covering bamboo poles with reflective aluminium tape to catch the light.
Keep your eyes peeled for Take a walk through the meadow with me, located on the lawn beside the NTUC Building. The dynamic garden features 300 lit blooms repurposed from acrylic waste.
We loved this immersive and interactive installation, as it responded to our movements. Get closer to the flowers and they’ll glow as music starts to play. Tip: gather more people in the meadow for an intense sensory experience.
At Clifford Square sits Elementary, where a flat screen depicts a virtual landscape inspired by the ocean. As you move, the scenery changes, mimicking and highlighting nature’s unpredictable rhythms. The artwork highlights how small actions can lead to big changes.
Singapore River, Raffles Place, and South Beach
From afar, this looks like a regular lit bridge. But, get up close to the Bridge of 1,000 Dreams at Cavenagh Bridge, and you’ll realise it’s a breathtaking mosaic. Imagine 1,000 bamboo sticks featuring Singapore-centric motifs (by local studio Binary Style). It’s a glorious sight, and we couldn’t stop admiring the heart and detail that went into its creation.
Meanwhile, Reverse Waterfall, presented on UOB Plaza’s facade, consists of LED meteor tubes that are arranged to resemble falling water. What stood out to us was how the artwork fit perfectly in the space, illuminating what was typically a grey walkway. Psst: these two works will be around till 20 July!
Next stop? Raffles Place Park to meet The Guardians. The vibrant garden is home to inflatable sculptures made with recycled materials featuring abstract representations of tropical flowers. Oh, and it operates solely on solar power!
Over at South Beach‘s Fountain Plaza, Saulux depicts wind transforming into light and sound within a field of willow twigs. How does that work? Clue: A microcomputer, which detects movement of each twig, sits at the centre of this artificial grove. We loved gently interacting with the installation to illuminate the artwork.
Finally, make your way to B1 at South Beach to check out This is Not a Screen. A quiet commentary on how screens have become inseparable from our family lives, this installation uses recycled polarised screens from digital devices and invites us to spin them while gazing at the glowing orb in the centre. Interestingly, the shifting overlap creates a cool kaleidoscope effect – no two spins have the same result!
Fun programmes happening at i Light Singapore 2025
From 29 May to 22 June 2025, 4pm to 11pm daily, popular festival village GastroBeats returns with food stalls, daily live music performances, and more. Oh, and entry is free! Look forward to watching up-and-coming musicians on stage, aspiring food content creators display their culinary skills, and home cooks do their thing.
We loved the musical time machine Rewind, Replay, Remix: SG Edition, a multi-sensory installation that led us through three zones: Retro Revival (50s and 60s), Electric Disco (70s and 80s), and Digital Pulse (90s and beyond). This one’s ticketed, with passes from $19.90, including a complimentary first drink.
Love a little camping fun? Hit up Campfyre for a cosy pop-up experience at The Promontory @ Marina Bay. You’ll be lounging under the glow of fairy lights with light bites and drinks. The non-ticketed event runs from 29 May to 1 June, 6 to 8 June, 13 to 15 June, and 20 to 21 June, 7.30pm to 11pm.
If you’re up for a dance party, sign up for Silent Disco Parade ($35) on 20 June, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. After meeting outside the ArtScience Musuem, you’ll groove along the i Light route through Marina Bay in a party like no other.
Artsy types can check out the lawn beside the NTUC building and craft personalised charms on 31 May and 7 June, 6pm and 7.30pm ($3 per pax). You’ll be provided with off-cuts from the Take a walk through the meadow with me installation, which you can fashion into unique handmade accessories.
Tips for an enjoyable time at i Light Singapore 2025
We’ve visited the festival every year, so here are some pro tips to know before you go:
- The festival may take place at night, but knowing Singapore’s weather, it’ll be humid (with random light showers). Dress comfortably and wear appropriate shoes; don’t forget to bring a water bottle, a portable fan, and a poncho. Those crowds + sharp umbrella spokes? No thanks!
- Weeknights = fewer crowds. Mondays are typically the best, based on our experiences. Golden hour (around 7pm) is great for pre-light vibes and early photos. Avoid weekends if you hate jostling for the best angles.
- Don’t be compelled to explore the whole festival in one night. If you’re too tired or pressed for time, drop by another day.
It’s time to get lit at this year’s sustainable light festival!
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the event about?
It’s Asia’s leading sustainable light art festival, where the city gets lit – and we mean literally. Think dazzling light installations by local and international artists, all centred on a theme and colour.
Is i Light Singapore eco-friendly?
That’s the whole point! The event promotes sustainability through energy-efficient installations, recycled materials, and green messaging.
How do I get there?
Hop on the MRT and alight at Bayfront, Downtown, Raffles Place, or Esplanade. The installations are walkable from there – just follow the crowds and glowing lights.
Are pets allowed?
Generally, yes – if they’re well-behaved and on a leash. Just be mindful of noise, crowds, and heat.
What happens if it rains?
It’s a rain-or-shine event. The show goes on unless there’s a storm warning.
Is there a map or guide?
A digital map and programme guide are typically released on the official website closer to launch. Keep it handy so you can plan your glow-up route.
