The best things to do in Singapore in October 2026

Trade your usual aquarium walkthroughs for a glowing marine adventure at Into the Glowcean, happening at Singapore Oceanarium from September 5 to November 1. Dive into a sea of neon installations, glowing marine-life sculptures and family-friendly Halloween fun, with hands-on workshops and live performances adding extra sparkle. Get up close with sea jellies, try your hand at light painting, catch an LED violin performance or take home a manta ray lantern as a luminous keepsake. 

And if you’re looking for a night out with a little more bass, don’t miss Silent Disco: Deep Blue Beats on September 19 – the Oceanarium’s first-ever silent disco. From 8pm to 11pm, slip on wireless headphones, switch between three live DJ channels and dance among marine life. 

Oceanarium tickets start from $55 for adults and $43 for children and seniors, while Silent Disco: Deep Blue Beats costs $55 separately, including access to selected zones and one complimentary drink. Get yours here.

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Think you’ve seen everything at ArtScience Museum’s teamLab Future World? Now there are even more reasons to head back to the ever-changing experience. The beloved permanent exhibition has fully reopened with newly unveiled artworks and refreshed experiences. Discover artworks that exist in a state of constant transformation – water particles flow across the artwork space, while flowers emerge and respond to changing conditions, creating an interconnected environment where every movement can send a ripple through the space. 

And that’s just the start: must-sees including Crystal Universe, Animals of Flowers, Symbiotic Lives – A Whole Year per Year, and Light Sculpture with Paper Airplane remain part of the experience, with plenty of interactive ways for little ones to get involved, too. Find out more here.

What do you know about the story behind Singapore's reserves? From October 10 to November 1, head to New Bahru School Hall for GIC's The Secret Vault: An Immersive Experience, a sensory-led journey through the decisions and principles behind safeguarding the nation’s reserves. 

Across six immersive zones, uncover stories from Singapore’s early financial history in The Archive, race against rising prices in The Global Inflation Hypermart, face uncertainty in The Weather Room and tend to an interactive garden in The Steward’s Gardens. Then explore GIC’s investments across global markets in The Globe, and shape the future you want to protect in The Reserves of Tomorrow. You’ll also receive a keychain charm created in collaboration with GIC’s social impact partner ART:DIS to take home. Entry is free, with registration here.

Calling all cinephiles and Letterboxd geeks: the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is back, kicking off earlier than usual this October. The programme presents over 100 selections from more than 50 countries, opening with South Korean director Hur Jin-ho’s historical blockbuster The Assassin(s), starring Lee Min-ho. SGIFF 2026 also debuts Junior Explorers, featuring three kid-friendly, sensory-friendly movies like the Chilean animation Brave Cat. Other highlights include Singapore Panorama, showcasing 16 homegrown shorts, and Standpoint, a series of thought-provoking films.

There’s always room to learn something new and start planning your career journey. From AI and digital skills to healthcare, finance, media and aviation, SkillsFuture Festival 2026 brings more than 140 events and activities to locations across Singapore, including the heartlands, from September 16 to October 28. 

Expect hands-on workshops, expert talks, career fairs, careers and skills advisory sessions, training opportunities, plus walk-in and virtual job interviews too, with plenty of chances to discover where your next step could take you – whether you’re a student figuring out your future, a working professional looking to sharpen your skills, considering a career switch or a lifelong learner with a curious mind. From AI-focused roadshows to community events happening across the island, the six-week festival makes learning feel a little more accessible and a lot more exciting. Find out more here.

The Singapore Grand Prix season officially kicks into high gear from October 1 to 14, 2026. Beyond the track action at Marina Bay Street Circuit, the island comes alive with free driver appearances, immersive simulators, VIP afterparties, and beachside dining takeovers. Whether you hold a match ticket or just want to soak in the atmosphere, here is a curated playbook to the best off-track activities this Formula 1 season. Find the guide here. 

Indoor playground Curiosity Cove serves up playful thrills this Halloween with its inaugural event, The Mischief Within. Kids can tackle Halloween-themed carnival games at Boo-tiful Day, make neon-glow cauldrons, and collect treats from the roaming Ranger Buddies Crew. For an after-dark adventure, sign the little ones up for Sundown, where they’ll work in groups to solve puzzles, navigate a maze, and crack a case to save the park's animals. Finish off the night with live bubble performances and a victory parade with prizes for best-dressed adventurers.

Marking its 139th anniversary and the reopening of the revamped Singapore History Gallery, the National Museum of Singapore presents Stories of Everyday. The nine-day celebration features live in-gallery performances, weaving workshops, community jam sessions, and the National Living Room nostalgic showcase. Shop handcrafted leather bags, pottery, and art prints at The Living Archive design market, which refreshes its vendor lineup throughout the event. Don't miss meet-and-greets and exclusive merch with Stoney, the museum’s new mascot inspired by the ancient Singapore Stone.

Transport yourself back to Saturday morning cartoons at Henshin Atomic Daydream, a new exhibition by Jakarta-born illustrator Ardhira Putra at Heartware Store Gallery. Blending retro-pop nostalgia with superhero culture, this vibrant showcase features new art prints, illustrations, and limited-edition collectibles inspired by Power Rangers and Ultraman. Collectors will want to snap up HeartwaveRobo, a vinyl toy created with the gallery and limited to just 100 hand-numbered pieces. Drop by on opening day for a special artist session with Ardhira.

Darker Than Wax’s daytime party Brew is back for one last hurrah – at least until next year. After a couple of stints at Air CCCC, the music collective has recently moved into a new home at Ida’s Bar in Gillman Barracks. And for its 2026 sendoff, it’s pulling all the stops, bringing its familiar DTW energy to the new digs. As usual, you can always expect an afternoon of laid-back vibes, good company and plenty of groovy tunes to get you moving on the dance floor.

Leading the charge on the decks is Ray Kong, returning to Brew after playing last year’s block party. This time, he’s going back-to-back with DTW boss Dean Chew. Also joining the daytime takeover are resident DJs Daryl Knows and Dexter Colt, who will keep things going til the party wraps.

Not all thrill-seekers are in it for the scares. Some want haunted houses and high-adrenaline thrills; others would rather solve a murder mystery, try a new after-hours experience, or embark on a family adventure.

From now until November 1, Festival of Thrills at Resorts World Sentosa brings together an exciting line-up of things to do, from Halloween events and after-dark experiences to family-friendly adventures, themed dining, gaming and more. With plenty of reasons to visit – and revisit – the real question is: what kind of thrill seeker are you? Pick your personality, then follow our guide here to get your perfect Festival of Thrills itinerary.

Animations, cult classics, and new cinema take centre stage at the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) across 11 days at Shaw Lido. Coinciding with SJ60, this year's lineup spotlights cross-cultural stories, including three films by festival ambassador Eric Khoo: Tatsumi, Ramen Teh, and Spirit World. Film buffs can also catch an extended programme by Filmhouse and the Asian Film Archive at Oldham Theatre, featuring Kon Ichikawa double-bills alongside 2K restorations of anime classics Cyber City Oedo 808 and Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.