The Singapore Night Festival (SNF) returns to the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct for its 15th edition this year, bigger than ever. From 23 August to 7 September 2024, the festival will take place over three weekends for the first time. Organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB) and supported by Lead Sponsor Samsung Singapore, this year’s festival is themed the “Art of Play.”
Inspired by the historical significance of BBB as the birthplace of some of Singapore’s first schools, including Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), St. Joseph’s Institution, and Tao Nan School, the festival explores the concept of play and childhood, bringing BBB’s heritage to life through participative experiences.
Over 50 programmes, including projection mapping artworks, performances, Festival Villages, Night Lights installations, and partner programmes, will take festival-goers on a journey to explore and learn about the rich history of the precinct.
2024 Key Highlights
Wonder World – The Machine of Nostalgia
Presented by local contemporary artist Sam Lo (a.k.a SKL0), this experience reimagines the entrancing magic of 1950s amusement parks in Singapore, inviting visitors to ponder the balance between preserving heritage and embracing modernity.
Wonder World features rides, game stalls, nostalgic trades, and a unique wrestling ring with separate live performances featuring wrestling as well as poetry. Festival-goers can win or buy souvenirs at the Meritocratic Gift Shop and explore reimagined past trades at The Bizarre Bazaar.
Early bird tickets are available from 17 July to 17 August 2024, at $20, and regular tickets at $25 from 18 August to 7 September 2024. Tickets can be purchased at http://go.gov.sg/sgnightfest.
Night Lights Installations
Everyday spaces around the BBB precinct are transformed into lighting artworks, with 10 site-specific luminous installations inspired by the concept of play.
Highlights include Rizman Putra’s “The Happiest Day of Our Lives” at Stamford Arts Centre and Pop Glitterfreak Collective’s “Delulu High” at Bugis Street Art Lane.
Interactive Installations
Regional artists like Thai interactive installation artist KIMBAB:) present works such as “Fortune Beads” at Funan Mall, engaging audiences with vibrant visual displays and captivating gameplay.
Cosmetics brand Aesop presents “Scents of Being” at the National Design Centre, exploring the deep connection between scent and self.
Projection Mapping
Returning as a festival staple, projection mapping installations will illuminate the facades of cultural buildings in the BBB precinct, including the Peranakan Museum and CHIJMES.
Featured works include “Between Threads” by Clare Chong, Jennifer O’Connor, and Taufiq Hidyat, and multiple works from the SNF Projection Masterclass.
Festival Villages
Four Festival Villages welcome visitors this year, each with its unique identity, including the debut of a late-night Festival Village at GR.iD.
Other villages include SMU Arts Fest 2024: PLAY at SMU Campus Green, Festival Village at CHIJMES, and PIXEL PARADISE at Armenian Street.
Community Activations and Performances
SNF 2024 will also feature performances celebrating creativity, heritage, and the community, including the Xinyao Singalong at Bras Basah Complex, hosted by 96.3 Hao FM DJs, and the Voices of Singapore Festival, Singapore’s largest non-competitive choral event.
Additionally, Waterloo Street Stories 2024: Interplay and Jazz’in at Capitol Singapore will offer dynamic cultural experiences through movement performances, getai shows, and jazz performances.
Samsung, as the Lead Sponsor, introduces its Galaxy AI and latest Galaxy Z Series to elevate the festival experience.
Ticketing
SNF 2024, organised by NHB with the support of BBB partners and stakeholders, runs from 23 August to 7 September 2024, with free admission and selected ticketed programmes available for purchase at http://go.gov.sg/sgnightfest.
Festival-goers can enjoy a 20% discount on Wonder World tickets when using Samsung Wallet for payment.
