Yes, it’s free. The Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay runs until Sunday, 27 September 2026, 6pm to 10pm every night, and you don’t need a ticket to walk around and look at the lanterns. The actual Mid-Autumn day is Friday, 25 September, so that week will be the busy one. Our tip: eat first. Bugis is two MRT stops from Bayfront, and a hungry kid under a giant lantern is nobody’s idea of fun.
When is it on, and what does it cost?
- Dates: now until Sunday, 27 September 2026.
- Hours: 6pm to 10pm daily, per the Gardens by the Bay event page.
- Entry: free.
- Where the lanterns are: spread across the outdoor gardens: Golden Garden, Supertree Grove, Dragonfly Lake, The Planet and the Colonnade. The theme this year is Fenbao, a local cartoon character, and her friends.
- What costs money: the marketplace, carnival games, family rides and the craft activities. Walking around looking is free. The rides are where the evening quietly gets expensive, so maybe settle the budget before the kids spot them.
- Bonus for residents: Singapore resident kids aged 12 and below get into the Flower Dome free from 5 to 27 September. Adults still pay the usual rate.
How do I get there?
Take the MRT. The Gardens say it themselves: car park lots are limited, and in festival week you really don’t want to be circling for one. Get off at Bayfront or Gardens by the Bay station and follow the signs.
A few things worth knowing before you go:
- Lanterns must be battery-operated. No open flames, so leave the candle lanterns at home.
- Performances are cancelled if it rains. The displays are outdoors too, so check the sky before you leave.
- It’s all outdoors and you’ll walk a fair bit. Singapore evenings stay warm, so bring water and let the little ones wear comfortable shoes.
Where should we eat before the lanterns?
Two stops away. Bugis is on the Downtown Line, then Promenade, then Bayfront, so it’s a short ride in either direction.
We’re at 230 Victoria St, #B1-K11 to 11A, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188024, open Monday to Sunday, 11:00 to 22:00. It’s just steps from Bugis MRT.
Here’s the thing about timing: we close at 10pm, and so do the lanterns. So there’s no “grab something after” plan. Come around 5pm, eat, then ride over for when it gets dark.
What works for a group heading out to walk around:
- Taiwan Popcorn Chicken, $6.90. Bite-sized, fried with basil in the oil. Easy to share and nobody fights over the last piece. Okay, maybe they do.
- Original Chicken, $6.90. Chicken thigh, marinated before frying. The one to get if it’s someone’s first time.
- Tofu Fries, $3.90. Meat-free, fluffy inside. Most people walk straight past it, which honestly is their loss.
- Golden Sweet Potato Fries, $4.60. Ask for the Sour Plum powder. Sweet-sour, and it’s the pairing we’d point you to.
- Moon River Honey Jasmine Milk Tea, $4.50 medium, $5.50 large. Floral and light. We can’t say the name was picked for Mid-Autumn, but it does suit the week, lah.
One thing we’d rather say upfront, especially if you’re going with a mixed group of friends or family: all our food is prepared with no pork and no lard, and we are not halal certified. That’s the honest, direct answer. The longer version is in our halal article. It’s a real middle ground for a shared table, but it isn’t certification, and we won’t pretend it is.
We’ve been women-owned since 2009, co-run by Phoebe and Yadah, and our kitchens have run on that same rule the whole time.
Want to know what else is in the mall? See our Bugis Junction food guide. If you’re coming straight off the train, there’s also Taiwan food near Bugis MRT.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Gardens by the Bay Mid-Autumn Festival free? Yes. Walking around and seeing the lanterns is free, from 6pm to 10pm. The marketplace, carnival games, family rides and craft activities cost extra.
When does it end? Sunday, 27 September 2026. Mid-Autumn day itself is Friday, 25 September, so expect that week to be the most crowded.
Which MRT station is nearest? Bayfront or Gardens by the Bay. The Gardens recommend taking the MRT because parking is limited.
What happens if it rains? Performances get cancelled in wet weather. The lanterns are outdoors, so a heavy shower means waiting it out or trying another night.
Can we eat at I Love Taimei after the lanterns? Not really. Our Bugis Junction outlet closes at 10pm, the same time the festival ends. Eat before you go instead. Bugis is two stops from Bayfront on the Downtown Line.
Before you go
Free lanterns, two MRT stops from dinner, and it’s over by 27 September. Eat early, bring water, keep an eye on the weather, and settle the ride budget before anyone sees the carnival.
Taste it for yourself โ 14 outlets island-wide. No pork, no lard.
