When is the Best Time to Visit Singapore?

Singapore may be a small island nation, but it’s packed full of colorful culture, interesting sights, and a particularly exciting food scene. This patchwork nation, with its array of festivities, is a fascinating place to visit year-round, but is there a best time to visit Singapore?

Being situated around 85 miles from the equator, Singapore is a hot, humid country, and temperatures during the year rarely drop below 24°C. There are changes in the weather, however, with monsoon seasons bringing heavy downpours and swelteringly high humidity. 

So, to help you plan your trip to Singapore, here’s a monthly breakdown of the weather in Singapore and a round-up of its amazing festivals too.

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When is the Best Time to Visit Singapore?

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Weather in Singapore in January

January is the coolest month of the year in Singapore, but not by much. Temperatures on the island nation never really dip below 24°C, so you won’t need to pack any winter clothes. The daily average is 26°C, which is much warmer when compared to winter elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere. Temperatures can easily hit 30°C as well.

Skies at this time of year aren’t exactly brimming with sunshine. There are around 6 hours of sunshine a day. This is the monsoon season, after all. That means you can expect rain for an average of 18 days across the month; heavy downpours at that, too. 

Also, humidity doesn’t drop below 70% humidity at any time during January, so not exactly the best time to visit Singapore.

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Weather in Singapore in February

Though still firmly within Singapore’s northwest monsoon season, the rains have begun to ease by February. This month sees an average of 13 days of rainfall, which still means there’s a fair bit of cloud cover. 

Temperatures rise slightly to an average of 27°C during the day and can reach around 32°C. But because of the lack of rain and cloud cover, there’s also a drop in humidity. However, do note that Singapore, in general, is still very humid at this time; and being a city doesn’t help matters, either. You might find it’s time to head to a nice air conditioned mall while visiting to escape the heat.

The average sea temperatures in February are a balmy 28°C. So if you catch a break in the rain, it’s time to head down to the beach at Sentosa!

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Weather in Singapore in March

The monsoon season starts to wane in March, making it a good time of year to visit Singapore. It’s actually one of the sunniest months of the whole year, receiving well over seven hours a day of sunshine on average. Temperatures are similar to those in February, clocking in at around 27°C, but highs of 31°C are not unheard of.

Another good thing about visiting Singapore in March is that the presence of cooler sea breezes, especially in the afternoon, take the edge off the day’s heat and humidity. It’s a nice time to stroll around. 

That said, there’s still a chance of thunderstorms, which are short and usually accompanied by heavy rain. There’s a 40% chance of rain on any given day in March, with 17 days seeing at least some rain.

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Weather in Singapore in April

April is hot and humid, but since it’s sandwiched between two monsoon seasons, it’s probably one of the best times of year to visit Singapore. Temperatures average out at 27°C but can climb to over 30°C on any given day.

Though it’s outside of the monsoon season, there’s still definitely a chance of thunderstorms, and rain, too. There are 14 days of rain, on average, throughout April in Singapore.

If things get too hot for you, just do what the Singaporeans do and head inside. There’s almost no end to the number of air-conditioned malls and various indoor public spaces that you can duck into if the heat starts getting to you.

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Weather in Singapore in May

Temperatures continue to rise in May as the country heads into the hotter months of the year. But even so, it’s a good time to visit Singapore since it’s right before the busy summer holidays kick-off. The average temperature this time of year sits at around 27°C, with highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C.

You can still expect thunderstorms, especially in the afternoons, with rain across 19 days of the month, more than is seen in April. Hours of sunshine clock in at around six hours, with plenty of cloud cover.

Sea temperatures are 30°C in Singapore during May. That makes it a great time of year for water sports and lounging on the beach (best done in the morning). In my opinion, May is the best month to visit Singapore.

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Weather in Singapore in June

As the school holidays hit, so do the high temperatures. June is one of the hottest months in Singapore, which is saying something since it’s fairly warm all the time. The average high is around 32°C, with day temperatures hovering around 30°C. This is the official start of the “summer” season. 

It’s also the start of the southwest monsoon, but don’t worry, it’s not in full swing yet. Rain falls typically in the late afternoon or evening, but generally, you can expect pleasant days with lots of sunshine. Get ready to feel that heat; June is a sweaty month!

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Weather in Singapore in July

Hot. July in Singapore is hot and not the best time to visit. Though much of the year is above merely mild, this month sees particularly high temperatures. Daytime temps average upwards of 30°C, while nighttime doesn’t get below 28°C or  29°C. You’ll be thankful for the AC.

School holidays continue and families head to Singapore for a break, and Singaporeans themselves head to the beach. That’s probably down to the very warm sea temperatures of 30°C; it’s like getting into a bathtub!

There’s quite a bit of sunshine at this time of year, but there’s still a slight chance of rain. Usually, this happens towards the end of the day as humidity builds up. A fun fact about Singapore is that there are many little islands around, a fun thing to do in July is escape to one of these islands!

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Weather in Singapore in August

Another hot summer month in Singapore. It’s the end of the summer holidays but not the end of the heat. Temperatures reach highs of 31°C, with daytime temperatures hovering around 29°C and night temperatures seeing no respite (it never falls below 28°C). Not exactly the best time to visit Singapore.

Rainfall is slightly up on average compared to previous months, with a chance of rain over 20 days on average, and a little more cloud coverage, too. But the rain, instead of putting you off sightseeing and other activities, can often mean a refreshing break to the heat.

Sea temperatures drop, but only slightly, to 29°C; still very pleasant for a swim. 

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Weather in Singapore in September

While you may think it’s a good time to visit Singapore because the school holidays are well and truly over, it may not be great in terms of weather. Sporadic rain is more frequent in September, but again, it does bring a slight break in the heat. There’s a 40% chance of rain every day, so you’ll need both an umbrella and sunscreen, for sure.

Even though September is officially “fall”, the temperatures don’t give much sign of abating. Highs are still 31°C, while the average temperature sits around 27°C. With less wind providing those (relatively) cool breezes, it’s still pretty humid, too.

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Weather in Singapore in October

While elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere things are getting chilly, October weather in Singapore remains warm and wet. Temperatures during this month are a mixed bag. They average around 27°C, can climb way above 30°C, but can also drop to 24°C (cool by comparison).

It’s still humid during October in Singapore. But due to this being an inter-monsoon period and slightly cooler temperatures, it’s a good time to visit Singapore. There is slightly less rain (15 days or so) too, which usually arrives only in the afternoon in the form of a short downpour. No extreme crazy weather, just the odd thunderstorm. That being said we had a fantastic beach getaway to Telunas off the coast of Singapore in October.

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Weather in Singapore in November

November marks the start of the northeast monsoon in Singapore. That means the highest rainfall averages of the year are just around the corner. But it’s not all bad; the temperatures are still warm, but bearably so. It’s 26°C on average in the daytime, but with highs of 30°C.

Humidity is also on the rise, so walking just about anywhere is a sweaty business. Dipping into air-conned malls is a must, especially if you get caught in an afternoon storm.

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Weather in Singapore in December

The festive season is one of the most popular times to visit Singapore, with plenty of visitors swinging by for Christmas fun. It’s warm, so why not?

Temperatures vary between lows of 23°C and highs of 29°C, so it’s much cooler than the height of summer. It’s a nice time of year to visit Singapore if grueling temperatures aren’t your thing. However, there’s still plenty of rain. In fact, December is the wettest month of the year. Bring your poncho and your umbrella. Another downside; humidity is at a pretty unrelenting 87%.

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Fun Festivals in Singapore

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Winter Festivals in Singapore

Christianity is widespread in Singapore (as is consumerism), so Christmas is a pretty big deal in the tiny nation-state. In December, Orchard Road, the popular shopping destination, is festooned with lights, with carol singers putting on shows and plenty of festive atmosphere. Despite the humidity. There’s also the Christmas Fair at Gardens by the Bay, which is one of the best sights to see on a Singapore stopover.

January sees the festival of Pongal. Usually falling between the 14th and 17th January, Pongal is best seen in Little India, where Singapore’s Indian community creates bright patterns in celebration of harvest time, while also thanking the sun god, Surya.

Also in January is the Thaipusam, a Hindu festival of penance, which devotees mark by piercing their skin.

Chinese New Year is the biggest of them all. Held on a new moon, also known as the “Spring Festival”, this usually happens sometime in February. Not only the Chinese community, but everyone in Singapore comes out in celebration. Chinatown is busy with people watching the Chingay Parade. 

The Lantern Festival is held in Chinatown on the last day of Chinese New Year. The streets are lit up as children carry lanterns and release them into the sky.

Due to the Chinese New Year, winter is a great time of year to visit Singapore. The celebrations are immense!

Spring Festivals in Singapore

Easter is also a fairly big celebration in Singapore but is mainly confined to churches and private homes. No carnival here.

But in May, you’ll be able to witness the Buddhist festival of Vesak. This marks the birthday of the religion’s founder, Gautama Buddha. It’s an important day to celebrate both his enlightenment and death; a time of joy, peace, and reflection. You’ll see people releasing caged birds as a symbol of freeing the soul. 

Head to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, or Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Bishan for celebrations.

Muslims in Singapore celebrate Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, which marks the start of Ramadan, a month of fasting and prayer ahead of Eid itself. Light-up decorations can be seen along Changi Road and Sims Avenue. 

Summer Festivals in Singapore

The Dragonboat Festival takes place sometime in June (dates change). Head to the Bedok Reservoir and the DBS Marina Regatta to catch sight of the traditional boats racing with crowds cheering them on.

Summer also sees the end of Ramadan, which is marked by Hari Raya Haji. The district of Kampong Glam is where you’ll see crowds of people eating out and festivities in the streets.

In July the school holidays are in full swing. It’s also in this month that the Singapore Food Festival is held. It’s a celebration of all things delicious, and trust us, Singapore does food very, very well! Also in July is Pink Dot, a celebration of Singapore’s LGBTQ+ communities, designed to raise awareness and celebrate openness. Pink Fest holds various events across the city.

Flyovers and military parades mark Singapore National Day on August 9th each year. Tickets are hard to come by, but views from Marina Bay Sands or the Singapore Flyer are also good. In mid-August, it’s time for the Buddhist Hungry Ghost Festival, marked by offerings of food and fires on the street.

Fall Festivals in Singapore

September means one thing: Formula One. It’s a big deal in Singapore, but hotel prices are super expensive because of that.

Also in the fall is Diwali. Known as the Festival of Light, this Hindu celebration brings light to the dark streets and commemorates Rama’s victory over the demon king, Ravana, as told in the epic Ramayana. Following this is Thimithi. Another Hindu festival, this one sees devotees walk across glowing embers at the Sri Mariamman Temple.

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When is the Best Time to Visit Singapore For…

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Best time to visit Singapore weather-wise?

March and April are great times to visit Singapore. It’s when you stand a good chance of getting sunny skies and the weather isn’t completely boiling (though it is hot still).

When is the cheapest time to visit Singapore?

Singapore doesn’t have defined high and low seasons like many other destinations around the world. It stays pretty hot all year round and prices don’t shift as a result of a few degree difference in temperature.

To get the best deals for visiting Singapore you’ll want to steer clear of visiting around the Chinese New Year and around the Christmas Holidays as well as Formula 1. If you don’t care about the weather you can visit between November and January. This is Singapore’s Northeast Monsoon season, which will provide plenty of rain for the city. If you think that will cool things off beware it’s still quite humid.

Though if you want to find good deals on hotel rooms you should travel during the monsoon season.

Best time to visit Singapore for a honeymoon?

April and May are great weather-wise for a honeymoon. If you want to avoid the heavy tourist numbers you could travel at the tail end of summer. Late September and October see lower tourism numbers, with descent weather patterns before monsoon season.

When is the best time to visit Singapore for shopping?

The Great Singapore Sale is a shopping extravaganza that happens every year between June and August and is your best time to grab some deals on all your designer duds.

When is the best time to travel to Singapore season by season?

“High Season” Singapore doesn’t have a defined high season, but the best time to visit Singapore and when you’ll see the higher numbers of tourists are in December, January, and February for the holidays and Chinese New Year and again between June-August.

The winter travel months see people from all over flocking to Singapore for some warmth, although starting in Nover the Northeast Monsoon season starts. Expect rain in November and December, though it won’t change the weather in Singapore too drastically from other months.

Crowds are at their absolute highest in June, July, and August when a combination of summer travelers and shopaholics descend upon the city for the Great Singapore Sale. Expect temperatures to be hot, hot, hot, and humid during this time.

“Lower Season” There’s not much of a defined low season or shoulder season in Singapore. So I’ll call it a lower season. This is the time period between March and May and as well as September and October when crowds dissipate a bit. Temperatures let off a tad bit during these months providing some relief from the heat.

We traveled to Singapore from late September to October and found it to be an excellent time to travel. Though it was still hot and humid, we ourselves, who are not mall people, found ourselves in constant seek of heat relief in the city’s many malls. We also enjoyed a fabulous city break in nearby Teluna – I highly recommend checking them out!

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