Historically, Singapore was seen as a place to have a quick stopover on the way to another Asian destination. These days, traveling to the country is a vacation in its own right.
You can visit Singapore at any time, but depending on your requirements, certain times of the year may be better than others. If you’re unsure of the best time for you to travel to Singapore, you may find it helpful to read this guide first.
The island nation may only be half the size of Rhode Island — the smallest US state — but there’s plenty for tourists to see and do, from Sentosa Island and Gardens by the Bay to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and a wide selection of rooftop bars.
When should I book a trip to Singapore?
Source: lonelyplanet.com
You can enjoy a trip to Singapore at any time of the year, but before you buy your tickets, it’s a good idea to ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I want the weather to be like while I’m away?
- Can I handle crowds?
- What do I want to do while I’m there?
Once you’ve answered these three questions, you will be able to make a decision about the best time to visit the country based on your requirements.
In this article, we’ll provide you with all the information you need regarding Singapore’s year-round weather, when the high and low seasons are, and what there is to do throughout the year.
What is the weather like in Singapore?
Due to its location about 85 miles from the equator, Singapore experiences a tropical climate all year round. Temperatures rarely drop below 73 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can expect rain at any time of the year. Some months see more rain than others, though, with the wet season bringing frequent heavy downpours.
For the least amount of rain, the most amount of sunshine, and the lowest humidity, the best time of year to travel to Singapore is during the dry season from February through April.
Year-round weather forecast for Singapore
To help you decide on the best time of year to travel to Singapore, here’s what you can expect the weather to be like for each month of the year:
| Average temperature | Average rainfall | |||
| High | Low | Inches | Days | |
| January | 85.8°F (29.9°C) | 73.6°F (23.1°C) | 7.80 in | 13 days |
| February | 87.8°F (31°C) | 74.3°F (23.5°C) | 6.06 in | 8 days |
| March | 88.5°F (31.4°C) | 75°F (23.9°C) | 6.73 in | 13 days |
| April | 89.1°F (31.7°C) | 75.7°F (24.3°C) | 5.55 in | 15 days |
| May | 88.9°F (31.6°C) | 76.3°F (24.6°C) | 6.22 in | 14 days |
| June | 88.2°F (31.2°C) | 76.1°F (24.5°C) | 5.51 in | 12 days |
| July | 87.4°F (30.8°C) | 75.6°F (24.2°C) | 5.71 in | 13 days |
| August | 87.4°F (30.8°C) | 75.6°F (24.2°C) | 5.63 in | 14 days |
| September | 87.3°F (30.7°C) | 75°F (23.9°C) | 6.97 in | 13 days |
| October | 88°F (31.1°C) | 75°F (23.9°C) | 6.57 in | 15 days |
| November | 86.9°F (30.5°C) | 74.5°F (23.6°C) | 9.92 in | 18 days |
| December | 85.3°F (29.6°C) | 73.9°F (23.3°C) | 11.97 in | 18 days |
When are Singapore’s high and low seasons?
Source: telegraph.co.uk
As mentioned, Singapore’s dry season runs from February through April, but its high season is November to June. This is when you will experience the most crowds, due to the holiday festivals that happen in the months when the weather isn’t the best.
It’s worth noting here that there are many business travelers throughout the year, which means hotel prices tend to remain moderate to high all year round. You can keep costs down by avoiding large-scale events and national holidays.
What events are on in Singapore throughout the year?
Many tourists make their vacation to Singapore even more special by coordinating it with one of the country’s major annual events. Here are some of the main events, holidays, and celebrations that take place in Singapore each year:
January
Source: tamilmurasu.com.sg
- Pongal — Hindu harvest festival best experienced in Little India, where the Indian community celebrates and thanks the sun god Surya
January/February
- Chinese New Year — One of Singapore’s largest festivals, which is celebrated not only by the Chinese community but everyone
- Thaipusam — A Hindu festival whereby devotees walk in procession from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple
March/April
- Hari Raya Aidil Fitri — The start of Ramadan is celebrated with lights and decorations along Changi Road and Sims Avenue
- Easter — There’s no carnival, but Easter is celebrated in churches and privately in homes
April/May
- Eid al-Fitr — The end of Ramadan is celebrated by crowds of people eating and partying in the Kampong Glam district
May
Source: blog.giftbasketsoverseas.com
- Vesak — A Buddhist festival that’s celebrated in Chinatown’s Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Bishan
June
- Dragon Boat Festival — A traditional boat race on the Bedok Reservoir
- Hari Raja — A Muslim festival and public holiday
June – August
- The Great Singapore Sale — Stores sell products from high-quality brands at discounted prices
July
- Singapore Food Festival — A festival showcasing Singapore’s delicious cuisine
- Pink Dot — An event to celebrate and raise awareness of LGBTQ+ communities
August
Source: thehoneycombers.com
- Hungry Ghost Festival — A Buddhist festival to honor the memories of the deceased
- National Day — The country’s national day is marked by flyovers and military parades
September
- Singapore Grand Prix — A motor racing event that forms part of the Formula One World Championship
- Mid-Autumn Festival — A Chinese festival to celebrate the end of the autumn harvest with mooncakes and lanterns
October/November
Source: thesmartlocal.com
- Diwali — A Hindu festival of lights, which sees devotees walking over a fire pit at the Sri Mariamman Temple
December
Source: visitsingapore.com
- Christmas — Christmas is celebrated with a fair at Gardens by the Bay and carol singers and lights on Orchard Road
- Zoukout — One of Asia’s biggest electronic music festivals
Summary
The best time of year to visit Singapore depends on your requirements. If you want good weather, the best time to travel is during the dry season from February through April. If you don’t like crowds, avoid traveling to Singapore during the dry season or when large-scale events and national holidays are happening. Alternatively, you may wish to enhance your trip by coordinating it with one of these events.
