Asia

Singapore in November

The northeast monsoon's heavy rains arrive. Fine for a museum, hawker, and mall trip; frustrating for outdoor-heavy plans.

TradeoffsThe wet season begins in earnest, highs near 87F (31C)

The domes of Gardens by the Bay, Singapore — SingaporePhoto: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

November is a month of real tradeoffs in Singapore. The northeast monsoon's heavy rains arrive. Fine for a museum, hawker, and mall trip; frustrating for outdoor-heavy plans.

Weather: The wet season begins in earnest, highs near 87F (31C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What November is like in Singapore

November is when the northeast monsoon arrives in earnest. Highs are near 87F (31C), and heavy rains become common. Crowds and prices drop, making it one of the cheaper months. Deepavali lights may still brighten Little India, and Orchard Road's Christmas lights start in mid November.

It is fine for a museum, hawker, and mall trip, but frustrating for outdoor-heavy plans. Families wanting Sentosa beach days or long zoo visits should pick February or March. Budget travelers will find good value here, and the hawker centers, museums, and malls carry on as normal whatever the sky does.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Singapore this month.

Christmas lights begin

Orchard Road's holiday light display starts in mid November and runs through December, rain or shine.

Deepavali, some years

When Deepavali falls in November, Little India's light displays and bazaars are in full swing.

Lower prices

Hotel rates are among the lowest of the year, making it a good value month.

What to pack for November

A sturdy umbrella
Quick-dry clothes and sandals
A light layer for indoor spaces
A waterproof phone pouch

Our timing tip

Plan each day with an indoor backup, since November storms can be long and heavy.

Book Singapore for November.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Singapore
Opens a hotel search for Singapore in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Singapore
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Singapore
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Singapore for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in November

Deepavali

October or November, date follows the Hindu calendar

Little India strings up spectacular light displays for weeks around the festival. The bazaars are the best browsing of the year.

Christmas on Orchard Road

Mid November through December

One of Asia's great holiday light displays runs the length of the shopping district, rain or shine.

Things to do in Singapore

Full guide

Gardens by the Bay

The Supertree Grove light show runs nightly and is free; the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories are air-conditioned mid-day salvation.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

A hawker center crawl

Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat, Old Airport Road, Tiong Bahru: pick two per day, follow the longest local line, and share tables like everyone else.

Tickets and tours →

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark and the bay loop

The skyline walk around Marina Bay at dusk, capped with the light-and-water show, is the city's signature evening.

Tickets and tours →

Singapore Zoo and Night Safari

Consistently ranked among the world's best zoos; the Night Safari is a genuinely different experience worth the second admission.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Chinatown, Kampong Glam, and Little India

Temple-hop the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Sultan Mosque, and Sri Veeramakaliamman in one day; each district peaks during its own festival season.

Tickets and tours →

Sentosa Island

Universal Studios, beaches, and the SkyHelix. Weekday mornings beat weekend crowds; regional school holidays fill it fast.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Structure every day around the equatorial clock: outdoor sights at morning opening, air-conditioned museums and malls through the afternoon storm window, and the bayfront after dark.
Visit Gardens by the Bay's conservatories at opening or after 6pm; midday brings both the tour groups and the heat.
Check the F1 race weekend in September before booking; hotel prices citywide can double for those dates.
Sentosa and the zoo are weekday-morning plays; Singapore's own families fill them on weekends and during June and December school holidays.

Know before you go

Chinese New Year (late January or February) closes some family-run shops and hawker stalls for one to three days, especially in Chinatown; malls, attractions, and most restaurants carry on.
There is no seasonal closure anywhere: every attraction runs 365 days a year, which is exactly the point of Singapore. Public holidays bring crowds, not shutters.
The F1 weekend in September closes downtown roads around Marina Bay for the street circuit; getting around the affected zone takes longer for several days.
Afternoon thunderstorms briefly close outdoor cable cars, the Sentosa beaches' water activities, and open-air decks; everything reopens once lightning passes, usually within the hour.

Singapore in November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit Singapore?

November is a month of real tradeoffs in Singapore. The northeast monsoon's heavy rains arrive. Fine for a museum, hawker, and mall trip; frustrating for outdoor-heavy plans.

What is the weather like in Singapore in November?

The wet season begins in earnest, highs near 87F (31C).

Is Singapore crowded in November?

November is one of the quieter months in Singapore; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Singapore in November?

Deepavali (october or november, date follows the hindu calendar); Christmas on Orchard Road (mid november through december).