Asia

Singapore in October

Inter-monsoon thunderstorms grow, and Deepavali (October or November, date shifts) turns Little India into a festival of lights.

GoodHot with building storms, highs near 88F (31C)

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

The straight answer

October is a good month to visit Singapore. Inter-monsoon thunderstorms grow, and Deepavali (October or November, date shifts) turns Little India into a festival of lights.

Weather: Hot with building storms, highs near 88F (31C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What October is like in Singapore

October is hot, with highs near 88F (31C) and building afternoon thunderstorms as the inter-monsoon season grows. Crowds and prices are mid-range. Deepavali, which falls in October or November depending on the year, turns Little India into a festival of lights for weeks around the holiday.

It is a good month for culture and food lovers who can plan around afternoon rain. Outdoor-heavy trips are better in March. If Deepavali lands in October this year, the Little India bazaars are the best browsing of the year. Plan outdoor sights for the morning and keep afternoons flexible.

Make the most of October

What is especially good about Singapore this month.

Deepavali lights in Little India

When Deepavali falls in October, Little India strings up light displays for weeks. Evening walks through the bazaars are the highlight.

Storm-proof museums

Afternoon storms are a good time for the city's museums and Jewel Changi.

Morning zoo visits

The zoo is best early, before heat and storms build.

What to pack for October

An umbrella or light rain jacket
Quick-dry clothes
Sandals that handle puddles
Modest clothes for temples

Our timing tip

Check whether Deepavali falls in October or November this year, and plan an evening in Little India during the light-up weeks.

Book Singapore for October.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Singapore
Opens a hotel search for Singapore in October, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for October
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 October. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in October

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.

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 October, quick answers

Is October a good time to visit Singapore?

October is a good month to visit Singapore. Inter-monsoon thunderstorms grow, and Deepavali (October or November, date shifts) turns Little India into a festival of lights.

What is the weather like in Singapore in October?

Hot with building storms, highs near 88F (31C).

Is Singapore crowded in October?

Crowds in Singapore are moderate in October; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Singapore in October?

Deepavali (october or november, date follows the hindu calendar).