Lights by the Lake returns to Jurong Lake Gardens from 19 to 27 September 2026, 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Admission is free. The lanterns stay up until 4 October. This year's main story is Legend of the White Snake, spread across Lakeside Garden, Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden.
Lakeside Field holds five scenes of Bai Suzhen's story: the spirit taking human form, the meeting on Broken Bridge, the mortal marriage, the realgar wine reveal, and the battle at Jinshan Temple. Cloud Pagoda in Chinese Garden adds a sixth scene NParks is calling The Reunion, a rewritten ending that puts Bai Suzhen, Xu Xian, Xiao Qing and Fa Hai back together. The pagoda light show, A Love That Endures Time, runs every 30 minutes from 7.30pm to 10pm, last show at 10pm.
On 21 September the pagoda glows yellow and purple for World Alzheimer's Day. That is the one night the colour palette changes on purpose.
Chinese Garden also has Chang'e on the Cleansing Biotope Ponds (Moonlit Reunion) and the Jade Rabbit set (Whispers of the Jade Rabbit). Japanese Garden takes a different tale: Princess Kaguya at Floral Garden, koi under floating lanterns at Resthouse Pond, and a lotus wash of colour at Sunken Garden from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. If you only have one evening, walk Lakeside Field first, then Chinese Garden for the pagoda show. Japanese Garden is quieter and better if the White Snake crowds on Lakeside Field feel like a crush.
Rockestra, tours and the Science Centre next door
Opening night, 19 September, is also NParks Concert Series in the Park: Rockestra at Ficus Lawn in Chinese Garden. Cultural sets continue on other nights at Wave Plaza (Lakeside Garden), Guesthouse (Japanese Garden) and Grand Arch (Chinese Garden). LOVE 972 is the official radio station.
Free edible-garden night tours leave from Grand Arch at 6pm to 7pm on 19, 20, 26 and 27 September. Register on the Jurong Lake Gardens tours page. The gardens stay smoke-free. Candle lanterns and sparklers are not allowed. Cyclists should dismount. Go by MRT rather than car. North Carpark at 104 Yuan Ching Road is the closest lot to Lakeside Field and the food street. South Carpark at 50 Yuan Ching Road is closer to Japanese Garden. Parking is $0.60 per 30 minutes in the evening, with a $5 cap overnight.
Science Centre Singapore is running Celestial Nights: Mid-Autumn Edition in the same window, 19 to 27 September, as part of Sundown Science. The Celestial Trail is the nightly piece. Moon viewing and a Mid-Autumn planetarium show land on 25 and 26 September. On 26 September, MOONBEATS turns the night trail into a silent disco parade with three DJs before the galleries become a dance floor. That is the west-side combo: lanterns at the lake, then stars and sound next door if the kids still have legs.
The food street sits near Lakeside Field and Wave Plaza. Eat before 8pm if you want a table-ish patch of grass. After the pagoda's last show the paths thin out fast toward Chinese Garden MRT.
Nearest stations are Chinese Garden (EW25) for the Chinese Garden gate and Lakeside (EW26) for Lakeside Garden. Jurong East (EW24/NS1) is the interchange if you are coming from the malls. The festival is organised by NParks with Science Centre Singapore, Singapore Chinese Orchestra, Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and the People's Association among the listed partners. Group tours need a permit. Do not bring your own stage, tent or PA.
Practical details
- Dates: 19 to 27 September 2026 (lanterns until 4 October 2026)
- Time: 6.30pm to 10.30pm daily. Cloud Pagoda light show 7.30pm to 10pm, every 30 minutes.
- Venue: Jurong Lake Gardens, Yuan Ching Road, Singapore 618665
- Nearest MRT: Chinese Garden (EW25) or Lakeside (EW26)
- Price: Free admission. Food, carnival games and some Science Centre programmes are charged separately.
- Website: Lights by the Lake (NParks)
