Where Design Meets River: Singapore River Festival 2025

circular connection
Sep 13
2 min read

A visual feast unfolds along the riverbanks as Singapore River Festival celebrates ten days of design, light, story‑telling and sustainability.

Colorful scene featuring animals and people on a bright pink and blue setting. Text: River of Dreams, 12-21 Sep. Vibrant, festive mood.

A Festival Forging Connections through Design and Community

Singapore River One presents the 9th edition of the Singapore River Festival, running from 12 to 21 September 2025, held in collaboration with Singapore Design Week. The river precincts of Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, and Robertson Quay are transformed into hubs of creativity, heritage reimagination, arts‑experiences, and sustainable living.

This year the festival also doubles down on environmental impact. Selected events will run on clean energy batteries supplied by GoRental instead of traditional generators. In addition, audio experiences for projection‑mapping shows and outdoor screenings will be delivered via the Cinewav app so visitors may use their personal headsets. This initiative helps cut down on noise pollution and energy consumption.

Some Highlights Across the Quays

Giant animated faces projected on buildings at night by a river. City skyline with moon, vibrant lights reflect on the water's surface. Calm mood.

Venue	Key Experiences
Boat Quay	River of Dreams (12-14 Sep & 19-21 Sep, from 7:30pm onwards) — immersive projection mapping show (in front of UOB Plaza), with an AI‑generated finale based on submitted dreams.
Clarke Quay	SingaPaw Dream — a pet‑friendly event (13‑14 Sept) with obstacle challenges, pet market, photo zones and cruises with fur‑friends. Also My Melody & Kuromi Kawaii Walk and other community activities.
Robertson Quay	Artisanal & sustainable markets, workshops (e.g. upcycling), open‑air silent movies, local art & craft offerings.
Bridges (Cavenagh, Read, Robertson Bridges)	Symphony of Lights — nightly illuminations from 7.30pm–10.30pm, blending storytelling, lightscapes, and their architecture.

Singapore River Festival 2025 - Details You Should Know

Dates: 12—21 Sep 2025
Venues: Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay along the Singapore River.
Admission: Many events are free; others require registration or tickets. Fees apply for some workshops or guided walks.
Getting there: Well‑served by MRT and buses; walking along the river is encouraged to soak in the festival atmosphere.

Why It Matters for Sustainability & Circular Design

Use of clean energy batteries reduces reliance on diesel generators.
The Cinewav app approach reduces amplified sound usage and helps reduce noise pollution.
Focus on artisanal, sustainable crafts, upcycling workshops and conscious design: giving products second life and raising awareness about circularity.

Tips for Festivalgoers

Bring a portable headset or earphones for audio via Cinewav.
Plan to visit the bridges after sunset for the light shows.
For pet events, check rules in advance (leash, safety).
For workshops or guided walks, register ahead if required.
Stay hydrated and dress for tropical weather.
Bring wet weather gear such as umbrellas, ponchos or light raincoats, as this is an all-weather event and most activities will continue rain or shine.