The Best Time to Visit Singapore

Deciding the best time to visit Singapore depends upon whether you want to avoid busy periods during festivals or embrace the crowds and join in the fun. If you want to maximize dry weather, the best time to visit Singapore is during the summer months of June, July, and August.

Singapore is a serious melting pot for different religions and ethnic groups, especially Chinese, Malay, and Indian. Plus, the tiny island nation, which is a city-state, has one of the largest percentages of foreign workers in the world. With so many nationalities in one place, there's always something to celebrate. You can unexpectedly find yourself in the midst of a massive festival or street procession you didn't know was coming.

The Weather in Singapore

Singapore is located extremely close to the equator. It's just around 85 miles to the south of the city. You'll never be cold in Singapore unless it's because the air conditioning is perpetually cranked to the maximum inside of the many shopping malls. Museums and movie cinemas are even worse—take a jacket! Temperatures remain consistent throughout the year, with highs of 89 degrees Fahrenheit and lows in the mid-70s.

Many first-time travelers to Singapore are surprised to see so much green space and the abundance of walking trails. They expect a futuristic city where soulless concrete and moving sidewalks have replaced all greenery. But the island stays green for a reason: Singapore gets a lot of thundershowers. Unlike the rest of Southeast Asia where there is little to no rain during peak dry season, unexpected showers pop up often in Singapore. Fortunately, they usually don't last long, and the sun returns to raise humidity. The average humidity in Singapore is above 80 percent.

Rainfall is mostly consistent throughout the year except for additional rain in November, December, and January. Singapore experiences the wettest months during the monsoon season between November and January.

What to Do When It Rains in Singapore

Singapore averages 167 rainy days per year—that's nearly one out of two days a year with a bit of rain. Along with an interconnected matrix of shopping malls, indoor food courts, and local markets, there are plenty of world-class museums in Singapore to enjoy during passing showers.

Smoke and Haze From Sumatra

Singapore receives predictable haze and smoke annually from slash-and-burn agricultural fires that rage out of control in nearby Sumatra, Indonesia, just to the west. The pollution created by these fires is only one more example of how unsustainable palm oil plantations have become an ecological disaster. Despite an outcry from the government, the fires typically begin around May and can continue throughout the dry summer months until September.

Changes in wind direction can sometimes carry haze away as quickly as it came, so you shouldn't avoid visiting, unless you suffer from respiratory problems. On days when particulate levels rise too high, the air may irritate eyes and cause choking. Locals often opt to wear protective masks when the haze comes; you can get yours in any pharmacy.

On some years, particulate levels in the air rise above "safe" thresholds, forcing some business closures. Travelers with respiratory problems should check the haze in Singapore website created by the National Environment Agency to see if haze is a severe threat. On some very hazy days in the past, residents have been advised to minimize outdoor time and remain indoors.

Public Holidays in Singapore

Residents in Singapore enjoy 11 national holidays annually to accommodate the four major religious groups (Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, and Christian). Some secular holidays such as New Year's Day (January 1), not associated with specific groups, are also observed.

Some festivals such as Lunar New Year span much longer than a single day, and locals request holiday time before or after to maximize time off. Businesses owned by specific ethnic groups may still be closed in observance, and travel may be affected.

If a public holiday falls on Sunday, businesses will close Monday instead. The Ministry of Manpower sets the dates of public holidays in Singapore each year. Check their calendar if your time in Singapore is short.

Many festivals and holidays in Singapore are based on lunisolar calendars, so dates change from year to year.

Holidays differ between ethnic groups. The regular public holidays for Singapore include:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Chinese New Year (two days celebrated in either January or February)
• Good Friday (March or April; dates vary)
• Labour Day (May 1)
• Vesak Day (dates vary; usually in May)
• Hari Raya Puasa (dates vary based on Ramadan)
• National Day (August 9)
• Hari Raya Haji (dates vary)
• Diwali (Deepavali) (dates vary; usually October or November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• Polling Day General election and presidential election days are also public holidays

Peak Season in Singapore

As usual, traveling during big public holidays may be fun but expect higher prices for accommodation. Hotels often inflate rates for the increased demand, particularly during the Lunar New Year.

Festivals and Events in Singapore

The worst-case scenario for visiting Singapore is to turn up just a day or two after a major festival. With poor timing, you'll deal with the crowds and higher prices without getting to enjoy the festival itself. The largest festivals affecting transportation and accommodation in Singapore are Christmas (yes, the one on December 25), Lunar New Year in January or February, Ramadan, and National Day. You'll find many smaller events, parades, and celebrations throughout the year to enjoy other Asian festivals.

Spring

Spring in Singapore kicks off the country's dry season, making it a mostly pleasant time to visit. Temperatures are usually a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit, low of 78 degrees.

Events to check out:

• Singapore International Film Festival is the country's longest-running independent cultural event. It's held every April.
• In May, Singapore Airlines sponsors the Singapore Airlines International Cup. With a S$3 million prize (around 2.1 million USD), it's one of Asia's richest horse racing events, attracting hordes to the Turf Club.

Summer

Summer is Singapore's driest season and one of the most popular among visitors, but you should consider air quality when you visit. Despite plenty of effort to curb the slash-and-burn agricultural practices in neighboring Sumatra, they continue, and the smoke and haze create poor air that quality chokes up locals and travelers every summer.

Events to check out:

• Singapore Food Festival is a month-long celebration of food usually in July.
• The Great Singapore Sale is heaven for shoppers. From May through June department stores, malls, and individual boutiques offer incredible discounts and host late-night shopping events.

Fall

Early fall sees a break in the tourist traffic that plagues summer. If you come early enough, you also can shop at the very end of the Great Singapore Sale.

Events to check out:

• The Singapore Grand Prix is part of the Formula One World Championship. It's held each fall at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Winter

Even February, often the driest month in Singapore, still averages about six inches of rain. You'll see plenty of residents carrying umbrellas at all times; they're useful for both hot sun and unexpected rain.

Events to check out:

• The Chingay Parade is a yearly street parade that takes place in February. The colorful ceremony celebrates the birthdays of the Chinese deities.
• ZoukOut, one of Asia's largest dance music festivals, takes place each year in December.