The Best Places In Singapore To Catch NYE Fireworks For Free
Nothing like spectacular views to ring in the new year
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to celebrate the new year! The highlight of New Year's Eve is the fireworks and while the Marina Bay area may play host to the most televised New Year’s Eve celebration in the country, it doesn’t mean it’s the only place to have some fun. Why not ring in the new year, and say goodbye to 2023, with a visit to one of these spots to admire the fireworks for free. (Alternatively, you can also catch fireworks at these heartland spots.)
Nestled in the Central Business District, this large green event space is the prime spot for the perfect view of the fireworks. Here, you get an unobstructed panoramic view of Marina Bay Sands, The Singapore Flyer, ArtScience Museum, Clifford Pier and more.
It's also where the annual Let's Celebrate 2024 countdown party will be held, with dazzling performances, food, games and drinks. And admission is free!
The gates will open at 7pm, with a lineup of fun and exciting activities beginning at 7.30pm. This popular location is likely to get crowded, so it’s advisable to get to the venue early to snag a good spot!
Located conveniently right next to the floating platform where the countdown celebrations are held, the Helix Bridge is one of the most popular and well-known places to view the NYE fireworks. However, get there early and save your spot as the bridge gets extremely packed.
If you prefer a quieter way to observe the revelries, the Bay East Garden at Gardens by the Bay is a great spot to view the fireworks away from the crowds. According to the Gardens by the Bay website, major parts of the garden are under construction and closed to the public, but visitors can still access the promenade and the area beneath the Benjamin Sheares Bridge.
A great picnic spot you can explore is the Marina Barrage. This sprawling rooftop garden is an appropriate distance away from the madding crowd, but is still near enough for you to catch the visual spectacle from the countdown party.
Also a popular destination for kite-flying, kids can expend their energy here while couples get to enjoy the cool breeze as they lie on the manicured lawn, so bring out the picnic mats. One thing to note however: Although spacious, your view might be slightly obstructed by the Marina Bay Sands building. Small price to pay, right?
Make your way up to the roof of the Esplanade in the evenings, where you’ll be greeted by a tranquil site that is peppered with soft warm light, green foliage, and landscaped gardens. Best of all, this sweet spot gives a magnificent birds-eye view of the city skyline and Marina Bay. If that's too crowded, you can also hang around at the promenade down at the waterfront.
While waiting for the perfect explosion of colours in the sky, you can also chill and dine with the young ones at the many dining spots around the area.
From the Esplanade, you can walk down to Merlion Park. This one's a little tricky, though. You'll get great views of the pyrotechnics but it'll be super crowded. Like really, really crowded. Get there early — and we mean really early — to stake out a good spot and don't leave until the clock strikes midnight. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Between The Sail and Marina Bay Financial Centre is a grass patch where you can camp out at and comfortably catch the fireworks away from the hustle and bustle of the city crowds.
If you prefer heading down south instead, another fantastic venue to park yourself at is VivoCity’s outdoor decks, where you can get a lovely view of the fireworks from the Sentosa Countdown Party. While waiting for the stroke of midnight, go for a shopping spree, have a nice meal at VivoCity, and take a stroll along the 300m waterfront boardwalk that has a panoramic view of the sea and Sentosa. If you have young kids, they would also be thrilled to take a dip at the sprawling rooftop pool while you take a coffee break. If you’re looking to unwind with a few drinks, there are also plenty of bars around.
Located in the Bukit Merah area in the central region of Singapore, the peak of Mount Faber, Faber Peak, is a great choice if you want to avoid the crowd and take your fireworks experience to new heights. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try hiking up on foot. Otherwise, it’s a quick 5-minute car ride to the top from its base. Standing at 106 metres above sea level, you can count on this hilltop destination to grant you a good view of the picturesque fireworks show.
What’s more, it’s going to be a refreshing experience to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Before that, give their restaurants — Dusk Restaurant & Bar and Arbora— a go. Surrounded by lush greenery with a selection of Western and European cuisine and great sunset views, it’ll be a romantic end to the year.
Photo: National Parks Board
Text: Natalya Molok and Em Tan
This article was originally published on Dec 23, 2018, and updated on Dec 28, 2023.