Step Into a World of Nostalgia at Gardens by the Bay’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival

Kick off the Mid-Autumn celebrations as Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, Desmond Lee, lights up a two-storey nostalgia-themed lantern set, designed by renowned local illustrator Lee Kow Fong.

Floating on Dragonfly Lake, the “Celebrations” (同欢童乐蜻蜓月) lantern set features over 23 traditional Mid-Autumn Festival elements, including colorful cellophane lanterns and classic treats like gem biscuits and piggy biscuits. This year’s festival takes you back to childhood playtime with nine intricately designed lantern sets and the largest Flower Carpet ever. Inspired by Singapore’s past—from the Dragon and Pelican playgrounds to the five-foot ways—these displays are perfect for reminiscing or discovering what growing up was like before.

Join in the fun as Minister Lee kicks off a Mass Lantern Walk. Light up the night with lanterns featuring Ah Guo’s signature characters and follow a lively dragon dance troupe to Supertree Grove. At Supertree Grove, Minister Lee, along with Mayors Denise Phua, Desmond Choo, and Fahmi Aliman, and over 50 community members, will place the final plants into the Flower Carpet to open it to the public.

A First for Ah Guo: From Illustration to Three-Dimensional Lantern

For the first time, Gardens by the Bay has partnered with artist Lee Kow Fong, popularly known as Ah Guo, to bring his whimsical illustrations to life in three dimensions. His beloved characters—Kiddo (小不点), Momo (默默), and Xiao P (小P)—along with a new character, Bin Bin (滨滨), will light up various lantern sets.

Explore The Shophouse (骑楼下的中秋) at Golden Garden, a stroll through traditional shophouses, and The Dragon Playground (童年游乐场) at Supertree Grove, which also features free cultural performances on selected weekends. Don’t miss Wishes Beneath the Moonlight (大嘴鹈鹕的美好世界), celebrating the nostalgic Pelican playground of Dover Road, and Vertical Mid-Autumn (小不点竖中秋), inspired by hanging lanterns on high bamboo poles. For a taste of other cultures, check out the Joyful Childhood Memories: Folk Games from Korea (快乐的童年回忆：韩国民间游戏) lantern set, presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

Ah Guo’s illustrations will also adorn an MRT carriage on either the North-South or East-West lines—another first for him.

Win Exclusive Ah Guo Merchandise and Meet the Artist

From September 4 to September 22, you could win exclusive Ah Guo merchandise like tote bags, pouches, and stickers by posting a photo of your favorite lantern set on Instagram. Tag @gardensbythebay and use the hashtags #MidAutumnGBB, #MidAutumnFestival, and #gardensbythebay, and share why you love it.

On September 17, meet Ah Guo at Gardens by the Bay for a special meet-and-greet session. You’ll even get a chance to redeem a free lantern and have it signed by the artist himself.

Nostalgia Blooms: Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Carpet Returns

This year’s Flower Carpet (花毯) continues the theme of nostalgia. Spanning 44 meters in diameter, the Flower Carpet showcases Singapore’s iconic Dragon Playground, bordered by vibrant Papilionanthe Miss Joaquim blooms. For the first time, visitors can walk on a specially designed pathway to fully immerse themselves in the installation.

Featuring 75,000 potted plants—1.5 times larger than last year’s edition—this year’s Flower Carpet is crafted from resilient chrysanthemums and Cyathula prostrata. The design includes walkways based on public feedback, providing better photo opportunities and a more immersive experience.

The Flower Carpet is open for free viewing from September 5 to September 15, from 10 am to 10 pm. Enjoy the display from the 2.5-meter viewing platform, the OCBC Skyway, or the World of Plants outdoor gardens.

Mid-Autumn Festival 2024 at Gardens by the Bay

• Date: Wednesday, September 4 to Sunday, September 22, 2024
• Time: 6 pm to 10 pm
• Location: Gardens by the Bay. Admission is free.