Season guide · Singapore
Singapore in the northeast monsoon
December–early March: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The wet phase from November to January brings long afternoon rain and breezy, slightly cooler days; the drier phase from late January usually gives the sunniest weeks of the year. Expect highs up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 59 rainy days across December–early March. February–March are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–early March
- Temperatures
- 24°C (75°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 59
- Sea
- 27°C (81°F) to 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in the northeast monsoon
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C (86°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 15 | 12.1 h | 4/5 |
| February | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 11 | 12.1 h | 4/5 |
| March | 32°C (90°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 14 | 12.1 h | 3/5 |
| December | 30°C (86°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 19 | 12 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 31°C (88°F) against a yearly 31°C (88°F), and 59 of the year's roughly 177 rainy days fall in these 4 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in the northeast monsoon
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Chinese New Year street light-up and bazaar in Chinatown (January or February)
- January: Singapore Art Week — exhibitions across the city (usually January)
- January: Thaipusam procession from Little India (January or February)
- February: Chingay Parade — street parade around Chinese New Year (usually February)
- February: River Hongbao lanterns at Marina Bay (around Chinese New Year)
- March: Hari Raya Puasa bazaars in Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam (date moves with the Islamic calendar)
- December: Christmas events and lights at Gardens by the Bay (usually December)
- December: New Year's Eve countdown and fireworks at Marina Bay (31 December)
Good choices for the northeast monsoon
Garden · Marina Bay
Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay is a 101-hectare waterfront park whose 16-storey Supertrees are vertical gardens of ferns and orchids.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Couples
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Nature
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Chinatown
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Cover shoulders and knees (shawls are provided), then cross to Maxwell Food Centre for lunch.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Gallery · Civic District
National Gallery Singapore
The former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings were joined under a single canopy to house the world's largest public collection of modern Southeast Asian art, with strong galleries of Singaporean painting.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Views
Museum · Civic District
Asian Civilisations Museum
Combine it with a walk along the river to Boat Quay for lunch or a drink.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · Civic District
National Museum of Singapore
Singapore's oldest museum occupies a domed 1887 building near Fort Canning and tells the island's story from Temasek and colonial Singapore through the Japanese occupation to independence in 1965.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Day trips in the northeast monsoon
- Johor Bahru (About 1–2 hours including the border) — Malaysia's southern city lies just across the Causeway, with the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, an old town of shophouses and Legoland Malaysia in Iskandar Puteri.
- Batam (About 1 hour by ferry) — The closest Indonesian island is popular with Singaporeans for spa days, seafood dinners and golf.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the northeast monsoon a good time to visit Singapore?
Yes: February–March are among the best months. The wet phase from November to January brings long afternoon rain and breezy, slightly cooler days; the drier phase from late January usually gives the sunniest weeks of the year.
+What is the weather like in Singapore in the northeast monsoon?
Highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F), with about 59 rainy days over the season.