Things to Do in Singapore October 2026: 5 Events Worth Your Time

SAM30 Festival Weekend, 2 and 3 October

Singapore Art Museum turns 30 and is throwing a weekend at its Tanjong Pagar Distripark space, 39 Keppel Road. One correction to our slide: it is Friday 2 and Saturday 3 October, not Saturday and Sunday. Friday is the big night. SAM x Thugshop: Grill & Chill runs 6pm to 9.30pm with free entry, food from Cicheti and La Birria Tacos, and sets by Sho & Tell and Yihui. The galleries are free from 7pm to 9pm.

The paid bits: SAM Late Nights with Japanese sound artist Ryoji Ikeda, 8pm to 10.30pm, $29 with a drink, and a Puzzle & Pint challenge at $15 on both days. Saturday is quieter, with free curator tours from 3.30pm. For everything else on this month, our October guide has the longer list. Saturday 3 October is also Joo Chiat Car-Free Day, 3.30pm to 9.30pm, free.

Singapore Grand Prix, 9 to 11 October

The F1 race weekend is at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with concerts across 10 stages in the Circuit Park. The Padang Stage in Zone 4 has The Killers on Saturday 10 October after qualifying and Lana Del Rey on Sunday 11 October. Zara Larsson, CORTIS (who also have a pop-up store at Plaza Singapura from 2 to 25 October), JJ Lin, Janet Jackson and Goo Goo Dolls are also on the line-up, check singaporegp.sg for which day each plays.

The organiser says several ticket categories are already sold out, so if you are still thinking about it, stop thinking. If you want the F1 feeling without a race ticket, the wider Grand Prix Season runs across the city from 2 to 11 October. We also checked which free viewing spots are actually free.

Harry Potter in Concert, Friday 9 October

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Concert is the full film on a big screen with the Resound Collective Orchestra playing the John Williams score live, conducted by Benjamin Pope. It is at The Star Theatre, 7.30pm, and runs about 150 minutes with a 20-minute interval. Tickets are $68 to $138 on SISTIC.

Our slide said 7pm, the official listing says 7.30pm. It is also the Friday of F1 weekend, so if you have friends split between the two, this is the night the group chat fights. Children under 3 are not admitted.

Singapore Dog Festival and the Toy Story x PEACEMINUSONE pop-up, from 16 October

The Singapore Dog Festival is at Palawan Green, Sentosa, from 16 October to 1 November, with dog parades, live entertainment and over 30 brands. Opening day on 16 October is only for media, Income policyholders and Sentosa Islanders. After that, Monday to Thursday from 19 October is free, 4pm to 9pm. The festival days (17 and 18, 23 to 25, and 30 October to 1 November) run 3pm to 9pm and are ticketed. Dogs and kids under 3 get in free.

FAQs

What events are on in Singapore in October 2026?

Our picks: SAM30 Festival Weekend (2 and 3 October), the Singapore Grand Prix (9 to 11 October), Harry Potter in Concert at The Star Theatre (9 October), the Singapore Dog Festival at Palawan Green (16 October to 1 November) and the Toy Story x PEACEMINUSONE pop-up at CQ @ Clarke Quay (16 October to 11 November).

Is the Singapore Dog Festival 2026 free?

Partly. From 19 October, Monday to Thursday sessions (4pm to 9pm) are free. Festival days on 17 and 18, 23 to 25, and 30 October to 1 November (3pm to 9pm) are ticketed. Dogs and children under 3 enter free.

Do you need a ticket for the Toy Story x PEACEMINUSONE pop-up in Singapore?

Yes. Entry to The First Fan at CQ @ Clarke Quay is strictly by advance reservation, with limited slots each day, from 16 October to 11 November 2026. Passes are sold on thefirstfan.sg.

When is the Singapore Grand Prix 2026?

9 to 11 October 2026 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Killers headline the Padang Stage on Saturday 10 October and Lana Del Rey on Sunday 11 October.

Is the SAM30 Festival Weekend free?

Much of it. Grill & Chill on Friday 2 October (6pm to 9.30pm) is free entry, and the galleries are free from 7pm to 9pm that night. SAM Late Nights with Ryoji Ikeda is $29 and the Puzzle & Pint challenge is $15.