Singapore may be a minuscule country by size, but one that packs a punch when it comes to spectacular attractions. This island state has successfully implemented what many others could not – making a city thrive among nature, a balance so unperturbed that one moment you are on a busy road and the next moment you are walking among lush foliage.
Singapore has creatively integrated nature into its urban scenery, even with man-made techniques, and you can find the biggest example of this at Gardens by the Bay. A vast area dedicated solely to millions of plants and flowering shrubs crafted into fascinating gardens, this attraction has become an iconic representation of Singapore’s vision to build a harmony of modern and natural living, especially through the colossal Supertrees.
As magnificent as these vibrant vertical gardens towering over Gardens by the Bay look in the day, they seem even more bewitching at night, for the show that takes place here after dusk puts you in a hypnotic trance. Here’s all you need to know about the famous Gardens by the Bay Rhapsody show.
What is it about?
Singapore really knows how to put on a dazzling show, be it the Spectra show at Marina Bay, the Wings of Time at Sentosa Island, or the Gardens by the Bay Rhapsody show. Among these, the Garden Rhapsody is a stunning, synchronised show of lights tuned to original music scores from popular movies and theatres, such as The Phantom of the Opera and Star Wars. This whole show lasts only for about 15 minutes, but that is enough to find yourself mesmerised by the Supertree Groves that light up in thousands of dazzling, colourful LED lights.
Where does the show take place?
The show takes place in the Supertree Groves in Gardens by the Bay, a collection of 12 tree-shaped horticultural towers. They soar skywards 50 metres above the ground, with a couple of them connected by a suspended walkway known as the OCBC Skyway. These Supertrees may look like some wild nature-meets-modernity installation, but there is more to it.
As dawn arrives and the city starts twinkling in city lights, these Supertrees put on an exhilarating sound-and-light show where each tree comes alive with bursts of vivid lights, matching every beat and note of the harmony playing through 68 speakers installed in the surrounding. This spectacle makes you marvel in awe, as if you are experiencing a live orchestra under a colourful canopy with the backdrop of starry skies. With a stellar play of light and sound, the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show amps up the ‘wow’ factor and the appeal of Singapore further!
During certain months, the lighting and the music are organised to suit a theme. For instance, one of the themed shows transports you to witness the otherworldly ambience of the Northern Lights without moving to another continent! ‘Borealis,’ a breathtaking art installation by Switzerland based artist Dan Acher, together with the musical magic of French composer Guillaume Desbois, takes you on a journey of witnessing a spectacle that’s only possible to view in polar countries.
What is the timing of the show?
The show happens twice every night. The first show starts at 7.45 pm, and the second show is around 8.45 pm. Both shows are around 15 minutes long. Unless it is an extreme weather condition, the shows run daily, irrespective of sunshine, grey skies, or drizzling evenings.
How long is the show?
The show is quite short, just around 15 minutes, but with such a bewitching display, you get so immersed that you won’t feel the time pass by.
Is it a paid show?
That’s the best part of it! This show is completely free of charge to enjoy! There’s no fuss about any long queues or early bookings, as you do not need to purchase Gardens by the Bay tickets to enjoy this show.
However, it is highly recommended to enjoy the complete experience of what is in store for you at Gardens by the Bay. Within Gardens by the Bay lie two of the most popular attractions in Singapore: the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest, which are surreally gorgeous nature-themed sights to experience and are worth every dollar you’ve spent.
Coming back to Gardens by the Bay Rhapsody show, you can simply arrive a bit earlier than the show’s starting time to catch a good spot on the cobblestone pavement below the Supertrees. Sit back (or lie down facing the sky if you desire) and wait for these giant artificial trees to begin to glow and pulsate in colourful lights. The wave of serenity the whole experience offers is one of the reasons, Garden Rhapsody show deserves a spot on all types of Singapore tour packages.
What should you do once the show is finished?
Well, there’s plenty to do! Since the show is set in the Marina Bay area, you can explore another free show – Spectra, just near the Apple showroom at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Once you are done with that, explore this mega mall or head to Clarke Quay to explore the nightlife. You can even take a ride on the Singapore Flyer to get a fantastic panoramic view of Singapore’s city lights from every vantage point.
How to reach?
Reaching Gardens by the Bay is easy! All you need is an EZ-Link card and a knack for reading Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) map.
The Mass Rapid Transit is the most convenient way to explore Singapore. Just head to the nearest MRT and take a short ride to change lines and connect anywhere on the Circle Line (the yellow, circular route on the MRT System map) or the Downtown Line( blue- coloured route on the map). Alight at Bayfront Station, take Exit B, and walk through an underground linkway from the station towards the Dragonfly Bridge. Walk across, and you will be greeted by the Supertrees in the distance.
Alternatively, you can also choose an MRT route that lets you take the Thomas-East Coast Line (brown-coloured route on the map) and alight at Gardens by the Bay directly. From there, it’s just a short, 15-minute walk to reach the spot where the Garden Rhapsody light show takes place. There are plenty of signboards to guide you to reach the Supertree Grove.
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Featured Things To Keep In Mind While Enjoying Garden Rhapsody Show
- Don’t forget to charge your smartphone or camera! Apart from taking stunning pictures, you would certainly want to record this to revisit whenever you feel like.
- Keep an umbrella handy at all times, as Singapore is known to have bouts of rain at any time of the year.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes as you will be walking a lot in Marina Bay.
- Be a mindful, gracious global citizen while visiting the attractions. However, Singapore does ensure you maintain discipline, because breaking a law, even for littering at attractions, can attract heavy fines.
- The Supertrees glow enchantingly against the dark skies, so catch the 8:45 show for an iridescent experience. This slot sees fewer crowds as well.
Conclusion
Marina Bay is one of the places where you can enjoy fascinating experiences and activities in Singapore. Hence, we suggest spending a whole day here, starting with a Singapore River Cruise ride, then visiting Gardens by the Bay and the spectacular Rhapsody show, and finally spending your time in the opulence of The Shoppes at Marina Bay. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner at a chic restaurant or at the food court and call it a day well spent, with sore feet but a fulfilled soul. Among these activities, the Garden Rhapsody Show steals the spotlight, etching its enchanting music and visual spectacle in your mind so deeply that next time you think of Gardens by the Bay, we bet that the twinkling vibrance of the Supertree Grove will be what you will imagine first.
