The inaugural River Festival was held in Singapore in 2007 and has since become one of the largest parties in the city.  The festival runs for two weekends and contains many events to keep everyone entertained.

Originally held in September, the festival has now moved to the end of June and early July, to avoid clashing with the Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1 race.  Situated along the Singapore River, there are free nightly events and activities in all of the major Quays.

The Childhood Memories and Bumboat Parade is something to behold.  Five traditional Singapore bumoats are transformed into giant paper boats.  They cruise up and down the river passing Clarke Quay, Coat Quay and Marina Bay in their procession.

As part of the River Festival, the Singapore Wine & Jazz Festival will also be taking place.  Traditionally held on the final weekend of activities, Robertson Quay offers you the chance to sample a variety of wines from chardonnay to sauvignon, merlot to riesling and all with the accompaniment of some great jazz.  

The Battle of the Saxes is great event, with some amazing virtuoso performers, whiles the Ladies of Jazz features the very best female jazz musicians around.

If you’re after something a little it more traditional to the local area, then Kinestasia is an amazing event.  A multi-genre festival, which showcases the wide kaleidoscope of Asian music, performances are free and take place at the Empress Place.  Once you’ve finished there, why not head to the River Promenade, where you can here some great up and coming Asian indie bands and experience some high energy rock performances.

But the River Festival isn’t just about music.  For those who appreciate visual performing arts, the Pulse interactive art installation will send your senses to overload.  It pays tribute to the Singapore River, demonstrating the empathy between the city and the river itself.  Pulse is a journey through the senses from the historic past into the future of the Singapore River and the designers, musicians and artists who create it, certainly know how to put on a show.

This is just a small sample of some of the events that take place during the Singapore River Festival.  In effect, the whole of the river becomes a two week long party and many of the bars and nightclubs are open all night.  The atmosphere is electric and locals are proud to celebrate their River and all that it has helped the city achieve.  Singapore is a welcoming and vibrant city under normal conditions, during the River Festival it’s one of the greatest cities on earth.  If you want an off the wall, festival experience, this has got to be the best one to visit.