Lanterns, Lights, and Childhood Delights: My Magical Evening at Gardens by the Bay

It's the Mid-Autumn Festival!

I just got back from exploring Gardens by the Bay, feeling a bit tired from all the walking and navigating through the crowd. It might have been exhausting, but it was totally worth it! I went to check out the Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns, displays, and the carnival. I felt like a kid again—excited and ecstatic as I took in the bright lights and food stalls!

Starting from the Bayfront MRT station, I walked through the long corridor leading to the Dragonfly Lake, where a floating lantern greeted me.

It was only around 6:30 PM, and since the sky was still bright, the lantern lights hadn't been turned on yet. So, I headed to the Colonial Garden area to see if there were any displays there.

I found myself admiring a piece of "garbage art" that resembled a huge tiger or cat. Regardless of what it was, I thought it was amazing, especially considering the materials used and the sheer scale of the sculpture.

After a short walk, I reached the carnival area!

I’m glad I took this route before heading straight to the Supertree Grove. It was amazing to see kids having a blast while their parents cheered them on and took photos and videos. Watching the carnival brought back fond childhood memories, and I'm sure it would evoke similar feelings in anyone who experienced this during their own childhood.

From there, I walked toward the Supertree Grove. As much as I wanted to explore other parts of the garden, the sun was setting, and I wanted to capture the blue hour in my photos of the main attraction.

I entered the Supertree Grove from the right side, where lanterns were arranged in a beautiful arch.

It was perfect timing because they had just turned on the lights as I arrived. Walking through the lantern arch led me to a massive display of plants and flowers forming the iconic Toa Payoh dragon, which was incredible! There was even an elevated platform where people could stand to get a better view of the flower arrangement.

Next, I made my way to the center of the Supertree Grove to see the other displays and booths.

One booth had a long line of people waiting to buy balloons and traditional toys. These toys are an important part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, creating lasting memories for the kids, along with traditions like eating mooncakes and listening to stories from the elders.

The food stalls were a hit! People were lining up, and I couldn’t even squeeze in to buy anything because of the long queues. As much as I wanted to try some of the delicious food, I decided to just take photos and keep moving to see the rest of the displays.

A live band was playing, and their variety of instruments brought the festival to life. I loved their music, and they did a great job interacting with the audience.

And then, the most wonderful part of the evening—being surrounded by the glowing Supertrees, set against a backdrop of the deep blue sky! I was so glad the weather cooperated and gave me this beautiful experience.

There was also a giant lantern attached to one of the Supertrees. I’d guess it was about 10 meters tall, considering the Supertree it was attached to was around 25 meters high.

On the other side of the grove, there was a smaller carnival set up for kids. The rides were adorable mini versions of real ones, like a mini Ferris wheel and Viking ship!

From there, I followed a passageway lined with hundreds of lanterns all the way to the exit. The round lanterns looked stunning with their unique designs.

Finally, I circled back to Dragonfly Lake to see the floating lantern lit up. It was mesmerizing how it gently floated on the lake, its bright colors reflecting beautifully on the water.

Overall, the Mid-Autumn Festival at Gardens by the Bay was an enchanting experience filled with vibrant lights, nostalgic moments, and a lively atmosphere. Despite the crowds and the tired feet, it was a night well-spent, leaving me with lasting memories of the festival's magic.