Prep your tummy for the best food festivals in Singapore!
Singaporeans love to eat —yours truly included, and most people visiting us usually have food as an important part of their itinerary. What can I say; our hawker food culture has reached UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, after all!
There’s no better way to dive into the diverse food scene than attending top gourmet gatherings here which I make sure to plan my entire year around. So get ready to mark your calendars and indulge in the best food festivals in Singapore that I never miss!
Singapore Food Festival
Location: Various locations across the city
Contact: +65 9879 8864
Month: July
Price: Mix of free and ticketed events
I’ve been attending the Singapore Food Festival, typically held in July at iconic locations like Marina Bay and Chinatown, for years now. Established in 1994, it’s a vibrant celebration of our city’s rich culinary heritage and a great chance for me to stuff my face.
What makes it a must-visit? For one, it gathers local chefs, food vendors, and culinary enthusiasts, offering a diverse array of traditional and contemporary dishes in one event.
The festival typically features several distinct food zones, with heritage, modern, international, and live cooking demos being my faves. There’s even a high-end, gourmet zone with fine dining options and collaborations with renowned chefs!
Pro-tip: Bring cash or a contactless payment method, as some stalls might not accept credit cards.
World Food Fair
Location: Singapore Expo, 1 Expo Drive
Contact: [email protected]
Month and hours: September, 11 AM – 10 PM
Price: Free admission
There have been 19 editions of the World Food Fair in Singapore as of this writing, and I’m happy to report that I’ve attended several of them. Each year brings more good fare to sample and exciting events for the palate.
At my last attendance, there were more than 140 booths featuring freshly prepared dishes, name-brand frozen foods, and pre-packed delicacies to take home.
There was even an expo featuring a hundred Chinese tea varieties, which was a sophisticated and unforgettable experience for me and my date.
Pro-tip: Admission is free, but arriving early is worthwhile as the first 250 visitors each day receive a complimentary goodie bag.
Yummy Food Expo
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Location: Singapore Expo, 1 Expo Drive
Contact: [email protected]
Month and hours: August, 11 AM – 10 PM
Price: Free admission
Yummy Food Expo highlights the latest food trends and celebrates Singapore’s love for food. It’s an all-ages place to feast and shop from over a thousand F&B and lifestyle products at exclusive promo prices.
I especially love the global pavilions which spotlight several countries’ cuisines. The last I attended had a Thai and Taiwanese food showcase which made me feel like I was on an international gourmet trip.
And if you think you’d just be gorging on rich carnivorous fare here, think again. There’s a section at the expo featuring healthy and plant-based food items that even my vegetarian bestie blew a gasket over!
Pro-tip: Have a large, reusable shopping bag ready if you plan on taking home some goodies.
Food & Beverage Fair
Location: Singapore Expo, 1 Expo Drive
Contact: [email protected]
Month: March
Price: Free admission
The Food and Beverage Fair, now in its 18th edition, features over a hundred F&B exhibitors showcasing local and Asian flavours. It’s always nice to find a good mix of my favourite brands and some new product launches under one roof.
Here, I’ve gotten to try different takes on local delicacies, such as the “blackened” take on the ubiquitous chilli crab. I paired it with a local craft beer, and boy was I in foodie heaven!
Pro-tip: Start by sampling small portions from different booths to maximise your tasting experience.
World Gourmet Summit
Location: Various venues across the city
Contact: (65) 6270 1254
Month: April
Price: $$$
Started in 1997 by the Singapore Tourism Board, the World Gourmet Summit attracts renowned chefs and vintners worldwide, showcasing their creations to both trade professionals and the public. Nevertheless, it’s open to the public.
This event is what I can truly call a food porn paradise. I was especially impressed by the mobile kitchen, cooking for us at three different venues. It’s a unique twist on the traditional moveable feast through various restaurants.
And because it’s attended by top brass industry reps, expect high-quality ingredients and impeccable presentation, which was made apparent to me by the melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu beef I tried during a sampling.
Pro-tip: Prices vary by event, including gourmet dinners, masterclasses, and tastings, with some being quite expensive due to their exclusive and high-end nature.
FHA Food and Beverage
Location: Singapore Expo, 1 Expo Drive
Contact: [email protected]
Month and hours: September (biennially), 10 AM – 6 PM
Price: $$
I attended the latest FHA Food and Beverage exhibition, featuring British dairy and meat products. As Asia’s F&B hub, it brought together butchers and chefs to showcase their skills with beef and lamb (guess who was lucky enough to get a free taste?).
But honestly, I was there for the FHA Beer Awards. It’s a great opportunity to try a variety of beers and discover new favourites, even though some tastings require purchasing a ticket or paying a fee.
Pro-tip: Pricing may differ for trade visitors and the general public. Check the official event website for specific ticket information and prices.
Flavours of Tomorrow
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Location: Teletech, Singapore Science Park 2, 20 Science Park Road
Contact: [email protected]
Month: January
Price: Free admission
The Flavours of Tomorrow event in Singapore held at Teletech Park, was an eye-opening experience for me. This festival stands out by focusing on alternative proteins and sustainable food options, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in the future of food.
I sampled innovative plant-based dishes from vendors like Shandi Global and Hegg. The flavours were amazing and surprisingly satisfying. It was hard to tell that it wasn’t real chicken and egg I was munching on!
Unlike other food festivals, Flavours of Tomorrow also offers engaging talks and workshops that educate visitors on sustainable eating and food technology. It’s a great event to bring kids to.
Pro-tip: You can get significant discounts by purchasing food packages in advance at the website before the festival.
Hungry Ghost Festival
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Location: Chinatown, Outram district
Contact: +65 6221 5115
Month: August
Price: Free admission
The Hungry Ghost Festival in Singapore is a blend of religious rituals and community bonding, with food playing a central role in the celebrations. Large communal dinners, known as “Getai” musical performances, are often organised.
These feasts serve as both an offering to the spirits and a way for the community to come together. The focus here is on making offerings to appease the spirits of the deceased, with elaborate meals, incense, and joss paper rituals.
For food, I recommend sampling the traditional offerings like roasted meats, fruits, and rice, which are left out for the wandering spirits.
Pro-tip: Red is believed to attract spirits, so it’s advisable to avoid wearing red clothing during the festival.
Michelin Guide Street Food Festival
Location: Resorts World Sentosa, 1 Garden Avenue
Month: February
Price: $$
The esteemed Michelin Guide Street Food Festival brings together a curated selection of Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand street food vendors. It’s typically held at Resorts World Sentosa.
It’s my opportunity to enjoy world-class street food at incredibly affordable prices, starting from just S$2.50! Plus, the festival’s retro theme and live local music create a lively and nostalgic atmosphere that’s truly unique.
I still can’t forget my initial taste of Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, the first-ever hawker stall to earn a Michelin star. Another standout is the delicious glutinous rice with salted duck egg yolk from Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling.
Pro-tip: Entry requires a minimum purchase while VIP tickets offer access to a VIP area, tasting portions from all stalls, and a drink.
Singapore Cocktail Festival
Location: Bayfront Event Space, 12A Bayfront Avenue
Contact: [email protected]
Month: May
Price: $
How does an incredible variety of over a hundred cocktails, all reasonably priced, sound to you? If it’s an attractive offer, I suggest attending the Singapore Cocktail Festival and letting the good times roll.
I ended up trying the unique concoctions from local bars and the artisanal spirits showcased in the Artisanal Alley and was blown away by the creativity and variety of it all.
The City Takeover, which extends the festival experience across various bars in the city, adds an extra layer of excitement, making it a must-visit event for any cocktail enthusiast.
Pro-tip: Tickets are required and include a welcome drink. You can purchase them in advance online or at the door.
Latinada
Location: 9B Dempsey Road
Contact: [email protected]
Month: March
Price: $
One of the liveliest food festivals in Singapore I’ve gone to was the Latinada Festival. Held at Canchita Peruvian Cuisine on Dempsey Hill, this festival stands out with its vibrant Latin American vibes, featuring ten top chefs and live DJ performances.
I highly recommend trying the giant ceviche and the diverse tacos. They’re an explosion of flavours.
What sets Latinada apart from other food fests is its authentic celebration of Latin culture, complete with salsa classes, Zumba sessions, and live music all day. The festival’s energy is infectious, and it truly feels like a slice of Latin America right here in Singapore.
Pro-tip: Tickets, including a food and drink voucher, are available at the door.