# Family-Friendly Events in Singapore, 7–13 September 2026

Things to do with kids in Singapore, published 2026-09-10 by Coparent. Canonical: https://coparent.sg/blog/family-friendly-events-singapore-7-13-september-2026.html

Lanterns go up at Gardens by the Bay, the river festival opens along the quays, a weekend of remembrance at Changi and Bukit Chandu, and the CDA First Step grant explained.

## Things to do this weekend

**Liberation of Singapore weekend** — Fri 11 – Sun 13 Sep · Free
Changi Chapel and Museum; Reflections at Bukit Chandu. Talks, performances and daily craft stations at both sites — a songkok to make at Bukit Chandu, cardboard binoculars at Changi — plus guided heritage-tree walks with NParks at Pasir Panjang. Better for seven and up. [Details](https://www.nhb.gov.sg/)

**Singapore River Festival opens** — Fri 11 – Sun 20 Sep · Free
Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay. The 10th edition, themed The Quay Collective, runs ten days along the three quays. The walk from Boat Quay to Robertson Quay with the lights on is the family version; programme details are on the festival site. [Details](https://www.singaporeriverfestival.sg/)

**Heritage Festival, final weekend** — To Sun 13 Sep; Fort Canning Centre 10am–10pm at weekends · Free
Singapore Botanic Gardens and Fort Canning Park. Last two days of the festival's programme; the three exhibitions stay open after it ends, the Fort Canning ones to 31 March 2027. [Details](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/news/news-detail/from-glowing-fungi-to-creepy-crawlies--discover-the-hidden-worlds-of-nature-and-history-at-the-singapore-botanic-gardens-fort-canning-park-heritage-festival-2026)

**Mid-Autumn Festival opens at Gardens by the Bay** — From Sat 12 Sep, lantern displays 6–10pm nightly to 27 Sep · Free
Gardens by the Bay, Supertree Grove and around the lake. Opening weekend of the lantern sets around the lake and under the Supertrees. Free to walk through; some Craft Corner activities charge. Go after 7pm when it is cooler and everything is lit. [Details](https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/things-to-do/calendar-of-events/mid-autumn-festival-2026.html)

## Deadlines in September

All good — no nationwide deadlines for September. Still worth a look at the Coparent app for the personal ones tied to your child's date of birth.

*On the horizon*

- 31 Dec — Childcare Leave — unused days lapse. Whatever is left resets on 1 Jan and does not carry over.

- 31 Dec — Unpaid Infant Care Leave — unused days lapse. Whatever is left resets on 1 Jan and does not carry over.

- 1 Jan — Student Care Fee Assistance — this version starts. Revised bands from 1 Jan 2027

## One thing, explained

**What is the CDA First Step grant, and do I have to put money in first?**

No. The First Step grant is paid into your child's Child Development Account by the government with no deposit from you — S$5,000 for a first or second child, and S$10,000 for a third or later child born on or after 18 February 2025, under the Large Families Scheme. The child has to be a Singapore Citizen.

The trigger is opening the account, not registering the birth. The CDA is offered in the same LifeSG flow as birth registration and the Baby Bonus, and the grant lands within two weeks of the account being opened, excluding public holidays.

It can be spent only at Baby Bonus Approved Institutions — childcare and kindergarten fees, and healthcare — and the account stays usable until 31 December of the year your child turns 12. Anything unspent moves to your child's Post-Secondary Education Account when the CDA closes.

One thing the Large Families uplift does not change: how much the government will match. Co-matching of your own deposits runs on its own cap, by birth order, and is a separate scheme.

_MSF · 2026-08-24_ [source](https://www.madeforfamilies.gov.sg/support-measures/child-raising/financial-support/large-families-scheme)

## Family deals this week

**Flower Dome free for children 12 and under** — until 27 Sep. Kids aged 12 and below enter the Flower Dome free from 5 to 27 Sep. Singapore residents only — bring ID. Adults pay the usual admission. [Details](https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/things-to-do/calendar-of-events/mid-autumn-festival-2026.html)

**Kids dine free on weekdays at Vineyard, HortPark** — until 30 Sep. A complimentary kids' meal for a child under 10 with every main course, Monday to Thursday all day, dine-in only, through 30 September. [Details](https://www.vineyardhortpark.com.sg/promotions/kids-dine-free)

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_Every scheme above carries its official source and the date we read it. Not affiliated with any government agency. We never recommend insurance or investment products. Not financial advice._