5 reasons why Singapore’s Fort Canning Park rocks the spot as the venue for the upcoming Neon Lights music festival

Overlooking Singapore’s downtown sprawl, Fort Canning Park is undoubtably the bossest option for outdoor events in Lion City. As we’re sure you’re well aware, it will soon play host to the second outing of the Neon Lights music and arts festival on Nov. 26 & 27.

If you don’t know whether or not you want to go to the festival – trust us, you do – read our absolutely utterly definitive guide to Neon Lights 2016. Once that’s settled, you can enter our giveaway for the chance to win FREE TICKETS. (See entry details at the bottom of this page.)

Meanwhile, we’re going to tell you why Fort Canning Park is indeed the perfect place for the festival.

 

You’re going to be getting down with ghosts

Neon Lights, Singapore

Due to the dubious blessing of being the highest elevation within walking distance of Singapore’s civic district, Fort Canning has a long, turbulent and fascinating history. It was home to the 14th century palaces of Malay kings, served as British Army barracks, and was the place where the decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese was made in 1942. So when you’re pogoing on Fort Canning Green, glow stick aloft, remember you’re pogoing on a hell of a lot of history (and graves). We’re sure all the ghosts will be bugging out too, though. Indie music is timeless, right?

 

The nature, dude

Neon Lights, Singapore

The park serves as an important green lung for SG’s smoggy downtown area, thanks to its lush lawns and thick flora. This also makes it perfect for festival downtime, which, trust us, you will need. Take a party nap on the grass or grab some shade under the Kapok trees, which can grow up to 40 meters high. Just don’t be tempted to climb one for a bird’s eye view. That will probably end in tears and ripped jean shorts (but hey, they’re in fashion right?).

 

It’s close to convenience

view of Singapore downtown from Fort Canning

The festival site is a mere hop, skip and a stumble away from Orchard Road, which has everything you could possibly crave and require pre and post festival. Grab some kind of essential out-there headgear and some heavy carbs on your way up; and a bottle of coconut water, a slice of pizza and a couple of aspirin on your way down.

 

Instagram opportunities are a plenty

Fort Canning gate

Photo: Jorge Cancela via Flickr

Don’t get us wrong. We absolutely do not condone spending the entirety of the festival on Instagram or Snapchat, but we won’t be able to resists ‘gramming at least a couple off given the strong photogenic game of Fort Canning Park. We predict that the gorgeously Gothic Fort Gate will be the most popular spot. Start perfecting that group jump shot now!

 

Emergency air-con is in the vicinity

Singapore National Museum

Singapore is not known for having the kind of climate that inspires the desire to exert yourself outside, so chances are you’re going to get a bit hot and bothered at some point during the course of the festival. Thankfully, however, easily accessible air-con is on hand. Get some culture while you cool yourself at the Arts Centre or the National Museum. The latter is even accessible from the park by an escalator. #winning.

And if you need a sixth reason to get excited…

 

We’re giving away a bunch of tickets to Neon Lights 2016!

Here’s how to enter:

1) Make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter. If you’re not already (shame on you!), please use the form below. You can sign up for any of our newsletters to enter.

2) Like the Coconuts Singapore city Facebook page

3) Send us an email to info@coconuts.co explaining exactly why you should win the tickets.

We’ll notify winners on November 21, 2016. Good luck!

 

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