Snow City to close in September 2026 after 26 years as Singapore’s first indoor snow attraction

Snow City, Singapore’s first indoor snow centre, will close on 30 September 2026 after 26 years of operation, ending one of the country’s longest-running indoor family attractions.

Science Centre Singapore announced the closure on 19 May 2026, stating that the decision reflects the Science Centre Board’s (SCB) commitment to “keeping its offerings fresh and relevant amid shifting visitor interests and an evolving attractions landscape”.

The organisation added that the move also aligns with SCB’s science education mission and future development plans.

Located in Jurong East, Snow City opened in 2000 and became widely known for offering Singaporeans a rare opportunity to experience sub-zero temperatures and artificial snowfall in a tropical climate.

Over the years, it attracted school groups, tourists and families, becoming a staple destination for children experiencing “winter” for the first time without travelling overseas.

Science Centre Singapore said all eight full-time employees had been offered redeployment opportunities within SCB as part of the transition process.

“For employees who choose to pursue opportunities elsewhere, SCB will provide outplacement assistance and severance support in accordance with applicable employment terms and prevailing Ministry of Manpower guidelines,” the organisation said.

It added that Snow City would continue to honour its contractual obligations to vendors.

Farewell campaign announced

Ahead of the closure, Snow City will launch a public farewell campaign titled One Last Snowfall.

The campaign will run from June to September 2026 and feature limited-time experiences, promotions and discounted admission packages for visitors making their final trips to the attraction.

A promotional package including one hour of snow play and a bumper car ride will be offered at S$19 for adults and S$16 for children.

The usual prices are S$27 for adults and S$23 for children.

Science Centre Singapore said further details would be announced on Snow City’s and Science Centre Singapore’s websites and social media platforms in the coming weeks.

In a separate statement issued on the same day, Snow City described the closure as the end of a shared chapter with generations of visitors.

“After more than two decades of bringing the magic of winter to our tropical shores, the time has come to say goodbye,” the attraction said.

“We aren’t just closing a building; we are closing a chapter of a story we wrote together.”

The attraction also invited members of the public to participate in the #OneLastSnowfall campaign and “walk through our winter wonderland one final time”.

A nostalgic landmark for many Singaporeans

The announcement triggered strong nostalgic reactions online, with many Singaporeans recalling childhood school excursions, family outings and milestone memories connected to the venue.

Parents shared that Snow City had served as a way to introduce children to snowy environments before overseas holidays to winter destinations.

Others fondly remembered the attraction’s ice slides, freezing temperatures and distinctive atmosphere, even while acknowledging that the artificial snow experience differed from actual winter conditions abroad.

Several netizens described the attraction as an iconic part of growing up in Singapore during the early 2000s and 2010s.

However, some online commenters said the attraction had struggled to remain relevant in recent years.

Critics argued that the venue appeared dated and had not evolved sufficiently to match newer entertainment offerings and changing consumer expectations.

Some users suggested that rising operating costs, its suburban location in Jurong East and the growing affordability of overseas travel to winter destinations may have affected its long-term viability.

Others believed the attraction still had untapped potential and could have been modernised with expanded facilities and new concepts.

Suggestions included indoor skiing and snowboarding areas, larger themed attractions and immersive experiences similar to indoor snow parks found in cities such as Dubai, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Past attempts at reinvention

Snow City had previously introduced new concepts in an effort to refresh its offerings.

In 2022, it hosted Singapore’s first Ice Hotel Gallery, featuring an Ice Bar with furniture carved entirely from ice.

The exhibition also included handcrafted flora and fauna displays created by award-winning artisan Jeffrey Ng.

The installation drew visitors seeking immersive winter-themed experiences and represented one of the attraction’s more ambitious revamps in recent years.

Despite such efforts, Snow City’s closure will mark the end of a venue that had become closely associated with childhood memories for many Singaporeans over more than two decades.