Did you know? A tiny organism that helps forests recycle nutrients has become the star of an exhibition at Singapore Botanic Gardens. Funtastical World of Fungi brings fungi, glowing mycelium and botanical research into the CDL Green Gallery—and, according to NParks’ official programme, the displays continue through 28 February 2027.
That means this is a real, current educational outing for Bukit Timah families, not an exhibition to wait for until next year. The original 2026 Heritage Festival ended in September, but the exhibition has a longer run. Here is what to see, how to reach it and which hours actually apply.
At a glance: dates, venue and hours
- Exhibition: Funtastical World of Fungi, presented by NParks at Singapore Botanic Gardens.
- Main indoor venue: CDL Green Gallery, alongside the SBG Heritage Museum precinct.
- Dates: 5 September 2026 to 28 February 2027, based on NParks’ September announcement.
- Indoor gallery: 9am–6pm daily after the festival, except the last Tuesday of each month.
- Outdoor continuation: People’s Gallery exhibition spaces at the five main Gardens gates, accessible during the Gardens’ normal 5am–midnight period.
- Admission: the related Heritage Festival exhibition was advertised among NParks’ free activities; normal Gardens admission is free. Confirm any specific programme’s terms before going.
- Important distinction: the September-only Fungi After Dark light projection is not advertised as a nightly attraction continuing to February 2027.
What exactly will you see?
The exhibition starts with an unusual idea: fungi are everywhere, yet much of their activity is out of sight. NParks describes an immersive installation with live bioluminescent mycelium, alongside explanations of how fungi feed, reproduce and interact with other organisms. Mycelium is the network of fine filaments through which many fungi grow and gather nutrients.
Some fungi help break down fallen leaves and wood. Others form relationships with plants. Some are sources of food or useful biochemical materials, and some are harmful. The point is not that every mushroom is safe to handle. It is that fungi have important roles in forest ecology that we often overlook.
The exhibition highlights Singapore’s own fungal diversity, including Spongispora temasekensis, a species discovered at Singapore Botanic Gardens. NParks also describes how decades of herbarium research and modern molecular methods help scientists identify and document fungi.
A simple way to turn the visit into a learning adventure
You do not need to know scientific Latin to enjoy this gallery. Try a three-question conversation while exploring.
- What is a fungus? Invite a child to describe what they see, then compare the visible fruiting body with the less-visible mycelium.
- Why does a forest need fungi? Think about what happens to fallen wood, leaves and other organic material when organisms break them down.
- How do scientists know which species they are studying? Look for the roles of specimens, photographs, field notes and DNA research rather than guessing from colour alone.
Afterwards, continue to the People’s Gallery exhibits near the main gates. These displays, inspired by researchers’ field notebooks, introduce fungal finds and rediscoveries in Singapore. That gives younger readers a chance to understand scientific observation as an activity carried out here—not only in a distant laboratory.
Where should you enter Singapore Botanic Gardens?
The Gardens has more than one entrance. Botanic Gardens MRT on the Downtown and Circle Lines serves the Bukit Timah Entrance, while Napier MRT on the Thomson–East Coast Line serves the Tanglin Entrance. The CDL Green Gallery is associated with the Heritage Museum area, so consult the official Gardens map to choose the entrance closest to the particular display you want.
If your priority is the exhibition itself, plan around the CDL Green Gallery’s 9am–6pm hours, not simply the Gardens’ 5am–midnight opening. The gallery’s last-Tuesday closure is also different from closure days for other facilities.
For a separate festive visit later in 2026, our Gardens-A-Glow December 2026–January 2027 guide explains another Gardens event. The two are not the same exhibition and should not be presented as one programme.
What happens next, from October 2026 to February 2027?
October–November 2026: visitors can explore the continuing fungi displays during the stated gallery schedule. Any hands-on session or special workshop should be confirmed through NParks’ current events pages.
December 2026–January 2027: the fungal exhibition is scheduled to continue while the Gardens hosts separate festive programming. A guest should check each venue’s hours rather than assuming all displays are open late for evening events.
February 2027: NParks’ September event plan gives 28 February as the final day. That is a published schedule, not a guarantee of extension or a promise that every installation will remain unchanged until the closing date.
Frequently asked questions
Is Funtastical World of Fungi still open after the September 2026 Heritage Festival?
Yes. NParks’ official listing separates the short Heritage Festival programme from the longer exhibition, which is scheduled through 28 February 2027.
Is the CDL Green Gallery open at midnight?
No. Although the overall Gardens and outdoor People’s Gallery areas have longer hours, the indoor CDL Green Gallery normally opens 9am–6pm and closes on the last Tuesday of each month.
Will the Fungi After Dark light show run until 2027?
Do not assume so. NParks described it as an evening installation during the September 2026 festival, not as a continuously scheduled feature of the longer exhibition.
Can we pick mushrooms in the Gardens afterwards?
No. Enjoy specimens and living habitats without removing or handling wild fungi. Never eat an unidentified mushroom, and follow the Gardens’ conservation rules.
Official sources and update
Checked 24 October 2026. See NParks’ 4 September 2026 Heritage Festival announcement and exhibition timetable, the Gardens’ visitor guide and CDL Green Gallery hours and the official events listing for changes to dates and activities.