Singapore International Festival of Arts returns on 17 May 2024 with an exciting new programme series for the little ones!
Does your family love music, theatre, and everything related to the performing arts? We’ve got fab news: you can enjoy the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) with the kids this year through its new programme series that’s created just for little performing arts fans!
Little SIFA is the annual performing arts festival’s brand new pillar, featuring shows and installations that are suitable for families and kids. Presented in the form of whimsical productions that will surely delight the little ones, Little SIFA’s programmes follow the festival’s theme of They Declare, inviting young fans to reflect on the importance of respecting each other’s differences. Read on for the programme deets.
1. Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster
Leonardo is a monster who’s not scary at all (though he tries really hard to be). Sam is the world’s most scaredy-cat kid. What happens when these two meet? You’ll get to find out just that in this performance that’s based on the Mo Willems book. Expect songs and laughter from this one-of-a-kind puppet show, where you can watch it on the big screen from above, or ‘behind the scenes’ with the artists acting in real time from below!
When: 24 and 25 May (4pm and 7pm); 26 May 2024 (4pm)
Where: Drama Theatre at School of the Arts
Admission: From $38, purchase here.
Suitable for: Children aged three and above
2. The Dancer’s Fair
Step into The Dancer’s Fair, a fairground featuring a ‘ferris wheel’ made from all sorts of found objects (including toilet bowls!), a little ‘carousel’ that requires you to figure how to make it move, relaxing ‘hammocks’, and a five-metre-tall ballerina. Feel free to show the dancer your best moves – she’s eager to learn whatever dance moves you’re willing to share with her!
When: 24 – 26 May 2024, 4pm – 9pm
Where: Cathay Green (open field opposite Cathay Building)
Admission: Free
Suitable for: All ages
Besides these programmes under Little SIFA, there are actually a few others that are suitable for families with older children to check out too. We’ve combed through the full lineup to shortlist some of the best ones to see with the tweens and teens.
3. SUARA / ORO RUA
This music and dance performance combines the expertise of Singaporean musicians together with Māori dancers to showcase the power of voices. Local music producer Safuan Johari and New Zealander choreographer Eddie Elliot join forces to present a silent world where voices reemerge and call things into being. Families who love music and dance will appreciate this!
When: 24 and 25 May (8pm); 26 May 2024 (3pm)
Where: Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade
Admission: From $38, purchase here.
Suitable for: Kids aged 13 and above
4. Sun & Sea
Here’s an award-winning opera that you shouldn’t miss! Set on a sunny beach, a group of beachgoers sing about the causes and effects of climate change while they sunbathe, play, and relax. This is a powerful performance that acts as a wake-up call to not take climate change lightly. Sun & Sea is also a good way for parents to introduce the serious topics of environmental conservation and sustainability to teens.
When: 30 and 31 May (6pm, 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm); 1 June 2024 (2pm, 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm)
Where: Theatre at Esplanade
Admission: $68, purchase here.
Suitable for: Teens aged 13 years and above may enter. However, do note that this performance is rated Advisory 16, as it contains some mature content that is more suitable for audiences aged 16 and above.
5. Refuge
Using live music, moving images, and light, this performance brings audiences into the world of caves to seek refuge from the hustle and bustle of modern society. While caves are usually associated with darkness, you’ll find that this immersive performance prompts you to think of it as a place of solace and a treasure trove of wisdom.
When: 31 May (8pm); 1 June 2024 (3pm and 8pm)
Where: Studio Theatre at School of the Arts
Admission: $48, purchase here.
Suitable for: Kids aged 13 and above
Best part? These programmes take place during the mid-year school holidays!
While SIFA starts on 17 May this year, many of the family-friendly programmes are slated around the beginning of the May-June school holidays. Snag the tickets for the kids’ preferred performances soon so you can start the holidays on a high note! What’s more, you’ll get to enjoy an early bird discount of 15% if you purchase your tickets before 31 March 2024. Family bundle (four tickets) is available for Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster; and bundle of five with 15% discount for all programmes are available till 2 June 2024.
Grab those tickets, stat!
This post is in partnership with Singapore International Festival of Arts.