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SingaporeMay 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Organized by Arts House Group, the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) will make a grand return from May 15 to 30, 2026, with the theme “Let’s Play!”, inviting audiences to explore, experiment, and connect through art. This edition is helmed by Artistic Director Chong Tze Chien, marking the start of a three-year curatorial journey focused on Singapore’s performing arts landscape: honoring the past, examining the present, and envisioning the future.
SIFA returns from 15 to 30 May 2026 with the tagline “Let’s Play!”.
The 2026 Singapore International Festival of Arts features five program segments, offering diverse artistic experiences: Festival Stage presents large-scale productions; Festival Village is set on the historic Empress Lawn, featuring open-air performances against a backdrop of national monuments; Festival Play!Ground focuses on interactive artworks and street parades; Festival House creates family-friendly art experiences; and Festival Late Nites offers late-night special programs. This year’s festival extends from Singapore’s arts and culture district to new digital spaces, bringing the art celebration into residential areas and people’s daily lives.
The 2026 Singapore International Festival of Arts brings together outstanding works from influential artists in Singapore and around the world:
- “Last Rites” directed by Liu Xiaoyi (Singapore), brings together seasoned performing artists from multiple countries to explore themes of endings and legacy.
- “Death of a Salesman” written by Jeremy Tiang and directed by Danny Yeo (Singapore), is based on the historical event of Arthur Miller directing “Death of a Salesman” in Beijing in 1983, reflecting on cultural ownership in an era of globalization.
- “Familiar Stranger” by T.H.E Dance Company (Singapore), gathers dancers from Southeast Asia to explore how cultural backgrounds, digital identities, and everyday social norms intertwine to shape contemporary life.
- “Noli Timere” created by Rebecca Lazier (Canada) × Janet Echelman (USA), blends contemporary dance and avant-garde circus for a suspended, immersive aerial performance.
- Caroline Guiela Nguyen (France)’s “LACRIMA” is set against the backdrop of a fictional high-end royal wedding commission in Paris, exploring the human stories behind it.
- “Hedda Gabler” starring Lee Hye-young (South Korea), is a modern adaptation of Ibsen’s classic play, dissecting human desires, inner turmoil, and the constraints of social conventions.
- “Hamlet” by Teatro La Plaza (Peru), features actors with Down syndrome performing Shakespeare’s tragedy, using Hamlet to express their own aspirations and struggles.
- “The Lighthouse” produced by Patch Theatre (Australia), offers an immersive experience for family audiences, blending installation art, scientific exploration, and a trendy party atmosphere.
- “AUTOMATA” curated by Hothouse (Singapore), a late-night art series focusing on ritualistic expression and mechanical body aesthetics, featuring artists including music producer Guzz (China).
For the full festival lineup and ticket information, please visit sifa.sg.