• GUIDES

Hear65's guide to concerts and gigs to catch in Singapore in 2026

Hear65's guide to concerts and gigs to catch in Singapore in 2026

Looking for a gig where you can let loose after a long week at work? Or do you require a fresh idea for a weekend date with that special someone in your life? With a variety of live music events already added to the 2026 calendar, you can rest assured that you will find something that suits your needs.   

If you are not sure where to start looking, here is a guide to concerts, gigs, festivals, and events featuring homegrown musicians and artists that you can catch on our sunny island this year. 


UPCOMING GIGS


Candlelight Concerts

When: Various dates 
Where: Various venues
Tickets: More information is available here

Fever's celebrated Candlelight Concerts series is back in 2025 and music lovers can expect to be mesmerised by classical renditions of tunes from beloved films, hits from some of the biggest names from the international music scene, and more. This year is all about tributes to legendary music soundtracks in movies and dramas by the likes of Hans Zimmer, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran & more.


“BEING” The Freshman Concert 2026

When: 27 February 2026, 8PM
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall
Tickets: $40 - $88, available here 

Beloved Singapore Mandopop duo The Freshman return to Esplanade  to celebrate 15 years of music, friendship and growth. This is going to be a momentous night at Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts! Chen Diya and Carrie Yeo of The Freshman invite you to “BEING” to join them in reliving the moments that shaped their journey, featuring a variety of their hits from heartfelt fan-favourites like 'Holding On', 'It's Love', 'Harry' and 'Throw' to an exhilarating debut of brand-new tracks from their latest album BEING. Expect a night of soaring harmonies, authentic storytelling through poignant lyrics that speak right to your heart, and the infectious chemistry between the two that has made The Freshman one of Singapore's most endearing Mandopop duos. Whether you have been here since day one or you have just recently discovered The Freshman, this concert promises to take you on an encompassing musical journey from when they were really just freshmen to their refreshing new sounds of today. Come celebrate how far they've come, and where they're headed next. Because after one and half decades, The Freshman are still here—still singing, still growing, still being.


TGIF MUSIC STATION: SCCC X YES 933

When: 27 February 2026, 8PM
Where: Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, Ho Bee Concourse, Level 1
Tickets: Fredd admission

TGIF Music Station shines the spotlight on the next generation of music makers, featuring a vibrant lineup of youth singer-songwriters. From heartfelt originals to covers, lullaboy, Yokez, NOTIMEFORSILENCE and June Yong will bring raw creativity and fresh perspectives to the stage. Join them for an intimate evening of stories, melodies, and dreams, and discover the voices shaping Singapore’s future music scene. Audiences can enjoy the performances also via live stream on SCCC's Facebook and TikTok as well.


Quis: There are aliens in Singapore?

When: 7 March 2026, 6:45PM, 8PM & 9:15PM
Where: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade
Tickets: Free admission

Commiserate and find connection with homegrown Mando pop-rock band Quis in this musical showcase of their latest album, We Are All Aliens《我们都是外星人》, alongside other songs. Inspired by the concept of alienation as perceived in the souls of the common man and woman, this album reflects the experiences of those weighed down by the pressures of time, exploring self-discovery and actualisation while navigating this turbulent world.


PRESSPLAY 2026

When: 7 March 2026, 5PM
Where: Central Library
Tickets: Free admission

PRESSPLAY is the National Library Board’s arts festival where the library reimagines the concept of play by inviting participants to discover new ways of engaging with the arts. The main festival on 7 March transforms the library into a vibrant, after-hours bibliotheque-discotheque. Dance to live performances by local acts (LAYYI, Sun Cell, Shye, and Forests), lose yourself in our silent disco, create something unique at our craft stations, explore our curated art market, or simply find a cozy nook to read.


Wukong’s 72 Transformations

When: 7 March 2026, 7:30PM
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall
Tickets: $32 - $98, available here 

Hero, rebel, warrior, icon—who is the real Great Sage of Heaven? After a great pilgrimage, an ageing Sun Wukong looks back on his life and ponders his myriad manifestations. The story of the legendary figure has been retold countless times in television shows, movies, anime, and digital games. Each version casts the Monkey King in a different light, shaping and adding depth to his mythical status, and reflecting the cultural nuances and anxieties of the time he was created in. Step into the world of Wukong’s 72 Transformations, where the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, led by conductor Quek Ling Kiong, explores the many facets of the global icon in an immersive concert experience. Written and directed by veteran theatre artist and puppeteer Benjamin Ho, featuring original music composed and arranged by Singaporean composer Benjamin Lim Yi, this captivating concert unleashes Wukong’s spirit in bold new ways. Expect a thrilling fusion of tradition and modern flair, where puppetry, iconic melodies, and stunning visuals collide on stage, creating a mythical experience that is familiar, nostalgic and enjoyable for all who have heard of him. Wukong’s 72 Transformations is co-produced by Singapore Chinese Orchestra and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. 


She Shines Music Festival 2026

When: 8 March 2026, 1:15PM
Where: The Blackbird 
Tickets: Free admission

She Shines Music Festival 2026 is turning up the volume on women in music with a powerhouse all-female lineup spanning genres and generations. From retro soul to rock, Latin jazz to folk, the festival features a dynamic mix of solo acts, singer-songwriters, and full bands — all led by women. Highlights include Sing Song Social Club helmed by Aarika Lee, Gen Z showcases like Saylah Presents and Saylah Selects, ambient soundscapes by Amanda Ling, and heartfelt songwriting from Ethel Yap. Fans can also look forward to vibrant performances by Zsa Zsa & Emma, the high-energy Flower Power collective, and a closing rock set by Chop Swee, featuring veteran musicians and fresh faces alike.


Unity Secondary School Symphonic Band

When: 11 March 2026, 8PM
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall
Tickets: $15, available here 

Get ready for a fun-filled evening as the Unity Secondary School Symphonic Band presents an exciting showcase of music bursting with imagination and heart. From the mischievous whimsy of Daisuke Ehara’s 'Cat Adventure' to the soaring triumph of James Swearingen’s 'Silvercrest', and the joyful sparkle of Ralph Benatzky’s Im Weissen Rössl, audiences will be treated to a vibrant musical journey celebrating creativity and community. Perfect for music lovers of all ages, this performance promises a night of colour, spirit, and inspiration you won’t want to miss.


Tanjong Katong Secondary School Choir

When: 12 March 2026, 7:30PM
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall
Tickets: $15, available here 

The Tanjong Katong Secondary School Choir invites audiences on a globe-spanning musical adventure in their upcoming concert, where tradition meets modern expression. Starting in Renaissance Europe with the intricate beauty of Italian madrigals and sacred Latin motets, the choir then journeys through East and Southeast Asia, delivering raw emotion and regional flair via Japanese folk tunes, Chinese art songs, Malay choral textures, and Filipino tribal rhythms. The programme crescendos with theatrical power through a Broadway and film medley including 'Go the Distance' and 'Defying Gravity', closing on a note of reflection with 'Memories' and 'Sixteen Tons'. It’s a vibrant celebration of vocal mastery, culture, and connection.


Songs for the Crossing

When: 20 & 21 March 2026, 7:30PM
Where: Play Den @ The Arts House
Tickets: $35, available here 

SAtheCollective shines a spotlight on masculine well-being in new sound theatre work, Songs for the Crossing. Designed as an immersive nine-rite journey, this performance invites audiences into a ritual of resonance, silence, and shared presence — tracing the emotional arc from isolation to community. Led by the poetic figure of the Kalavinka, the show reimagines masculinity through vulnerability, endurance, and embodied listening. Presented by one of Singapore’s leading intercultural art organisations, SAtheCollective continues to pioneer progressive sound theatre, where sound is not just heard — it’s felt.


There's a Dinosaur in the Concert Hall!

When: 21 March 2026, 3PM
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall
Tickets: $30, available here 

There’s a dinosaur in the concert hall! Who do you call? The Pitch Patrol, of course! Armed with their chords, instruments and a whole lot of groove, this band of melody-making heroes is here to save the day! Whether it’s pesky rapping trolls under your bed, mermaids stuck in water pipes or a dinosaur that has lost its way in time, the task force has just the right tune for every emergency. Join the Pitch Patrol as they go on wacky, genre-bending missions full of stories, mythical creatures and adventure. Discover the hidden power of music—the elegance of classical, the wild energy of pop-rock, the smooth grooves of jazz and the bold beats of rap. Written by Thomas Lim, directed by Krish Natarajan, and performed by The Lorong Boys and Friends.


ARTBOX CAMP 2026

When: 3-5 April & 10-12 April 2026, 12PM
Where: Singapore Expo Hall 3
Tickets: $5 - $8, available here 

ARTBOX CAMP 2026 returns as a large-scale creative playground that brings together art, design, food, lifestyle, retail, and community experiences from across the region. For music fans, the action centres on the ARTBOX Stage, which will host live performances throughout the festival, delivering a rotating mix of local talent and international influences. Beyond the stage, ARTBOX CAMP expands into a full sensory experience, featuring an exclusive creative showcase by Korean design powerhouse Wiggle Wiggle, over 250 independent brands and F&B vendors, immersive installations, pop-up encounters, gaming zones, and family-friendly spaces — all framed as a giant “creative camp” built for discovery, experimentation, and cross-disciplinary exchange.


Kahchun Wong's Pictures at an Exhibition

When: 24 April 2026, 7:30PM
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall
Tickets: $10.50 - $100, available here 

The Singapore Symphony Orchestra is joined by musicians of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra as Singaporean conductor Kahchun Wong presents his orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition for symphony orchestra with five traditional Chinese instruments, the dizi (笛子 bamboo flute), erhu (胡琴二胡 two-string fiddle), yangqin (扬琴 hammered dulcimer), pipa (琵琶 Chinese lute) and percussion. This impressive programme also features Cambodian-American composer Chinary Ung’s strikingly imposing Water Rings, showcasing his multi-textured synthesis of Cambodian musical tradition and symphony orchestra to grand effect. And what better way to pair this than with the SSO’s signature piece, Debussy’s evocation of the sea, La Mer.