20 Best Performing Arts Venues in Singapore

Background Illustration for Performing Arts

We've compiled the best of the best in Singapore - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Chinese Theatre Circle

Chinatown Fodor's choice

One of the leading theater companies in Singapore, Chinese Theatre Circle does an excellent English-language workshop on Chinese opera every Friday and Saturday for novices. In addition to their regular performances, which come with either dinner or tea, they sometimes give free demonstrations at places like Clarke Quay.

Singapore Chinese Orchestra

CBD Fodor's choice

Singapore's only professional Chinese orchestra is comprised of more than 80 musicians. It stages annual blockbusters, both locally and internationally, that push the boundaries of traditional Chinese music, and it holds free performances to promote appreciation of the genre.

The Projector

Kampong Glam Fodor's choice

What was once Singapore’s historic Golden Theatre has been transformed into an indie theater space and hangout spot for Singapore’s creative talents. There's always something going on, thanks to an eclectic rotation of films (schedules are released every Tuesday), documentaries, festivals, and themed screenings. The Intermission Bar bar enables you to enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer during a show. There are also pop-up Projector locations at The Picturehouse.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Aliwal Arts Centre

Kampong Glam

This multidisciplinary arts center is home to a number of local performing groups, including groundbreaking collectives like Nadi Singapura and New Opera Singapore. Check the website for what’s going on (workshops, performances, classes), and keep an eye out for the annual Aliwal Urban Art Festival and other ad-hoc events. 

Drama Centre

Civic District
The Drama Centre on the third floor of the National Library is a key platform for many of Singapore's theater companies and often hosts performances from overseas companies as well. There are two performance spaces here, the 615-seat Drama Centre Theatre and the 120-seat Black Box.
100 Victoria St., Singapore, 188064, Singapore
6837–8400
Performing Art Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends

Goodman Arts Centre

Katong
This arts hub holds multidisciplinary workshops ranging from dance to ceramic and visual arts on a weekly basis and for all ages.

Magical Shores at Siloso

Sentosa Island

This immersive light-and-sound show is staged along a stretch of Siloso Beach, including two sections where you can interact with the light art on the sand. The 15-minute show runs from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm on weekdays, till 10:30 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Sands Theatre

Marina Bay
When big performances like The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera come to Singapore, this glitzy 2,155-seat theater is where they often drop. The best seats in the three-level space are the Orchestra seats; skip the Dress Circle ones on the upper deck if you want a full view of the stage.

Singapore Ballet Ltd

Bugis

Founded in 1988, this dance company (previously known as The Singapore Dance Company) has a repertoire that ranges from classical to contemporary ballet. Periodic performances are held at the Esplanade Theatre, as well as on outdoor stages in Fort Canning Park. It also offers various dance classes catering to different skill levels.

Singapore Film Society

Civic District

The respected Singapore Film Society, founded in 1958, holds regular screenings of art-house and foreign films. You have to be a member to participate, but membership starts at a reasonable S$15 per month, barely the price of two movie tickets. Everything in Singapore goes through the censors, but they usually let Film Society films go uncut as a gesture to the nation's small but serious film-buff community. (Generally, sexual themes, especially homosexuality, and certain political topics are the first to be cut.)

Singapore National Youth Orchestra

Orchard

The Singapore National Youth Orchestra is made up of players under the age of 25. They perform publicly about three times a year, usually in March, June, and November. Check their website for upcoming events and to book tickets.

Singapore Repertory Theatre

Robertson Quay

The popular Singapore Repertory Theatre stages plays and musicals at the KC Arts Center. Its subsidiary, The Little Company, produces children's plays for two age groups (under-5s and 6 to 12 year-olds).

Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Civic District

The nearly 100 members of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore's flagship orchestra, regularly deliver a mix of Western classical music and new Asian compositions. Performances are usually held at the Esplanade Concert Hall or Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall.

Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts

Little India

This popular troupe—founded by renowned cultural Medallion recipient Madam Som Said—offers traditional Malay performances in town several times a year.

Sriwana

Chinatown

This dance group has earned renown for its creative spins on traditional Malay dances.

The Esplanade–Theatres on the Bay

Marina Bay
The Esplanade hosts many of Singapore's top ticketed performances, but it also offers free concerts, shows, and talks every week. Most take place at the Esplanade Concourse or the Outdoor Theater in the evenings when the weather is cooler—all you have to do is drop by and take a seat. There's a performance schedule on the Esplanade website, but it's much more fun to visit and be surprised by what's on, which could be anything from a classical guitar performance from Latin America to a Chinese puppet show.

The Necessary Stage

Geylang Serai

This theater company puts on original performances, often with a social, sometimes socialist message.

The Substation

Civic District

After 30 years at the forefront of Singapore's independent art community, this independent establishment closed its former space on Armenian Street, which had its own theater, art gallery, and dance studio, in 2021. The collective still aims to nurture the city's up-and-coming artists by continuing without a physical space. Check their website to keep abreast of scheduled events, which include short film festivals, art exhibits, experimental theater, and poetry readings.

TheatreWorks

Under director Ong Keng Sen, this internationally known theater company has staged daring cross-cultural productions, such as Asian versions of King Lear and Desdemona (derived from Othello), and has traveled to Denmark to workshop Hamlet. Workshops, readings and comedy nights, are held regularly on its premises.

Wings of Time

Sentosa Island

A crowd-pleasing multisensory night show about two cranes that journey together through time, this story is told via a larger-than-life water screen programmed with 3-D effects, lasers, robotic water fountains, and spectacular pyrotechnics. For a good view of the stage, dole out extra for the premium seats. Shows take place at 7:40 pm and 8:40 pm nightly. Discounted tickets are available online.