Families can enjoy interactive theatre, musical performances, and hands-on art and craft sessions, perfect for all ages!
Venue: Esplanade
Date: 4 to 6 Oct 2024
Esplanade Presents: Octoburst! 2024
In celebration of Children’s Day this October, Esplanade proudly presents Octoburst! – A Children’s Festival, a vibrant event designed to inspire creativity and joy in children of all ages. This annual festival features a wide array of engaging activities, performances, and workshops that encourage artful play, creativity, and exploration. From interactive theatre shows and musical performances to hands-on art and craft sessions, Octoburst! invites families to come together and experience the magic of the arts in a playful and immersive way.
Here's taking a closer look at what you and your little ones can look forward to:
Performances
Rhythms of Joy
Venue: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade
Date: 4 Oct 2024
Time: 10am & 11.30am (Duration: 30min; no intermission)
Fee: Free Admission
Our Favourite Songs by Frontier Primary School Choir
Venue: Esplanade Concourse
Date: 4 Oct 2024
Time: 10.45am (Duration: 30min; no intermission)
Fee: Free Admission
Enjoy a delightful morning of music, featuring the talented young voices of Frontier Primary School’s Choir. Celebrating the joy and magic of youth, the choir will bring popular children's songs and beloved folk tunes to life! Enjoy the beauty of community singing as these young performers share their passion through their wonderful voices.
Lorong Boys in the ‘hood!
Photo Credit: 19SixtyFive
Venue: Esplanade Concourse
Date: 4 Oct 2024
Time: 2pm (Duration: 30min; no intermission)
Fee: Free Admission
Celebrate Children's Day with a delightful performance by the Lorong Boys! Whether you're young or simply young at heart, the Lorong Boys will bring great music and gleeful cheer, creating core memories that will last a lifetime!
A Burst of Music Magic
Venue: Esplanade Concourse
Date: 4 Oct 2024
Time: 6.30pm & 7.30pm (Duration: 30min; no intermission)
Fee: Free Admission
Whether you’re a child or simply young at heart, this is your chance to rediscover the magic of music.
From timeless Disney melodies to today’s chart-topping hits, join Sarah Alia and RHAUN for an unforgettable night of sing-along fun. Get ready for an interactive experience that will have you singing out loud from start to finish.
Theatre Shows & Storytelling Sessions
Stories inside and out!
Venue: Various locations
Date: 4 to 6 Oct 2024
Time: Various timings (see schedule below)
Fee: Free Admission
A group of young theatre practitioners come together to present two stories in creative ways—through games, song and dance. Join us for playful encounters at various corners of Esplanade.
A Friendship Set in Stone: A Legend of Pulau UbinThree friends, Frog, Elephant, and Pig, love to have playful competitions and shared adventures. One sunny day, after an argument, Pig challenges Frog to a high-stakes race to Pulau Ubin: whoever fails to arrive by noon will turn to stone. As the race unfolds, a storm erupts, trapping them in its fury. By noon, the three friends transform into stone statues. As they turn into stone, they reflect on their shared adventures and the importance of sticking together through thick and thin.
Today, visitors to Pulau Ubin can still see the stone figures of Frog, Pig, and Elephant: a timeless reminder of their adventure and friendship.
Created by: Genevieve Tan
Performed by: Miriam Cheong and Aricia Ng
Intermission: None
Schedule
- 4 Oct 2024
- 11.20am: Esplanade Basement 2 Carpark Foyer
- 3.30pm: Esplanade Festival Corner
- 5 Oct 2024
- 11.45am, 1.15pm, 3.15pm & 4.15pm: PIP’s PLAYbox
Bear, Bunny, Turtle, and Elephant compete in a race to determine who is the fastest. Cheer for them through song and dance!
This story is adapted from The Big Race by Jennie Hisson.
Created by: Angelina Chandra
Performed by: Angelina Chandra and Melissa Garcia
Intermission: None
Schedule
- 4 Oct 2024
- 2.40pm: Esplanade Forecourt Garden
- 5.15pm: Esplanade Courtyard
- 6 Oct 2024
- 11.45am, 1.15pm, 3.15pm & 4.15pm: PIP’s PLAYbox
Once Upon a Campfire
Photo Credit: ImageFx, Google
Venue: DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade
Date: 4 Oct 2024
Time: 7pm & 8pm (Duration: 30min; no intermission)
Fee: Free Admission
Join three brave explorers as they journey deep into the durian forest in search of a very special creature…
Fueled by curiosity and mythical tales of the elusive creature, they set out on an adventure like no other.
As the sun begins to set, their path becomes uncertain, leading them to the edge of a river. Now, they need your help to solve the mystery and find their way out before nightfall!
Bring along your paper campfire lantern that you have made at the craft stations located at the Theatre Meeting Point and PIP’s PLAYbox, and you might receive a special glowing surprise! First come, first served.
Written & Directed by: Jeremy Leong
Performed by: Eugenia Lee, Md Al-Hafiz Hosni & Odelia Ruth Poh Jia Lin
Dance Workshops
Curious Games
Photo Credit: Bernie Ng
Venue: Esplanade White Room
Date: 4 Oct 2024
Time: 3pm & 4.30pm (Duration: 30min; no intermission)
Fee: Free Admission
Rediscover the joy of childhood play in Curious Games, where imagination knows no bounds. Led by A Little RAW dancers and instructors Shawn Tan and Matthew Goh, this performance blends movement with memory, drawing inspiration from the timeless childhood games we all loved.
As paper balls and aeroplanes spring to life, the audience is invited to join in, moving along and sharing in the nostalgia. Celebrate the creativity and pure joy these simple games can bring in this playful and participatory experience!
Breaking with Artistate
Venue: Esplanade Concourse
Date: 4 Oct 2024
Time: 4pm (Duration: 30min; no intermission)
Fee: Free Admission
Dive into the fundamentals of breaking with energetic, easy-to-follow choreography led by dynamic instructor, Dhea. Groove to the rhythm and master the moves of this exciting street dance style in a lively, supportive environment.
To add an extra kick to the session, enjoy a brief performance by the talented students from Artistate Kids & Teens Academy, showcasing their impressive skills and inspiring others. It’s a fantastic opportunity for beginners to get on the floor, get moving and have a blast.
Art & Craft Sessions
Chalk-a-Doodle-Do
Venue & Time:
- Esplanade Courtyard: 10am to 12pm, Free & Easy
- Esplanade Forecourt Garden: 2pm to 6pm, Free & Easy
Date: 4 Oct 2024
Fee: Free Admission
Get ready to transform the pavement into a canvas of imagination at Chalk-a-Doodle-Do! Grab some colourful chalk and join Sofia and Gloria as they turn parts of the Durian (that’s Esplanade!) into a magical world of doodles and dreams. Whether you're a budding artist, a wheelchair whiz, or someone who loves using different parts of your body to create—everyone is invited to join the fun!
What’s in store?
- Chalk – Get your hands on colourful chalk and let your imagination run wild. Flowers, animals, rainbows—if you can dream it, you can doodle it!
- Doodle – Team up with our talented artists to create giant, whimsical chalk masterpieces together. No matter how you doodle—standing, sitting, or rolling—you’re welcome to join in!
- Do – Capture the moment! Snap a photo with your creations and share the joy with friends and family. Don’t forget to tag us!
This is a space for everyone, so bring your creativity, your smile, and get ready to chalk it up at Chalk-a-Doodle-Do!
Make Your Own Campfire Lantern
Venue & Time:
- Esplanade Concourse: 11am to 7pm, Free & Easy
- PIP's PLAYbox: 11am to 2pm & 3pm to 6pm, Free & Easy
Date: 4 Oct 2024
Fee: Free Admission
Light up the night with custom campfire lanterns!
This creative workshop invites kids to bring their lanterns to life and illuminate Esplanade with their unique creations.
Craft and personalise your own animal-themed campfire lanterns, then bring them along to light up the evening performances at the Outdoor Theatre. You might even receive a special glowing surprise! (Psst – it’s first come, first served only.)
Note: This is a self-guided activity.
