A Family Guide to Huayi: How to Enjoy Esplanade’s Chinese Festival of Arts With Kids

Each Lunar New Year, Esplanade welcomes families to Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, our annual celebration of Chinese arts and culture. The festival brings together theatre, music, dance, and visual arts to honour tradition while exploring modern creativity. Together, these experiences offer families in Singapore a wonderful way to introduce children to the richness of Chinese culture through storytelling, melodies, movement, and imagination.

Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning for another year of discovery, this guide helps you plan a meaningful and memorable Huayi experience with your family.

What makes Huayi special for families

Huayi is designed for everyone to enjoy. Each year, we curate a mix of heritage and contemporary works that speak to both the young and the young at heart. Families can look forward to ticketed shows that offer immersive theatre and music, as well as free performances and installations around the Esplanade.

Because the festival coincides with the Lunar New Year, you’ll also find the entire space alive with festive energy—red accents, cultural motifs, and the joyous hum of celebration. For children, it’s a chance to connect with Chinese traditions in an atmosphere filled with colour and wonder.

Types of family-friendly experiences at Huayi

Theatre performances

Our theatre line-up often includes Chinese-language plays, most of them accompanied by English surtitles, making them accessible to non-Mandarin speakers. These productions range from imaginative folktale adaptations to heartfelt family dramas that explore everyday life and values. Some of these plays are ideal for children who enjoy stories, expressive characters, and stage magic that brings words to life.

Music performances

Huayi’s music programmes feature everything from contemporary Mandopop concerts to instrumental showcases of the erhu (a two-stringed bowed instrument), pipa (a plucked lute), and guzheng (a zither-like string instrument). These performances introduce slightly older children to unique sounds and rhythms that differ from the music they hear daily, inspiring a sense of cultural curiosity and appreciation for craftsmanship.

Dance and movement-based performances

Expect both traditional Chinese dance with vibrant costumes and modern choreography that pushes boundaries. These performances spark imagination and allow children to see how stories can be told through movement and emotion, without the need for words.

Free programmes and pop-up moments

Part of the magic of Esplanade is when you turn a corner and find yourself unexpectedly drawn into a live performance, and during Huayi, you’ll get to experience Chinese stories, songs, and movements that delight audiences of all ages.

At the Concourse, families can enjoy intimate showcases of music and dance. Outdoors, the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre by the Marina Bay offers open-air performances against a stunning waterfront view. You’ll also find visual art installations, some inspired by Chinese themes scattered around the venue—perfect for photo stops or quiet reflection moments between shows.

How to choose the right programme for your child

When browsing the festival line-up, look out for indicators such as “family-friendly” or “suitable for all ages”. These programmes are designed to engage younger audiences without overwhelming them.

For younger children, opt for shorter performances or those with strong visual or musical elements. Older children might enjoy theatre pieces with surtitles, especially if they’re learning Mandarin or exploring new cultures.

If your child enjoys music, choose a concert featuring traditional instruments. For those who love stories, look for plays inspired by myths or folktales. Matching the programme to their interests helps ensure an enriching and enjoyable experience.

Fun ways to introduce Chinese arts before the show

Help your child connect with what they’ll see at Huayi by building excitement beforehand. Share the folktale or story behind a performance, or listen to recordings of Chinese instruments like the dizi (bamboo flute) or guzheng together.

You can also explore photos or videos of traditional costumes, props, or stage sets to spark anticipation. For additional resources, Esplanade Offstage, our free online arts platform, offers short videos, artist interviews, and educational features about Chinese art forms and cultural traditions.

Make the most of your visit during Huayi

To make the most of your visit, arrive early to soak in the festive atmosphere. During the CNY period, Esplanade is often decked out in Lunar New Year décor and lively installations that make for beautiful photo spots.

Before your ticketed show, you can also catch a free music or dance performance at the Concourse, or enjoy the outdoor breeze along the Waterfront Promenade.

Families with younger children can consider dropping by PIP’s PLAYbox, our dedicated space for kids. It’s a quiet creative corner where little ones can unwind, draw, or read before heading home.

Turn Huayi into a cultural learning moment

After the performance, take a few minutes to talk about what your child noticed—the colours, sounds, instruments, or characters that stood out. Ask open-ended questions like, “What did you like about the show?” or “How did that music make you feel?”

For older children, explore broader themes such as family, imagination, or tradition. By discussing what they’ve seen, you help them process their experiences and form their own connections to Chinese culture.

Make Huayi part of your family’s arts journey

Each edition of Huayi offers something new, from bold reinterpretations of classics to fresh creative voices from around the world. It’s a gentle and inspiring way for children to explore Chinese heritage through the arts.

With each passing year, your family may find new ways to enjoy the festival—attending a different type of performance, revisiting favourite artists, or shaping meaningful Lunar New Year traditions around a day at Esplanade.

We invite you to explore our upcoming Huayi programmes and discover the world of Chinese arts through your child’s eyes. At Esplanade, every visit can spark curiosity, connection, and creativity, one performance at a time.