Dear friends from the media,

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay welcomes everyone to our 25th edition of Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts, taking place from 16 – 19 Apr 2026. Over the past 25 years, Pesta Raya has grown into a leading platform for the presentation, celebration and renewal of the Nusantara through the arts, galvanising communities while celebrating the richness, diversity and living traditions of the region.

This milestone edition reflects Esplanade’s commitment to cultural stewardship, artistic excellence and public access. We are deeply grateful to our artists, collaborators and audiences who have journeyed with us through the years. Your trust and participation have shaped Pesta Raya into a festival of enduring relevance, and affirmed its role in deepening cultural understanding through the performing arts.

Theatre takes centre stage with La Luna, an Esplanade Commission by Teater Ekamatra, presentedat the Singtel Waterfront Theatre. Adapted from the film by Singapore filmmaker M. Raihan Halim, the production reveals how resistance can begin quietly, across walls and generations. Having performed during Esplanade’s 20th anniversary celebrations in 2022, the acclaimed Papermoon Puppet Theatre from Indonesia returns with PUNO: Sewing Memories, a poignant new work reflecting on how loss and death shape our lives. From Malaysia, ASWARA’s multi award-winning Randai Macbeth reimagines Shakespeare’s dark tragedy through randai, a traditional folk theatre form rooted in Negeri Sembilan’s Minangkabau heritage.

Music highlights bring together returning favourites and new voices. Anchoring the celebrations is the legendary Dato’ Zainalabidin, who last performed at the festival in 2019, and is now launching his 50th anniversary concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Indonesian alternative indie band The Trees & The Wild, last seen at Esplanade in 2012 during Baybeats, will present an Asia-exclusive concert at the Annexe Studio. Indonesian singer-songwriter Adrian Khalif also makes his Singapore debut at this year’s festival.

The festival also comes alive across Esplanade’s public spaces. The opening randai performance by ASWARA will take place at the Courtyard, and singers led by Nana Karia, pay tribute to rock in Rock Kapak, a genre of music that is close to the hearts of many in the community. Persatuan Pemuzik Tradisional Melayu Singapura fills the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre with Malay traditional music, while the festival closes with a high-energy Zapin Battle by P7:1SMA.

We would like to thank our Principal Sponsor,  Naturel  for their generous support of Pesta Raya 2026.

As we reflect on the past editions of Pesta Raya, we are heartened by the memories created, the artists nurtured, and the generations of audiences welcomed. Building on this legacy, Pesta Raya continues to be a platform artists aspire to perform at, and a source of inspiration, pride and belonging for the community.

We look forward to welcoming you to this year’s Pesta Raya at Esplanade and invite you to join us dressed in your Nusantara best!

Hanie Nadia Hamzah 

Senior Producer, The Esplanade Co Ltd

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