Preview: Moonfest 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

September is coming, and we all know what that means – a full moon on the horizon, and the Esplanade’s annual Moonfest, held in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Now in its 18th edition, this year’s Moonfest will be celebrated with an array of free performances of traditional Chinese arts, and ticketed workshops for families of all ages.

Focused on preserving and showcasing traditional arts, for the first time ever, Moonfest will present puppetry performances by Sin Hoe Ping, San Chun Long and Sin Ee Lye Heng performed in Henghua, Hainanese and Teochew respectively. As fast-disappearing traditional arts troupes in Singapore, the Esplanade hopes that attendees can come support and be inspired by their passion to preserve this intangible cultural heritage.

Moonfest 2022 will also feature crowd favourites such as xiqu performances featuring Cantonese Opera excerpts by the Chinese Theatre Circle and a getai concert infused with folk songs, Hokkien and Huangmei Opera. As is the Mid-Autumn tradition, attendees can also take part in puzzling Lantern Riddles where fellow riddle enthusiasts pit their wits and marvel at the beauty of Chinese language under the moonlight. For a show of wits and wordplay, catch the crosstalk performance by the Young People’s Performing Arts Ensemble as well as storytelling in radioplay style by father-daughter duo Patrick and Jo Kwek.

Traditional arts go modern, as Teochew Opera artist Tan Wei Tian will be collaborating with electronic music producer evanturetime, and young nanyin artists from Siong Leng will team up with guitarist Sebastian Ho to breathe new life to traditional classics. This year, in addition to the parent-child and adult workshops, there will also be a grandparent-child workshop, for multi-generational bonding, while learning and experiencing traditional Chinese arts in an intimate setting.

This September, grab your lanterns and mooncakes, and make a date with the Esplanade with the whole family for Moonfest, as you come on down to experience the richness of traditional Chinese arts under the light of the full moon.

Moonfest 2022 runs from 9th to 11th September 2022 at The Esplanade. Tickets and full lineup available here