Dare to dream this March, as the Esplanade’s annual March On festival for young audiences returns this month, celebrating stories and experiences with a sense of playfulness and wonder, and the power of imagination. This year, the festival is themed around taking little steps to big dreams, encouraging audiences to let their mind wander and explore boundless possibilities with courage. Expect plenty of magical adventures and opportunities for wonder and creation in the robust line-up of offerings this year.

Running from 7th to 29th March, look out for inclusive and accessible programmes aimed at children of all ages and backgrounds. The headliner programme this year is no doubt the three-week run of The Lost Lending Library by world-famous immersive theatre company Punchdrunk, specifically their Punchdrunk Enrichment wing. Marking the first time they’re presenting a show in Singapore, the show, led by Peter Higgin, invites audiences to discover a magical world of stories, bringing revellers on a journey which we hope will captivate all who attend.

At 314 floors high and with 78 spiral side departments, The Lost Lending Library houses the largest collection of books and stories in the world. Tales of all shapes and sizes are crammed together on its shelves with new adventures bursting into life from their covers. Inside, a new library apprentice eagerly awaits your arrival. But the library has a habit of playing tricks and things often don’t go as planned. They need your help to learn how to believe in themselves, and to keep collecting new stories.

Making their festival debut, Australia’s Terrapin collaborates with Japan’s Aichi Prefectural Art Theater in an Esplanade Co-Commission—Goldfish. Recommended for ages 8 and up, this visually arresting new work explores humanity’s role in times of crisis, transforming simple objects like tarpaulins into oceans and rice sacks into sandbags, evoking powerful imagery. This will be a Relaxed Environment (RE) performance which is perfect for anyone who benefits from a more relaxed setting. No modifications are made to the performance.

Returning to the festival is one of Esplanade’s close collaborators, Australia’s Polyglot Theatre with Pram People, a heartfelt celebration of parenthood. This unique experience invites parents with their young ones in prams to reclaim public spaces and promote bonding within the community. As part of the programme, parents and caregivers will don headphones to listen to a specially crafted narrative, creating an immersive and shared experience.

Our local artists are at the heart of March On, nurturing creativity and imagination in the next generation through their inspiring work. This year, Esplanade is co-producing A Drop in the Ocean with The Artground, created and performed by Ian Loy, Myra Loke, Ellison Tan, and Stan (Serene Tan). A drop falls into the ocean—wondrous and free, with a vast unknown ahead. The still waters are teeming with life: whales call, fishes leap, and new experiences await! Specially designed for pre-walking babies, crawlers and early walkers aged 3 to 15 months, this immersive, non-verbal, theatrical experience explores the magic and mysteries of the ocean. Through music, sounds and movement, babies will engage in a sensory-rich journey that nurtures their imagination and curiosity.

We also dive into a new family musical adventure concert, Biru and the Deep Blue Sea. Dive into the magical world of Biru and the Deep Blue Sea, a symphonic journey that transports you to the enchanting depths of the ocean. Lost in a strange new place, Biru struggles to recall who he is and where home is. On his mesmerising quest to find his way back, he ventures through vibrant coral reefs, mystical underwater caves, and the vast, open sea. Join Biru on a remarkable odyssey, charting the rich cultural landscapes of the oceans, from Southeast Asia to the Indian, Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific Oceans.Directed by Adib Kosnan and music-directed by Jonathan Shin, this production will feature the 60-member strong Singapore National Youth Sinfonia (housed within the Singapore National Youth Orchestra), showcasing the talents of young musicians aged 10 – 16.

The festival’s SEEDLINGS programme continues to empower young arts enthusiasts aged 7 – 12 through workshops, discussions, and public engagements. Additionally, PLAYlab 2025 offers artists and families the opportunity to experience and contribute to the early stages of new works, fostering a spirit of collaboration and feedback. As always, this year’s lineup also includes an exciting array of free programmes. Among them, Itchy Fingers 1, 2, 3 by Some Club will transform the Esplanade Courtyard into an interactive sculpture garden, blending movement, sound and light into captivating performances.  More than an arts festival, March On promises to craft a space for young ones can dream big, play wild, and explore in a safe, supportive environment—and where adults can reconnect with their inner child.

March On 2025 runs from 7th to 29th March 2025 at the Esplanade. Tickets and full programme available here