The vOilah! France Singapore Festival 2026 returns with programmes across the island

VOILAH! FRANCE SINGAPORE FESTIVAL 2026 SERVES UP A FEAST FOR THE SENSES THROUGH A DIVERSE LINE-UP OF CROSS-CULTURAL PROGRAMMES

From 25 April to 20 June 2026, vOilah! presents a vibrant season of arts, film, music, literature, science and gastronomy – bringing France and Singapore closer through shared experiences and new creative partnerships.

vOilah France Singapore Festival 2026

vOilah! France Singapore Festival returns from 25 April to 20 June 2026 with 26 programmes across the island, spanning the arts, culture, gastronomy, science and lifestyle. This diverse line-up offers something for every interest, with a mix of free and ticketed experiences. Presented in collaboration with 21 programme partners, the festival showcases the breadth and possibilities of French-Singapore collaboration.

Organised by the Embassy of France, the festival reflects the friendship between France and Singapore, further advanced by the establishment of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025. vOilah! 2026 embodies both countries’ shared commitment to collaboration across culture, education, science and innovation, while continuing to serve as a key platform for artistic dialogue and exchange.

Ambassador of France to Singapore, His Excellency Stephen Marchisio, said, “vOilah! is rooted in the belief that collaboration can create powerful cultural expressions that unite communities. As we continue our deep friendship with Singapore, the festival will serve as an important cultural bridge that brings together our people, artists and institutions to facilitate the sharing of ideas, and the formulation of new ones. It is a reminder that creativity has no geographical boundaries, and we trust the programmes will resonate with everyone and allow them to discover new perspectives.”

Diverse Showcases that Cook Up New Flavours and Forge Dialogue

This year’s edition invites Singapore audiences on a passport-free journey to France through a curated line-up of programmes that adds a flavour of French culture in Singapore across various disciplines. From world-class performances and exhibitions to culinary experiences and film screenings, the festival highlights both leading French talents and meaningful collaborations with Singapore’s key cultural institutions and platforms.

The festival kicks off with one of its most anticipated highlights: the vOilah! French Food Market at VivoCity. This lively gathering brings together producers, importers and food lovers to share some of France’s finest produce – from cheeses and delicatessen to pastries, artisanal breads and wines. The market celebrates the convivial spirit of French dining and the joy of gathering around food. Over the weekend, visitors can also enjoy live demonstrations by Chef Sébastien Lepinoy of Les Amis, three-Michelin-starred restaurant and Chef Jérémy Gillon, former chef of JAG, one-Michelin-starred restaurant, offering a rare opportunity to engage with them up close and learn from their expertise.

The vOilah! French Food Market returns, offering local consumers an opportunity to discover some of France’s finest foods and wines. Image: Moonrise

From these shared culinary experiences, the festival expands into deeper cultural encounters, inviting audiences to explore history, heritage and the environment through art. A major highlight of the visual arts programme is Crosscurrents: Masterpieces of Indian, Iranian & Ottoman art from the Musée du Louvre, presented by the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM). Marking its first appearance in Southeast Asia, the exhibition places masterpieces from the Louvre’s Islamic art collection in dialogue with ACM’s own collection, illuminating historical connections between Asia, Europe and the Islamic world.

Environmental storytelling also takes centre stage at One Ocean: Every Action Ripples, an exhibition developed through a partnership between Science Centre Singapore and the Tara Ocean Foundation, produced by Ride FX. Making its worldwide debut, the experience brings the Tara Ocean Polar Station to Singapore, offering audiences a multi-sensory journey through ocean research. Using VR, immersive projections, and spatial soundscapes, visitors can explore Arctic ice formations, vibrant coral reefs, microscopic plankton, and ocean currents, reflecting on the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the impact of human actions on our oceans.

An Extravaganza of Sights and Sounds through the Arts and Film

The festival’s celebration also extends beyond visual arts into the realm of music and performance, promoting acclaimed French productions and captivating performances by leading international ensembles to Singapore’s stages.

LACRIMA, directed by renowned French theatre director Caroline Guiela Nguyen, arrives at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre as part of Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA). Set within the world of haute couture, the play pulls back the curtain on the pinnacle of luxury fashion, interweaving the hidden lives of seamstresses, modellers and embroiderers across Parisian ateliers, Normandy lace workshops and embroidery studios in Mumbai. Also presented as part of SIFA is Planet [wanderer] by Belgo-French choreographer Damien Jalet, created in collaboration with visual artist Kohei Nawa. Blending choreography with striking visual elements, the work sees performers interact with shifting landscapes of sand and stardust, offering a poetic reflection on our fragile relationship with Earth.

Dance audiences can look forward to Danses de Rêve, a Singapore Ballet world premiere featuring works by French choreographers Étienne Ferrère and Claire Voss. The performance promises an unforgettable evening of dance, celebrating the enduring beauty of ballet. Extending beyond the stage and behind the curtain, the BALLET: The Making of an Étoile exhibition offers an inside look at the Paris Opera Ballet, tracing the rigorous journey of dancers as they evolve through discipline, repetition, and artistic transformation.

Chamber music will be represented by the Paris-based quartet Quatuor Modigliani will take the stage at the Esplanade Recital Studio, presenting chamber music masterpieces by Ludwig van Beethoven. Through a series of concerts, the ensemble invites listeners to experience the enduring beauty and emotional depth of the classical chamber repertoire. They are joined by the Quatuor Elmire, a rising ensemble of the new generation of French chamber musicians, who bring a fresh perspective to the repertoire. Known for their expressive interpretations and international recognition, the quartet will present a programme of French works, including Debussy’s celebrated string quartet. This musical journey continues to the French island of Corsica, where leading ensemble Spartimu brings their traditional polyphonic singing, paghjella, to Singaporean audiences as part of Tapestry Music Festival by Esplanade. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, this raw and resonant vocal tradition offers a powerful, immersive encounter with Corsica’s rich cultural heritage.

Concluding his seven-year tenure as chief conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Hans Graf will dedicate his swansong to the art of French music with the Hans Graf Farewell Series: Mystère de l’Instant. Featuring works by composers including Dutilleux, Poulenc, Milhaud, and Ravel, the programme spotlights the alluring, thought-provoking and spontaneous nature of French musical art. Extending this musical celebration beyond the concert hall, the festival also honours another iconic figure with Miles Ahead!, a tribute concert to Miles Davis, presented by the Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra at OCBC Square @ Kallang. This free, outdoor, concert reflects the festival’s commitment to accessibility, inviting a wide audience to experience the energy of live jazz in a vibrant, communal setting.

French cinema also takes centre stage with a selection of cinematic experiences, including a special presentation within the European Union Film Festival (EUFF). As part of this collaboration, audiences can discover Love Me Tender by Anna Cazenave Cambet, a poignant French drama exploring identity, motherhood and personal freedom, following its acclaimed premiere at Cannes. Alongside this screening, vOilah! brings French cinema to Sentosa with French Cinema at Sentosa. Held at Palawan Kidz City Roof Garden, the screenings invite the whole family to experience the magic of French animation under the open sky. Across one weekend, viewers can journey through beautifully crafted stories such as Ernest and Celestine: A Journey in Gibberitia, Dilili in Paris, Yakari, A Spectacular Journey, and Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary. Each film offers richly imagined worlds that celebrate themes of friendship, courage and discovery, making for an enchanting cinematic escape for audiences of all ages.

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