🇫🇷 vOilah! The France Singapore Festival is back, bursting with excitement from 25 April to 20 June 2026!

With over 26 exhilarating programmes spread across the island, it promises a vibrant celebration of arts, culture, gastronomy, science, and lifestyle. This eclectic mix ensures there’s something magical for everyone, blending free and ticketed experiences into an unforgettable tapestry of joy. In collaboration with 21 enthusiastic programme partners, the festival proudly showcases the limitless potential of French-Singapore collaboration, a true testament to the friendship nurtured between these two nations. Organised by the Embassy of France, it symbolizes the deepening bonds as highlighted by the landmark Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2025. vOilah! 2026 embodies the passionate commitment of both countries to unite in culture, education, science, and innovation, while serving as a vital platform for artistic dialogue and vibrant 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 beckons Singapore audiences on an enchanting passport-free voyage to the heart of France, showcasing a meticulously curated array of programmes that infuse the vibrant essence of French culture throughout Singapore’s diverse landscape. From breathtaking performances and stunning exhibitions to tantalizing culinary experiences and mesmerizing film screenings, the festival shines a spotlight on extraordinary French talents and fosters inspiring collaborations with Singapore’s premier cultural institutions and platforms.

The festival bursts into life with one of its most eagerly awaited highlights: the vOilah! French Food Market at VivoCity. This vibrant celebration unites passionate producers, importers, and food enthusiasts to indulge in the exquisite treasures of France—from the freshest oysters and creamy cheeses to delectable pastries, artisanal breads, and exquisite wines. The market embodies the joyous spirit of French gastronomy, inviting everyone to gather around the table and revel in the magic of shared meals. Throughout the weekend, visitors will be enchanted by live culinary demonstrations from the remarkable Chef Sébastien Lepinoy of Les Amis, a three-Michelin-starred haven, and Chef Jérémy Gillon, the talented former chef of JAG, a one-Michelin-starred delight, providing a rare and thrilling chance to connect with these culinary masters and soak up their invaluable insights.

From these vibrant culinary experiences, the festival blossoms into profound cultural encounters, passionately inviting audiences to delve into history, heritage, and the environment through the expressive medium of art. A dazzling 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). This landmark event marks its exhilarating first appearance in Southeast Asia, as it places breathtaking masterpieces from the Louvre’s Islamic art collection in a dynamic dialogue with ACM’s own treasures, illuminating the rich historical connections that bind Asia, Europe, and the Islamic world.

In a captivating turn, environmental storytelling commands the spotlight at One Ocean: Every Action Ripples, a visionary exhibition born from a collaboration between Science Centre Singapore and the Tara Ocean Foundation, produced by Ride FX. Making its thrilling worldwide debut, this experience transports the Tara Ocean Polar Station to Singapore, inviting audiences on an immersive, multi-sensory odyssey through marine research. With the magic of VR, stunning immersive projections, and enchanting spatial soundscapes, visitors can traverse the majestic Arctic ice formations, the vibrant hues of coral reefs, the intricate world of microscopic plankton, and the flowing currents of the ocean, urging them to reflect on the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems and the profound impact of human actions on our precious 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 the illustrious French theatre maestro Caroline Guiela Nguyen, graces the Singtel Waterfront Theatre as part of the spectacular Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA). Set against the glamorous backdrop of haute couture, the play unveils the hidden realms of luxury fashion, weaving together the intimate lives of seamstresses, modellers, and embroiderers from the enchanting ateliers of Paris, the exquisite lace workshops of Normandy, and the vibrant embroidery studios in Mumbai. Equally captivating is Planet [wanderer], a mesmerizing creation by the visionary Belgo-French choreographer Damien Jalet, in collaboration with the imaginative visual artist Kohei Nawa. This breathtaking work seamlessly fuses choreography with stunning visual artistry, allowing performers to dance amidst shifting landscapes of sand and stardust, offering a poignant reflection on our delicate bond with the Earth.

Dance enthusiasts have much to anticipate with Danses de Rêve, a world premiere from Singapore Ballet that showcases the brilliance of French choreographers Étienne Ferrère and Claire Voss. This enchanting performance promises to deliver an unforgettable evening that celebrates the enduring elegance of ballet. Stepping beyond the stage and into the heart of the art form, the BALLET: The Making of an Étoile exhibition invites us behind the curtain, revealing the rigorous and inspiring journey of dancers as they evolve through dedication, discipline, and artistic metamorphosis.

Chamber music will shine brightly as the Paris-based quartet Quatuor Modigliani graces the Esplanade Recital Studio, delivering exquisite masterpieces by the genius Ludwig van Beethoven. Through a series of captivating concerts, this remarkable ensemble invites audiences to immerse themselves in the profound beauty and emotional richness of the classical chamber repertoire. They are joined by the Quatuor Elmire, a fresh and vibrant ensemble of the next generation of French chamber musicians, renowned for their evocative interpretations and international acclaim. They will present a deeply expressive programme featuring celebrated French works, including Debussy’s renowned string quartet. This musical odyssey sweeps us away to the breathtaking island of Corsica, where the masterful ensemble Spartimu shares their soul-stirring traditional polyphonic singing, paghjella, with eagerly awaiting Singaporean audiences as part of the Tapestry Music Festival by Esplanade. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, this raw and emotive vocal tradition offers a powerful, immersive encounter with Corsica’s vibrant cultural legacy.

As he gracefully concludes his seven-year journey as the chief conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Hans Graf dedicates his farewell to the enchanting world of French music with the Hans Graf Farewell Series: Mystère de l’Instant. Featuring exquisite works by legendary composers such as Dutilleux, Poulenc, Milhaud, and Ravel, the programme captures the alluring, thought-provoking spirit of French musical artistry. This musical celebration extends into the vibrant streets with Miles Ahead!, a lively tribute concert to the legendary Miles Davis, presented by the Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra at OCBC Square @ Kallang. This free outdoor concert embodies the festival’s commitment to inclusivity, inviting a diverse audience to partake in the exhilarating energy of live jazz in a communal and spirited atmosphere.

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.

For more information on the festival and ticketing details, please visit www.voilah.sg. 

Photo credits:
Voilà les fous! Photo credit_ Mr Lim’s Shop of Visual Treasures
The Wonder Chamber, by Red Dot Baroque and Olivier Fortin. Photo credit_ Red Dot Baroque
The Sacred Voices of Corsica, by Spartimu. Photo credit_ Spartimu
The Art of Chamber Music Exhibition. Photo credit_ Clarence Aw
French Cinema at Sentosa. Photo credit_ Gkids
Danses de Rêve. Photo credit_ Ms Bern
Asian Festival of Children’s Content 2026. Photo credit_ Singapore Book Council
One Ocean_ Every Action Ripples. Photo credit_ Science Centre
Quatuor Elmire. Photo credit_ Brandon Koh

Slient Echoes. Photo credit_ Alexandre Levi
Love me tender. Photo credit_ Tandem
Qin Li-Wei Plays Shostakovich • Mahler 7 conducted by Alexandre Bloch. Photo credit_ Orchestra of the Music Makers

Only Light Has No Shadow. Photo credit_ Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery
Le European Grand Tour. Photo credit_ Ami Avora

LACRIMA, by Caroline Guiela Nguyen. Photo credit_ Jean-Louis Fernandez
Crosscurrents_ Masterpieces of Indian, Iranian & Ottoman art from the Musée de Louvre. Photo credit_ Musée de Louvre
BALLET_ THE MAKING OF AN ÉTOILE. Photo credit_ Opéra de Paris