Popaholic 2026 still has five free evenings left at Esplanade. The festival runs 1 to 30 October. Esplanade lists 29 programmes, all free, and the remaining nights sit on the Concourse from Monday 26 October, with Oakë outdoors on Friday 30 October. Sunday 25 October is already over. What is left is short, unticketed pop: two 30-minute Concourse sets a night at 6.45pm and 7.45pm, then a closing outdoor pair at 7pm and 8.15pm. Little Big Red Dot's 24 October round-up matches the official times. Space goes to whoever turns up first.
Monday to Thursday stay indoors on the Concourse
Weeknight Popaholic sets live on the Esplanade Concourse, the indoor public hall you walk through from the MRT. Each artist plays twice, 30 minutes, no interval. That is enough time to catch one set on the way to dinner at the bay, or both if you sit through the hour between them. Photography and casual video for personal use are generally allowed here. Skip flash, and do not block the walkway. The room is useful when the Outdoor Theatre is wet. Esplanade says outdoor shows may delay, move or adjust in rain, with ushers and signage on site.
Monday 26 October is songs for the ones we love. Grace Ann and Joshua, billed with OOME Music, sing covers of Phil Collins, Sara Bareilles and Kodaline, plus originals. Language is English. Tuesday 27 October is Sad Girl Pop. Singer-songwriter Dhanishta, with Conrad on backing vocals, bass and second guitar, moves through Olivia Rodrigo, Phoebe Bridgers, Sufjan Stevens and Lizzy McAlpine, plus her own songs. English again. Wednesday 28 October switches language. 听，与你潼乐 Tunes with Hazel Yew is a Mandarin set of JJ Lin, Eric Chou, Jay Chou and A-Lin, from first crush through the harder conversations. Thursday 29 October is Sit and Chill with GASTON. Gaston on vocals and Simeon on keys rework Earth, Wind and Fire and Bruno Mars, and add unreleased originals. English.
Friday 30 October closes the month on two stages
The last night splits. Nadya Zaheer plays the Concourse at 6.45pm and 7.45pm with a 30-minute English set of love songs from the past decade, dedicated to zillennials and everyone she has ever loved. At the same time the festival moves back outdoors. Oakë, pronounced okie, plays the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at 7pm and 8.15pm. Each outdoor set is 30 minutes. The band mixes originals with covers. English. If you want both, start with Nadya's 6.45pm Concourse set, then walk out to the theatre for Oakë at 8.15pm. The 7pm Oakë set clashes with Nadya's second slot.
Oakë is the only remaining Outdoor Theatre bill. Earlier weekend nights used 45-minute outdoor sets. Friday's are 30 minutes, same as the Concourse. Bring a light layer. The theatre sits open to the bay, and the second set starts after 8pm. Food and drinks are typically allowed at outdoor programmes unless staff say otherwise. Indoor Concert Hall rules do not apply here.
How the free shows actually work
No tickets, no SISTIC queue, no age gate on these remaining listings. You stand or sit where there is room. The Concourse is a thoroughfare, so arrive 10 minutes early if you want a spot near the singers rather than behind a tour group. The Outdoor Theatre has benches and steps. Those fill first on a clear Friday. Esplanade's own FAQ is plain: cancellations for free programmes go up on the event page, and there is nothing to refund. Check the Popaholic hub before you leave Bayfront, especially if the sky looks heavy.
The festival's brief is chart hits, viral comeback songs and the pop Singapore already knows. That is why the remaining week is covers with a local singer in front, not a touring arena act. You can walk in from Marina Bay Sands or Gardens by the Bay, hear 30 minutes, and walk back. Esplanade is 1 Esplanade Drive. Esplanade CC3 is the closest station. City Hall NS25/EW13 is a sheltered 10 to 15 minute walk. From Bayfront MRT, one Circle Line stop. Promenade CC4/DT15 is the other nearby interchange. After Oakë on 30 October, Popaholic 2026 is done.
Practical Details
- Dates: Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. Festival overall 1 to 30 October
- Time: Concourse 6.45pm and 7.45pm, 30 minutes. Oakë at the Outdoor Theatre Friday 30 October, 7pm and 8.15pm, 30 minutes
- Venue: Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981. Concourse and DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre
- Nearest MRT: Esplanade CC3 or City Hall NS25/EW13
- Price: Free. No tickets. First come, first served
- Website: Popaholic 2026 at Esplanade
