Dates: 13–14 Nov 2026 · 11am to 8pm
ChildAid, the charity show run by The Straits Times and The Business Times, returns in 2026 in a new format: a free outdoor festival at the UOB Plaza Atrium in Raffles Place. You can drop in any time from 11am to 8pm on 13 and 14 November, which makes it an easy lunch-break or after-work stop.
At a glance
Neighbourhood
Raffles Place, CBD
Best for
Office workers on a lunch break, families, and parents of young performers
Budget
Free; food stalls and donations optional
Time to allow
30 minutes to a couple of hours
Nearest MRT
Raffles Place (EW14/NS26)
Good to know
Fri 13 and Sat 14 Nov 2026, 11am to 8pm. Outdoors, so check the weather
Why go?
It’s free and walk-in, in the middle of the CBD, so you can catch a set without planning a whole evening.
The performers range from ballet and hip-hop to classical, pop, R&B and rock, plus a multi-generational band led by a teenager.
Money spent at the festival goes to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, which support low-income children and young artists.
What to do
01 · Friday 13 November: the quieter day
The first day focuses on acoustic sets, theatre skits and vocal showcases, with a musical theatre production, actors performing on the plaza steps, a sunset acoustic guitar set by the Singapore River and a specially arranged Michael Jackson medley. It’s a weekday, so lunchtime and early evening suit office workers best.
02 · Saturday 14 November: the big mix
Day two brings a broader mix of dance and music, from ballet and hip-hop to classical and rock, plus an ensemble of singers, dancers and instrumentalists. It’s the better day for families, since school’s out.
03 · The festival village
Between sets, there’s a 4.8m interactive pledge wall where you make a personalised clicker, live caricature artists, glitter and face-painting stations, and a food market with popcorn, bubble tea, snacks and ice cream. Proceeds from the food go to the two funds, and you can also donate through Giving.sg or PayNow QR codes on site.
Plan your visit
Address
UOB Plaza Atrium, 80 Raffles Place, Singapore 048624
Opening hours
Fri 13 and Sat 14 Nov 2026, 11am to 8pm
Getting there
Raffles Place MRT (EW14/NS26) is a few minutes’ walk; UOB Plaza sits beside the Singapore River
Tickets or booking
Free, no tickets. Drop in any time during opening hours
Accessibility
Open-air plaza in the CBD with step-free routes from Raffles Place MRT. Ask the organiser about seating
Before you go
- The guest of honour, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo, attends on 13 November at 12.30pm, so expect bigger crowds around lunchtime that day.
- Bring an umbrella or a fan: the atrium is outdoors (our suggestion).
- Make an evening of it by the river: Kulnari Mystery Golf is at Boat Quay.
- The same weekend, the Singapore Writers Festival is a short walk away in the Civic District.
UOB Plaza and the river
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Sources and disclosure
Information checked: 28 October 2026 · The Straits Times – ChildAid 2026 festival announcement (organiser) · The Business Times – ChildAid 2026 festival announcement (co-organiser)
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors, used under the licences shown in each caption (images resized): Zairon (CC BY-SA 4.0); LN9267 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Disclosure: Not a firsthand visit. Dates, times, programme and the charities come from the announcements by ChildAid’s organisers, The Straits Times and The Business Times, checked on 28 October 2026. Photos are freely licensed views of UOB Plaza and the Singapore River on ordinary days, not of the festival. We weren’t paid or hosted, and there are no affiliate links.