Families can look forward to three afternoons of monstrous adventures, interactive performances, creative workshops and literary fun at Monstrous Fun 2026.
Venue: The Arts House at the Old Parliament
Date: 29 – 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm – 5pm
Fee: Free & Ticketed
A Weekend Of Stories, Creativity & Monstrous Adventures
This May, Arts House Group brings back Monstrous Fun 2026, transforming The Arts House at the Old Parliament into a playful world filled with stories, crafts, performances and imaginative experiences for families.
Taking place from 29 to 31 May 2026 as part of Civic District Children’s Season 2026, the festival invites children aged five and above to explore children’s literature through hands-on activities, storytelling sessions, workshops and interactive performances.
Families can also expect plenty of colourful photo opportunities, participatory installations and lively experiences both within the venue and around the Civic District.
Performances, Workshops & Tours
Journey West – Web of Deceit
Venue: Chamber, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 1.30pm - 2.30pm & 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Fee: $5/pax
Web of Deceit is a fascinating tale from Journey to the West, where the monk, Master Tang San Zang, Sun Wu Kong the Monkey God, Piggy, and Sandy go on an exhilarating adventure. On their journey, Sun Wu Kong, Master Tang, and his fellow disciples run into the crafty Spider Demon who spins her web and traps Master Tang and Piggy! Will Sun Wu Kong and Sandy come up with an ingenious plan to save his master and Piggy?
This interactive performance is conducted in English.
Magical Sweet Monsters: From Yuck To Yum!
Venue/Date/Time:
- Blue Room, The Arts House: 30 May, 12pm - 12.45pm
- Living Room, The Arts House: 31 May, 12pm - 12.45pm & 2.30pm - 3.15pm
Fee: $5/ticket (includes both child & adult)
Harness the power of art to turn your greatest fear into a sickeningly sweet monster! Then, grant your new best friend an awesome, yummy superpower to help you face new challenges! Inspired by the Magical Sweet Gula comics series.
Recommended for ages 5 - 12 years old. No drawing experience required.
This programme is co-presented with Difference Engine.
This workshop is conducted in English.
The Garden
Venue: Lawn, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm - 4.30pm
Fee: Free
Every garden starts the same way.
Someone finds a patch of ground and thinks: something could grow here. They plant one thing. Then another. Then they tell someone, or they don't, and someone comes anyway because they saw the flowers and wanted to know who made them.
This garden belongs to one of the creatures. But a garden that size has room for more than one.
Paint a pebble. Plant a flower. By the end of these three days this garden will have been made by every person who came through it. Some of their flowers you will recognise. Some you will not.
All of them belong here.
Inspired by “Mooty Moves Out”, a chapter from The Adventures of Mooty by Jessie Wee.
Monster Parade
Venue: Lawn, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 4.30pm - 5pm
Fee: Free
Unleash your inner monster at the Monster Parade with resident monster, Britney and stomp, roar, and parade through some of Singapore's most iconic landmarks!
The adventure begins at The Arts House lawn, where a surprise visit from a little wandering mouse sets the stage for a magical open-air performance. The parade then winds through Victoria Theatre's stunning atrium before heading to Anderson Bridge, home to SIFA's captivating public art installation, The Blocks.
Dress up in your most monstrous outfit and join Britney and the gang for an unforgettable romp through the city. Whether you're furry, scaly, or delightfully weird, all monsters are welcome!
Suitable for families with children aged 3 to 12.
Monster Doodles with Ellie Belly
Venue: Blue Room, The Arts House
Date: 30 - 31 May 2026
Time: 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Fee: Free
What happens when Ellie Belly’s doodles go a little… monstrous?
In this lively draw-along workshop, national bestselling Ellie Belly series illustrator David Liew (Wolfe) shows kids how simple shapes can turn into funny characters, wacky creatures and imaginative doodles. Follow along step by step as we draw Ellie, invent silly monsters and bring them to life with personality and expression.
Monsters Beneath Our Feet
Venue: Blue Room, The Arts House
Date: 30 - 31 May 2026
Time: 3pm – 4pm | 4pm - 4.30pm (Meet-The-Author session)
Fee: Free
Long before humans walked the Earth, gigantic creatures roamed the planet.
Join Fossil Finders author Andy Chua for a thrilling fossil show-and-tell featuring real prehistoric specimens. Learn how fossils form, take part in a lively quiz, and hear how these ancient “monsters” inspired the adventures in the Fossil Finders series.
From 4pm, bring along your favourite Fossil Finders book for a special meet-and-greet with author Andy Chua, where you can chat with the author up close. Andy’s fossil collection will also be on display until 4.30pm — don’t miss the chance to see them in person!
Touch Wood! A Superstitious Storytelling & Song Session
Venue: Living Room, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 30 May 2026
Time: 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Fee: Free
Join Ashley on a mad dash around her friend’s bizarre house, in an attempt to touch some wood!
Aimed at 6 to 10 year-olds, Touch Wood! is a wickedly silly, fun-filled story about Ashley, a superstitious girl who is trying to take back some unlucky words she uttered while studying at her friend’s house. “Touch wood!” she cries out, frantically looking around for something made of wood. But try as she might, there’s nothing in the house that is made of wood…
Can she thwart an impending bout of bad luck? Is there any hope?
Monsters Have Feelings Too!
Venue: Living Room, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 30 May 2026
Time: 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Fee: Free
Join us for a lively, giggle-inducing storytelling session inspired by a group of not-so-scary monsters with very big feelings!
Children will sing, respond, and take part in an interactive reading led by the person who has brought the book to our shores before getting hands-on to create their own monster puppets to bring home. Designed for parent-child pairs, this fun and meaningful session encourages creativity, language, and conversations about emotions in a warm, engaging way.
Read on the Go for Kids
Venue: Print Gallery, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Fee: Free
Discover the magic of Singapore stories! As part of the National Library Board's Read on the Go initiative, Monstrous Fun 2026 shines a spotlight on 18 specially curated SingLit children's titles that will be on showcase throughout the festival. From heartwarming tales to imaginative adventures, there's a story for every little reader to love.
To bring these books to life, dedicated storytelling sessions for selected titles will be held across all three days of the festival providing plenty of opportunities to sit back, listen, and get lost in the wondrous world of Singaporean literature. Come along and discover your next favourite read!
Face Painting
Venue: Foyer, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Fee: Free
Let little ones transform into their favourite Monstrous Fun characters with a splash of colour and creativity. From playful patterns to bold monster designs, this free face painting activity is a fun way to get into the festival spirit.
To enjoy this activity, simply follow our social channels and sign up for the Arts House Group newsletter onsite.
Dress Up & Join the Fun
Venue: Foyer, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 4pm – 4.30pm
Fee: Free
Come dressed as your favourite Monstrous Fun character and be part of the excitement! Keep an eye out between 4pm – 4.30pm, when Britney the Monster will be roaming the grounds and surprising a few standout looks with special Crayola prize packs worth over $80.
The Blocks
Date & Time:
- 15 & 16 May 2026: 7.30pm – 10pm
- 17 May 2026: 6pm & 10pm
- 20 – 24 May 2026: 6pm –10pm
- 28 May 2026: 6pm – 10pm
- 29 & 30 May 2026: 4pm - 10pm
Build Your Village.
The village is yours to make. Step into The Blocks and start building! Whether you're creating on your own or with friends, use these colourful blocks to shape a village inspired by your imagination. Stack them high, balance them carefully, connect, rearrange and rebuild as you go. There's no right way to create and no final form to reach. What you build is a reflection of your creativity and the collaboration between you and those around you!
Each village tells a unique story – snap a picture of your work and share it online with the hashtag #WeBuiltThisVillage and join in a larger celebration of collective making.
Drop-in Activities
Growing
Venue: Lawn, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm - 4.30pm
Fee: Free
What happens when a bunch of arty little monsters get busy? A garden that grows wilder by the minute! Paint a pebble or create a flower, pop it into our ever-growing garden, and help it bloom into something big, colourful, and wonderfully weird. Come back each day to see what new creations have sprouted!
Grab your A Very Big Story activity booklet at the redemption booth and hop into more drop-in activities at Monstrous Fun!
Inspired by “Mooty Moves Out”, a chapter from The Adventures of Mooty by Jessie Wee.
Lines
Venue: Film Gallery, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm - 4.30pm
Fee: Free
Scribble, scrawl, and doodle like a story-making monster! Add your words and drawings to our shared book, then flip through to see what other monsters add next. Every new line makes the tale twistier and wilder!
Grab your A Very Big Story activity booklet at the redemption booth and hop into more drop-in activities at Monstrous Fun!
Inspired by “Mooty Goes To School”, a chapter from The Adventures of Mooty by Jessie Wee.
Noise
Venue: Outside of Our Cultural Medallion Story showcase, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm - 4.30pm
Fee: Free
Make some monstrous noise (the creative kind)! Pick a pop-art sticker, write your name in the speech bubble, and add a doodle, pattern, or monster message. Stick it in your booklet and show everyone your one-of-a-kind style!
Grab your A Very Big Story activity booklet at the redemption booth and hop into more drop-in activities at Monstrous Fun!
Inspired by “Mooty and Grandma”, a chapter from The Adventures of Mooty by Jessie Wee.
Pressing
Venue: The Annexe (Bricolage) Entrance, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm - 4.30pm
Fee: Free
Build a monster garden collage with layers on layers! Mix colours and textures using toy bricks, fabric, cut-out shapes, and paper. Stack them, shuffle them, and mash them up into a collage masterpiece that’s totally yours!
Grab your A Very Big Story activity booklet at the redemption booth and hop into more drop-in activities at Monstrous Fun!
Inspired by “Mooty Moves Out”, a chapter from The Adventures of Mooty by Jessie Wee.
Layers
Venue: Outside of Our Cultural Medallion Story Showcase, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm - 4.30pm
Fee: Free
Build a monster garden collage with layers on layers! Mix colours and textures using toy bricks, fabric, cut-out shapes, and paper. Stack them, shuffle them, and mash them up into a collage masterpiece that’s totally yours!
Grab your A Very Big Story activity booklet at the redemption booth and hop into more drop-in activities at Monstrous Fun!
Inspired by “Mooty Moves Out”, a chapter from The Adventures of Mooty by Jessie Wee.
Monster Hunt
Venue: The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm – 5pm
Fee: Free
Oh no, the Monsters are stranded! The magical password to the enchanted Chest of Stories has been scattered into pieces. Hunt for hidden clues, solve tricky puzzles, and put the password back together to unlock the Chest of Stories and help the Monsters find their way home. Ready for the adventure?
Pick up your Monster Hunt map at the redemption booth and set off on an epic quest through The Arts House at The Old Parliament!
Suitable for families with children aged 3 and above.
This edition of Monster Hunt was created in collaboration with students from School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA).
Words Come Alive!
Venue: The Annexe (Bricolage), The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 3pm - 3.30pm
Fee: Free
Get ready for storytelling like you've never experienced before! Over the three days of Monstrous Fun 2026, join us for three lively and interactive sessions celebrating the best of Singapore children's literature. With handpicked titles from the Read on the Go for Kids brought to life each day, get drawn into a world of imagination, laughter and wonder. Jump in and become part of the story yourselves!
To sweeten the experience, pair your storytelling adventure with bites and sips from a specially created Monstrous Fun-themed menu at Bricolage, our venue supporter. It's the perfect way to settle in, snack up, and let the stories wash over you. Come hungry for food and adventure!
Crayola Activity Booth
Venue: Foyer, The Arts House
Date: 30 May 2026
Time: 12pm – 5pm
Fee: Free
Grab your crayons, coloured pencils and markers, and get colouring! Head to the lawn at The Arts House at The Old Parliament and unleash your inner artist with Crayola, as you bring your favourite Monstrous Fun characters and visuals to life in a riot of colour. Whether you like your monsters bright and bold or wild and wacky, there are no rules here, just pure, colourful fun in the open air!
Featuring specially designed Monstrous Fun colouring sheets, this is the perfect activity to kick back on the lawn, soak up the atmosphere, and let your creativity run free!
The Cultural Medallion Literary Pursuit
Venue: Our Cultural Medallion Story Showcase, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 10.30am – 6.30pm
Fee: Free
Did you know?
The Cultural Medallion Award is the highest award given for the arts in Singapore, and among them are writers and poets whose works often bring new and interesting ways of looking at the world we live in.
Since knowledge is treasure and wisdom is gold, join in this pursuit to hunt for all things literary about our Cultural Medallion recipients!
To play, scan the QR code provided at the Our Cultural Medallion Story showcase and start hunting for the answers within the gallery by following the steps provided!
Suitable for families with children aged 7 and above.
This activity is conducted in English.
The Cultural Medallion Musical Pursuit
Venue: Our Cultural Medallion Story Showcase, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 10.30am – 6.30pm
Fee: Free
The Cultural Medallion Award is the highest award given for the arts in Singapore, and among the award recipients are writers and musicians whose works bring new and interesting ways of looking at the world we live in.
Knowledge is treasure and wisdom is gold -- join in this pursuit to uncover the literary and musical brilliance of our Cultural Medallion recipients.
The program will continue beyond the festival, offering an ongoing journey of discovery.
Book Fair
The Monstrous Fun Book Fair
Venue: Print Gallery, The Arts House
Date: 29 - 31 May 2026
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Fee: Free
Inspired to read more terrific tales and snazzy stories?
Swing by our Monstrous Fun Book Fair to pick out interesting titles to add on to your book collection! Specially curated for young readers, pick from a wide range of genres and languages to satisfy the curious reader in you.
Suitable for families and children aged 3 to 15.
Don't Miss the Free Civic District Art Bus
A free hop-on, hop-off Art Bus operates Fridays to Sundays, 12pm – 7pm from now to 7 June 2026, running between Raffles City and Funan and connecting key arts venues including The Arts House at the Old Parliament and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.
Visitors can easily catch programmes from Singapore International Festival of Arts, Children’s Season and Monstrous Fun in a single journey. For more information on the Civic District Art Bus, visit https://artshousegroup.sg/cvd-art-bus.
