VERSE 2026

Synopsis

The Arts House at the Old Parliament will once again transform into a vibrant literary playground as VERSE 2026 returns from 9 to 31 January 2026. Organised by Arts House Group, VERSE 2026 opens the year's literary arts calendar with a bold multi-sensory celebration of Singapore literature, inviting audiences to discover the transformative power of words, stories and community. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, VERSE 2026 continues to reimagine how literature is experienced - blending text, sound, movement and visual art in unexpected ways. This year's festival is held in conjunction with Light to Night 2026 organised by National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Week 2026, amplifying its reach and impact across the Civic District.

• Brumblings by Aida Sa'ad

Step into a whimsical outdoor literary and light art installation inspired by Wahidah Taambee's visual poems. Brumblings transforms The Arts House at the Old Parliament's lawn into a playground of colour, light, and tactile discovery, where visitors interact with illuminated alphabet blocks and experience language as a living, ever-changing form.

• Pass the Mic by Theophilus Kwek

Experience the magic where literature meets music. This performance-sharing series pairs writers and musicians in creative dialogue, presenting evenings of conversation, live performance, and audience engagement. Each session offers a unique blend of text and sound, with opportunities to meet the artists and purchase books. Preliminary line-up includes Jean Seizure, Heema Izzati, Kin Leonn, Nick Bong, Wen-yi Lee, Nabilah Said, and Izyanti Asa'ari.

Beyond these curated highlights commissioned by Arts House Group, attendees can also look forward to a host of other exciting happenings: 

• Cherita Hantu: Quwwa by Hafidz Rahman (ticketed)

The much-anticipated fifth edition of this beloved theatre series returns with three haunting, multi-sensory stories inspired by Southeast Asian folklore and contemporary life. Audiences can expect immersive storytelling, atmospheric set design and a powerful exploration of the theme 'Quwwa' (meaning 'power' in Arabic). Tickets are $35 per person.

• Book of Red Shadows: Escape the Sleep Lab by Tusitala and Artwave Studio (ticketed)

Dive into an interactive, technology-driven theatre experience adapted from Victor Ocampo's science fiction. Participants become test subjects in a fictional sleep laboratory, solving puzzles and making choices that shape the story's outcome. This 50-minute adventure is designed for groups of four to six, with tickets at $40 per person or $230 for a private slot.

• Read on the Go in partnership with NLB

Discover sixteen curated titles across Singapore's four official languages, displayed as an e-book wall on the Print Gallery's facade windows. Scan QR codes to access stories that reflect collective histories, community voices and shared futures.

•  The Looking Glass of Language by Amanda Tan and Irsyad Ishak

A mixed media installation using light, moving image and interactivity to explore language as a vessel of meaning and connection.

• Survival in Contrast by Han Sai Por

An innovative installation bridging ecological reflection with digital technology, featuring sculptural forms, live fish and projection-mapped reliefs.

• A View of Things to Come

An exhibition of paintings by ex-offender artists and poetic responses by seniors, developed through workshops and presented in collaboration with CANVAS and Singapore Writers Festival.

• Turning Points 3 by ART:DIS

Showcasing works by emerging neurodiverse artists, reflecting resilience, creativity and personal growth.