Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, Singapore

In the room

The experience

The locals call it the Durian. The Esplanade's twin glass-and-aluminium domes have been a Singaporean landmark since 2002, but the architectural interest does not stop at the surface. The 1,600-seat Concert Hall inside was acoustically designed by Russell Johnson's Artec firm with a lowerable canopy that lets the room be tuned for chamber, full orchestra or jazz. The free outdoor performances on the waterfront most weekends often feature the same musicians playing inside that night. Singaporean cultural policy in action. Esplanade is the only architectural-and-acoustic anchor in Southeast Asia.

Gallery

Three frames

The Singapore skyline reflected in the bay at night — Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0

Skyscrapers across the bay under a blue sky — Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Esplanade domes and the Singapore skyline at dusk — Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0

Insider tip

Walk in knowing

Free outdoor performances on the waterfront most weekends. Often the same musicians playing inside that night, the public version of the same gig.

Why it fits

Why it is in the atlas

Singapore's only anchor entry. Architectural and acoustic in one. The Southeast Asia headline.

Plan the trip

When to go, hours, getting there

Best time to go

Weeknight orchestra concerts run year-round. The free outdoor weekend concerts on the waterfront are the Singaporean cultural-policy gift. The Mosaic Music Festival in March is the headline annual programme.

Hours

Box office daily 10:00 to 21:00. Performances most evenings; multiple halls in parallel. Free outdoor stages most weekends. Closed only on public holidays.

Getting there

MRT to Esplanade station, exit D, two-minute walk. From Marina Bay Sands, ten-minute walk along the bay. From Changi airport, 30 minutes by MRT (Downtown line).

Straight from the source

Official site and tickets

Official site and tickets →

Dates and tickets come from the venue itself. Opens esplanade.com in a new tab.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Where is Esplanade Theatres on the Bay?

Esplanade Theatres on the Bay is in Singapore, Singapore. Coordinates: 1.2897, 103.8557.

What kind of music is at Esplanade Theatres on the Bay?

Esplanade Theatres on the Bay programmes Classical, Jazz, World. Twin spiked-glass domes on Marina Bay, opened 2002. Russell Johnson / Artec acoustics in the 1,600-seat Concert Hall. An acoustic canopy that can be lowered to tune the room.

When is the best time to visit Esplanade Theatres on the Bay?

How do I get to Esplanade Theatres on the Bay?

MRT to Esplanade station, exit D, two-minute walk. From Marina Bay Sands, ten-minute walk along the bay. From Changi airport, 30 minutes by MRT (Downtown line).

Why is Esplanade Theatres on the Bay in the Sonic Paths atlas?

Singapore's only anchor entry. Architectural and acoustic in one. The Southeast Asia headline.

On the atlas