Charity show ChildAid to return as a free outdoor festival in November, auditions now open

ChildAid, a charity show run by The Straits Times and The Business Times in Singapore, is coming back in a brand-new way. In 2026, it will be a free outdoor festival called ChildAid 2026 Festival: Open Stage. The event will be held on November 13 and 14 at UOB Plaza, near Raffles Place. Anyone can attend for free, and performers of all kinds are invited to audition before September 12.

ChildAid has been raising money for children in need since 2005. Over the years, it has raised more than $32 million for two charities. One is The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which gives pocket money to kids from low-income families so they can get through school. The other is The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, which helps young people from tough backgrounds explore arts and culture.

In the past, ChildAid was a ticketed show held inside big theatres like the Esplanade. This time, the festival will be free and held outdoors. Money for the charities will come from company and individual donors instead of ticket sales. This change means more people can come and enjoy the event without having to pay.

The two-day festival will have live music, dance, and other performances across many styles. There will also be workshops that families can enjoy together. Something new this year is that older performers and music mentors will work side by side with the usual young talent. This mix of different ages performing together is meant to make the event feel more connected and fun for everyone.

Organisers are looking for many types of performers. These include bands, singers, dancers, musicians, buskers, magicians, acrobats, and more. Because ChildAid focuses on supporting young people, every solo act or group must have at least one performer who is 19 years old or younger.

Wong Wei Kong, the editor-in-chief of SPH Media's English, Malay, and Tamil Media Group, said that ChildAid is special because it helps those in need while giving young performers a chance to grow. He added that even though the format is changing, the goals of the event stay the same. ST editor Jaime Ho said the idea is to let people walk around freely, enjoy food, and explore activities at their own pace. BT editor Chen Huifen said the new format is meant to bring even more people together and make the sense of community even stronger.

To audition, performers must record a video of their act that is no longer than three minutes. They need to submit their video online at str.sg/CA2026audition by September 12. Along with the video, each performer must share their name, age, school or job, phone number, and email address. They also need to write a short explanation of why they want to perform for charity. Only those who are shortlisted will be contacted by the organisers.