The Gen XY Lifestyle
It’s Never Too Late for a Spotlight: A New Festival Celebrates the Second Act of Life
Retirement used to be seen as an epilogue, but a new festival in Singapore is flipping that script, treating it as an exciting second act filled with new dreams and standing ovations.
Gateway Theatre is launching its inaugural Sunshine Festival (阳光艺术节), a ten-day celebration of the golden years, running from 31 October to 9 November 2025.
The festival aims to be a vibrant space where seniors are championed for pursuing their passions in music and performance, and where families can cheer them on. It’s a timely initiative, aligning with the national focus on active ageing and strong family bonds.
“Sunshine Festival is about sunshine in your later years—the joy you can find in them,” says Samantha Scott-Blackhall, Programme Director of Gateway Theatre. “We want seniors to keep living fully, seeing this phase not as a sunset but a new hour to shine.”
Here are some of the highlights you won’t want to miss.
Headliners: From Reality TV Stars to Homegrown Talent
The festival is anchored by two major productions. First is When You Believe《奇幻之声》, a musical concert that brings popular contestants from the hit Hong Kong reality singing competition Midlife, Sing & Shine! to the Singapore stage. Co-produced by Gateway Entertainment and Hong Kong’s TVBI, the show promises a rousing salute to midlife dreams, uniquely presented through the magical storytelling of Master Illusionists Lawrence and Priscilla Khong.
The second anchor is Live It Up! 活出精彩, a joyful musical created and performed by the senior ensemble of The Glowers Drama Group, Singapore’s pioneer seniors’ theatre group. Expect plenty of humour, classic tunes, and audience sing-alongs with lyrics on screen, creating a truly communal experience. Catherine Sng, the group’s founder, says it’s about building a community where seniors can be “healthy, happy, and our children don’t have to worry about us.”
For the Whole Family: Puppets, Painting, and Poignant Stories
Beyond the main stage, the festival offers a rich variety of programmes designed to connect generations.
- For quiet reflection: Don’t miss 倒带 (Rewind), a new Mandarin play based on the true story of a cancer survivor’s journey through illness and her fight to reclaim her will to live. For something gentler, Where The Sunflowers Grow is a non-verbal puppetry performance that explores ageing, loss, and the beauty of life, designed for children (ages 5-12) and their loved ones to experience together.
- For getting hands-on: Families can bond at the Tote-ally Art workshop, a step-by-step tote bag painting session where you can create art together using coffee or potato stamps.
- For a fresh start: Kick off your day at the festival with Morning Moves, a free, senior-friendly stretching class in the Sky Garden designed to get the blood circulating and relieve stress.
With a line-up that’s both entertaining and deeply meaningful, the Sunshine Festival is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to find your stage and shine.
Tickets are available at Sistic through this website – https://www.sistic.com.sg/explore/2/137522.
