There’s something strange in our neighbourhood, and no, we’re not talking about that group of ghost-busting individuals from the early 1980s, but a local spooky experience heading to the heart of our Lion City, as Singapore’s first horror and folklore-themed festival, the Something Strange Festival 2026 (SSF), is set to transform Cineleisure into a weekend of frights and other mysterious delights.
Happening from 13 to 15 November 2026, SSF invites horror fans and those with a curiosity for the paranormal to a weekend of horror cinema, immersive encounters, and live performances, transforming Cineleisure Orchard into a celebration of all things supernatural. Best of all, admission to the Festival Village is completely free of charge, with visitors able to purchase tickets for individual experiences to suit their interests.
“Built on the belief that the strange and unexplained deserve to be explored rather than dismissed, Supernatural Confessions has grown into a community that brings together storytellers, researchers, creatives and curious minds. Something Strange Festival is an extension of that vision,” says Supernatural Confessions’ Eugene Tay, Singapore’s homegrown supernatural storytelling platform and founder of SSF.
“Through live performances, immersive experiences, film, art, conversations and a curiosity-driven marketplace, the festival creates a space where folklore meets contemporary culture. More than a horror festival, Something Strange Festival is a celebration of everything that makes us curious.”
Featuring eight different experiences from one convenient location, the Something Strange Festival 2026 is more than just a weekend of fun, it’s a horror fan’s window into the world of the afterlife:
SSF Horror-thon: 10 Movies, one weekend of pure horror cinema
Prices: S$22 per movie, S$188 for 10-movie package
Horror film buffs are in for a treat, as the SSF Horror-thon brings international masterpieces like Thailand’s Shutter (2004) and Australia’s Talk to Me (2022), cult classics such as 1976’s The Omen, and local favourites like 2009’s Blood Ties together in one non-stop horror movie marathon. Kicking off on Friday night with back-to-back screenings till the wee hours of Sunday morning, challenge yourself to catch all 10 movies in a row, or pick and choose whichever piques your interest.
Live Podcast Shows: Hear from the people behind the horrors
Prices: From S$43.70
Bringing podcasters, hosts, creators and guests together for conversations recorded in front of a live audience, the Live Podcast Shows offer insights into what goes on behind the magic. Through five shows, witness the creative process first-hand and learn how stories or concepts are crafted into actual episodes from guests such as Syed Wilson of Deadtime Stories SG and Kyle of HANTU.
Horror Short Film Challenge: Be the masterminds behind your own supernatural tale
Prices: S$50 (S$25 for students)
For the up-and-coming horror filmmakers out there, this one’s the perfect opportunity to show off what you can do. The Horror Short Film Challenge will test participants’ mettle by giving them just 48 hours to make an entire horror film from scratch. Contestants will be given a challenge brief and must work against the clock to write, shoot and edit their original horror concept into a completed final result, and stand a chance for their creations to be recognised and showcased through Supernatural Confessions after the festival, with the top three entries taking home prizes worth over S$4,000.
Haunted Backrooms: Horror experiences for thrill seekers and explorers alike
Price: S$11.50
No horror festival is complete without live horror experiences, and SSF has no shortage of sights to see and places to discover as visitors wander around the Festival Village. For those looking to up the thrill, they can take part in the festival’s very own Haunted Backrooms experience, a haunted house featuring scare actors that lurk around every corner, just waiting to catch visitors unaware. For those who want the same haunted house experience, just without the live scares, a walkthrough version will also be available, letting participants wander the sets and snap a commemorative picture without the frights.
Haunting Heritage Tours: Dark walks and darker history
Price: S$55.20
Step away from the brightly lit streets of Cineleisure and into the Shadows of Somerset, a 90-minute guided Haunting Heritage walking tour that takes participants to the less-travelled paths within the heart of the city. Explore the areas once occupied by cemeteries or long-gone landmarks while learning the dark history of the area, alongside a healthy dose of supernatural stories and spooky urban legends.
Main Stage: Performances and conversations at the heart of the festival
Free to watch
Tying all of SSF’s horror experiences together is the Main Stage, a shared heart combining live performances, talks, and other special appearances across three days. Keep a sharp ear and eye out while taking in the festivities, you just might come across something unexpected.
The Curiosity Market: Where strange things find new homes
Free entry
Looking to take home something spooky? Spread across three levels of Cineleisure, the Curiosity Market is where visitors can purchase keepsakes from independent artists, makers, publishers and merchants, from collectibles, art pieces, books, or other curiosities in between.
Social Night: Upping the energy when the sun goes down
Free registration and entry
As the day’s programme winds down, the festival doesn’t have to come to an end. Keep the energy up throughout the night with an evening of music, drinks, performances, and other after-hours gatherings. Party with your friends, or spend some time with various creators, guests, or other members of the SSF community, because when it comes to horror, everyone should feel at home.
Sounds like your cup of tea? Gather your friends, as well as your nerves, and head down to Cineleisure from 13 to 15 November 2026 for a weekend of frights, sights and spooky nights with the Something Strange Festival.
Tickets can be purchased now via the official Something Strange Festival website. Entry, seating and bookings are subject to capacity, availability and advance reservation where applicable.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
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