AFA Singapore 2026: Dates, Lineup, Tickets & Guide

Anime Festival Asia (AFA) Singapore 2026 is back for three packed days of Japanese pop culture, and it is shaping up to be one of the strongest editions in recent years.

From an orchestral anime composer making her Singapore debut to a Vocaloid night headlined by Hatsune Miku, plus a voice-actor showcase that has already drawn in Black Clover fans, the 27–29 November weekend at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre is a genuinely travel-worthy event.

This guide covers the full concert lineup, ticket prices, the AFA Next Stage guests including Gakuto Kajiwara, venue logistics, and practical travel tips for fans flying in from across the region.

What Is AFA Singapore 2026 and Why It Matters for Anime Fans

Anime Festival Asia is widely regarded as Southeast Asia's largest anime, manga and J-pop culture festival, and the Singapore edition is its flagship.

AFA Singapore 2026 runs from 27 to 29 November 2026 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, occupying Halls 401–406.

The scale is significant: the 2024 edition drew around 130,000 attendees over its three days, and the event has become a fixture for both local fans and visitors who plan an entire trip around it.

What makes the 2026 edition notable is its range. Instead of leaning on a single genre, the lineup spans a legendary anime composer, Harajuku pop, idol units, virtual singers and voice actors, which means there is a night for almost every kind of fan.

The festival is built around three pillars. The first is the evening concert programme, with a different headline show each night.

The second is AFA Next Stage, a talent showcase segment where voice actors, creators and performers appear in panel and stage formats.

The third is the exhibition floor, home to the Cosplay Hub, the Creators Hub and a large line-up of exhibitors and merchandise booths.

Every ticket tier includes access to the exhibition floor and daytime stage activities, so even fans who skip the concerts still get a full day of the festival.

• Dates: 27–29 November 2026 (Friday to Sunday)
• Venue: Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Halls 401–406
• Exhibition hours: 10:00AM – 8:00PM daily
• Concerts: doors open 6:00PM, show starts 7:00PM
• Official ticketing: animefestival.asia and Ticketmaster Singapore
• Included with every ticket: exhibition floor access and daytime stage activities

AFA Singapore 2026 Concert Lineup: Three Nights of Live Performances

The 2026 concert programme is marketed as an "Ultimate Music Weekend," and the billing genuinely reflects that.

Each night has a distinct identity, from a symphonic anime soundtrack evening to a multi-act pop festival and a Vocaloid celebration, so the choice of which day to attend comes down to which sound you love most.

Friday 27 November — Yuki Kajiura LIVE vol.#22 ~precious pieces~ in Singapore

Night one belongs to Yuki Kajiura, one of the most respected composers in anime.

Best known for her sweeping, cinematic scores, she has written music for Sword Art Online, Fate/Zero and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, among many others.

This show marks her first-ever performance in Singapore, which gives the evening real landmark status for local fans who have followed her work for years.

Yuki Kajiura LIVE vol.#22 is presented as a ~precious pieces~ programme, with a full live band and vocalists bringing her soundtracks to life on stage.

Doors open at 6:00PM and the show starts at 7:00PM. If you love orchestral anime music, this is the night to prioritise.

Saturday 28 November — AFASG26 Music Fest: Kyary, May'n, KAF, Liella! and More

Saturday is the most eclectic night of the weekend, bringing together J-pop, Harajuku pop, idol and rock acts in one large-scale show.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu leads the billing. The Harajuku pop icon, who celebrates her 15th debut anniversary in 2026, returns to Singapore after several years away, bringing her unmistakable visual style and high-energy setlist.

May'n, known to anime fans as the singing voice of Sheryl Nome in Macross Frontier, joins the line-up.

So does the KAMITSUBAKI STAGE segment, featuring KAF (花譜) and Isekaijoucho, two acts whose live appearances outside Japan are rare. Liella!, from Love Live! Superstar!!, performs as a three-member unit comprising Liyuu, Naomi Payton and Yuina.

The trio includes a Singapore-nationality member, a nice local connection point for the home crowd. Rounding out the night is Aooo, a four-piece rock band formed in 2023 who are making their first AFA appearance.

If you want variety, Saturday is the safest bet, with something for listeners across the spectrum of Japanese music.

Sunday 29 November — HoneyWorks Vocal All Stars × AFA Vocaloid Night feat. Hatsune Miku

Sunday offers a double bill that speaks directly to two of the most dedicated communities in Japanese music.

First up is HoneyWorks Vocal All Stars, featuring CHiCO, HaKoniwalily, TAKANE NO NADESHIKO and Karen na Ivory.

HoneyWorks are known for their storytelling songs and distinct vocal-led sound, and the all-star format gathers multiple voices from their catalogue into a single show.

The night then shifts into AFA Vocaloid Night, headlined by Hatsune Miku. The line-up includes producers such as kz (livetune), whose track "Tell Your World" became a defining Vocaloid anthem, alongside 八王子P and other names.

For newcomers, it is worth knowing that Vocaloid concerts rely on holographic projection technology to place the virtual singers on stage with a live band, creating a concert experience built around projections and lighting rather than a physical performer.

Sunday is a must for Vocaloid and HoneyWorks fans, and it is also the day that voice actor Gakuto Kajiwara appears at AFA Next Stage, which we cover next.

AFA Singapore 2026 AFA Next Stage: Meet Voice Actor Gakuto Kajiwara

AFA Next Stage is the festival's talent showcase segment, where voice actors, creators and performers take to the stage for panels and live appearances.

It sits alongside the concerts and the exhibition floor, and it is where fans get closer to the people behind their favourite characters.

The first announced guest for AFA Next Stage in 2026 is Gakuto Kajiwara (梶原岳人), a prominent Japanese voice actor.

He is best known for voicing Asta, the determined protagonist of Black Clover, a role that brought him wide recognition, including a Best New Actor award at the 14th Seiyu Awards. He also voices Allen Sugasano of the group BAE in Paradox Live, where his performance is defined by the project's signature rap-driven style.

His appearance is tied to Paradox Live, which continues to attract significant attention through 2026, and his session is scheduled for Sunday 29 November.

As is normal for talent showcases, exact stage times are often confirmed closer to the event, so it is worth checking the official AFA schedule once it is published.

To attend his session you will need a ticket for Sunday, and the good news is that a Sunday ticket also covers the Vocaloid Night and HoneyWorks show that evening plus full exhibition access during the day.

For fans planning around Kajiwara specifically, Sunday is the clear anchor day of the weekend.

AFA Singapore 2026 Ticket Prices and How to Buy

Tickets for AFA Singapore 2026 are sold in three concert categories plus multi-day passes, and all of them include exhibition access.

Prices are quoted in Singapore Dollars and online prices exclude booking fees.

A few practical points are worth keeping in mind. Buying online is consistently cheaper than paying at the door, so there is little reason to wait.

All single-day tickets are date-specific, meaning a Friday ticket will not get you into the Saturday or Sunday concerts.

Tickets are generally non-refundable and non-exchangeable, so it pays to confirm your dates before you buy.

The official channels are the AFA Singapore 2026 ticketing page at animefestival.asia and Ticketmaster Singapore.

Popular nights, especially Friday with Yuki Kajiura's Singapore debut and Sunday with the Vocaloid Night and Gakuto Kajiwara, are the ones most likely to move quickly, so early purchase is recommended.

Which Ticket Tier Is Right for You?

Cat 1 gives the closest proximity to the stage and the best sightlines, making it the pick for fans who want to be fully immersed in the concerts.

Cat 2 is a strong mid-range compromise, offering a good concert experience without the premium price. Cat 3 suits budget-conscious attendees or anyone whose main interest is the exhibition floor and daytime activities.

For visitors travelling from overseas, the 3-Day Concert Cat 1 pass at SGD 498 is the best value if you intend to attend all three nights, since it works out cheaper than buying three separate Cat 1 day tickets.

Dedicated merch collectors may prefer the 3-Day VIP bundle at SGD 570, which adds exclusive merchandise to the concert access.

AFA Singapore 2026 Venue Guide: Getting to Sentosa's SICEC

The short answer is that AFA Singapore 2026 is not on Sentosa. It is held at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, at 1 Raffles Boulevard in the Marina Centre area, and it occupies Halls 401–406, with the concert hall running in Hall 406.

The official AFA site and Ticketmaster Singapore both list Suntec as the venue, so if you see a listing pointing to Sentosa or a Sentosa convention centre, treat it as out of date and confirm against the official AFA website before booking travel.

Getting to Suntec by public transport is straightforward. Promenade MRT Station, served by both the Circle Line and the Downtown Line, connects to Suntec City through an underground walkway, so you can arrive without stepping into the heat.

Esplanade MRT Station on the Circle Line is also within a short walk. Taxis and ride-hailing services drop off at the Suntec City entrances.

The exhibition floor runs 10:00AM to 8:00PM daily, while concert doors open at 6:00PM for a 7:00PM start.

Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days, so arriving earlier helps you clear queues, and standard bag checks and cosplay prop rules typically apply.

It is worth checking the official rules before you travel, especially if you are bringing props or large items.

One more planning tip for overseas visitors: staying connected makes the whole trip smoother.

A Singapore SIM card or data plan is useful for navigating the MRT, checking live schedule updates and posting in real time, and Trip.com offers SIM card options that are easy to add to your trip booking.

Planning Your Trip to AFA Singapore 2026: Flights and Hotels

AFA Singapore 2026 is one of the most travel-friendly anime events in the region, which is exactly why so many fans from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia and Japan build a short holiday around it.

Singapore is compact, safe and easy to navigate, so a three-day festival trip can comfortably be extended into a longer break.

For timing, aim to arrive by 26 November so you have a day to settle in before the first concert night.

Plan to stay through 30 November if you want to catch all three days and leave room for a recovery day or some sightseeing.

Singapore Changi Airport is exceptionally well connected across Asia, with full-service and budget carriers serving routes from Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila and beyond, so flight options are plentiful.

For accommodation, the Marina Bay and Bayfront area puts you within walking distance of the venue and the evening concerts.

Bugis and City Hall are slightly more affordable alternatives with easy MRT access to Suntec, and both have plenty of food and shopping nearby.

As a rough budget guide, expect to pay from around SGD 80 per night for budget hotels in Bugis or Chinatown, roughly SGD 180–250 per night for mid-range options near Marina Bay, and considerably more for the luxury end of the market.

Because AFA falls on a peak weekend, hotels in the Marina Centre area do fill up, so booking early is strongly advisable. Trip.com lists competitive flight and hotel deals for Singapore, and you can filter hotel searches by proximity to Suntec to keep your commute short.

Best Hotels Near AFA Singapore 2026 Venue

The most convenient option is the Marina Bay and Bayfront area, which is walking distance from Suntec Singapore and puts you close to the concert hall. Bugis and City Hall are the practical alternatives, offering lower rates with a short MRT ride to the venue.

Given event demand, booking four to six weeks in advance is a sensible target. If you use Trip.com's hotel search, filtering by distance from Suntec and Marina Bay helps you compare options by how close they sit to the action.

AFA Singapore 2026 Exhibition Floor: Cosplay, Creators Hub and More

Not everyone comes to AFA for the concerts, and the exhibition floor is a full experience in its own right.

It is included with every ticket tier, and it opens daily from 10:00AM to 8:00PM, giving attendees a full day of value alongside the evening shows.

The Cosplay Hub is one of the floor's biggest draws, with a dedicated area for cosplayers, cosplay competitions and photo opportunities.

Cosplay is welcomed and encouraged throughout the festival, and it is a big part of why the atmosphere is so lively.

The Creators Hub is a marketplace for independent artists, doujin goods and anime merchandise, and it is the place to find original artwork, prints and fan-made products you will not see in mainstream stores.

Official merchandise booths also line the hall, so budgeting for shopping is wise.

AFA Next Stage, the talent showcase where Gakuto Kajiwara will appear, is hosted within this broader festival setting, which means a single day ticket lets you move between panels, shopping and stage segments.

Vendor booths typically accept both cash and cards, though carrying some cash can make smaller purchases easier. Saturday and Sunday draw the biggest crowds, so arriving early gives you a better chance to browse before the aisles fill up.

AFA Singapore 2026 Tips for First-Time Attendees

If this is your first AFA, a little planning goes a long way. Here are the tips that make the biggest difference.

• Buy your tickets online in advance. Door prices are higher, and the most popular sessions can sell out.
• Decide which nights matter most to you before you buy. If Yuki Kajiura is your priority, plan for Friday; if it is Hatsune Miku or Gakuto Kajiwara, plan for Sunday.
• Check animefestival.asia, or the official AFA channels, for the full schedule once it is released, so you can lock in stage times for panels and showcases.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The exhibition floor is large, and you will be on your feet for most of the day.
• Bring a portable charger. Photos, videos and social media drain phone batteries quickly.
• If you plan to cosplay, check the official prop and costume size restrictions before you travel to avoid issues at bag check.
• For overseas visitors, sort out a Singapore SIM card or data plan so you can navigate and follow real-time schedule updates. Trip.com offers SIM options that pair easily with a flight or hotel booking.
• Set a merchandise budget. The Creators Hub and official merch booths are genuinely tempting, and it is easy to spend more than planned.

With the lineup confirmed and tickets on sale, AFA Singapore 2026 is shaping up to be a standout weekend for anime and J-pop fans. Plan your travel early, pick the nights that match your taste, and the three-day festival becomes an easy, memorable trip.