The best outdoor exhibitions in Singapore

From January 19 to February 8, 2024, the annual affair Light to Night Singapore will return once again to illuminate the Civic District, this time in the theme Reimagine. Presented by National Gallery Singapore, this year’s edition entails over 60 exciting artworks and programmes scattered across these art destinations: National Gallery Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, The Arts House, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, and Funan.

In the spirit of 2024’s running theme, Reimagine, the festival’s exciting installations and programmes are designed to encourage the audience to do away from their preconceived notions of art and to relook at it from a fresh perspective. Artists are also challenged to reimagine their crafts to create something new.

In need of an adventure? Plan your own and turn your art appreciation session into a unique day out around the island. Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded the best free-and-easy art trails to peep the city’s street art, ranging from 2D murals to 3D sculptures, video installations, and more.

Those familiar with urban art speak would have heard of the Hall of Fame, which refers to a space legally dedicated to street art. Some of the major cities in the world – including New York and Sydney – have said spaces where artists can work their magic. 

Southeast Asia now has its first official Hall of Fame – and it's located in Kampong Gelam. The newly minted Hall of Fame is Kampong Gelam's latest addition to the art that permeates the neighbourhood. But here's the interesting bit: a construction site has become an unexpected canvas for art. 

Spread across Bali Lane and Ophir Road, the project is inspired by the precinct's iconic role in nurturing the local street art scene. The metal canvases – spanning an impressive 230-metres and standing five metres tall – were erected as noise barriers for ongoing construction on the North-South Corridor. 

The Hall of Fame features 17 Singapore-based artists, most of which are no strangers to dreaming up colourful murals in Kampong Gelam. You'll find the familiar works of Didier Jaba Mathieu, Slacsatu, ZERO and ANTZ alongside up-and-coming names like Jojie Atomick and Studio Moonchild.

Scooch on down to the back alleys of Muscat Street for a rad hidden gem, an outdoor art gallery. Two parallel walls burst with a kaleidoscope of colour thanks to over 30 Instagram-worthy works by artists from the region and beyond. Admire the pop culture-dominated creation by multi-disciplinary artist PrettyFreakyFantasy or take a snap of a bold, terrestrial piece by graphic designer Liyana Farzana before exiting to Baghdad Street.