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January in Singapore is basically code for all things art, thanks to the annual Singapore Art Week (SAW). And one event to bookmark is the Aliwal Urban Arts Festival (AUAF), returning for yet another edition on January 31, 2026. Taking over Aliwal Carpark in Kampong Glam, the festival brings together street art, live graffiti painting, dance shows, an arts market, skateboarding action, and music performances – a guarantee that there’ll be no lack of entertainment.
If you’re not sure where to start, then why not kick things off with this year’s main attraction: Heart Chamber – a sound, light and digital art installation featuring painted motifs, animated projections, and rhythmic lights by more than 10 different artists, curated by Singapore street art collective and AAC artist tenant RSCLS.
Tenants at Aliwal Arts Centre will also be getting in on the action with performances and installations throughout the day. One highlight to look out for is Strange Terrain by Nimble Mystic, which fills the arts centre with inflatable installations, turning the space into a playground for all ages. The other on the list is Hothouse’s You Built This, a two-hour expanded roundtable that isn't your usual sit-and-listen talk. Featuring conversation with live elements, this programme unpacks the push and pull between ‘pure intention’ and ‘primal instinct’.
This year, the festival is also shaking things up with a couple of new additions – and one that stands out is Experimental Playground by ScRach MarcS. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a playful space where artists come together to experiment in real time. Dancers are paired with creatives from different disciplines, letting movement bounce off sound, visuals and text. And if tiny skateboards are your thing, don’t miss Mini Flips by SkateSG. This fingerboarding competition turns miniature decks into the main event, with open categories, ‘Best Run’ and ‘Best Trick’ rounds, and a $400 prize pool up for grabs.
If you’re looking to shop, make a stopover at The Synapses: Urban Art Market to shop from a mix of young makers, zine collectives, fragrance studios, vinyl diggers, upcyclers, subculture crews, and even botanical storytellers. Returning by popular demand is also D’TOUR by RSCLS, where festival-goers can go on a walk through Kampong Gelam’s street art and murals. This year also sees a D’TOUR Kids Edition, designed for younger audiences through storytelling and visual discovery.
Last but not least, the festival signs off with the Get Up & Get Down Block Party, back for the first time since pre-pandemic days. Head to the Aliwal Carpark and join in on some heavy beats and freestyle circles, with plenty of room to groove.
For the full lineup, visit their webpage here.
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