Highly anticipated festival Artbox Avenue is back with close to 300 retail and F&B stalls – it’s a delightful mishmash of shops, games, and live performances. Like last year’s edition, it’s held indoors at Singapore Expo – but at Hall 2 this time – so you’re safe from Singapore’s torrential heat and thunderstorms. Head down from January 26 to 28 and February 2 to 4 to fully experience Artbox Avenue, a three-storey high container that’s made up of five massive shipping containers.
Tickets start from $7, with exclusive bundles available – you can save by getting a bundle of four ($16 for January 26, 12pm; $19 for January 28, 8pm). On top of free Switch and VR gameplay and a KTV experience at the Teo Heng container, you’ll also stand a chance to win a Zalora gift card worth $1,000, or $799 worth of karaoke equipment when you share a photo or video of your best outfit at Artbox Avenue on Instagram or TikTok, accompanied by the hashtag #ArtboxAvenueGiveaway.
Over at the Artbox Stage, sway along to live music – the lineup features local bands like Reverie, The Passerby, The Mad Trio, violinist Jocelyn Ng, and saxophonist Spruce Teo. Thailand’s pop band The Parkinson will also make an appearance with catchy Thai hits.
Everyone with a valid festival ticket gets a free turn at the Teo Heng KTV container*. At this karaoke lounge, you get the chance to belt out your favourite tunes at the top of your lungs.
*Free with every Artbox Avenue ticket purchase, based on a first-come, first-served basis.
Artbox Avenue 2024 is co-organised with digital content producers SGAG, who’ve come up with a series of games to challenge your dexterity. Take the Hopscotch of Pain where you’ll want to be the fastest one-legged hopper or the National Piak Cockroach Championship that involves rubber slippers and cockroach boards. The creatively named National Water Bottle Tornado Championship will have you spinning a one-litre bottle to create a tornado – all done with extended arms. Winners of each of these activities will take home a staggering cash prize of $888.
You’ll want to make your way to photo spot Cloakstop, a bus stop-themed installation done up by Malaysian graffiti artist @cloakwork. Just around the corner, you’ll also find Artbox Street Press, a 20-foot shipping container that’s scrawled all over with meaningful life quotes. Make sure to also stop by “Stop, Look & Cross!” a stoplight exhibition that features three giant inflatables.
Since Kobashi is best known for their sourdough bakes, make sure to try the signature sourdo’nuts. These come in flavours like Mao Shan Wang Charcoal ($7) or plain, lightly dusted with cinnamon and sugar. There are also six alcohol-infused flavours including Butterscotch Banana ($6) and Bailey’s London Fog ($6).
While there are plenty of snacks and light bites around, Guyshi offers a full-fledged Wagyu beef bowl – it makes for a hearty portion with chargrilled beef and a runny egg on top. Otherwise, you can also choose from the likes of mentaiko ($15) and truffle Wagyu ($15).
The Taiwanese street food brand has specially brought in a Mochi Mochi Tea ($5.50) just for Artbox. With winter melon green milk tea and chewy mochi bits, this makes for a delightful bubble tea to sip on while checking out other shops. You’d also want to fuel up with their classic Extra Crispy Chicken, with add-on toppings like sour cream and seaweed.
If you’re yearning for something on the soupy side, go for Monki’s Taiwanese oden, in original and mala flavours. Each set costs $10 and comes with a free drink.
For an adorable caricature of yourself, head over to Jelly Caricature for a live drawing that’ll be skillfully done in just five minutes. You can also show the artist an image of a loved one (or furkid) as reference, and have them ‘cartoonified’ even if they’re not present in person. There’s also a range of adorable cat-themed merchandise you can purchase.
Local brand Bask in the Glow offers a solid selection of handcrafted scented diffusers and soy candles. The colour palette here is noticeably muted with neutral hues, designed to blend in seamlessly with the backdrop of your home.
Gold jewellery is always a fashion staple, and you’ll find delicate gold pieces over at Mistgold. This booth features everything, from fine bracelets to gold heart-shaped studs.
