Highly anticipated festival Artbox 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 Artbox, it’s held indoors at Singapore Expo Hall 2 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.
Sway along to live music, a lineup that 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. You’ll also spot Cloakstop, a bus stop-themed installation done up by Malaysian graffiti artist @cloakwork – it makes for a colourful photo spot. Just around the corner, you’ll 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.
You’ll want to spend some time at the Open Plaza too – here, enjoy a free Teo Heng KTV session* in one of the containers or free Switch and VR games* at the Gamestop Arena. Or maybe, sit yourself down for a riveting game of chess with Aliwal Chess Club. Other workshops include a perfume workshop by Vcube Scenting and a candle-making class by Dusk Hour.
*Free with every Artbox ticket purchase, based on a first-come, first-served basis.
While Artbox already is chock full of fun activities and games, there are plenty of other unique handcrafted shops for you to browse through. Check out Jelly Caricature for cutesy live drawings and cat-themed merchandise or Bask In The Glow for handcrafted scented diffusers and soy candles. You can also pick up stylish pieces from the likes of Thai label Dat Clothing or even delicate gold jewellery from Mistgold. Once you get peckish, try sourdough bakes from Kobashi or premium Wagyu bowls from Gyushi. There’s even masala chai and bite-sized pani puris you can try, by Chai O Clock.
Artbox 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 has 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.
Tickets start from $6, 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 $799 worth of karaoke equipment with every ticket purchased. Make sure to also swing by the AI Photobooth by Alternate VP before you leave, for a keepsake token of your day out at Artbox.
