We see the return of Artbox at the Singapore Expo in January 2025, promising a vibrant mix of art, retail therapy, and food. Asia’s largest creative pop-up festival, this year’s edition, “Artbox Everyday,” will span two weekends: 17th- 19th January and 24-26th January. It’s held at Singapore Expo Hall 4, running from 12 pm to 11 pm.
On some history, Artbox began in Thailand as a lifestyle pop-up festival. It has since expanded internationally. Known for its creative ambiance and diverse vendors, and has become a platform for artisans, entrepreneurs, and small businesses alike. Fast forward to the 2025 edition of Artbox Singapore is home to over 600 vendors, including food, retail, and lifestyle offerings, making it the largest version yet. Let’s take an explore.
A floral garden welcomes you at the entrance, where you can buy tickets online or on-site. Entry wristbands and leaflets, including a Song He rice lucky draw key, are provided, where you have a lucky draw go at winning prizes behind blind boxes.
The floral garden rows of flower-shaped giant inflatables, is a decorative staple of Artbox we first saw back down memory lane at past Artbox events, like those designed by Lesdoublewood with his signature creation Jelilo in the 2023 Artbox. The flowers greets you at the entrance to the event. It does give you a “honey I shrunk the kids” vibes as a walk through a garden which adds to the event’s charm.
Artbox retail marketplace
Furthermore, the various sectors are arranged in a logical manner with the goods market place at the entrance, and stage and game events in the center. This center area is also where the Artbox trademark central stacked container piece resides, and the food pasir malam (night market) at the far end of the convention hall.
Moreover, a highlight offering of Artbox be the shops and the retail marketplace. This is marketplace, given its lower cost barrier to entry is home to several new local makers and retailers looking to make their debut into the marketplace since. Also, the marketplace is filled with fresh faces and returning favourites.
Independent makers, like Sriste with animal crafts, OMJ Studio’s Pokemon-themed merchandise, and Hexenskye’s gothic accessories, stand out. There are also notably several crochet shops hawking goods of various audiences, from kids, kiadults to CNY themed items.
Also, Pigeoncrafts is also one new stores to check out here, offering cutesey stationary, stickers and standees featuring their various in-home characters like a pigeon and adorable wolfy wolf character.
Additionally, on the international front, there is a section dedicated to Korean and Thailand makers as well. The Korean side is more focused on vanity, with some focused on Korean art scrolls. The Thai side more on art-related designer T-shirts. The designs on some of the shirts are pretty detailed and nice in my opinion. Here, Mabanakhon’s Thai art clothes draw attention.
Interestingly, you can find three stalls offer “retro” digital cameras. Also, quirky stores like Wicker Club Aromas sell uniquely named aromatherapy products.
A place for games and chill
Moreover, the marketplace also includes a mini arcade with racing games, shooting games, and claw machines. Also, this year’s thematic installations include a central art piece mimicking local flats with a communal void deck made with shipping containers to demarcate the space.
If chess is your thing, there are board game areas for you to have a go. It was rather popular spot, probably invigorated with the International FIDE World Chess Championship recently held in Singapore.
As with the past artbox events, the caricature booths here are a staple offering here at the central part of the expo hall. Here, you can also get yourself drawn in cartoon livery for an affordable fee.
Also, activities like karaoke and chess games add a nostalgic community vibe. Here, families can enjoy a children’s enrichment center offering T-shirt doodling and speech classes. An open karaoke section, chess-playing area, and kiddy play zone enhance the event’s interactive event appeal.
Food stalls galore
Notably, the smell of oil and fried food lingers in the air-conditioned space, giving a hint of the food offerings. The smell does linger on your clothes for long to, so do take this into consideration. A Chang Beer-supported beer garden surrounds the main stage.
Here you can dine-chill on benches, sofas to live bands and DJ performances. There is ample seating is available in this area for enjoying the entertainment, music and food. Notably, and strangely, the SGAG challenge stage is absent is year. It was a crowd draw at past Artbox events including last year’s 2024 Artbox with the “pit of death”.
Furthermore, the food marketplace, situated at the far end of the hall takes a familiar layout from last year’s event as well. Here, food stalls and trucks serve meals ranging from street snacks to hearty staples.
Also, food prices here range between $10 and $20. Nosh Burger Truck, a familiar name from their Henderson Road branch, makes an appearance. Over 90 food outlets and nearly 200 retail booths create a bustling environment, with a notable 40% increase in vendor participation compared to previous years.
Also, Gaming enthusiasts will find a console games arena booth featuring Nintendo Switch favourites like Smash and Mario Kart. This long-standing crowd favorite remains a key attraction. New this year is the Artbox Express bus, a 50-cent ride connecting *Scape to Singapore Expo.
A retro arcade machines by The Arcade People round out the entertainment options. A dedicated convenience store sells exclusive merchandise by local artists. Wrapping up, the show trade day is another interesting highlight, and is more of a networking session which fosters connections among entrepreneurs, businesses, and industry leaders with keynote speeches.
Wrapping up
Tickets cost $7 to $8, with slightly cheaper early bird discounts available until December 23 if you actually managed to snag one early. Trade Day passes cost $100, granting access to all six days. Shuttle service to *Scape Park in Orchard is available for an additional 50 cents on your base ticket. Still, you can simply do a walk-in to Expo Hall 4 and purchase the tickets on the spot via their online QR links. I attended on a Friday, paying $7, where the weekend rates at $8. The prices are reasonable compared to pricier events like AFA and Singapore Comic Con, which are priced typically in the more expensive $20 range.
Overall, Artbox 2025 offers a blend of shopping, dining, artistic installations, and activities. Its vibrant atmosphere, diverse vendors, and creative programming make it a must-visit event. Whether you’re exploring unique products, savoring innovative food, or soaking in the ambiance, Artbox celebrates creativity, community, and culture in Singapore’s annual event calendar.
