ARTBOX is finally making a comeback after 3 years at the Singapore Expo, and we made a trip down ahead of the official event to tell you what’s good, what to expect and is it worth going for!
First impressions: we love the new venue. The event is held indoors at the air-conditioned Expo hall for the first time ever, and what a difference that makes! No more jostling around in the crowd and sweating your butt off in the outdoor heat—this year’s edition of ARTBOX is a totally comfortable and cool affair, so you can leave those portable fans and caps at home, you won’t be needing them here! As for the vibe, they’ve intentionally left the lights dim and installed fairy lights all around to mimic the authentic night market ambience. ARTBOX is split into 3 sections: retail stalls towards the front, art installations and immersive activations in the center and food stalls towards the back. Another great thing about the indoor venue is that there’s also ample seating and tables all around, so you won’t have to worry about having to stand to eat.
There’s plenty of unique food stalls to choose from, and there’s even a few stalls flown in from Thailand so if you’re not heading to Chatuchak, you can still get an authentic taste of Thai fare here at ARTBOX! Thai stalls include the likes of mookata, pad thai, mama noodle, crispy pork and more!
Other food highlights include sourdough donuts and grilled cheese toasts from Kobashi, Calamansi Kakigori (with sour plum and chilli flakes!), burgers, hotpot in a bucket, rosti, ramen, wagyu skewers, tacos and so much more! For thirst quenchers, head to the Chang bar for some beer, or grab some cocktails, otherwise there’s also non-alcoholic options like soft drinks, oat milk from Oatbedient, and coffee from Tanamera Coffee.
For retail, look forward to an array of unique wares and handmade items: from fashion apparel, plants, candles, crocheted items, punch needle accessories, handmade jewellery, suncatchers, dreamcatchers, artworks and film cameras, just to name a few.
You can even get nostalgic live portrait photography, adorable jelly caricature done in 5 minutes, jagua tattoos; or enjoy a free workshop activity like aura reading, DIY fluid bear and more. Head to Burrple’s pop-up and try out their giant sure-win gachapon machine for a chance to win prizes like snacks, vouchers and more!
If you’re bored of all the eating and drinking, there’s also an arcade where you can play games or try your hand at the claw machines, or even try out some VR games as well! There will also be live music playing for you to enjoy as you roam around the event.
For more artsy IG-worthy spots, head to the Projection Mapping containers for immersive 360 projections, or to the inflatable jellyfish and rabbit sculptures, or even to the dizzying monochrome illusion container! Don’t miss out on SGAG’s Beam of Pain Championship where you compete to be the fastest to walk (or hobble) through an acupuncture pressure mat-covered beam or National Shake Leg Championship for a chance to win the grand prize of $888!
If you’ve missed ARTBOX over the last 3 years, don’t miss out on this year’s edition as there’s even more things to see, do and eat—all in a super comfy indoor environment to boot. The event will take place over 2 weekends: from 24th to 26th February and 3rd to 5th Match 2023. Tickets cost $5 per person, and if you haven’t snagged your tickets, yet, you can still do so here. If you wish to take part in all 6 days of the event, you can also opt for a Season Pass for $30. For more information on ARTBOX 2023, see here.
ARTBOX 2023
Dates: 24th-26th February & 3rd-5th March 2023
Address: Singapore Expo Hall 6, 1 Expo Dr, Singapore 486041
Opening Hours: 12pm-11pm daily
