Artbox Singapore’s Largest Indoor All-Day Night Festival, ARTBOX, marks its comeback this January 2024 with ARTBOX AVENUE. Covering 105,000 sqft at Singapore Expo, the event ingeniously recreates an immersive tapestry of bustling streets, showcasing an explosive fusion of global street culture.

Kicking off 2024 as one of the first events of the year, ARTBOX emerges as a beacon of cultural celebration and artistic innovation. Spanning two consecutive weekends from January 26th to 28th and February 2nd to 4th, this year’s instalment promises an even grander spectacle – ARTBOX AVENUE will be 50% bigger as compared to its 2023 edition.

Having garnered immense acclaim last year with over 60,000 enthusiastic visitors, ARTBOX is amplifying next year’s iteration with Singapore’s wackiest content publisher, SGAG, as its co-organiser for the second consecutive year, ensuring a seamless fusion of vibrant creativity and engaging experiences for attendees.

Speaking to Kent Teo, Founder and CEO of Invade, he expressed his excitement for this new edition of ARTBOX and what it spells for the local audience. “After COVID, we took out a loan to push Invade through, and we’re now in a recovery phase rebuilding our team and gaining momentum,” says Kent. “Now in its 5th edition, we’ve moved it indoors while still maintaining the festival vibe, and brought on international brands from all over. The aim really is to platform these brands and perhaps inspire local brands to show that they too can push to a more international crowd if they want to.”

This year, ARTBOX introduces two exciting new zones: Central Avenue and Open Plaza, offering enhanced experiences for visitors. Central Avenue, the innovative experiential structure, boasts a captivating three-level display of vibrantly decorated shipping containers. Its striking features include colossal traffic lights adorned with psychedelic neon lights, graffiti, and street signs. Along this avenue, guests can immerse themselves in thrilling roving live performances, creating an energetic atmosphere. Additionally, the Open Plaza emerges as the novel art and culture zone, offering a diverse array of engaging activities and exhibits. Adding to the excitement, the Central Avenue will also feature larger-than-life photo spots like the ARTBOX Street Press. These containers will boast interiors adorned from floor to ceiling with dynamic designs, expressing vivid personalities, offering an array of memorable photo opportunities for visitors.

At ARTBOX AVENUE’s Open Plaza, cultures converge in a vibrant space pulsating with interactive and immersive activities spreading across two weekends. Visitors are encouraged to try out Street Chess hosted by Aliwal Chess Club in the first week, where the traditional game transforms into an urban spectacle, inviting passersby to test their strategic skills in an unconventional setting. Visitors who are seeking relaxation are in for a treat in the second week with massage sessions that offer a serene escape amidst the bustling ambiance, providing a rejuvenating break. Workshops at the Open Plaza cater to creative enthusiasts, offering opportunities to personalise items like sneakers, T-shirts, phone charms, etc. These hands-on activities encourage self-expression and artistic exploration. Additionally, look out for Teo Heng KTV Containers that provide a platform for visitors to showcase their singing prowess while the Complimentary VR and Nintendo Switch games offer a casual 6 yet entertaining space for friends to unwind and enjoy gaming experiences together. This dynamic blend of activities ensures there’s something for everyone at the Open Plaza, fostering an inclusive and engaging environment.

“We’ve done ARTBOX in Malaysia, and we have partners in Jakarta and Hong Kong. There’s been a lot of interest in the brand from developers, and based on the reception so far, from both creators and media, it’s been very positive to us and we’re sure we’re doing something right by having this platform,” says Kent. “Especially by ticketing the event, we’ve seen upticks in sales, where people come in intentionally to enjoy the vibes and spend more time inside to shop and browse.”

At the ARTBOX stage, be prepared for an array of captivating programmes from captivating live performances by our talented homegrown bands as well as overseas acts, the vibrant setting provides a platform for participants to display their skills and engage in lively exchanges, enhancing the festival’s energetic vibe.

At the SGAG stage, visitors will be treated to a riot of fun and pain with the all-new electrifying Hopscotch of Pain challenge where participants hop on one leg, across a beam covered in acupuncture mats, channelling the classic hopscotch game but with a hilarious, painful twist. But that’s not all – brace for the adrenaline rush with two fresh competitions: the National Piak Cockroach Championship and the National Water Bottle Tornado Championship, where the best contenders will pocket $888 in cash prizes in each thrilling event.

“Our partners are very important to us – like say SGAG, who’ve been integral to helping us put the word out and promote our events with Invade, leading to a three year partnership and bringing in even more people with their penchant for nostalgia, fun and games,” says Kent. “It hasn’t always been easy – we do literally have to knock on so many doors before receiving just a handful who are willing to put their trust in us and lend their support. But as the brand grows, so do our partners, and so will their faith and belief in what we’re doing – to build other smaller brands with the platform and let locals discover what’s out there.”

Indulge in a world of diverse global offerings of retail outlets for an unparalleled shopping adventure and delve into an exquisite culinary journey featuring an extensive selection of F&B choices, from bold Southeast Asian flavours to timeless traditional tastes. At the heart of the retail zone lies an array of retro arcade machines by TAP (The Arcade People), inviting guests to immerse themselves in classic gaming experiences. To further elevate the excitement, daily challenges will be available, providing opportunities for visitors to showcase their skills and compete for enticing prizes.

“ARTBOX 2024 is really a celebration of creativity, connection, and community. Building on our collaboration with SGAG for the second year, it gives us the opportunity to bring diverse cultures together on an unprecedented scale,” says Kent. “Beyond being a marketplace, this year’s ARTBOX is a cultural expression of the multicultural experiences that serves as a catalyst for the creative economy. The electric programming not only fuels the next generation of content creators but also creates a dynamic space that fosters collaborations between local and international merchants, empowering them and elevating creative retail in the region.”

Whether it’s reliving fond memories or embarking on thrilling gaming challenges, TAP at ARTBOX promises an exhilarating journey into the world of retro gaming fun. At ARTBOX AVENUE, welcome to the world of eclectic mix of activities that fosters a vibrant environment that supports local and global merchants. With over 100 F&B stores and 140 retail outlets, this vibrant space is poised to be a cultural hub, blending entertainment and diversity for people from all walks of life.

Artbox Avenue runs from 25th to 28th January 2024 at Singapore Expo. Tickets and more information available here