Those who are fans of Bangkok would recognise Artbox as a night market. It was a night market located at the Ratchada area and subsequently around the Asoke area. This was pre covid. Post covid, Artbox entered the Singapore scene in 2023. It was also in Singapore in 2024. Here is our post about the 2024 version of Artbox Singapore: https://littlebigreddot.com/artbox-singapore-2024-bigger-and-better-than-last-years-version/
Now in 2025, Artbox is back once again. Same place, Expo Singapore, around the same time of the year, just before the Chinese New Year. Oh yes, it’s called Artbox Everyday. Do not ask me why. It is not actually open everyday but only on Fridays and weekends over too weeks. Organisers, if you need advice on picking a new name for the event, drop me an email…
I actually cannot say that the 2025 edition is larger than the 2024 edition. It feels like the 2024 edition had more stalls. However, if it is a decent night market you are looking for in sunny, err… I mean rainy Singapore, then Artbox 2025 will tick that box.
We were invited to the media preview on Thursday 16th of January. Hence my photos and videos should show the event in its less crowded state. It should be more packed in the coming days.
If you need a walkthrough, then here is a 360 video which I took of the event on Thursday.
Once you enter, you will be greeted by a kaleidoscope of colours. There are a lot of free seating areas all over Artbox. Imagine a typical Bangkok night market where you have makeshift tables and chairs to have your food.
In keeping with the theme, this is the map of the event.
The games corner is right where you enter. You can play some Nintendo Switch games here. Kinda like when I was young and there were these stalls renting out game console playing time.
There is a booth that creates bags out of recycled plastic. I think they call it upcycling?
Then there is a perfume stall where you can create your own scent.
There is an art corner for young children. Parents can drop off their children here and they should be entertained with child friendly art workshops.
Why is there a car on display at Artbox I have no idea. However, there was a lucky draw going on at this booth.
Moving further down, there were food karts.
I must say that they did put in a decent amount of effort to make it feel like a night market in Bangkok.
I must say that not all the stalls are from Bangkok. In fact, the Thai food section was severely limited. While Artbox originated from Bangkok, the reiterations of Artbox in Singapore have a multitude of vendors from Singapore and places like Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Is there a shuttle bus to and fro from Scape?
Artbox Singapore is filled with such pop up displays. This is more about Singapore than anything Thai.
However, there is an After You pop-up store. This is the best dessert stall in the world. You can get their Shibuya Toast and Nutella Toast at this pop up store. If you have never had After You dessert, you are missing out on one of the greatest joys in life. Oh and I have been to Shibuya before and I do not see any Shibuya toast being sold in Shibuya that is similar to what After You is selling. That is a random rant and nothing to do with After You or Shibuya.
ALL dessert stalls in Singapore should set After You as their benchmark.
Here are some other pop up stores. See what I mean by Artbox has more things that are Singapore-related than Thai?
Here are some ways that you can do some good. Do support Food From the Heart. I use to do a bread run for them about two decades ago. This is a very meaningful campaign.
Alwal Chess Club had a really interesting pop up booth with 31, err… I mean 32 chess pieces. These pieces are designed by various artists.
I have not played chess for ages. If you want to play chess, there are chess sets for use at their booth.
Art at Artbox.
There are shops selling things from accessories to snacks to fragrances.
During the media preview on the 16th of January, some stalls were still not yet set up. Artbox officially opens to the public on Friday 17th January.
I just had to take a photo of this Labubu. By the way this booth was selling beads.
Oh there is a booth where you can guy your portraits done. This feels like Bangkok.
Shout out to The Scientist from Hong Kong. I bought some diffusers for the office from this stall. I wanted to find Karmakamet (you should know this if you frequent Bangkok) but they were not around.
Apparently there is a Singapore scent.
This booth is popular. When I was there, there was constantly people waiting to get their portraits done. Good thing to do if you are on a date.
The odd container or so was littered around the hall.
Here are some shots of some food stalls that my colleague Kevin managed to capture.
Then there is an arcade corner.
The huge stage in the middle of the hall will play host to many speakers and performances.
Oh and Dr. Jason Leong, in my personal opinion, the best stand up comedian in Malaysia and Singapore, was in the house.
Everyone was entertained. The benches in front of the stage were fully occupied.
Mark Lee was there promoting his new movie.
I just had to order something from After You. You know what? This tastes like the Real McCoy. It tastes exactly like the one in Thailand. It costs $10 which is actually CHEAPER than a lot of desserts in Singapore. Trust me, if After You sets up a permanent stall in Singapore, it will be a success.
My team ordered a lot of food. There were many hits and misses.
My colleague Wilber was missing for the large part. We found him at the Chang Beer booth…
Come on Wilber… we are here to work. We are supposed to cover the event. Why are you putting so much focus on just the Chang Beer booth?
We finally got Wilber back for a group photo.
Here are some pictures as to how the seating, or standing tables and chairs are decked out.
Is it larger and better than the 2024 edition? I do not think so. However, I still think if you are looking for something to do this and next weekend? Why not drop by Artbox Everyday and try the Shibuya Toast at After You. Yes, that alone warrants a visit to Artbox Everyday.
We enjoyed ourselves at the media preview. I do think that you will enjoy yourself at Artbox Everyday.
Artbox Everyday (Artbox Singapore 2025)
Date: 17 to 19 January 2025 and 24 to 26 January 2025
Time: 12 pm to 11 pm
Location: Singapore Expo Hall 4
Website: https://www.artbox.sg/
