Aliwal Urban Arts Festival 2025: Kampong Gelam Comes Alive with Urban Art and Street Culture

Get ready for an explosion of creativity and culture as the Aliwal Urban Arts Festival (AUAF) 2025 takes over Aliwal Arts Centre (AAC) on 25 January 2025, as part of Singapore Art Week (SAW). Organized by Arts House Limited (AHL), this bold celebration of urban art, street culture, and youth subculture promises a jam-packed lineup of exhibitions, performances, workshops, and more—all set against the vibrant backdrop of Kampong Gelam.

TAILORED: Bore & Stroke – A Custom Culture Exhibition

AUAF 2025 debuts TAILORED: Bore & Stroke, an exhibition exploring the fascinating intersections of custom automotive culture, urban art, fashion, and design. Curated by The Block A Collective, the showcase features works by notable artists such as TraseOne, Metamo Industries, and Mad Rat Inc., delving into the cultural and psychological forces driving personal expression. Visitors can also dive into hands-on creativity with airbrushing and poster design workshops led by The Big Red Nose and The Goodnight Gang, respectively.

Explore AAC’s Creative Spaces

AAC’s resident artists will open their doors to share their creative practices through open studios, workshops, and performances. Highlights include:

• Avant Theatre and Language workshops, where visitors can uncover the art of theatre through fun and interactive games.
• Experimental music performances by weird aftertaste, promising an unapologetically bold sonic experience.
• A groundbreaking collaboration between New Opera Singapore and urban art collective RSCLS, blending music and urban art in a truly unique production.

Live Graffiti Painting and Street Art in Action

Step outside to witness some of the region’s top urban artists, including Studio Moonchild (SG), Mauy (TH), Waris (TH), and Spaz (SG/PH), as they transform AAC’s walls with vibrant new murals during live graffiti painting sessions organized by RSCLS. This year, female artists Waris and Spaz will take the lead on the back wall mural. Visitors can even try their hand at spray painting during RSCLS’ graffiti tryouts and leave their mark on the festival’s evolving canvas.

For those eager to explore Kampong Gelam’s street art scene, the alternative walking tour D’TOURS returns, offering an in-depth look at the precinct’s stunning murals and rich cultural heritage.

Skateboarding, Art Markets, and More

The festival expands to Aliwal’s carpark, where beginners can join skateboarding tryouts with all safety gear provided, while seasoned skaters can compete in an adrenaline-pumping skateboarding competition by SkateSG. Meanwhile, shoppers can browse the Creators Marketplace, a thoughtfully curated art market by Suave Cartel Media, featuring handmade, artisanal, and custom wares by local creatives.

Music, Dance, and a Party to Remember

No celebration is complete without music and dance. AUAF 2025 brings an electrifying lineup to the stage:

• THE REAL DEAL Showcase Ed. 03, curated by Darren “dt” Toh, features talented dancers from various genres and generations, creating a communal dance floor experience.
• Live DJ sets by Red Kite Music, featuring DJs schönseven, Markuuz, Fishwench, and KIAT, will keep the energy high. Adding a local twist, a roving DJ Trishaw will bring the beats to every corner of Kampong Gelam.
• The night concludes with Sorry No Cure, a DJ closing party featuring DJ Tze Char and Darren Dubwise.

Join the festivities at Aliwal Urban Arts Festival 2025 for a bold and immersive celebration of urban art, street culture, and youth subculture in the heart of Kampong Gelam.