Kampong Gelam is set to pulse with urban energy as the Aliwal Urban Arts Festival (AUAF) 2026 returns on Saturday, 31 January 2026, transforming Aliwal Arts Centre (AAC) and its surrounding precinct into a vibrant playground of art, movement and community. Held in conjunction with Singapore Art Week and organised by Arts House Group (AHG), the one-day festival celebrates the raw spirit of street culture through an immersive showcase of visual art, music, dance and skate culture.
Anchored by the theme Symbiosis, AUAF 2026 explores the interconnectedness of artistic disciplines and communities. Festivalgoers can expect a high-energy mix of art installations, live graffiti painting, an urban arts market, electrifying dance and music performances, and adrenaline-fuelled skateboarding action at the Aliwal Carpark, all coming together in a dynamic celebration of collective expression.
A key highlight is Heart Chamber, the festival’s signature immersive exhibition curated by Singapore street art collective RSCLS. Taking over the corridors of Aliwal Arts Centre, the experience brings together sound, light and digital art by over 10 artists. Launched a week ahead of the festival, visitors journey through painted motifs, animated projections and rhythmic lightscapes before reaching open studios that reveal the creative pulse of AAC’s resident artists.
This year’s edition introduces expanded programmes by Aliwal Arts Centre tenants, inviting deeper engagement with art and ideas. Nimble Mystic’s Strange Terrain reimagines the centre with playful inflatable installations that transform familiar spaces into imaginative landscapes inspired by cycles of growth and change.
Meanwhile, Hothouse’s YOU BUILT THIS presents a two-hour expanded roundtable blending conversation and performance. Highlights include a presentation by landscape artists Salad Dressing, a silent screening of The Garden (1986) live-scored by violist Jeremy Chiew of Sensable Music, and a rare preview of the unpublished music video u whr pain (2016/2026), culminating in a thought-provoking panel discussion.
Deepening its commitment to inclusivity, AUAF 2026 introduces new collaborative murals by local and regional street artists while activating unconventional spaces such as courtyards and transitional zones for spontaneous artistic encounters. The Aliwal Carpark will be further energised with interactive urban art installations that highlight the symbiotic relationship between different art forms and communities.
Two new additions also debut this year. Experimental Playground by ScRach MarcS invites audiences into a live improvisation lab where dancers collaborate with artists across disciplines in real time. Mini Flips by SkateSG spotlights the niche art of fingerboarding in a spirited competition featuring Best Run and Best Trick categories, with a $400 prize pool for up to 30 participants.
Skateboarding returns with competitions and clinics curated by SkateSG, blending sport, art and community. The outdoor music stage and closing block party will feature vibrant dance and music performances curated by ScRach MarcS, alongside collaborations with AAC artist tenants such as Kalpavriksha Fine Arts.
Festivalgoers can also enjoy hands-on drop-in activities, including graffiti try-outs facilitated by RSCLS, and browse the Synapses: Urban Art Market, which brings together around 10 curated vendors ranging from zine collectives and vinyl diggers to fragrance studios and upcyclers. Set beneath neon webbing and bioluminescent lights, the market promises a sensory-rich celebration of craft and creativity.
Educational outreach continues with the return of D’TOUR by RSCLS, including a special D’TOUR Kids Edition designed to introduce young audiences to street art through inclusive storytelling and visual exploration.
Capping off the festival is the long-awaited return of the Get Up & Get Down Block Party, last seen before the pandemic. Taking over the Aliwal Carpark, the finale brings freestyle dance circles, booming beats and an electric atmosphere where everyone is invited to move together, a fitting celebration of community spirit at the heart of AUAF.
Aliwal Urban Arts Festival 2026
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