Get ready, Singapore: the city’s streets are about to come alive. On Saturday, 31 January 2026, Kampong Gelam will transform into a buzzing hub of creativity as the Aliwal Urban Arts Festival (AUAF) returns with a celebration of urban arts that promises to delight every sense. Organised by Arts House Group, the festival coincides with Singapore Art Week, offering a weekend of immersive installations, live performances, and community-driven creativity that blurs the lines between art, music, dance, and skate culture.

This year’s theme, Symbiosis, perfectly captures the festival’s ethos: a dynamic ecosystem where different creative disciplines feed off and inspire one another. Visitors can expect a multisensory journey across the precinct, from live graffiti and interactive installations to music performances, dance showcases, and adrenaline-fueled skateboarding competitions. Every corner of Kampong Gelam, from the Aliwal Arts Centre to the surrounding streets, will pulse with energy.

One of AUAF’s signature highlights is the Heart Chamber, curated by local street art collective RSCLS. Launching a week before the festival, this immersive exhibition transforms the corridors of Aliwal Arts Centre with painted motifs, animated projections, rhythmic lights, and soundscapes. Visitors can explore the studios of resident artists and experience the creative process firsthand, making art not just something to view but something to engage with.

The festival’s footprint has grown this year, offering expanded spaces that invite audiences to step into otherworldly experiences. Nimble Mystic’s Strange Terrain uses inflatable structures to create playful, immersive landscapes that transport visitors from the familiar sights of Singapore into fantastical terrains where nature and imagination converge. Meanwhile, Hothouse’s YOU BUILT THIS presents a two-hour exploration of instinct, intention, and creativity through live performances, silent screenings, and roundtable discussions with guest artists—a space for dialogue as much as spectacle.

In keeping with AUAF’s focus on inclusivity and community, new collaborative murals by local and regional street artists will activate unconventional spaces across Aliwal Arts Centre. The Aliwal Carpark will host interactive installations, skateboarding challenges, and other surprises, turning everyday urban spaces into canvases for expression and connection.

For festivalgoers who like to get involved, AUAF 2026 has plenty to offer. Experimental Playground by ScRach MarcS is a collaborative improv lab pairing dancers and artists across disciplines, while Mini Flips by SkateSG brings the thrill of fingerboarding to life with competitions that reward creativity and precision. Skateboarding itself makes a vibrant return, alongside clinics and competitions designed to blend sport, art, and community spirit.

The Synapses: Urban Art Market is another must-visit, featuring young makers, zine collectives, fragrance studios, vinyl diggers, upcyclers, and botanical storytellers. Housed beneath a canopy of neon webbing and bioluminescent lights, the market is a sensory playground where visitors can shop, explore, and connect directly with artists. Meanwhile, D’TOUR by RSCLS—including a special kids’ edition—guides audiences through Kampong Gelam’s street art and murals, making urban arts accessible to all ages.

No festival is complete without a grand finale, and AUAF 2026 delivers. The Get Up & Get Down Block Party returns, turning the Aliwal Carpark into a pulsating dance zone. Freestyle circles, big beats, and an electric atmosphere promise a closing celebration where artists, skaters, and festivalgoers unite in a joyous display of community spirit.

Christie Chua, Head (Venue Programming) at Arts House Group, said, “This year, AUAF embodies the spirit of ‘Symbiosis’, transforming Aliwal Arts Centre into a vibrant ecosystem where artists, skaters and festivalgoers connect. From art installations and murals to skate clinics and music showcases, AUAF 2026 celebrates urban arts and welcomes new partners to make the festival more accessible and engaging.”

Whether you’re a seasoned urban arts enthusiast, a music lover, or simply looking for a unique weekend experience, AUAF 2026 has something for everyone. Admission is free unless otherwise stated, so grab your friends, your curiosity, and your sense of adventure, and dive into a festival that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and community like no other.

Aliwal Urban Arts Festival 2026 runs on 31st Januaury 2026 at Aliwal Arts Centre. More information available here