Who says art exhibits have to be confined to an enclosed space? Over the past year, various art exhibitions have been taking it outdoors. These al fresco showcases are a great idea for couples, providing a chance to be active while engaging your creative side. Plan a surprise outing with your partner on a unique art trail around the island, take a leisure walk while enjoying public art sculptures, or explore the history of Jalan Besar on a self-guided audio tour.

i Light Singapore 2024

With i Light Singapore 2024 just around the corner, it’s likely that many of you have already pencilled this nighttime festival into your late-night date plans. This year’s edition promises to be bigger than ever, featuring an additional illuminated district and a fresh market event in partnership with the Conscious Festival. With so many happenings to look forward to, we’ve compiled a handy guide to ensure you make the most of your experience. Hit read more to get the full gist of it in under just five minutes.

Photograph: Daniel IskandarTan Pin Pin’s “walk walk” (2023), as part of “Singapore Deviation: Wander with Art through the Rail Corridor”

In need of an adventure? Plan your own and turn your art appreciation session into a unique day out around the island. Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded the best free-and-easy art trails to peep the city’s street art, ranging from 2D murals to 3D sculptures, video installations, and more.

Those familiar with urban art speak would have heard of the Hall of Fame, which refers to a space legally dedicated to street art. Some of the major cities in the world – including New York and Sydney – have said spaces where artists can work their magic.

Southeast Asia now has its first official Hall of Fame – and it’s located in Kampong Gelam. The newly minted Hall of Fame is Kampong Gelam’s latest addition to the art that permeates the neighbourhood. But here’s the interesting bit: a construction site has become an unexpected canvas for art.

Spread across Bali Lane and Ophir Road, the project is inspired by the precinct’s iconic role in nurturing the local street art scene. The metal canvases – spanning an impressive 230-metres and standing five metres tall – were erected as noise barriers for ongoing construction on the North-South Corridor.

The Hall of Fame features 17 Singapore-based artists, most of which are no strangers to dreaming up colourful murals in Kampong Gelam. You’ll find the familiar works of Didier Jaba Mathieu, Slacsatu, ZERO and ANTZ alongside up-and-coming names like Jojie Atomick and Studio Moonchild.

Scooch on down to the back alleys of Muscat Street for a rad hidden gem, an outdoor art gallery. Two parallel walls burst with a kaleidoscope of colour thanks to over 30 Instagram-worthy works by artists from the region and beyond. Admire the pop culture-dominated creation by multi-disciplinary artist PrettyFreakyFantasy or take a snap of a bold, terrestrial piece by graphic designer Liyana Farzana before exiting to Baghdad Street.