The Singapore Art Book Fair 2025 invites you to explore modern art books and take part in workshops! Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s event.
The Singapore Art Book Fair returns for its 11th edition in 2025 – the boldest one yet! This annual art book fair in Singapore shines a spotlight on contemporary books, zines, and printed curiosities across the Lion City. Here’s everything you need to know about Singapore Art Book Fair 2025, including exhibitors, workshops, and a weekend of bookish adventures. Speaking of adventure, have you checked out the dinosaur exhibition at Science Centre Singapore?
Singapore Art Book Fair 2025: Details at a glance
Best for: Culture vultures, zine collectors, and anyone obsessed with artsy paper things
Recommended time spent: 1 to 3 hours, depending on how deep you want to dive into the art books
When: 31 October to 2 November 2025, 12pm to 8pm (last entry at 7.30pm)
How much: Online tickets at $6 (sale ends on 27 October 2025 at 11.59pm); on-site tickets at $8 (free admission for children under 6, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and their caretakers)
Where to buy tickets: Get your Singapore Art Book Fair 2025 tickets via Eventbrite
Address: Singapore Art Book Fair 2025, #05-03/06, New Art Museum Singapore | Whitestone Gallery, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Road, Singapore 089065
What is the fair about?
Founded in 2013, the Singapore Art Book Fair is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, celebrating art books such as zines, monographs, photo books, and other printed ephemera (think Instagram before the internet). The fair is organised by Thing Books, a centre for art book events and initiatives in Singapore, aiming to show that art can be experienced page by page.
Where is it held?
Past editions were held at the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore in Gillman Barracks and Singapore Art Museum. This year, the art book fair will take place across two locations in Singapore: New Art Museum Singapore and Whitestone Gallery, both of which share the same space at Tanjong Pagar Distripark. The gallery specialises in post-war and contemporary Japanese art, while the museum presents a broad range of works primarily focused on the Gutai movement (Japanese avant-garde movement founded in 1954).
How to get there?
Getting to the fair is easy-peasy! Take the train and get off at Outram Park or Tanjong Pagar MRT stations, though we highly recommend the latter as it’s simpler to follow. At Tanjong Pagar, take Exit E to the bus stop opposite AXA Tower and hop onto buses 10, 97, or 100. Alight at the stop opposite the former railway station and walk towards Tanjong Pagar Distripark.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi or private hire to the drop-off point outside the Singapore Art Museum. You can also drive to the location, though parking might be tricky.
What can you expect this year?
Singapore Art Book Fair 2025 isn’t just about flipping through pretty pages. This year’s edition is stacked with activities where you can roll up your sleeves, get creative, and delve into a deeper understanding of books as a medium for artistic expression.
1. Get your hands dirty at workshops
Throughout the three-day event, visitors can sign up for curated bookmaking workshops, all held right beside Exhibitor Hall 1. These beginner-friendly sessions teach you how to fold, stitch, and bind your way into the world of print. Here’s the line-up:
- Fold Your Way to a Book – An engaging workshop that teaches participants how to fold paper into a Blizzard Book and a 32-page booklet. Sessions take place from 12pm to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm, $30 per participant.
- French Link Stitch Bookbinding – Learn how to bind books through the most elegant, distinctive, and sturdy technique. You’ll create your own handcrafted journal, which can be used as a notebook, sketchbook, or a gift. The two-hour workshop runs from 1pm to 3pm, $80 per participant.
- Basic Linocut & Printing – You’ll learn the art of carving a linoleum surface (safely, of course!), inking and printing by hand. The result? An eight-page mini zine and carved linoleum piece you can take home. These workshops will be held from 5pm to 7pm, $80 per participant.
- Coptic Binding – Discover this ancient bookbinding technique, which can be traced back to the second century. This hands-on workshop takes place between 5pm and 7pm, $80 per participant.
- Reduction Linocut & Printing – In this 90-minute workshop, participants get to create multi-colour prints using a single block. Sessions run from 6.30pm to 8pm, $75 per participant.
Note: each workshop requires pre-registration, so secure your spot (and still buy your regular entry ticket) ahead of time. No prior experience is needed, and materials will be provided.
2. The Thing Books Residency
This 14-week programme challenges three selected artists to treat “the book” as more than just a container for words and images. Nur Wahidah, Seth Cheong, and Yuen Chee Wai have spent months experimenting, and their final works will debut at the Singapore Art Book Fair 2025 in a special showcase. The residency will also feature lectures and workshops by invited practitioners like The Other Workroom, Shrub, and Based Book Arts.
3. A who’s who of exhibitors
Of course, the heart of the art book fair remains its exhibitors. Visitors can expect to meet over 120 local and international artists, zinemakers, small presses, and distributors showing off their latest works. Expect returning favourites like Basheer Graphic Books, Mynah Magazine, and Holycrap.sg, alongside global names such as Perimeter Editions, an award-winning publication from Australia.
Wanna know who will be there and where their booths will be? The full list and floor plan are available on the Singapore Art Book Fair website, so you can plot your browsing route before heading into the halls. Psst: keep your eyes peeled for new book launches, limited-run zines, and artist signings.
Will food be available?
Even book lovers get hungry, so yes, there’s something to munch while you browse. Light bites and drinks will be available at the Waga Waga pop-up cafe within the venue. However, nosh isn’t allowed inside the exhibitor halls (the books are precious, honey), so you gotta snack and sip in the cafe zone or at designated chill areas. Pro tip: bring your own water bottle and stay hydrated.
Tips for surviving the Singapore Art Book Fair 2025
So, you’ve got your ticket, your reusable tote bag, and your enthusiasm. Here’s how to make sure you don’t get overwhelmed halfway through Hall 1.
- Arrive early: The fair opens at noon, and early birds get the best picks (and the shortest queues).
- Study the floor plan: Highlight your must-visit booths so you don’t accidentally skip your favourite artists in the maze of paper and people.
- Pre-book your workshops: Slots are limited, and you don’t want to be that person pouting outside the door because “it looked so fun on Instagram.”
- Cash is still king (but cards reign too): Most booths accept both, but some indie presses are cash-only.
- Pack smart: A roomy tote, a portable charger, and some tissues should do the trick.
- Respect the art: Always ask before taking photos, handle books gently, and don’t treat display copies like your personal library.
- Don’t rush: Take time to explore and browse. Sometimes the weird little zine hiding in the corner ends up being the piece you can’t stop thinking about.
Flip, browse, and fall in love with print all over again at the Singapore Art Book Fair 2025!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of items will be available for purchase at the fair?
Exhibitors will primarily be selling art books, zines, photobooks, and other publications. Some may also offer related merchandise such as t-shirts, stickers, and CDs, but at least 70% of items at each table must be books or publications.
Is re-entry allowed with a single ticket?
Yes, generally re-entry on the same day is allowed with your ticket. However, if there is a queue, you may need to rejoin it.
Are workshops included in the general admission ticket?
No, workshop participation is not included in the general admission ticket. Workshops require separate pre-registration and payment. Details on how to sign up will be released closer to the fair.
Is the venue accessible?
Tanjong Pagar Distripark is generally accessible. Specific accessibility information for the New Art Museum Singapore and Whitestone Gallery within the Distripark can be confirmed closer to the event by checking their respective websites or contacting the organisers.
Is the Singapore Art Book Fair family-friendly?
Totally! It’s a chill, creative space that welcomes kids, seniors, and everyone in between. Just keep an eye on the little ones – the paper installations are for looking, not ripping.
Where can I find more information or stay updated?
Follow @singaporeartbookfair on Instagram or check the official website for live updates, workshop drops, and exhibitor announcements. You’ll also spot sneak peeks of new zine releases (and maybe some madness from the weekend).
