SKULLPANDA Cage-Uncage Showcase at NMS

If you’re into POP MART stuff, this is a big deal: SKULLPANDA, one of the most beloved characters, is getting its first-ever international showcase… and it’s happening right here at the National Museum of Singapore from 12th December 2025 to 22nd February 2026.

From giant SKULLPANDA sculptures to interactive photo-worthy zones, here’s everything you’ll get to see at the SKULLPANDA Cage-Uncage Showcase. Psst – there’s exclusive merch to cop too!

What’s the SKULLPANDA Cage-Uncage Showcase all about?

If you’ve followed SKULLPANDA since its early days, you’ll know the POP MART character isn’t just a cute figurine. Created by Chinese artist Xiong Miao, SKULLPANDA was designed as an alter ego that explores life’s uncertainties and questions.

The CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase expands this idea into a full-on immersive exhibition, using sound, scale, and visual storytelling to explore 6 themes most of us deal with daily: Emotion, Fortune, Rules, Exploration, Life, and Direction.

The exhibition was first launched in Shanghai, where it drew huge crowds. And Singapore is the first stop outside China, with the team adding new elements just for us, including a Singapore-exclusive installation. It will be inspired by the local bird singing hobby, a nostalgic pastime you’ll still spot at void decks or neighbourhood parks. It’s a nice way to tie in SKULLPANDA’s introspective world with our own heritage.

What to expect at the SKULLPANDA Cage-Uncage Showcase?

Interactive themed zones

The Key.
Image adapted from: Gwyn Lim  

As mentioned, the SKULLPANDA exhibition explores 6 reflective themes. The first installation – The Key – features a kaleidoscope of keys, which visitors can admire through a small lock-shaped peephole.

Emotion.
Image credit: Gwyn Lim  

Next up, you’ll enter the Emotion zone, which uses shadow play to highlight the differences between perception and truth. You’ll get to admire several SKULLPANDA figurines here – all intricately designed, so be sure to get a close look as you pass through.

Direction.
Image credit: Gwyn Lim

Further in is the Direction zone, featuring a massive book with transparent pages hand-painted by SKULLPANDA’s artist Xiong Miao. As you flip through the pages, notice how drawings of thorns, shackles, and webs layer up.

Fortune.
Image adapted from: Gwyn Lim

The next room is one of the most IG-worthy ones. Named Fortune, it contains a giant crystal-encased mirror – perfect for mirror selfies – and a big SKULLPANDA statue lying inside a cracked cabinet. This zone prompts visitors to reflect on the duality of wealth as something that’s glamorous yet imprisoning.

Rules.
Image adapted from: Gwyn Lim

The next zone you’ll enter is titled Rules, and it explores key themes of time, gravity, and discipline. Visitors can tinker around with balancing weights, and observe a spinning top as it circles its axis.

Life.
Image credit: Gwyn Lim

Nearby is the Life installation, consisting of 2 turning globes filled with sand. At the centre axis of one globe is intricately carved fish, while the other features a flock of birds.

The final few parts of the exhibition are located in the basement of the museum. There, you’ll find Exploration – a giant rotating cuboid reminiscent of a rubik’s cube, with moving parts you’ll get to shift around.

The Room.
Image credit: Gwyn Lim

Alas, get your phones ready as you enter The Room. This grand space is a huge mirror maze, with one-way mirrors surrounding 2 humongous SKULLPANDA statues. Once you’re inside, you won’t be able to see out – a metaphor for feeling trapped.

However, note how the SKULLPANDA sculptures are holding keys in the palms of their own hands; an indicator that we own our own keys to freedom.

SG-exclusive installation featuring bird cages.
Image credit: Gwyn Lim

Before you leave, be sure to stop by the Singapore-exclusive installation here too. As mentioned, it pays tribute to bird singing, a hobby that was especially popular back in the day.

Exclusive Cage-Uncage merch & POPOP jewellery’s debut in SG

You can’t leave the SKULLPANDA Cage-Uncage Showcase without copping some exclusive merch at the Gallery Theatre retail zone.

SKULLPANDA Plush Doll Cage-Uncage (left), keychains (right).
Image adapted from: Gwyn Lim

Merch here is reserved for ticket holders only, and you’ll get to shop limited edition items like the SKULLPANDA Plush Doll Cage-Uncage ($39.90), Cage-Uncage T-shirts ($39.90), keychains ($18.90) and more.

POPOP.
Image credit: Gwyn Lim

While you’re there, you won’t miss the shiny collection of POP MART jewellery. This is POP MART’s jewellery line POPOP’s debut in Singapore, and you’ll be able to get your hands on rings (from $79.90), earrings (from $89.90) and necklaces (from $129.90).

Image credit: Gwyn Lim

P.S. – There’s a merch zone upstairs for non-ticket holders too, selling items like SKULLPANDA blind boxes and plush dolls.

How much are tickets for the SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase?

Going for $22/pax for locals and up to $40/pax for non-residents, the early access tickets are for 12th-16th December 2025 only. As of writing, some dates are already sold out, so limited slots are available. You’ll want to get your hands on these as the first 4,500 visitors will receive a Singapore-exclusive SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase Gift, while stocks last.

Plus, early-access holders get priority entry and early buy-ins on exclusive Pop Mart merch.

Image credit: POP MART

Standard all-access tickets will be available from 1st December 2025, for entry to the showcase between 17th December 2025 and 22nd February 2026. These will cost $14/pax for locals and $36/pax for tourists. Feel free to bring the kiddos, as children under 6 enter for free.

There are some things to note: the tickets are being offered according to specific time slots, and you must arrive on time. Also, there’s a 1-item limit per ticket holder when you get to buying the merch.

Get tickets to the SKULLPANDA CAGE-UNCAGE Showcase.

SKULLPANDA Cage-Uncage Showcase, a must-visit for POP MART fans

Whether you’re a long-time SKULLPANDA fan or just curious about the world of POP MART, this showcase is shaping up to be one of the most fun museum visits of the year. I’m sure most of us are looking forward to the very Singaporean exclusive local installation. Plus, with limited-edition merch and a free gift for the earliest visitors, there’s plenty of incentive to head down sooner rather than later.

If you’ve ever wanted to see how your favourite blind-box character transforms from a figurine into a full artistic universe, this exhibition is the perfect chance. Mark your calendars, book your time slot, and get ready to explore SKULLPANDA’s world from cage to uncage.

Find out more about the SKULLPANDA Cage-Uncage Showcase

Admission: From $22/pax
Venue: National Museum Singapore
Dates: 12th December 2025 to 22nd February 2026

Cover image adapted from: Gwyn Lim