Changi Airport Group is bringing a dose of family cuteness to Terminal 3 with a Rilakkuma cartoon-themed pop-up fairground experience and Instagram-friendly photo spots.

The Japanese cartoon bear and friends will take over the terminal until 1 May 2023 with rides and installations. There are also opportunities to win Changi-exclusive Rilakkuma merchandise.

Rilakkuma is a popular character created back in 2003 by Aki Kondo and produced by San-X. Its name roughly translates as ‘bear in a relaxed mood’. 

The carnival, located inside the Terminal 3 Departure Hall, includes a Samba Balloon Ride, a Ferris Wheel close to Central Immigration, and Swing Chair and Teacup Rides close to Check-in Row 11. 

The first 3,000 passengers to explore the carnival will receive a free Rilakkuma souvenir card notebook, exclusively designed for Changi.

Rides are accessed with carnival credits, purchased from ticketing booths at S$1/US$0.75 each. Credits are given away with a minimum first purchase of S$25, and via the iChangi app with up to 15% discounts. 

Passengers also receive five free carnival credits with a S$80 minimum spend in the public areas of Terminals 1-4, or S$100 in the supermarket.

Credits can be used across the Rilakkuma, and the T3 Underground Carnival, which features past-, present- and future-themed funfairs.

Changi Airport: ‘Memorable experiences’

Outside of the carnival, optical illusion floor stickers and social media photo spots featuring four Rilakkuma characters are located throughout the Departure Hall and Basement 2. 

A Rilakkuma shop supporting the carnival will open from 10 March close to the Changi Jewel Airport airbridge, stocked with plushies, tote bags, back-to-school stationery and more. 

Changi has also stocked exclusive Rilakkuma merchandise or ‘premiums’ available for purchase with for every S$50 spent in the public terminal areas. Up to three premiums can be purchased with a single receipt, with a bonus one available when Mastercard or Changi Pay are used for spending. 

The three Rilakkuma items include 500ml vacuum-insulated travel tumbler (S$11.90), a children’s reversible bucket hat (S$9.90), and a tea towel (S$3.90) which doubles as a table mat.

“This is the first Rilakkuma-themed carnival in Singapore and we are all thrilled to welcome Rilakkuma and friends to our shores,” said Phau Hui Hoon, General Manager for Landside Concessions at Changi Airport Group.

“At Changi Airport, we strive to enhance our visitor experience by creating memorable experiences and this adorable family activity is another way in which we push ourselves to do just that.”

Last month Changi published its annual results which showed concession sales recovered to 58% of 2019 levels in December, as full-year 2022 sales hit SGD$1.1 billion/US$823 million.