In Swedish, SMAKFEST means “taste feast,” and for the first time in its 80-year history, the IKEA store was transformed into an artistic installation built around food, culture, and imagination. More than 30 sensory moments unfolded across the space, blending Swedishness with global influences, which is a true reflection of modern Swedish society.
Inside the event, guests were welcomed by pantomimes and a full gospel choir singing from the long escalator that led to the top floor. A giant FRAKTA bar, built solely for the night and shaped like the iconic IKEA blue bag, served the first drink of the evening. Across the store, installations and roomset exhibits created a series of surprising moments: a human kaleidoscope, eating in the dark, and spoon-fed tastings delivered through a tiny peep hole. Live music performances were woven directly into the installations and appeared throughout the entire space, elevating the energy and the experience. The music stars of the night were headlined by Cherrie, the Stockholm-based R&B artist with a fast-growing global audience, alongside Diaspora, the creative collective known for connecting local and international talent through music, as well as Mike Näselius, Hatami Siamak, Chez Ali, Diana Emerita, and DJ Majk.
The highlight of the night was an entire floor dedicated to the IKEA meatball’s 40-year birthday. The milestone was celebrated with a meatball birthday cake, gravy fountains, and a rich and diverse showcase of meatballs from around the world, from Eastern Europe to Latin America to Oceania to South Asia. True to the IKEA food experience, plant balls, veggie balls, fish balls, and chicken balls were also part of the menu.
Part feast and part art installation, SMAKFEST was an exploration of a new kind of IKEA experience that reflects the deep curiosity that lives in the brand’s DNA. And this is only a glimpse of what’s to come.
About Ingka Group
With IKEA retail operations in 32 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents 87% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Read more on Ingka.com.