A Swedish retail icon flips the script for one extraordinary night. SMAKFEST, a portmanteau of the Swedish words for “taste feast,” transformed an IKEA store in Stockholm into a sprawling, food-and-culture-inspired art installation for the first time in the brand’s eight-decade history. The event wove together more than 30 sensory experiences, blending Swedish craftsmanship with global influences to mirror modern Swedish society in all its richness.
Visitors were greeted by performers in pantomime and a full gospel choir belt out songs from the building’s longest escalator that ascended to the top floor. A monumental FRAKTA-style bar—crafted solely for the night and shaped like the famous IKEA blue bag—welcomed guests with the first drink of the evening. Throughout the venue, room settings and installations offered a cascade of unexpected moments: a human kaleidoscope, dining in total darkness, and spoon-fed tastings dispensed through a tiny peep hole. Music performances were integrated directly into the installations, filling the space and heightening the immersive vibe. Leading the musical lineup were Cherrie, the Stockholm-based R&B voice gaining a growing international following, and Diaspora, a collective celebrated for linking local and global talent through sound. They were joined by Mike Näselius, Hatami Siamak, Chez Ali, Diana Emerita, and DJ Majk.
The standout feature was a whole floor dedicated to the IKEA meatball’s 40th anniversary. The celebration unfolded with a meatball birthday cake, gravy fountains, and a diverse showcase of meatballs from around the world—spanning Eastern Europe, Latin America, Oceania, and South Asia. In true IKEA fashion, the menu included plant balls, veggie balls, fish balls, and chicken balls alongside the traditional meat variety.
Part feast, part art installation, SMAKFEST explored a new kind of IKEA experience—one that echoes the brand’s enduring curiosity and creative spirit. And this is just a prelude to what’s next.
About Ingka Group
Ingka Group operates IKEA retail in 32 markets, making it the largest IKEA retailer and accounting for about 87% of IKEA’s global retail sales. The group partners to grow and refine the IKEA business and to shape shared strategies. It owns and runs IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Ingka Group encompasses three business lines: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments, and Ingka Centres. For more information, visit Ingka.com.
