A walk down the light-ups and stalls at Geylang Serai Bazaar 2023

With Ramadan starting on Wednesday (Mar 22), it is the time to check out the annual Hari Raya light-ups and stalls at the Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2023.

The light-ups are featured along Changi Road, Sims Avenue and Geylang Serai. It covers an estimated 6km and will be up until Apr 30.

On Mar 17, President Halimah Yaacob graced the opening ceremony as the guest of honour. The ceremony, held at Wisma Geylang Serai, also featured performances from local celebrities, such as singer Taufik Batisah and hosts DJ AB Shaik and Gloria Tan. 

Mayor of the South East District and advisor to Geylang Serai CC, Mohd Fahmi Aliman, also explained that the light-ups represent the spirit of the Malay Muslim community, having made progressive achievements together since the bazaar’s two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Besides the light-ups, this year’s bazaar boasts to be the biggest and longest running one yet, with up to an estimated 700 stalls – close to a tenfold increase from last year.

The 700 stalls are divided into two areas, SOUQ City and Street Bazaar.

An estimated 150 stalls will be devoted to a mix of traditional and modern food and beverages. All stalls will offer one item on the menu at a sampler size for $4 in order to make it affordable for the masses.

Around 550 stalls will be dedicated to a variety of classic and new festive products from popular fashion brands. Some new stalls include Flame Vintage, a popular vintage thrift store known for its retro apparel and accessories.

SOUQ City also has community shelves set up for bazaar goers to donate non-perishable halal food donations and clothes for Hari Raya. This was shared by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, Edwin Tong, who was also at the opening ceremony.

Mr Tong hopes that such an initiative will help propel the Malay Muslim community into a masyarakat gemilang, which translates to ‘a successful community’. 

Aside from the plethora of food and retail stalls, a standout for this year’s bazaar is the concept of second storey spaces where people can relax and consume their purchased food and beverages.

The bazaar will also feature live music performances near dining areas that patrons can tune in to.

Additionally, visitors can expect elderly-friendly tables and chairs under a lighted teepee. Low tables are also available for the younger visitors. There is also a grass-carpeted area for floor sitting.

Slac Satu, a graffiti art expert well-known for his Batik graffiti, will also be doing live graffiti for 30 days of Ramadan on 30 panels. These “Ramadan Walls” are meant to tell a story about unification and the happiness that Ramadan brings.

The Geylang Serai bazaar is open daily from Mar 17 to Apr 22. Operational hours are from 10am to 11.59pm, with an extension until 6am on the eve of Hari Raya Puasa on Apr 22.