UPDATE – March 23
In a far cry from previous Ramadan bazaars at Geylang Serai, this year's affair will see 40 stalls comprising only eight food stalls and 32 non-food stalls.
Initial reports about its return already hinted that the bazaar this year would be a scaled-down affair to control crowds and prevent the spread of Covid-19. Still, we can't help a tinge of disappointment that the bazaar is not returning at full capacity – previous events were exciting and upbeat affairs with over 100 stalls and loads of snacks and interesting bites.
To keep up the festive mood, the Ramadan bazaar this year will be fashioned after a fairytale blossom garden theme. Stalls will be transformed into a whimsical garden, complete with lush colours and floral design elements.
We encourage you to head down to show your support to the participating stalls anyway. Just remember to observe prevailing Safe Management Measures to keep yourself and others safe. Virtual Reality Capability technology will also be in place to help control crowds and keep things moving seamlessly – so expect QR codes, e-menus, queue card systems and more.
What do you think about the scaled-down Ramadan bazaar? And what food stalls are you hoping to see?
March 11
Missed the iconic Ramadan bazaar in Geylang Serai where you would get your fix of Ramly burgers, roti john and keropok lekor? The popular Ramadan night market will make a comeback this year – after a two-year hiatus – but there will be some tweaks.
At the moment, the People's Association (PA) are calling for tenders for a "Geylang Serai Hari Raya Shopping Experience 2022" that will run from April 2 to May 2, which coincides with Ramadan, or the fasting month for Muslims.
The bazaar used to see huge crowds who would come every night for snacks and interesting bites. In the past few bazaars before Covid-19 we've seen the likes of meatballs in a bucket, lobster rolls, rainbow toast, prata waffles, boba tea pancakes, drinks in giant plastic bags and more. This year however, it will be a more controlled – and smaller – affair. The bazaar will be located in two zones near Wisma Geylang Serai with a maximum of 20 stalls in each zone.
And if you think of getting the next trendy or rainbow-hued snack, you might have to readjust your expectations. According to the tender by PA, at least three out of five food stalls should be selling Hari Raya and Ramadan traditional food, with the remaining food stalls selling contemporary food. There should also not be more than eight food stalls, and at least four out of five non-food stalls must cater for items associated with the festivities, such as clothes and accessories, with the remaining allowed to sell other kinds of products.
Will you be visiting the bazaar this year?
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