Every year, the Geylang Serai stretch illuminates in a dazzling display of lights to welcome the Muslim month of Ramadan – and this can only mean one thing: Hari Raya Aidilfitri is coming soon. From now until May 23, feast your eyes on the 40 installations of street lightings and colourful decorations that line the stretch from Paya Lebar Quarter to Sims Avenue, as well as the roads in Changi and Geylang. The lights are switched on daily at sundown, from 7pm to midnight, with hours extended until 6am on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri on May 12.
Based on the theme "Celebrating Our Kampung Spirit", this year's light-up celebrates unity and social cohesion amid the ongoing pandemic. This is highlighted through the main arches in Sims Avenue and Changi Road. The Sims Avenue arch shines bright with a mosque with golden domes, as well as multi-coloured blooms that symbolise new beginnings and renewed bonds of friendship and kinship. The Changi Road arch, on the other hand, is illuminated with a crescent moon and a kompang (a traditional Malay music instrument), as well as flowers and fruits that symbolise hope and abundance.
Due to the current restrictions on big events, the annual Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar won't be making its highly anticipated return this year. Instead, it continues to take place online like it did last year, saving you the efforts of working through the crowds – and heat. Powered by Wisma Geylang Serai and the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the annual bazaar is available online via Bazaar-Kita.sg. It features over 100 retail merchants offering various festive goodies, meals and merchandise at your fingertips, with same-day delivery available too.
Keeping the festivities going, Wisma Geylang Serai has also planned over 30 online programmes including music performances, comedy shows, and baking tutorials that can be streamed on its social media platforms from April 15 to May 30. There will also be special live shows such as the E-Buka Puasa show (breaking of fast) to mark the end of Ramadan, as well as a Hari Raya show to welcome the start of Syawal.
If you plan to head down to Geylang Serai, be sure to follow all safety measures, including keeping groups to a maximum of eight people. Safe distancing ambassadors and volunteers will be deployed to remind visitors to observe social distancing. For more information on the light-up, bazaar and online programmes, visit facebook.com/WismaGeylangSerai.