Ramadan bazaars bring festivities closer to Singapore residents

SINGAPORE (MNTV) — Ramadan bazaars are spreading deeper into Singapore’s residential heartlands this year, with organisers reporting a surge in vendor interest and growing crowds that suggest the tradition is gaining ground well beyond its traditional strongholds.

A medium-sized bazaar beside Woodlands MRT Station, now in its second year, is hosting around 100 stalls — one of four heartland locations managed by event company TLK Events and Lighting.

The company says stall take-up across its sites has risen by as much as 20 percent compared to last year, buoyed in part by a newly launched bazaar in Pasir Ris.

Word of mouth has driven much of the growth, according to a TLK spokesperson, alongside rising interest from small businesses looking to test new concepts and connect directly with local communities.

Unlike the larger and better-known bazaars in Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai, TLK’s heartland sites place a deliberate emphasis on traditional food, rounded out by a selection of contemporary offerings designed to appeal to a broad range of tastes.

The trend is echoed across the island. Tampines GRC, which oversees three bazaar locations across the estate — at Tampines Changkat, Tampines Central and beside Tampines MRT Station — has recorded a 30 percent jump in overall stall numbers.

This year’s edition at Tampines Central has also introduced new programming, including live entertainment, family activities, curated food themes and expanded cashless payment options, all aimed at refreshing the experience for returning visitors.

For vendors, the strong community spirit continues to be the primary draw, even as financial pressures mount. Asmah Osman, co-owner of food stall Cahaya Timur, noted that rental costs have climbed by around 10 percent from last year.

Combined with higher ingredient prices for the lamb, mutton, prawns and fish that anchor her menu, she has had to pass on some of those costs to customers, raising prices by between 80 cents and $1.60 per item.

Despite the squeeze, Osman — who has been a fixture at Singapore’s Ramadan bazaars for roughly two decades — says the loyalty of returning customers makes it worthwhile.

“Some of them are so old, some of them with children. I was surprised. They still recognised us here,” she said.

Others report outright booming business. Meagan Tan, who runs ThePastaLab.sg, said the turnout at the Woodlands bazaar far exceeded her expectations, with sales running at roughly double what she typically achieves at the Geylang Serai fair. 

She attributed part of the difference to the tight-knit character of the neighbourhood crowd.

“The people here are also very friendly. They get together — everybody will just buy together, one person buying for the whole family,” she said.