PRESS RELEASE
The annual Hari Raya Light Up 2017 will return to Geylang Serai from 20 May to 7 July 2017, to delight local and international visitors with a visual extravaganza comprising over 900,000 LED light bulbs, and a month-long shopping fiesta.
Themed “Deepening the kampung spirit”, the annual event will feature new larger-than-life installations fashioned after traditional Malay icons, and educational displays about Malay arts and culture. The ever-popular bazaar will also return with a wide array of food, snacks, and traditional Malay costumes and accessories. These will be complemented by free weekend performances and movie screenings.
Here are the key elements that you can look forward to at the Geylang Serai/Hari Raya Bazaar.
Ever-popular Geylang Serai Bazaar will take place from 25 May to 24 June 2017
Thu, 25 May – Sat, 24 June 2017
From 11am onwards
In front of the Geylang Serai market, Joo Chiat Complex and along Haig Road
Are you looking for new outfits to wear, goodies to stock up on or simply the best foods to munch? Head down to the Geylang Serai Bazaar situated in front of the Geylang Serai market and Joo Chiat Complex to complete your shopping spree. Touted to be the best pasar malam in Singapore, visitors can shop to their heart’s content at the 1000 stalls selling the widest range of traditional goodies such as kuih tart (pineapple tarts) and kuih bangkit (tapioca cookies), decorative items, costumes and many more. The Geylang Serai Bazaar will certainly provide you with a unique and sensory experience that’s hard to miss!
Breaking fast with new citizens
Another highlight of the festivities is a mass break fast session on 17 June. For the first time, new citizens will be invited to break fast alongside the locals to better understand the meaning behind Hari Raya.
Larger-than-life installations to acquaint visitors with Malay traditions
The one and a half month long Street Light-up is undoubtedly the main highlight of the celebrations. Be amazed and treat yourself to a larger-than-life light installations modelled after items traditionally associated with the Malay heritage. This year’s light-up, bringing visual festive sparkles along Sims Avenue and Changi Road, will return bigger and better as the traditional elements such as the songket, kampung house are given a modern touch.
Timings of the light-up are:
Sat, 20 May – Fri, 7 July 2017
Eve of Hari Raya Puasa: 7.00pm – 6.00am
Fridays & Saturdays: 7.00pm – 2.00am
Sundays through Thursdays: 7.00pm – 12.00mn
Weekly Stage Performances and Movie Screenings
To further enliven Geylang Serai during Hari Raya Puasa, cultural performances will be held near Kampong Kembangan Community Club every weekend between 20 May and 7 July 2017. Popular acts that will perform include Ramili Sarip – Singapore’s very own “Papa Rock” – and other cultural groups well-versed in the kompang (traditional Malay percussion instrument) and Malay dance.
Movie buffs can also look forward to free screenings of popular Malay films by P. Ramlee, such as Laksmana Do Re Mi, Seniman Bujang Lapok, Pendekar Bujang Lapok and Ali Baba Bujang Lapok.
Every Friday to Sunday during the HRLU 2017 (except 26 May & 24 Jun)
7.30pm
Stage @ Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub / Open space adjacent to Engku Aman and Sims Avenue
*Admission is free
Cultural Heritage Race 2017 & Cultural Heritage Nite
Sat, 3 Jun 2017
4pm – 8.30pm
Open space adjacent to Engku Aman and Sims Avenue
Participate in a cultural heritage race around Geylang Serai for a chance to explore the various interesting aspects of the Malay heritage and traditions. In teams of 3 (with at least one new Singapore Citizens (SCs) / Permanent Residents (PRs) and at least one local- born Singaporeans), participants will be challenged to carry out tasks such as completing the given assignments and challenges (to be reveal only on the race day). The winners of the race will be receiving:
1st Prize: $2,000
2nd Prize: $1,000
3rd Prize: $500
7 consolation prizes worth $150 each
To sign up for the Cultural Heritage Race, please contact Ms. Deanise Kwong (Email: Deanise_Kwong@pa.gov.sg) or Geylang Serai Community Club (Tel: 6747 2919)
