The historic precinct of Kampong Gelam is set to bring back its annual Ramadan bazaar and entertainment programmes with Raikan Cahaya Ramadan. Positioned as a rousing lead-up to Hari Raya Puasa, this year’s festivities welcome the biggest curation of booths (over 100) to-date, with dazzling light installations, performances and a charity drive for a truly “glam” culmination of heritage experiences and community spirit across 15 March to 16 April 2023.
CAHAYA RAMADAN SERIES
While the Kampong Gelam Bazaar has been a Ramadan mainstay throughout the decades, its past editions since 2021 saw festivities return at a grander scale that hark back to the bustling 60s, with elements that cement its present-day identity as a vibrant enclave that intersects modernity and tradition. Building on the successes of previous iterations and GLAMboyant – the 10-day Kampong Gelam F1 precinct activation – this year’s celebration is poised to be the biggest activation yet in One Kampong Gelam’s ongoing to ultimately drive footfall for the betterment of the businesses goal of reinvigorating interest
Translating to “celebrating the light of Ramadan, ” Raikan Cahaya Ramadan combines the quintessential Ramadan bazaar with wondrous light displays and an exciting performance roster that closes with a 10-day charity drive all for a fitting conclusion to a holy month of self-reflection, sacrifice and community.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Taking place across key districts for 33 days from 15 March to 16 April 2023, the Glam Eid is best summarised into five experience pillars – food, retail, lights, entertainment and community.
FOOD – DAILY
Mapped along the streets of Baghdad Street, Kandahar Street and right outside Sultan Gate, visitors can look forward to Kampong Gelam’s biggest food line-up yet with up to 86 stalls. Featuring a mix of vibrant food trucks, outdoor grills and a 2-storey mezzanine for dining on the top floor, expect a galore of traditional favourites such as Kuih Raya, satay, local seafood and deep-fried snacks, alongside trendy foods with the option of outdoor or mezzanine seats overlooking the crowd.
RETAIL – DAILY
Strategically dotted between various F&B zones are 23 retail booths selling modern arts, traditional crafts and clothes by independent artists or artisans for a varied showcase of creativity that one can bring home.
For updated information on the event, visit Kampong Gelam’s socials at https://www.instagram.com/visitkamponggelam/
LIGHTS: MOMENT PROJECTION – FRIDAYS TO SUNDAYS
In this third year of One Kampong Gelam’s Cahaya Ramadan series, projection lighting returns to uplift and vivify festival grounds.
LIGHTS: AERIAL LIGHT SHOW – FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS
Hovering over the event ground (Sultan Gate) are aerial light showcases utilising drone-controlled LED kites with brightly coloured lighting to dazzle onlookers, while microlight installations brighten the atmosphere and signify the ever-deepening connection between people and the holy month of Ramadan.
ENTERTAINMENT
No Ramadan Bazaar is complete without entertainment. Featuring a mainstage right by the Baghdad Street carpark, visitors can wind down over a backdrop of live music performances with a roster of singers, traditional and modern dances as well as enriching live dialogues.
COMMUNITY: MASS IFTAR AT ARAB STREET – 1 APRIL ONLY
Iftar is the evening meal that Muslims end their daily fast with during the month of Ramadan. A religious observance that combines the appreciation of having food with spiritual fulfilment, Iftar or breaking fast, is often done in a communal setting with beliefs of sharing Ramadan’s blessings – at home with families or friends, or with fellow worshippers after evening prayers.
COMMUNITY: CHARITY DRIVE – 7 TO 16 APRIL, 4PM – 8PM
Coinciding with Qiyamullail (night prayers) over the last ten days of Ramadan, the One Kampong Gelam team will be roping in partners from Helwa’s Gourmet and Enniche to take over collection spots at 45 Sultan Gate where visitors can donate pre-loved clothes, non-perishable foods and home essentials. All items will be consolidated, and then distributed to less fortunate beneficiaries at the end of Ramadan – just in time for joyous celebrations.
For more details of food, retail and entertainment lineups that will be announced closer to date, please visit: https://www.instagram.com/visitkamponggelam/