Singapore Ramadan Festive Lights 2022


Photographing this year’s Ramadan festive lights at Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam.


The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan begins this Saturday. With that, it’s of course time to switch on the festive lights at Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam.

Yup, Kampong Glam too. Not a location I’ve previously been heading to for Ramadan festivities, but since last year, a heart of the celebrations too with exciting art projections at the awesome Sultan Mosque.

What’s more noteworthy is that the food bazaars are finally back, after a much-lamented absence of two years. This return further coincides with a major, and I mean SUPER MAJOR, relaxation of COVID-19 social distancing rules. In the weeks to come, I’m sure joy would be aplenty at both precincts. Not just for the Muslims but also all Singaporeans and international visitors heading there each evening.

Anyhow, as the bazaars have yet to start, I’ll just focus on festive street decorations and illuminations for the moment. Once the food bazaars are up and running, I’ll put up some pictures of those too.

Geylang Serai Festive Light-Up 2022

I visited on Monday and so the whole area was relatively quiet; the tents for the bazaars have only just been erected. With the air wet and crisp from earlier showers, there was also a certain, I don’t know, pensive ambience about?

It was quite relaxing strolling about, in other words. Rather romantic too, with the rosy setting sun.

Geylang Serai Festive Light Up 2022
Looking down Geylang Road. Photographed from the overhead bridge next to Joo Chiat Complex.
Singapore Hari Raya lights 2022
Looking up Geylang Road. As always, these Hari Raya lights are lovely against the evening sky.
Joo Chiat Complex Hari Raya 2022
The set piece outside Joo Chiat Complex is somewhat on the simpler side this year if you ask me. But I guess it’s good for group selfies.
Singapore Ramadan Festive Lights 2022.
A sunset shot. I believe Geylang Road more or less zooms towards the West, so it’s just perfect for this rosy moment.
Wisma Geylang Serai Hari Raya
Wisma Geylang Serai is, of course, surrounded by festive decorations and illuminations too. The bazaar is going to be here, btw.
Geylang Serai 2022 Street Illuminations
Though a nuisance for photography, I think vehicles somehow add to the ambience of the street illuminations.
Geylang Serai Ramadan Light Up 2022
And finally, the festive gate next to Paya Lebar Quarter. While shooting this in the middle of the road, I thought the glare from the street lamp would be a photo bomb. But hmm, seems like it goes well with the crescent. There’s some intelligent design here?

Kampong Glam Festive Illuminations 2022

Cinta Cahaya Ramadan 2022 at Kampong Glam commenced about a week after the festive light-up at Geylang Serai and is organised by One Kampong Gelam, a business association made up of volunteer stakeholders. The festivities are also part of the yearlong #Bagiup campaign, which celebrates the unique heritage of the historical district.

There’s a stronger festive feel here, to be honest. The Walk Thru Souq features more food stalls than the bazaar at Geylang Serai. It lines most of Kandahar Street too, some 150 m long, and has over 20 stalls.

Highlight of the Hari Raya Lights is also The Light of Gelam light show at Sultan Mosque. Happening twice each evening, this awesome art projection features mesmerising colours and dazzling Islamic geometric patterns on the Kampong Glam side of Singapore’s grandest mosque.

Together with spiritual chanting music, there’s a certain Arabic nights feel during the show. For Muslims who broke fast at the souq, I’m sure the performance is a wonderful way to end dinner with.

Kampong Glam Hari Raya 2022.
Majestic Sultan Mosque was already illuminated before sunset. This wasn’t the actual show, though. Just a light test.
Cinta Cahaya Ramadan 2022.
Fairy lights line the eaves of all shophouses in the Kampong Gelam Conservation Area. These weren’t lit when I visited before Ramadan.
Sultan Mosque Light Show 2022
I visited on Monday and the first show was at 8.05 pm. This was perfect for me as I could first have dinner.
The Light of Gelam at Kampong Glam,
The Light of Gelam is divided into two parts. Part one was spiritual while part two was dreamy. I found both equally great.
Cinta Cahaya Ramadan 2022 Light Show
Local and tropical motifs were included alongside traditional Islamic motifs. In short, both parts of the show were equally enchanting to look at.

Video Link to the full The Light of Gelam show.


Update Apr 5: Geylang Serai Ramadan Food Bazaar 2022 and Kampong Glam Walk Thru Souq

The food stalls are up and running! Here are some pictures to give you an idea of what to expect, if you’re heading over.

Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2022

Alongside approximately half the length of Wisma Geylang Serai, the food bazaar is, noticeably, much smaller in scale than those of previous years.

It was also quite crowded when I visited on Monday evening. There was a long queue to check-in. (Yup, social distancing still required)

Update Apr 6, 2002: Great news! The bazaar will be expanded, with 30 stalls to be added.

Geylang Serai Bazaar 2022
This year’s Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar consists of one short thoroughfare lined by food stalls.
Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar Food 2022
Some of the food stalls available this year. There’s a good mix of the modern and traditional, despite the smaller scale.

Walk Thru Souq at Kampong Glam 2022

As far as food choices are concerned, there’s definitely more here. Way more “hipster” stalls too.

And prices are reasonable overall. A seafood bucket, with half a crab, and squid and shellfish, is SGD 15/-.

Kampong Glam Ramadan Bazaar 2022
As mentioned, the Walk Thru Souq flanks Kandahar Street, right beside the Malay Heritage Centre.
Kampong Glam Bazaar Food 2022
Lots of yummy food choices. With a festive Pasar Malam ambience too.


Ramadan festive light-up at Geylang Serai ends on May 8, 2022. The celebrations at Kampong Glam end earlier on May 1, 2022., i.e., right before Hari Raya Puasa.


Geylang Serai Ramadan Lights and Bazaar 2023.

Kampong Glam Ramadan Bazaar 2023.

Read my other Festive Celebrations in Singapore posts.

Summary
Article Name
Singapore Ramadan Festive Lights 2022
Description
Atmospheric and colourful festive lights at Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam to welcome this year’s Ramadan fasting month.
Author
Scribbling Geek
Scribbling Geekhttps://www.scribblinggeek.com
Geek, gamer, writer, movie lover, photographer, and occasional graphic artist. I like to consider myself a one-stop content creator of sorts. But the truth is, I obsess over too many hobbies.

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