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Hari Raya Light Up At Geylang Serai & Kg Gelam: 12 Exciting Things To Look Forward To

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Faruq Senin •  Apr 29, 2021

It’s that time of the year again where we welcome the festivities of Ramadan and Hari Raya 2021! If there’s one thing we look forward to every year during this period, it’s the Hari Raya Light Up. The annual iconic light-up is of great significance to the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore, but everyone else is also welcomed to enjoy. This year, you can witness a sea of colourful lights in not one, but two precincts - Geylang Serai and Kampong Gelam. We’ve rounded up what you can look forward to for the Hari Raya Light Up at Geylang Serai and Kampong Gelam this 2021! This year, you can also expect a series of both online and offline programmes.

Hari Raya At Geylang Serai

Street Light-Up

The theme of this year’s light-up is “Celebrating our kampung spirit” where the Geylang Serai precinct is lined with displays inspired by Malay cultural icons. Spanning over a period of 45 days, there are close to 40 light installations along the 1.4km stretch at Sims Avenue, Changi Road and Geylang Road! 

Credit: Singapore Tourism Board

As you head to Geylang Serai to do your Raya shopping, the dazzling lights will amaze you! Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS), Joo Chiat Complex and Geylang Serai Market are also lit up.

One of the highlights of the Hari Raya Light Up is the main arch along Sims Avenue which is a mosque featuring golden domes and surrounded by full blooms. 

Credit: Singapore Tourism Board

Don’t miss out on the second main arch along Changi Road too, where you’ll spot a crescent moon together with a traditional kompang drum and vibrant-coloured flowers and fruits. 

Not only is the light up a feast for the eyes,it is also a platform for Singaporeans of all races to come together to celebrate different cultures and traditions. So, do come on down to Geylang Serai with your friends and loved ones to experience it and snap plenty of Instagram-worthy pictures. But remember to keep your masks on and practise safe distancing at all times.

If you’ve missed the Launch of the Hari Raya Light Up 2021 on 9 April, the good news is that you can still catch a recorded version of it on WGS’ Facebook and YouTube!

Virtual activities that everyone can enjoy

Other than visiting the light-up at Geylang Serai, you can also enjoy the online programmes that have been lined up for you. The best part is that these activities are accessible to everyone, even if you’re from overseas and miss travelling to Singapore! 

Bazaar Kita

Credit: BazaarKita.sg on Facebook

Miss your favourite bazaar snacks like dendeng, Ramly burger and apam balik? Fret not! The Ramadan Bazaar has now gone virtual with Bazaar Kita (Our Bazaar) which will run till 31 May 2021. 

With the virtual bazaar, you can shop for yummy snacks, kuih raya, household decorations, household products, groceries and even personal care products from the comfort of your home. Plus, it’s even more convenient as you can shop at any time of the day! 

Jom Buat Kek

Credit: Bazaar Kita

Have you always wanted to bake your own cakes and cookies for Hari Raya but don’t know where to start? Don’t forget to catch Jom Buat Kek (Let’s Bake Cakes), a 3-hour live baking show happening every week on Monday from 2PM-5PM. Conducted by SisterCookies, learn how to bake treats like Nutella Biscuits, Chocolate Mocha Cake, Biscoff Glazed, Brownies Crumble and even traditional Malay dishes like lepat. The first two episodes will be on WGS Facebook page and the last 2 episodes will be on their TikTok page. 

E-Buka

Although the signature Ramadan experiences like bazaars have gone virtual, the Ramadan spirit is still very much alive. The E-Buka is one such event that brings the Malay-Muslim community together. Happening on 7 May 2021 from 6PM-8PM, the break-fast session will feature a live azan, interviews and entertainment. The event will be hosted by local celebrities like Sujimy Mohamed, Khairudin Samsudin and Haryani Othman. You can also look forward to entertainment by Malaysian singer, Dayang Norfaizah, Farisha Ishak as well as interviews with prominent figures in the Malay-Muslim community. The E-Buka will be live on WGS Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. 

Virtual Community Health Activities

Credit: Bazaar Kita

During Ramadan, it’s important to keep healthy and active. And you can do so with Virtual Community Health Activities organised by WGS and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Through a weekly Zoom session on WGS’ Facebook over 4 weeks, you can try out a low impact aerobic exercise at home, attend a cooking workshop and a health talk on chronic disease management during Ramadan. 

Plenty of programmes to keep you entertained

Staying home while fasting and looking for some entertainment? Check out the medley of programmes that will be happening during Ramadan! One of them is Dari Persada Budaya where you can catch performances by notable Malay artistes like Dato’ Ramli Sarip, Elfee Ismail, Eiss Iskandar, Yanni Bakri, Rahila Rashun and more. 

Credit: Bazaar Kita

Looking for some laughs? Don’t miss out on Komedi Bongkar Periuk, a compilation of short skits showing the daily activities, routine and Raya preparation during Ramadan. Hosted by well-known comedian Suhaimi Yusof and Malaysia’s Ropie, be prepared to laugh your heart out with the main cast, Fakkah Fuzz, Farah Lola, Haryani Othman and Syazwan Yunos. They will also be accompanied by non-Malay artistes like Patricia Mok, Wang Wei Liang and Rishi Budrani.

Check out the full list of entertainment here:

  • Dari Persada Budaya
    • 30 non-Raya videos will be played every Saturday (3 videos each time) from 17 April 2021, 4PM-5PM
    • 20 Raya videos will be played every day from 28 April to 18 May 2021, 6PM
    • Will be shown on WGS’ Facebook and Youtube.

  • Komedi Bongkar Periuk 
    • 4 videos will be played every Saturday, 9.30PM.
    • Will be shown on WGS’ Facebook and Youtube.

  • Suara Sensasi 
    • Entertainment special featuring finalists from the SUARA WGS 2.0 singing competition 
    • 10 videos will be played on Tuesday and Thursday, 4PM, from Thursday, 15 April 2021. 
    • Will be shown on WGS Facebook and Youtube. 

  • Ilham
    • Song-writing competition where aspiring songwriters and composers write a new Raya song
    • 5 songs will be selected and featured on the finals and deliberated by judges - Mayuni Omar, Reyza Hamizan and Azura Goh. 
    • Winners will stand a chance to win $6000 worth of prizes from BeyerDynamic Asia.
    • Finals: 8 May 2021, 3PM
    • Live on WGS Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok.

Join WGS TikTok challenge during Raya!

Raya visiting might be limited this year but you can still have fun with your loved ones during Hari Raya! From 13-15 May, join in the fun with WGS TikTok cultural dance challenge where you can groove to Taufik Batisah and Hady Mirza’s song, Kenangan di Hari Raya. Catch some of your favourite local celebrities, Fakkah Fuzz and Syakirah Noble trying out the challenge too!

Hari Raya at Kampong Gelam

Cahaya Ramadan Light-Up

Credit: Singapore Tourism Board

Besides Geylang Serai, you can also witness a dazzling light-up at Kampong Gelam as part of Cahaya Ramadan, a month-long event which aims to relive the mood of Ramadan. From 7PM-12PM daily till 12 May, several streets like North Bridge Road, Bussorah Street and Arab Street are lit up with festive lights.  

Credit: Singapore Tourism Board

For a visual feast, head over to Sultan Mosque and watch the evening light shows which project the animation and motifs of Kampong Gelam’s rich culture and history. You’ll definitely get to see Sultan Mosque in a different light ?.

Trishaw Uncle Tour

Credit: Trishaw Uncle

As part of Ramadan celebrations, you can also sign up for a Trishaw Uncle tour in Kampong Gelam! Go back in time for a nostalgic journey through the streets of Singapore on a cycle rickshaw. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Singapore’s heritage precincts and witness the cultural transitions the country went through. If you don’t feel like exploring Kampong Gelam, you can also choose other routes along the Singapore River, Little India or Chinatown! The best part? You get to use your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers too! 

Heritage tours at Kampong Gelam by Monster Day Tours

Kampong Gelam is known for its rich culture and history. As part of Cahaya Ramadan, you can sign up for 2 heritage tours in the precinct. The first is Ramadan Special, a virtual tour which will take you around the old Royal Citadel. You’ll also get to see the living abode of the former Malay Sultan and the royal family, and even the sites where they were buried. All these from the comfort of home! Plus, you’ll also get to learn all about the stories behind the different landmarks.

Credit: Monster Day Tours

The second tour will be a guided walking tour of Kampong Gelam and the places that once belonged to royalty. Get to explore traditional shops alongside hipster cafes at Haji Lane and marvel at impressive street art in the precinct. 

Workshops

Credit: Lokka Lekkr

Looking for something fun to do in Kampong Gelam during the fasting month? Sign up for several arts workshops with friends to keep yourself occupied! Relive the early trades of Kampong Gelam with a printmaking or mini tapestry weaving workshop at Lokka Lekkr, a maker’s studio.

Credit: HZ Culinary

Do you like cooking and trying out new recipes during Ramadan? Sign up for a culinary workshop at HZ Culinary. You’ll get to make delicious dips, salads, falafels and flatbread with a Middle Eastern spin. 

With these exciting tours and workshops, you can enjoy a more memorable Ramadan with your loved ones. Find out more about them here!

Online docuseries

If you’re staying home this Ramadan, catch an online docuseries centred around the arts & culture, heritage, religion and commerce of Kampong Gelam. Listen to stories from local artistes and personalities like Fahmi from local music band, The Pinholes, and Suzan Lim, a Chinese-Muslim fashionista. 

Whether you’re planning to catch the festive light-up at Geylang Serai or Kampong Gelam, there’s something in store for everyone! Even if you’re staying home there are plenty of virtual programmes that you can sign up for online. With lots of fun things to do like a virtual bazaar, online performances, cooking shows and more, it’s time for a fulfilling Ramadan and Hari Raya this 2021! Find out more about the Hari Raya festivities at Kampong Gelam and Geylang Serai here

This article is brought to you by Singapore Tourism Board.