By The Diary desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
A pasar malam, Malay for “night market”, is a temporary market of food and merchandise stalls that pops up in the evening on open ground, usually in an HDB estate or beside a mall or MRT station. In Singapore they do not run on a fixed weekly schedule. Most appear for a stretch of days or weeks, and they cluster around festive seasons such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali. Every one is licensed: the organiser needs a Temporary Fair Permit from the Singapore Food Agency (S$60 per permit) when the fair is in a public space, and each food stall is licensed through the organiser. The biggest of all is the Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar, which in 2026 ran from 14 February to 21 March.
Ramly burgers, Taiwanese sausages, ice-cold drinks in plastic bags and a lucky-dip stall for the children: the pasar malam is a small, happy festival in your own estate. Here is how it works and how to find the next one.
Quick facts
- What: a temporary evening market of food, snack, clothing, household and toy stalls.
- Where: mostly open spaces in housing estates, near malls and MRT stations.
- When: no fixed timetable; most cluster before and during festive seasons.
- Licence: SFA Temporary Fair Permit, S$60 per permit, applied for by the organiser.
- Food stalls: each needs an SFA licence, processed through the organiser at no extra fee.
- Biggest: the Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar (2026: 14 Feb to 21 Mar, 150 food and 350 retail stalls).
How does a pasar malam work?
A private fair operator finds a site, gets the landowner’s agreement, lines up stallholders and applies for the permits. Stallholders rent a pitch from the operator for the run of the fair. The Singapore Food Agency regulates the food side; other approvals depend on the site and the activities.
| Who | What they need | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fair organiser | SFA Temporary Fair Permit | S$60 per permit; needed for fairs in public spaces such as footpaths in a housing estate, and for indoor fairs that sell food |
| Each food or drink stall | SFA Temporary Fair Food Stall Licence | No extra fee beyond the fair permit; the licensing officer processes it through the organiser |
| Food handlers | Basic food hygiene training | Expected of everyone preparing food for sale |
| Organiser, depending on site | Landowner approval, and other permits if needed | For example, the owner of the land and, for public entertainment such as stage shows, a police licence |
SFA and NEA officers inspect during the fair. If a stall’s hygiene worries you, you can report it to SFA.
When do night markets run?
Pasar malams follow the festive calendar, because that is when people shop and snack most. Here is how the seasons line up in 2027, using the official public holidays. The market dates themselves are set by each organiser and are announced closer to the time.
| Season | 2027 public holiday | When markets usually appear |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year | Sat 6 and Sun 7 Feb (Mon 8 Feb off) | The weeks before, in estates and in Chinatown |
| Ramadan and Hari Raya Puasa | Wed 10 Mar | Through the fasting month, with Geylang Serai as the centre |
| Deepavali | Thu 28 Oct | The weeks before, around Little India |
Markets do appear outside these seasons too, but less predictably, so local notices are your best guide. Evening hours are typical, but each fair sets its own: the Geylang Serai bazaar in 2026, for example, opened daily from 10am to 11.59pm.
How do you find one near you?
- Watch your estate. Banners and notices usually go up near the site a week or two before.
- Follow organisers and your town council. Operators announce sites and dates on social media.
- Check food guides near festive seasons. Food sites publish round-ups of Ramadan bazaars and CNY markets each year.
- Go on a weekday. Weekend evenings are the most crowded; weekdays after 8pm are calmer.
- Bring cash and a bag. Not every stall takes cards, and reusable bags help with the shopping.
The WahLiao Verdict
Treat a pasar malam as an evening out, not a bargain hunt: go hungry, share several snacks among the family and enjoy the buzz. Prices at popular stalls can be higher than at your hawker centre, so compare before buying big portions. For the full experience, visit the Geylang Serai bazaar once during Ramadan, ideally on a weekday, and break fast with the crowd. You will remember the night, not what you spent.
Questions people ask
Is there an official pasar malam calendar?
No. Each fair is run by a private operator under a temporary permit, so dates are announced by the organiser rather than in one government list.
Is pasar malam food safe?
Each food stall must be licensed by SFA, and officers inspect fairs while they run. Use your judgement as you would anywhere: busy stalls, food cooked fresh, drinks with clean ice.
When is the 2027 Geylang Serai bazaar?
Not announced as of October 2026. It follows Ramadan, and Hari Raya Puasa falls on Wednesday 10 March 2027, so expect it in the weeks before that.
Can I rent a stall?
Yes, through the fair operator, who handles the permit and the stall licence. If you will sell food, you will need food hygiene training and should check SFA’s requirements first.
Sources: Singapore Food Agency, temporary fair permits and stall licences; GoBusiness Licensing, Permit for Temporary Fair; Eatbook, Geylang Serai bazaar 2026 dates and hours; MOM, 2027 public holidays. The Diary explains; it does not advise.
Read next: Singapore Public Holidays 2027 and the Long Weekends · Festive Light-Ups in Singapore · Back to The Diary
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
Leave a comment