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Festivals & Events
Food Festival Guides
Eat your way through the calendar: food festivals, festive bazaars and pop-ups worth timing your trip for.
Singapore loves to eat, and its calendar is full of food events. This page is your guide to food festivals in Singapore, from the yearly Singapore Food Festival to festive bazaars, night markets and chef pop-ups. Use the tips below to time your trip, then find good places to eat all year round.
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Food festivals in Singapore: an overview
Food festivals in Singapore range from large organised events to simple street bazaars. Some happen once a year. Others follow religious festivals, so their dates move. A few pop up for a weekend and then disappear. All of them are a good way to try many dishes in one place.
Even without a festival, Singapore's hawker centres feel like a daily food fair. Hawker culture is on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. If you only have a few days, a good hawker centre gives you the same variety at a low cost.
The main food events to plan around
Singapore Food Festival
The Singapore Food Festival is a yearly celebration of local food, backed by the Singapore Tourism Board. It usually features themed dining events, local chefs and new takes on heritage dishes. The dates and format change from year to year. Check the latest details on Visit Singapore, the official tourism site, before you book.
Ramadan bazaars
During Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, a large bazaar fills the streets around Geylang Serai Market. Stalls sell snacks and drinks for people breaking their fast at sunset. Expect murtabak, satay, kuih (small sweet cakes) and new snacks each year. It is busiest in the evenings. Our Hari Raya page has more on the season.
Chinese New Year bazaar
In the weeks before Chinese New Year, Chinatown's street bazaar sells festive snacks. Look for bak kwa, a sweet grilled dried meat, and pineapple tarts. Some stalls hand out small tastings.
Deepavali and Mid-Autumn treats
Around Deepavali, bazaar stalls in Little India sell Indian sweets such as murukku and ladoo. For the Mid-Autumn Festival, hotels, bakeries and Chinese restaurants sell mooncakes. These round pastries have fillings such as lotus seed paste, sometimes with salted egg yolk.
Night markets and pop-ups
A pasar malam, Malay for night market, is a travelling market that sets up in housing estates for a week or two. Stalls sell fried snacks, grilled meats and sweet drinks. Fine dining restaurants also host pop-ups and guest chef dinners, where visiting chefs cook special menus. These are announced on the restaurants' social media and often sell out fast.
Where to eat when there is no festival
If your dates do not match a festival, you can still eat well at these places:
- Lau Pa Sat, a hawker centre in the business district. In the evening, a side street next to it fills with satay stalls.
- Satay by the Bay, a hawker centre at Gardens by the Bay.
- Newton Food Centre, a hawker centre near the Orchard area that is popular for dinner.
- Chinatown Complex Food Centre, one of the largest hawker centres in Singapore.
Browse Hawker Favourites for more stalls. For guided tastings, see Food Tours & Cooking Classes.
Tips for food festivals in Singapore
- Go early or late. Bazaars get crowded in the evening, especially on weekends.
- Bring cash and a phone. Many stalls take QR code payments, but small notes still help.
- Share dishes. Buy small portions and share them, so you can try more.
- Check halal status if you need it. Look for the MUIS halal certificate at the stall. MUIS is the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.
- Bring water and tissues. It is hot, and many stalls do not hand out napkins.
- Clear your table. At hawker centres, return your tray. Our guide to Hawker Centre Etiquette in Singapore explains the rules.
FAQs about Food Festivals in Singapore
When is the Singapore Food Festival?
It is held once a year, but the dates and format change. Check Visit Singapore for the latest dates before you plan your trip.
Where is the biggest Ramadan bazaar in Singapore?
The best-known one is in Geylang Serai, east of the city centre. It runs through the fasting month and is busiest in the evenings.
Are food festivals in Singapore free to enter?
Most bazaars and night markets are free to walk around, and you pay for what you eat. Some dining events and festival nights need tickets.
What should I eat first at a Singapore food event?
Start with local classics such as satay, murtabak or kuih. Our Singapore Food Guide: 15 Dishes to Try First helps you choose.