As summer and the impending influx of June Holidays-liberated kids approach, find some respite in retail therapy at these fun markets—whether you’re celebrating the end of Eid, or just picking up something pretty for yourself. You deserve it.
LalooLalang Hari Raya Bazaar 2018 (Jun 1-3)
Bazaar people LalooLalang (whose name translates loosely to “passing by” in Malay) are holding a special Raya bazaar. Look forward to six zones of trend food, local street eats, fashion, furniture and plants, and pretty trinkets. Everyone’s invited to come buka puasa together after sundown—plus share in the festive atmosphere of Eid.
Where: Malay Heritage Centre, 85 Sultan Gate
Artbox Singapore (Jun 1-3)
Rejoice or recoil—Bangkok’s legendary Artbox Singapore is finally back, with a self-proclaimed line-up that’s “three times bigger than last year”. Head down in the last weekend of the market to shop the 400 regional vendors selling everything from food to trinkets to Instagrammable moments. We can’t promise that crowd control will be any better than last year, but 400 booths at the island’s largest creative market does sound enticing.
Where: Bayfront Event Space
Singapore Really Really Free Market (Jun 2)
The island’s eco-friendly, 100% free market is back in a different part of Yishun from its last edition. Centered on the concept of building community through sharing resources, this edition of the pop-up market will be happening as part of a larger sustainability carnival. The free-for-all extends from items like books, CDs, toys and clothes to skills like tarot card reading and poetry writing; and of course the good vibes.
Where: Ground-Up Initiative, 91 Lorong Chencharu
The Grand Bazaar (Jun 8-10)
Inspired by the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey, the massive market jointly organized by modest fashion website RoseValley and the Muslim Youth Forum Singapore intends to live up to its name. On the last weekend of Ramadan, shop over 200 vendors of food and beverages, cosmetics, fashion apparel and more, against a backdrop of live performances from musical groups U.N.I.C, Rabbani and Raihan.
Where: Singapore Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 6B
Chinatown Weekend Street Market (Jun 9-10)
Another TGIF Bazaar is happening, and this one’s a nostalgic one in collaboration with the Chinatown Business Association Singapore. Part of the regular street market stretching from Smith Street to Trengganu Street, the two-day affair is prioritizing vendors of vanishing trades and local nostalgia—so think kacang putih, snake charming, fortune telling, tarot card reading and more. You can also pick up artisanal made-in-Singapore products, specialty foods and bespoke trinkets.
Where: Chinatown Smith Street
Runway SG (Jun 22)
Part fashion show and part market bazaar, not-for-profit organization Runway Asia celebrates local fashion’s up-and-comers with a savvy platform to help showcase their latest collections. Over at The Hive Singapore, catch Singapore’s newest fashion entrepreneurs OliveAnkara, K Bella Swim, Lark and Peony, Mamedio and the wit and the will, amongst others, on the runway—then shop the looks after at the Marketplace Bazaar, where you’ll be able to meet the designers themselves. Tickets start from $25 for entry to the fashion show and bazaar.
Where: The Hive Lavender, 1 Kallang Junction
Singapore Art Book Fair 2018 (Jun 29-Jul 1)
Whether you’re a passionate supporter of print, or just in search of a new coffee table book, the annual Singapore Art Book Fair is a good place to be. This year’s edition brings together 74 local and international exhibitors presenting a bumper line-up of art books, art catalogues, zines, monographs and more for your purchasing pleasure. Working on a limited budget? Head to the all-new Zine Room first, to browse zines at the library so you know exactly which independent creative you want to support.
Where: NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, Gillman Barracks
