Pasar Malam Singapore: Night Markets in Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol and How to Find the Next One

A pasar malam, Malay for “night market”, is Singapore’s travelling bazaar: rows of food stalls, snack counters and a few carnival games that set up on an open field for a few weeks, then pack up and move on. In the North-East they turn up most often on the open ground beside the MRT stations in Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol. This guide explains how they work, where they have appeared in 2026, and where to check for the next one, with notes for people living around Hougang Central and the future LinkTown Residences (Hougang Central Residences).

What’s on now

As of 29 September 2026, NeighbourhoodShop’s events listing shows one North-East pasar malam:

Location	Dates	Listed hours	From Hougang MRT
Open field beside Punggol MRT and Waterway Point, 70 Punggol Central	30 Sep to 31 Oct 2026	12pm to 10pm	3 stops north on the NEL (Punggol, NE17)

The same listing had nothing for Hougang, Sengkang, Buangkok or Serangoon. Organisers do extend, shorten or relocate runs, so treat this as a pointer rather than a timetable.

How pasar malams work

Modern pasar malams are run by private event organisers. An organiser secures a site, usually a field or a wide walkway near an MRT station, then rents pitches to vendors for the length of the run, typically two weeks to about a month.

Food safety rules come from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA):

• The organiser needs a temporary fair permit, applied for at least two weeks before the fair, with site approval and a layout plan.
• Each stall that prepares or handles food needs a temporary fair food stall licence, valid only for that fair.
• Food handlers must meet SFA’s basic food safety training requirement.
• Stalls selling only non-food goods, or pre-packed food from SFA-licensed sources, do not need the stall licence.

Details are on SFA’s temporary fair permit page.

North-East pasar malams in 2025 and 2026

From event listings and food-news coverage we could verify:

• Hougang: a pasar malam ran until 3 December 2025, and a Hougang pasar malam and carnival ran over Chinese New Year until 15 February 2026.
• Sengkang: a new pasar malam by Sengkang MRT opened in January 2026, reported with over 30 food stalls and arcade games.
• Punggol: a 15-day pasar malam at Punggol Bus Interchange in July 2026, a 30-stall food fair that ran until 20 September 2026, and the Punggol Central market listed for October 2026.

The pattern is clear enough: the fields beside Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol MRT stations host several runs a year, with bursts around Chinese New Year and the school holidays. We found no verified 2026 listing for Serangoon, Kovan or Buangkok.

Pasar malams, bazaars and festive fairs

The same licensing applies to other temporary food fairs you will see around the North-East: Chinese New Year markets, Hari Raya bazaars and one-off food fairs in malls or on event plazas. The largest Ramadan bazaars are outside the region, at Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam, but heartland versions pop up in the towns too. If a notice says “night bazaar”, “food street” or “carnival”, expect much the same format.

Where to check schedules

1. NeighbourhoodShop events: the events page lists upcoming pasar malams island-wide with addresses, dates and hours, usually a few weeks ahead.
2. Food and lifestyle news: sites such as SETHLUI.com and shout.sg publish monthly pasar malam round-ups and cover new North-East runs when they open.
3. The fields themselves: hoarding, tents and lighting going up beside the MRT station is the surest sign one is coming.
4. Festive season: our Chinese New Year 2027 guide will cover festive markets as they are announced.

What you’ll find

Food is the draw: grilled seafood and skewers, burgers, sausages, fried snacks, drinks in oversized cups and whatever snack is trending that year. Coverage of the 2026 Hougang market mentioned ting ting candy and Korean marshmallow sticks. Expect a few games and rides for children and stalls selling toys and household odds and ends. Prices vary a lot, so check the board before ordering.

• Go on a weekday evening for shorter queues.
• Bring some cash and a bag; seating is limited.
• Take the train. The sites sit beside MRT stations and nearby car parks fill quickly.
• Look for the stall’s temporary fair licence if you are unsure.

Living next to a pasar malam site

LinkTown Residences is planned at Hougang Central, directly above Hougang MRT, and Hougang’s pasar malams have been held beside that station. Residents can expect a night market within walking distance a few times a year, with the evening crowds that come with it, although exact sites may shift while Hougang Central is being built. It is one of the trade-offs of a home right by a station; our condo near MRT guide weighs the others. The integrated development also plans a town plaza with a sheltered public event space; how it will be programmed has not been announced. See the site plan and Hougang master plan for what is planned around Hougang Central Residences.

For food the rest of the year, our Hougang hawker centres guide and late-night supper guide have you covered, and our list of things to do in Hougang has more weekend ideas.

Register to get LinkTown Residences showflat and preview dates as soon as they’re released.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a pasar malam in Punggol now?

NeighbourhoodShop’s event listings show a pasar malam on the open field beside Punggol MRT and Waterway Point (70 Punggol Central) from 30 September to 31 October 2026, listed as 12pm to 10pm. Dates can change, so check before going.

When is the next Hougang pasar malam?

None was listed for Hougang as of 29 September 2026. In 2026 a Hougang pasar malam and carnival ran until 15 February, around Chinese New Year. Watch event listings for the next one.

Do pasar malam stalls need a licence?

Yes. The fair organiser needs a temporary fair permit from the Singapore Food Agency, and stalls that prepare or handle food need a temporary fair food stall licence. Stalls selling only non-food items or pre-packed food from licensed sources are exempt.

What time do pasar malams open?

Many current listings give 12pm to 10pm, but hours are set by each organiser. The markets are liveliest after dark and on weekends.