Skip mainstream shopping malls and shop at these awesome markets, fleas and alternative pop-ups around town
Clearly, Singapore is a shopping paradise. But we can’t give all the credits to world-class malls and cool indie boutiques. The city also has heaps of rad flea markets, pop-up markets and bazaars for those looking for one-of-a-kind furniture, locally-produced food, handmade goodies, vintage wares and all sorts of wonderful steals. To make retail therapy a little easier, we’ve done the treasure hunting for you…
The Fair
4 May
Compete the crowds for the best finds at The Fair. You can easily find anything from bold handmade designer jewellery and on-trend fashion accessories to art pieces and quirky thingamajigs for your home. With close to 50 local and international vendors from over six countries, including Volha, Archana Padia, Set in Blue, Ilhaan Decor and more, you won’t be leaving this fair empty-handed!
The Fair – Summer 2018, 4 May 2018, Hotel Jen Tanglin, 1A Cascaden Road, Singapore 249716
Public Garden
19-20 May
Besides hosting workshops for crafty, creative types, Public Garden hosts an uber cool flea that’s expanded to Consumer Trade Shows that are all about supporting local and regional talent. We’ve picked up amazing independent fashion, our favourite leather sandals and some really special pieces by local jewellers at this carefully curated market and it just gets better and better. Brands like Paper Forest, Norms Project, Sew Jazz and more will be making a cameo this May.
Public Garden, 19-20 May 2018, Suntec Convention Hall 403, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Suntec City, 039593
Artbox
25-17 May & 1-3 June
Think of Artbox as the fab sister of your neighbourhood pasar malam. It’s lined with Insta-worthy food and rad creations. Over 400 of Singapore and Thailand’s under-the-radar entrepreneurs and designers will be selling their wares, including on-trend fashion pieces, vintage threads, handmade jewellery and accessories, hand-painted art, quirky thingamajigs, gorgeous home products, and more – flea market style. Thai designers such as Porky Studio, Moonset and Nokkajib will be making a cameo with their creations, too.
Artbox Singapore 2018, 25-17 May & 1-3 June 2018, 3pm-11pm, Bayfront Event Space, Marina Bay (next to Marina Bay Sands)
So Gelam Market
27-29 April
This weekend flea market at Baghdad Street will have you cash out on beauty products by Aura Nur Spa, new threads by Frock & Flock, bamboo homewares by Glambue, batik clothes by Heartakarun, handcrafted pins and cushions by Kush Kush by Em, canvas bags and planners by Original Ordinary, and more. If you’re all about ethical shopping, check out Sonder Social who will be there with its selection of compassion boxes. By BloomzRush and Awesome Free Stuff will also set up stalls with pre-loved goodies, where you can donate too.
So Gelam Market, 27 April (8pm-11pm), 28 April (2pm-11pm), 29 April (2pm-9pm), Baghdad Street, Kampong Glam, Singapore
The Luggage Market
Monthly
If shopping on a budget is your new year’s priority, then be sure to drop by The Luggage Market at The Adelphi (as it’s got deals and steals?). With over 45 booths selling preloved wares, as well as a vast selection of fashionable clothes from Refash to browse through, it’s unlikely you’ll leave empty-handed. Expect this to be your new favourite 2018 flea market.
The Luggage Market, The Alelphi, 1 Coleman St, Singapore 179803
China Square Central Flea Market
Every Sunday
Put your bargaining skills to the test at this weekly flea market. Two floors of over 60 vendors, you can anything from antiques and collectables to vinyls and vintage posters. Expand your collection and head to level 2 for more comics and toys. Some are these items are no longer around anymore, so best grab the chance while you can!
China Square Central Flea Market, Level 1 and 2, 18 Cross Street, Singapore 048423
Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market
Monthly
Calling all bargain hunters and vintage buffs! Touted as the city’s true blue vintage flea market (and the Portobello Market of Singapore), this lifestyle and vintage market will be offering everything from antiques to bespoke items, and is ace for retro gifts like vinyl records, vintage jewellery and accessories, timeless fashion pieces, kitschy souvenirs and more. Items will be sold at 50% off marked prices!
Katong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market, Katong Square, 86/88 East Coast Road, Singapore 423371
Flea Party
Stay tuned for the next event
Spotted a flea market near you recently? There’s a high chance that it’s organised by Fleawhere: Singapore’s largest and most frequent flea market organiser. Whether you’re a craft-hunting hipster or a vintage hunter, Fleawhere’s got something for everyone. These guys are the ones behind the wildly successful Artbox, a buzzy, creative market originating from Bangkok as well as the popular Flea Party, happening at Lucky Plaza’s sixth floor.
Flea Party, #06-48B (Beside Jollibee), Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Rd Singapore 238863
The Local People
Stay tuned for the next event
Without a doubt, these folks organise one of the best fleas in Singapore. Starting out as a platform to help young brands and designers carve a name for themselves in Singapore’s market scene, The Local People have labelled themselves to be the antithesis of low-quality mass production goods. They also have an online store featuring products from various vendors, for those who prefer shopping in bed (or can’t wait for their next flea!). The last market at Singapore Art Museum drew a great crowd (despite the rain) for its mix of local designers and artists showing us what they’ve got, and loads of vintage rails to rummage.
The Local People
Zouk Flea & Easy
Stay tuned for the next event
The biggest club in Singapore isn’t always about partying! Aside from music therapy, the Zouk Flea & Easy and ZouKiDisco series also dish out retail therapy with the pop-up bazaar concept. We last saw the event’s return last year at Zouk’s new address at The Cannery along with the indie pop-up flea market, Sunset Pasar. Expect a well-curated market where you can be sure to dig up something awesome from the selection of emerging brands and designers — here’s hoping it’ll come soon!
Zouk Flea & Easy, dates to be confirmed, 3C River Valley Road, The Cannery, Singapore 109722
The ones we’ve shopped…
MAAD at the Marina Bay
All month from now until 1 April
We’re so glad that the Red Dot Design Museum is back, and in some cool new digs now, located along the Marina Bay Waterfront. And with the return of the museum, the crowd favourite MAAD Market will be a weekend fixture till April! Good news for those who are looking to indulge in some of your own retail therapy, and #supportlocal makers. Hit up this cool market for equally cool treasures!
MAAD at the Marina Bay, Red Dot Design Museum, 11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018940
Sunday Social Market at Camp Kilo
11 March
The brainchild of DJ Zig Zach and Jade Amar, this Sunday happening combines the idea of music and fashion. So you know what that means — plenty of shopping! Mark your Sunday out for a great catch-up with friends amongst upbeat house music and tasty grub (including hearty roasts from Camp Kilo Charcoal Club), and discover local brands, talented crafters and artisanal bakers. Make sure you’ve got plenty of cash-in-hand to snap up anything from home accessories to fashion must-haves.
Sunday Social Market, 11 March, #01-01, 66 Kampong Bugis, Singapore 338987. Follow Camp Kilo Charcoal Club on Facebook for updates on the next Sunday Social Market
Singapore Really Really Free Market
4 March
Believe us when we say that everything here is completely free. Following the Really, Really Free Market movement, Singapore Really Free Market promotes community sharing. If you’re up for sharing your items (or skills even!), you’re more than welcome to peddle them — no registration or fees necessary! But be gracious and show some restraint; don’t go hogging everything, now!
Singapore Really Really Free Market, Block 293, Yishun Street 22, Singapore 760293
Boutiques at the Pit Building
16-18 March 2018
With a whopping variety of designers and independent businesses offering a good mix of quality goodies, this fabulous shopping extravaganza is where you can get your hands on eclectic furniture, quirky wallpapers, eye-catching stationery and women’s and men’s fashion. It’s also the best way to discover under-the-radar, independent brands and shop responsibly – the line-up always features socially conscious brands. The three day fair will feature over 200 labels with a focus on shopping for your loved ones. But more than shopping, you can even look forward to workshops by brands like MATTER and Ask A French Flowers, as well demonstrations by jewellery and leather good makers.
Boutiques Fair, The Pit Building, 1 Republic Boulevard, Singapore 038975
Twilight: Flea & Feast
2-4 February
After the success of last year’s bash, Twilight: Flea & Feast returns this February with more food and drink vendors, and over a hundred retail booths! Inspired by the popular hawkers’ market in Australia, the event is loaded with global street food, retailers selling unique wares and live music performances. This year it welcomes new features such as giant game pieces of beloved childhood games Jenga, Tic Tac Toe and Connect Four, craft workshops in watercolour calligraphy, clay and wood making, as well as love-themed installations for your next Instagram snap. Can this flea market get any bigger?
Twilight: Flea & Feast, Halls 401 and 402, Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Raffles Boulevard, Suntec City, Singapore 039593
Togetherly x Spring Delights
5-14 February
Get together at Tanjong Pagar Centre for more flea market goodies! Plenty of shopping to go around, there will also be music performances to keep you company. Togetherly is known for their on-the-move all-inclusive markets for everyone who is keen to learn and explore unique lifestyle pursuits. One of their unique features is also the Togetherly Book Exchange, a bookswap social movement that has gained a following in Singapore since its inception — get involved!
Togetherly x Spring Delights, 5-14 February, Urban Park Level 1, Tanjong Pagar Centre, 1 Wallich Street, Singapore 078881
*SCAPE Marketplace
3-5 February
Expect to find quirky handphone covers, vintage clothing, stylish beauty products and blogshop goodies at this flea market. *SCAPE Marketplace usually attracts a younger crowd who are real bargain hunters, so get ready to rummage along with them.
*SCAPE Marketplace, *SCAPE Mall, 2 Orchard Link, Singapore 237978
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