From 13 to 22 September, Kampong Gelam will be transformed into an immersive festival that brings the exhilarating world of racing into the heart of Singapore’s historic quarter. Titled ‘The Glam Circuit Festival 2024’, this 10-day event will feature tantalising culinary experiences, engaging race-themed activities for all ages, a music festival spotlighting local indie acts and a new edition of its singing competition – all held against the backdrop of the vibrant and colourful precinct. This event will be presented as part of Grand Prix Season Singapore 2024 in the lead up to Singapore’s FORMULA 1 race weekend.
“The Glam Circuit Festival 2024 is a celebration that goes beyond the thrill of speed and the charm of our cultural heritage,” says Mr Zaki Maarof, Chairman of One Kampong Gelam (OKG). “It offers a multitude of experiences that symbolise the diversity and dynamism of the Singapore night race. We are excited to present an event that reflects true to the vibrant and inclusive spirit of Kampong Gelam in such a refreshing way leading up to the race weekend.”
Driven by Sustainability and Community
This year, OKG is proud to advance its commitment to sustainable practices. Partnering with green energy solutions provider, Gorental.SG, the event will deploy clean battery generators for all retail booths and selected activities to reduce its overall carbon footprint. Being 100 per cent powered by solar energy, these generators emit zero air and noise pollution.
As part of OKG’s dedication to strengthen its community outreach, beneficiaries from social service organisation APSN are also invited to attend Day 1 of the festival. This is in the spirit of including Singaporeans from all walks of life to enjoy the festivities as the country enters a celebratory mood leading up to the race weekend. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Ms Grace Fu, will be officiating the event as Guest-of-Honour.
The Glam Circuit Festival 2024: What the Public Can Expect
Filled across two weekends, The Glam Circuit Festival 2024 will transform Kampong Gelam into an exhilarating journey through three distinct pillars — Dine, Play and Groove — each offering unique experiences that blend the excitement of the night race with the rich heritage of the district. From the array of culinary delights and thrilling activities to captivating live performances and a singing competition, here are some highlights to expect.
DINE to your Heart’s Delight
Feast and shop along the culinary and shopping fast lanes at Baghdad Street, Aliwal Street Carpark and Sultan Gate Park, where as many as 80 F&B brands and retail outlets come alive exclusively for the season.
Soak in the mouthwatering aromas from our dining partners serving an international array of delights as you stroll through the streets. Savor succulent kebabs and shawarma from Arabica Kebab, indulge in the rich flavours of charcoal burgers at AshesBurnnit, and enjoy the fresh taste of grilled seafood from Noi Kassim BBQ. Also, don’t miss the exotic Nasi Arab from Nasi Arab Habibi, or the uniquely flavoured croissants from Flamboyant Goons!
These are just some of the few delectable options alongside other vendors like Home Of Seafood that is serving sushi and crowd-favourite The Original Vadai dishing up piping fresh Indian vadai. No matter what your food cravings are for the night, these options are sure to delight! Those up for some retail therapy will also not be disappointed with the eclectic mix of retail offerings, from racing-related gear to artisanal crafts.
PLAY Your Way to the Podium
With your tummies filled with delicious bites, dive into the thrill of motorsport like never before with immersive stations that bring the excitement of the race season to life.
Begin at Baghdad Street Carpark to experience high-speed thrills with the Racing Simulator. Offering an immersive racing experience, the simulator is complete with stunning graphics and responsive controls for a truly authentic adventure. Nearby, the Scream Booth invites participants to cheer for how much fun they are having at the festival. Scream loud and proud to earn tokens for the gachapon machine to redeem free passes to activities within the festival or dining vouchers to Cappadocia Turkish & Mediterranean Restaurant.
Over at Sultan Gate Road, look out for the Canvas Circuitry. Here, families can unleash their creativity and collaborate on painting a life-sized sustainable cardboard race car. This one-of-a-kind installation encourages community participation while symbolising the fusion of cultures and racing through art.
If you’re feeling reminiscent of your childhood days, step into our vibrant Games Village at the Aliwal Street Carpark. From Ring Toss and Mini Golf Course to Velcro Bullseye and a Bubble Play Zone, the village features a variety of classic carnival games for everyone to enjoy. What’s more, look forward to race-inspired games such as the Water Gun Race where players will use water guns to propel a mini race car forward and the Race Car Bowling where participants use race cars to knock down bowling pins. Endless entertainment and fun are promised for both the young and old!
For those looking to capture the perfect keepsake, head over to the photobooths and flash your brightest smile for the camera. These photo strips are just the best to remember all the festival fun with your loved ones. Or, if you would prefer engaging in some hands-on fun, check out Pit Stop Mechanic nearby to create your very own racing-themed mementos. Build and decorate your very own race car or design personalised racing gear to take home as a unique souvenir.
GROOVE to the Beat of the Glam
Looking to take a breather from the endless fun? Lounge around the sitting areas and immerse yourself in the diverse rhythms of the night. The precinct’s Kampong Gelam Music Festival will showcase a myriad of genres including Rock, Raggae, Indie-Pop, Malay Fusion Drums, R&B and Brazilian Percussion, as a reflection of Singapore’s rich musical landscape.
Spread across two stages at Sultan Gate Park and Aliwal Street Carpark, the festival will solely feature homegrown acts to spotlight the brimming talent in the city state. Brazilian Percussion band Bloco Singapura will kick off the festivities with their explosive performance followed by a dynamic lineup of acts such as local Raggae pioneers BUSHMEN, hot favourite band 53A that has headlined Singapore’s live music scene for more than a decade, and R&B Singer-Rapper-Songwriter Zalelo.
Other exciting acts to look out for throughout the week include Malay Fusion Drums band Nadi Singapura for the passionate sound of traditional Malay music, crowd-puller soulful buskers Fyrdauz Macbeth and REX, and some tasty Pop Punk-Hard Rock tunes with Curry The Basil. There’s something for everyone regardless of your music preferences so grab a snack and head on down to enjoy the music!
On the second weekend (20 to 22 September), be at the front row seat uncovering Singapore’s next singing sensation with Glam Voices 2024. Featuring talented contestants from all walks of life, look forward to an exciting evening of musical talent and vocal prowess as they charm the esteemed panel of judges and audiences for the grand prize. This is more than just a competition — it’s a celebration of Singapore’s rich musical talent and a showcase of future stars.
For those seeking to keep up the fun even after the day’s main events, the Haji Lane Hang-out offers an exhilarating after-hours experience. Happening on 20 September (Friday), 6pm to 12am, Haji Lane will transform into a vibrant hub, providing a unique and thrilling extension to the night race experience through a lineup of live DJ performances. Groove to the beats of the DJs along the street for an unforgettable musical journey that resonates with the true spirit of Kampong Gelam.
The Glam Circuit Festival 2024 is part of the Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS). The event will open daily from 13 to 22 September from 2pm to 10pm from Monday to Thursday, and till 10:30pm from Friday to Sunday. For more information and the latest updates, please visit One Kampong Gelam’s Facebook and Instagram.
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