Singapore has seen a surge in weekend bazaars featuring a diverse range of creative markets, drawing significant participation from regional vendors and consumers. This phenomenon is exemplified by the inaugural overseas edition of Common Rare, one of Shanghai’s largest creative fairs, which took place at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 18 to 20.
Common Rare’s event showcased over 200 independent brands, half of which came from China. According to co-founder Tiffany Wong, the strong interest from Chinese vendors was driven by Singapore’s receptive and affluent market, alongside its visa-free entry policy for Chinese creatives. Many participating brands were new to Singapore, arriving at their own expense without an existing local customer base. The fair featured a mix of product categories, including quirky accessories, homeware, scents, illustrated prints, and clothing. Notable Chinese exhibitors included Happy Restaurant, an accessories label, and Lazy Eazy, a pet fashion brand specialising in designer apparel for dogs.
In addition to products for sale, Common Rare offered a carnival-like atmosphere with live music, tattoo artists, large inflatable installations, and hands-on workshops. The event was designed to provide more polished and curated experiences than smaller craft markets, with all vendors required to meet specific branding and packaging standards. This approach reflects Common Rare’s evolution from a modest 55-stall market in 2016 to a major quarterly event in Shanghai featuring over 400 brands, a growth attributed to the rising popularity of market retail formats since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The weekend market scene in Singapore has also expanded, with several bazaars operating concurrently in recent months. Examples include art market Artsobi, multidisciplinary event In-Between, Singapore Art Book Fair, and the Singapore Night Festival’s Pasar Mad-lam. These events have become fixtures on the weekend calendar, attracting mainly younger demographics.
Among the growing base of market-goers are Gen Z and young millennials who prefer creative fairs over traditional shopping malls and online retail. Freelance actor and student Russell Su, 23, expressed a preference for physically experiencing and supporting artisanal works, rather than purchasing via online platforms. Social interaction is also a key appeal, with many markets functioning as social spaces where participants exhibit their cultural tastes and fashion sensibilities.
Local J-fashion market Konbini illustrates this trend, increasing its visitor numbers from 500 at its launch in 2023 to around 8,000 by June. Founder See Kaye describes these markets as new "third places" for young people seeking community, replacing malls that no longer meet their preferences. Events often feature fashion contests and themed gatherings, such as Lolita-style picnics, reflecting niche subcultural interests.
The growing supply of weekend bazaars is fuelled by a rise in entrepreneurial ventures, particularly among young people striving to establish their own brands rather than follow traditional employment paths. Common Rare’s Wong noted that many in the younger generation prefer to run independent businesses and use markets as platforms for exposure and sales.
As Singapore’s weekend market landscape continues to evolve, it highlights a dynamic blend of cultural consumption, creative entrepreneurship, and social engagement across the city-state and the broader region.