Extended car-free event in late October promises more activities for all

SINGAPORE — The all familiar Car-Free Sunday event gets a makeover and extension next month, with activities scheduled for three days from Friday Oct 26.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said that the first Car-Free Weekend in the city area will promote Singapore's “car-lite vision”.

The event will also “enable more to enjoy the car-free experience and participate in a variety of activities both during the day and at night”, it added.

The activities will be spread over Friday lunchtime, Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

For starters, Telok Ayer Street and Amoy Street will be closed to vehicular traffic that Friday from 11am to 3pm, and people may take in the “lunchtime buzz or take a pleasant stroll down the street without cars,” the URA said.

On Saturday evening — where activities start as early as 5pm — parts of the Civic District and Telok Ayer conservation area will be closed to traffic as well.

The National Parks Board (NParks) will be holding some activities as part of its Parks Festival. These include a showcase of the finalists from the NParks Live Out Loud: Battle of the Band event, a concert at Empress Lawn, an arts and gardening bazaar, outdoor art installations and interactive stations, and "sketching tours" at Esplanade Park and Connaught Drive for those who enjoy drawing.

For those who are inclined to burn some calories, they may take part in evening workouts presented by Sport Singapore's ActiveSG community, while thrill-seekers may head to the Asian Civilisations Museum's After Dark Halloween event from 7pm to 11pm.

Visitors who plan to spend their time at the Telok Ayer conservation area will be entertained by cultural performances held around the area. “(They) can look forward to a flea market, free trishaw rides, movie screening and street games, or try their hands at UV painting on a large canvas at night. Foodies can (also) join the free walking food tours as they learn more about Telok Ayer,” the URA said.

Come Sunday morning, the entire 5.5km-long car-free route from the Civic District to the Central Business District and Telok Ayer conservation area will be open for the public to walk, jog or cycle from 8am to 12pm.

There will be a dance event organised by the National Arts Council, and visitors may shop for locally farmed produce at the Farmers’ Market organised by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority and the Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation.

Those who missed Saturday's Parks Festival by NParks may catch up on Sunday as the activities run from morning until 5pm at the Esplanade Park.