Today, 3 October 2026, Saturday, I checked out the fun Joo Chiat Car-Free Day, the first time when Singapore closed an entire road, a 530 metre stretch, outside the Central Business District (CBD), for a street carnival, comprising 90 merchants.
I was at the event to support my rock buddy Patrick Chng of the Oddfellows who was busking at the eclectic event. It was Patrick who told me about the fun event.
Straits Times reported that around 5,000 people attended this quirky event, marking World Car-Free Day, an annual event encouraging people across the globe to explore more sustainable ways of commuting. Based on my mental calculation of sardine-can moving people traffic for six hours (official time 3.30 – 9.30pm), I estimate the “beautiful people” attendees, including early-curious birds, easily exceeded 5,000.
Joo Chiat Car-Free Day E-Poster (above image). The crowd comprised of pet-pram pushers, families with children, expatriates with their families, cyclists, hipsters etc. All were curious what Joo Chiat is like, without vehicle traffic.
The Joo Chiat street scene reminds me of a psychedelic scene from a San Francisco weekend street market.
In 2025, the British media group Time Out named Joo Chiat Road among the top 15 coolest streets in the world.
Joo Chiat Road Is Blocked Off (above image). Bus routes were diverted.
The Crowd (above image). This crowd size, photographed at 4.30pm, will be easily doubled in an hour’s time.
Road Art (above image). Work-in-progress.
Pets Enjoying Their Day In The Sun (above image).
Exercise Routines In The Street (above image). A cool sight to behold.
CARES Community Bus (above image). Get on board the double-decker for a magical mystery tour.
I was at the event to support my rock buddy Patrick Chng (above image) of the Oddfellows who was busking at the eclectic event. It was Patrick who told me about this fun street event.
Patrick Chng Doing His Thing (above image).
Chairman Of The Board (above image).
Enjoying Beers with Francis Frightful of the Opposition Party band (above image). Watching the world go by. Check out my “Traveling Wilburys” T-shirt. I’ve always associated that super-duper-group (Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty) with true friendship.
Me, Patrick Chng of Oddfellow, and Francis Frightful of Opposition Party (above image).
I even got Francis Frightful of the Opposition Party band along to support Patrick
Teasing Pat – 1 (above image). Trying to make Pat forget the lyrics to “Hotel California”*.
Teasing Pat – 2 (above image). Trying to make Pat forget the lyrics to “Heart Of Gold”*.
Teasing Pat – 3 (above image). Trying to make Pat forget the lyrics to “Ventura Highway”*.
Teasing Pat – 4 (above image). Trying to make Pat forget the lyrics to “Let It Be”*. * – I’m just kidding about trying to distract Pat in forgetting his song lyrics, the entire photo sequence took only 6 seconds to photograph.
Here’s looking forward to a fun Joo Chiat Car-Free Day 2027!
