About Ramadan
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a sacred month in the Islamic calendar, commemorating when the Quran was first revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad. During Ramadan, Muslims pray and reflect, and read the Quran. They also fast during daylight hours, from dawn to dusk. Fasting at Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, with the others being faith, prayer, donations/giving and making a pilgrimage to Mecca.
What does food have to do with Ramadan?
For Muslims, the focus of Ramadan is prayer and fasting, not food. However, they break their fast every night with Iftar, which is a communal meal that is shared with family and friends. Lakemba became a popular place to meet to share Iftar, and local eateries started popping up to support Ramadan.
Why is Council involved in Ramadan Nights Lakemba?
From a handful of food stalls, the night market in Lakemba grew organically in the community. Increasing numbers meant the need for support from Council around traffic, food safety, security, crowd management, waste collection and more. Now there are over 70 stalls, and several roads need to be closed to accommodate them. Council works closely with the Ramadan Working Group which includes members of the community, as well as police, security and Transport NSW, who provide input and feedback.
Can I wish people ‘Happy Ramadan’?
You can, or you could also say “Ramadan Mubarak,” which means “Have a blessed Ramadan” in Arabic.
When is the best time to visit?
This event is on every night during Ramadan from dusk-3am. We recommend visiting on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday night to experience the shortest queues. Don’t forget to come early in the evening to make the most of the event and get your food sooner!
How do I get there?
Ramadan Nights Lakemba takes place on Haldon Street and Railway Parade, Lakemba.
Located in the heart of Greater Sydney, it is easily accessible by public transport with the T3 Bankstown Line and Lakemba Station bringing you to the heart of the event. Plan your trip at transportnsw.info
Road closures and detour routes will be in place every night from 21 March-20 April 2023, 4pm-3am. We highly recommend taking public transport or our FREE shuttle bus, which operates every night from 6.30pm, to visit Ramadan Nights Lakemba, as there will be limited parking available. For more information, visit cb.city/RamadanNights
What should I wear?
Nights can be cool at this time of year, so we suggest bringing layers and dressing respectfully, considering the event's cultural significance. We recommend dressing as you would to visit a mosque, church, synagogue, temple or other religiously significant building.
Is Ramadan Nights Lakemba family-friendly?
Yes, this is a family-friendly event and is also alcohol-free. However, sometimes the streets can be busy, which can make it difficult to use a pram or buggy. Early on Monday-Wednesday nights are the quietest times.
Can anyone come to Ramadan Nights Lakemba?
All are welcome at Ramadan Nights. It is a special event for our Muslim community who are celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan, but non-Muslims are welcomed to share the cultural experience and try the incredible foods on offer.
Is there an entry fee?
No, this is a free event to attend. Food can be purchased from one of the many stallholders.
How do I pay for food at the stalls?
Many of the stallholders can take cards, but we suggest bringing cash to be safe. There is a Commonwealth Bank ATM located at 74 Haldon Street and an ANZ ATM at 83 Haldon Street.
Can I take my dog?
We don’t recommend bringing your dog, or any other animals. Ramadan Nights Lakemba can get very busy, which makes it unsafe for pets.
Is there any event parking?
Due to the nature of the event, there is no allocated event parking, however, limited street parking is available. Please be mindful and respect our residents and by not obstructing driveways or footpaths. There are also road closures in the area. Traffic rangers will be on patrol throughout the event and fines will be issued for infringements.
We strongly recommend taking public transport to the event or parking at a nearby station and catching public transport the rest of the way. Find out more about how to get to the event at cb.city/RamadanNights
Is there disabled parking at the event?
There is no disabled parking at the event. There are some disabled parking spaces on the streets around the event, but these will be in high demand. Public transport, including our shuttle bus, is accessible and drops passengers off in the event area, making this the easiest way for everyone to travel.
Is there bus and coach parking at the event?
There is no bus or coach parking and parking close to the event will be very busy. We suggest dropping off passengers close to the event (while not obstructing traffic) and then parking elsewhere.
Will the event be on if it rains?
Yes, Ramadan Nights will still be on if it rains. However, in the case of severe weather conditions, the event may be cancelled for a
night. To stay up to date on important event updates, please follow City of Canterbury Bankstown on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
How can I apply for a stall?
Applications for stallholders are closed for this year, however if you are interested in taking part as a stallholder in 2024, please email events@cbcity.nsw.gov.au
Is there a place to pray?
There are several mosques in Lakemba, some on Haldon Street and others within easy walking distance.
Can I buy alcohol at this event?
Ramadan Nights Lakemba is an alcohol-free event. Many Muslims abstain from alcohol during this month, and you cannot purchase any alcohol at the event. Please note it is also illegal to bring alcohol, as it is a public event on the street. Use of alcohol or drugs will not be tolerated.
Is there any music or entertainment at the event?
Ramadan is a religious event, with many Muslims around the world focusing on good deeds, positive habits and a stronger relationship with Islam and Allah (God). Many Muslims avoid music, among other things, to help them better focus on their spirituality. This event does not have any music or entertainment as it would be unfitting to the purpose of Ramadan.
What type of food is available at this event?
Ramadan is celebrated by many people all over the world, and we are lucky to have a diverse community of people living in Canterbury-Bankstown who celebrate Ramadan.
As a result, you can find a vast array of cuisines on offer, such as Indonesian, Pakistani, Lebanese, Egyptian, Syrian just to name a few!
Will there be any vegan/vegetarian options?
Yes, many food stalls will have vegan and vegetarian offerings. We recommend talking to the stall holders to find out what dish will best suit your dietary needs.
Is there seating at the event?
No, the area used for this event gets very congested and there is no space for extra seating. Most people like to eat while wandering around and enjoying the atmosphere or take their food home with them. However, many local restaurants are also taking part in the event, and most of these have table seating for their customers.
Please note that the streets surrounding Haldon Street are residential areas, so please keep noise to a minimum when walking to and from the event and discard any rubbish in the bins along Haldon Street or take it home with you.
This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community.
Are there toilets and baby change facilities at the event?
Yes, there are toilets on The Boulevarde close to the train station and also at Gillies Park, within easy walking distance from Haldon Street. The Gillies Park facilities include a baby change room and a Marveloo accessibility toilet. Look out for the blue tear drop banners displaying toilets.
Please note that the Women’s Rest Centre will not be open to the public during the event.
What should I do if I need help?
In an emergency, call 000. For other issues, council staff members. police and security staff will be patrolling the event and can answer questions or give help. You can also go to the event control centre in the Women’s Rest Centre at 111 Haldon Street, where we will be able to help you, including offering first aid. Look out for the green tear drop banner displaying first aid.
What should I do if I lose a child, or find a lost child?
Talk to a council staff member or a member of the security team who will show you to the control centre in the Women’s Rest Centre at 111 Haldon Street, where we will be able to help you.
We welcome families at Ramadan Nights Lakemba, however children should always be accompanied by an adult. Please supervise your children and never leave them unattended. Tell your child what to do if they do get lost, which is to speak to a security guard or go to our control centre for help.
Can I fly my drone over the event?
No, the event is a No Drone Zone and any drones flying over will be reported to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
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