While you're out enjoying all that Singapore has to offer, remember to observe good hygiene measures and practice safe distancing. Stay safe!
Christmas isn’t Christmas without the mad last-minute shopping, Mariah Carey carols (or Michael Bublé if you prefer) and festive lights. While the pandemic might have put a damper on year-end travelling once again, there’re still colourful Christmas displays across the island that bring us cheer!
Whether you’re looking to soak in the atmosphere with your partner or ring in the new year with family and friends, here’s a list of wonderful places to visit this yuletide season in Singapore!
Orchard Road
1. Christmas on a Great Street
While getting your Christmas shopping done, don't miss the lights on display along Orchard Road. Image credit: Orchard Road Business Association
You can’t talk about Christmas lights in Singapore without mentioning the annual light-up along Orchard Road. It’d be amiss not to do so as the Orchard Road light up has always been a favourite with the locals and foreigners alike! This is one display we look forward to every year, rain or shine.
The stretch of road starting from Tanglin Mall all the way to Plaza Singapura has been lit in festive colours of red, white, and gold this year. In line with the theme “Christmas in Bloom”, oversized poinsettias adorn the sidewalk and arches, bathing the shopping district with Christmas cheer.
While there won’t be any live performances this year (again), rest assured you’ll still get your fill of Christmas carols while snapping your OOTDs in front of the displays.
2. Augmented Reality(AR) Outdoor Projection
The walls of Mandarin Orchard Hotel transform into a spectacular show every night. Image credit: Orchard Road Business Association
In addition to the light displays, Orchard road has a special surprise that’s bound to wow you.
A giant outdoor projection will be screened outside Mandarin Orchard Hotel daily from now to 2 January, from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM. This 10-minute clip features adorable Merli, Singapore’s very own mascot, and friends enjoying the festivities. Remember to download the PopAR app beforehand to unlock the show in 2.5D.
Changi Airport
On the eastern side of Singapore, there’s the Changi Festive Village which has been brought back again after a successful run last year. Grab your friends and head on down to Singapore Changi Airport for snow, lights, and fun!
3. Jewel Changi Airport
Share a romantic moment with your loved one at the Eiffel Tower.
Can’t travel just yet? That’s okay, because Jewel Changi Airport is bringing the world to you!
Whether you’re missing France’s Eiffel Tower, the vast wildlife plains of South Africa or the steaming onsens of Japan, you’ll get to experience them all at the Shiseido Forest Valley. View all of them up close through AR via your smartphones and collect stamps while you do so. Once you’ve collected enough stamps, you’ll unlock the next part of this round-the-world adventure. The party continues right at the Canopy Park, where Bali, Antarctica and Hawaii await you. Suddenly, the travel-FOMO doesn’t feel so bad anymore.
Enjoy the special Christmas edition of the Light & Sound Show at the HSBC Rain Vortex and magical snowfall.
At night, see the HSBC Rain Vortex come to live with the return of the Light & Sound show in a special Christmas edition. There’s also snowfall every 15 minutes to complete the magical experience!
Entry fee: Redeem a free pass for every $25 you spend at Jewel Changi Airport
Opening hours: 6:00pm to 11:00pm
For more information, check out their website here.
4. Changi Airport Connector
Dino Dazzle returns this year with more dazzling lights and new dino additions.
A day at the Jewel Changi Airport not enough for you? Then make your way outdoors to the Changi Airport Connector for this year’s Christmas light-up, called the Dino Dazzle. This year, the entire 3.5km of the park connector network is illuminated with over 10,000 lighted tulips, sunflowers, dandelions and more.
Embark on a unique night cycling experience along the fully lit Changi Airport Connector.
Keep your eyes peeled as you cycle along the Changi Airport Connector and Jurassic Mile, who knows what kind of vicious carnivores are hidden among the vegetation (We do, they’re dinosaurs). Try to see if you can spot two new dino additions - a moving Spinosaurus and a T-rex topiary!
Light up hours: 7:00pm to 2:00am
Gardens by the Bay
5. Poinsettia Wishes
See traditional confectionery from the Nordic countries come to live. Image credit: Gardens by the Bay
While Vaccinated Travel Lanes are opening up to different parts of Europe, travelling to the Nordics to experience real snow and frolic among real blooming poinsettias might still not be possible this year for many of us. Fret not, Gardens by the Bay is bringing the poinsettias and snow to you.
From now to Jan 9, the flower dome will be transformed into a giant confectionary display with an eight-metre-tall cupcake Ferris wheel as the centrepiece. You’ll definitely feel like you’re in a wintry wonderland when you’re surrounded by adorable gingerbread animals, marshmallow snowmen and giant candy canes.
Location: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Opening hours: 9:00am to 9:00pm
6. Christmas Wonderland
Check out eight magical night displays including The Enchanted Bridge which is illuminated by 100,000 LED lights. Image credit: Gardens by the Bay
The annual Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay has been a constant highlight of Singapore’s Christmas season since 2014, and this year is no exception.
Nine magical light displays, including the 20.5m tall Spalliera — inspired by Europe’s Gothic cathedrals and churches — will take their places of honour among the garden’s Supertrees, bathing the forestscape in a magical glow.
Don’t forget to check out the Walk of Stars, a 44m long light tunnel made up of star-shaped LEDs, and the Enchanted Bridge by GrabPay — not as long, spanning 30 metres, but illuminated by 100,000 LEDs — before heading to the heart of the celebrations.
Location: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Bonus
7. Universal Studios Singapore
Get your cameras ready for all the stars you're going to meet! Image credit: Universal Studios Singapore
Christmas is a wonderful time to unleash your inner child, and where better to go wild than at Universal Studios Singapore?
Regardless of whether you’ve been naughty or nice, the adorable cast of Minions: 2, Trolls, Sesame Street, Shrek and Puss in Boots will be waiting to meet you in their yuletide attire. It’ll also be the first time Otto, the newest minion from the namesake movie due to release next year, makes his public appearance.
If you’ve ever wanted to send a letter to Santa, you can! You’ll even get to see the Postmaster Elf drop it via the North Pole Postal Service. And of course, Christmas isn’t complete without turkey, so don’t forget to grab one of USS’ signature turkey legs in between partying.
Location: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
Opening hours: 12:00pm to 7:00pm
8. CHIJMES/The Capitol
Try your hand at ice skating at CHIJMES. Image credit: CHIJMES
It’s ice skating, snow flurries, light shows, and more this Christmas at the Capitol Kempinski and CHIJMES.
Who would’ve thought you’d get to ice skate outdoors in this weather? From now till 2 January, slip on your ice skates and attempt your best spins on the frozen mini-lawn inside CHIJMES. You can even enjoy the projection lightmapping across CHIJMES buildings while you’re at it.
If that’s not enough, there’s a snow dome at The Capitol and yes, you can actually make snow angels and snowmen there.
Location: 30 Victoria St, Singapore 187996 (CHIJMES), 13 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178905 (The Capitol)
Opening hours: 5:00pm to 9:00pm (Ice skating), 7:30pm to 10:00pm (Lightmapping), 12:00pm to 9:30pm (Snow dome)
With so much happening this year-end, we are simply delighted to be in the mood for Christmas!
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