Christmas may be a little different this year, but there are still plenty of Christmas events (some virtual) to get you into the festive mood! From admiring the annual light-up at Orchard Road to doing last-minute Christmas shopping, here are some ways to have a fun Christmas in Singapore.
Design Orchard
This November and December, Design Orchard has rolled out an amazing festive lineup! Pop by the store for their Christmas storewide sale in December and snag deals on fashion, beauty, souvenirs and more. There’ll also be Christmas pop-ups, launches and fun holiday workshops to take part in. Find out more about what’s on now.
Orchard Road Light-up
This stunning annual Christmas light-up is not to be missed. It’s one of the longest, grandest festive lighting displays in Singapore, so be sure to set aside some time to admire it.
This year, you can enjoy the display in person or virtually! From now until 1 January 2021, feast your eyes on a 2.88-kilometre stretch of lights and decorations from Tanglin Mall all the way to Dhoby Ghaut. The highlight is a shimmering arch adorned with a huge blue ribbon, glittering reindeer and hollies at the Orchard-Paterson Road junction. The virtual 360-degree tour can be accessed both in Singapore and internationally.
ION Orchard is also celebrating the festive season with holiday installations, including a 20-metre magical pinwheel tree. Crafted using recyclable materials, visitors can interact with the wheel, which is programmed to light up in different sequences as the pinwheels spin.
The Editor’s Christmas Market
The Editor’s Market’s gifting fair this year features a wide variety of lifestyle products from sustainable local businesses. They include vegan beauty products from Handmade Heroes, plantable candles from Pass It On and eco-conscious terrazzo plates from Chokmah. You’ll also able to find popular international brands such as Superga and Havaianas. Shop at the 313 Somerset outlet or online from now until 31 December.
Gardens by the Bay
Christmas Wonderland is taking on a virtual format this year! Enjoy exploring digital wonderland filled with interactive content and carnival games as well as festive performances. You can also shop for presents at the gifts marketplace and send personalised e-cards to friends. Sign up for Virtual Christmas Wonderland membership and get access to a special members-only area on the event website.
Besides joining the festivities online, you can head down in person for Walk of Lights at Supertree Grove and feast your eyes on stunning light installations! Pre-book for a 30-minute session (tickets can be bought up to an hour before your visit).
S.E.A. Aquarium
Over at the S.E.A. Aquarium, enjoy new content and immersive experiences during A SEAASON of Rediscovery. Happening until 5 January 2021, the event will see the aquarium rezoned into nine distinct areas featuring over 100,000 marine animals. There’re also fun new photo spots including the life-sized Gifts Galore Gift Box, Coral-ful Wall and a Christmas tree made of upcycled crate boxes.
Universal Studios Singapore Christmas Events
A Universal Christmas returns to Universal Studios Singapore from now until 3 January 2021! Families can look forward to photo opportunities, character meet-and-greets and yummy Christmas treats.
Besides The Merry Minions of Christmas, meet Gru and his family from Despicable Me – Lucy, Margo, Edith and Agnes. And of course, you’ll be able to see your favourite characters from Sesame Street, Madagascar and Shrek. For those who love getting behind the scenes, check out and interact with movie sets at “Lights, Camera, Christmas”. Kids will also have a blast with the carnival games at Sci-Fi City, including Meteor Smash and Cosmic Rings.
Fuel up with festive eats such as the Sesame Street Ice Cream Sandwich at the Me Want Cookie cart and the Xmas Wreath Pizza at Loui’s NY Pizza Parlor. Mel’s Drive-In and Loui’s NY Pizza Parlor have also rolled out new dinner menus.
SSO Christmas Concert
Join the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for their annual year-end concert on 18 December (8pm). Directed by Eric Wong, the performance will include Baroque classics by Bach, Handel and Vivaldi, as well as contemporary Christmas carols by John Rutter. The concert will be shown on SISTIC Live Stream. Get your tickets now.
Raffles City
Check out the 15-metre tall Raffles City x Swarovski tree light up at the junction of Stamford and North Bridge Road from now until 31 December. Decorated with shimmering snowflake ornaments and dazzling fairy lights, the tree is topped with a huge snowflake and features Swarovski’s iconic blue boxes.
Besides this, shoppers can redeem a pair of Swarovski Harley Pierced Earrings Silk (worth $120) with a minimum spend of $600 (up to three combined receipts). You can also get a $20 voucher for every Instagram photo taken with the tree (tag @Swarovski, @RafflesCitySG and hashtag #Swarovski125years).
Marina Bay Sands
Check out the interactive Christmas booths where you can have fun with animated 3D Santas via holographic screens. Three booths will be located throughout The Shoppes, each featuring a different themed Santa – Dapper, Gourmet and Joyous Santa. Young ones can also write letters to Santa and drop them into Santa’s Box at the Hamleys of London toy store.
Looking for more things to do?