‘Tis the season to be jolly!
Ho ho ho! It’s the time of the year when you hear Christmas carols everytime you go out to the shopping malls. It’s the time of the year when your Facebook and Instagram feeds are filled with Christmas trees and Christmas feast! It’s also probably the season you travel.
Speaking of travel, personally I feel that Singapore is a wonderful destination for Christmas. Every year, the country put up so many kinds of Christmas light-up and decorations all over the island, from Boon Lay in the west to Changi in the east, from Punggol in the north to Harbourfront in the south.
Christmas is basically everywhere in Singapore. And the decorations are different every year. I won’t bore you with a list of every single place to see Christmas decorations in Singapore. Instead, here’s a list of Christmas events and Christmas light-ups in Singapore that you don’t want to miss!
In case you’re wondering why are all my photos taken during the day?!?! Honestly, it’s because I just really love to see Christmas decoration with natural lights during the day. Hope it gives you a different perspective of Christmas Light-Up!
Where to go for Christmas in Singapore
1. Orchard Road: Christmas on a Great Street
Every year, Orchard Road transforms into a festive and magical wonderland during the Christmas celebration in Singapore, with the main road adorned in glittering lights and breath-taking Christmas decorations.
This year is the 40th edition of the event, and it’s probably the biggest Christmas celebrations at Orchard Road post-pandemic.
From 16 November 2023 to 1 January 2024, the 3.1km stretch of road from Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura (including Scotts Road) will be decorated with Christmas lights and dotted with plenty of immersive attractions, a variety of engaging pop-up activations, and endless musical entertainment.
For the first time ever, there will be a Christmas Eve Street Party on 24 December 2023. On this day, from 6pm onwards, the street between Paterson junction and Bideford junction will be closed to traffic and it will be transformed into a lively street party from 8pm to 12.30am.
What’s Christmas without the Christmas Village? This year, there will be THREE Great Christmas Villages – up from just one last year – filled with carnival rides, carnival games, pop-up stores and food & beverage kiosks.
The 3 Great Christmas Villages will take place at:
- Shaw House Urban Plaza (from 24 November 2023 to 1 January 2024)
- Plaza Singapura (from 1 December 2023 to 1 January 2024)
- Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza (from 8 December 2023 to 1 January 2024)
Some other sights and events that you don’t want to miss this year are:
- The Main Arch at the junction of Scotts-Paterson Road (aka the junction of ION-Tangs-Wheelock-Shaw).
- 3D Projection Show at Hilton Orchard Singapore. Each night between 7pm to 10pm daily (and 7pm to 12.30am on 23 Dec & 31 Dec 2023), the 2 facades of Hilton Orchard will display an immersive multimedia 3D projection show with augmented reality (AR) feature.
- Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Countdown. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, a countdown clock on the face of Hilton’s façade will help revellers mark the start of Christmas and the New Year.
- Snow Splendours at Tanglin Mall. Every night from 7.30pm to 8pm (weekdays) and 8.30pm to 9pm (weekends), snow (artificial) and avalanche (foam) will be coming to Tanglin Mall.
- Pop-up stores. Throughout November and December, there will be various pop-up stores along pedestrian walkway from ION Orchard to Mandarin Gallery, including Connor’s Stout Porter, Lovet, New Balance, OPPO, Celebrate Christmas in Singapore, Geneco x Yellow Ribbon and Shopee.
- Various Christmas Trees and decorations along Orchard Road (some of which I’ll share the photos below).
When is the best time to visit? Go there in the morning if you want less crowd and you don’t need to see the actual lights up. Go there in the evening if you want to see the dazzling lights and performances, but it’ll be crowded so you’ll probably have a hard time to take photos without other people in it.
How much does it cost? It’s free to walk along the Great Street (from Tanglin Road to Orchard Road).
More details: https://christmas.orchardroad.org/
Have any questions about traveling in Singapore? Join All About Singapore Travel FB group, I'll be there to answer your questions!
2. Gardens by the Bay: Poinsettia Wishes
You haven’t been to Singapore if you haven’t been to Gardens by the Bay, really. GBTB is the perfect place to spend a full day at.
Spend your morning exploring the outdoor gardens admiring the Supertrees. Then, in the afternoon when the temperature rises, enjoy strolling at the two mesmerising indoor conservatories: Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.
In this year’s theme of Poinsettia Wishes – A Nordic Christmas Adventure, Flower Dome is filled with poinsettias and winter blooms set amidst a Viking-inspired winter wonderland from 24 November 2023 to 1 January 2024.
The Flower Field is will feature the Viking longship, Nordic Fishing Village (a UNESCO World Heritage sit in Northern Norway), and various cute Vikings in the form of Nordic Nisses (hybrid of gnome and Santa Claus).
BTW, there is NO Christmas decoration in Cloud Forest (because Cloud Forest is showcasing Avatar:The Experience). So, if you’re only looking for Christmas decoration, feel free to skip Cloud Forest.
When is the best time to visit? For Gardens by the Bay conservatories, personally I prefer to visit them during the day because I love natural light.
How much does it cost?
- Flower Dome & Supertree bundle: $20 (SG resident); $30 (Non-resident)
- Flower Dome & Cloud Forest bundle: $35 (SG resident); $53 (Non-resident)
3. Christmas Wonderland
After enjoying the beauty of flowers in Flower Dome, spend your evening at the spectacular Christmas Wonderland, a Christmas-themed festive market where the iconic Gardens by the Bay becomes a fairy-tale setting during the Christmas celebration in Singapore.
This year, Christmas Wonderland is coming back bigger than the year before! It is open from 1 December 2023 to 1 January 2024. There will be 6 festive zones: Supertree Grove, Gingerbread Grove and Frosty’s Fairground at The Meadow.
When is the best time to visit? For Christmas Wonderland, weekends will definitely be more crowded than weekdays. Advance reservation of ticket is compulsory, so remember to make booking online before visiting!
How much does it cost? Christmas Wonderland tickets start from $8.
Here are the things you can expect from Christmas Wonderland 223:
Supertree Grove
Take selfies with the massive Spalliera, the 20-metre tall luminaire hand-crafted by Italian artisans and features 103,000 LED bulbs.
Enjoy Garden Rhapsody, the iconic music and light show accompanied with Christmas classics amidst the magnificent Supertrees. The show takes place everyday at 7.45pm, 8.45pm, and 9.35pm.
At the end of Garden Rhapsody, be immersed in the tropical snow (aka foam) during Blizzard Time. Trust me, it’s not just for kids, adults love it too!
Meet Santa Clause and take a selfie before he flies off delivering presents.
Be mesmerized by the highly popular Walk of Light. This year, the colorful tunnel is lit by 75,000 bulbs, and it is the longest yet at 65 meters.
Have a feast at European-style ELFresco, and be entertained with daily live performances.
Gingerbread Grove
The vibrantly lit Gingerbread House is set on a field of illuminated candy canes, as well as a pleasure for the palate with dessert stalls.
Frosty’s Fairground at The Meadow
Head over to the Frosty’s Fairground at The Meadow and enjoy a myriad of amusement rides, such as Bumper Cars, Flying Dumbo, Hot Air Balloon, Carousel, and Christmas Train.
Have a go at a selection of traditional carnival games, such as Ring Toss, Fishy Fishy, and Blockbuster.
4. Changi Airport: Changi Festive Village
This year, the Changi Festive Village is back at Changi Airport from 4 November 2022 to 2 January 2023. Most of the attractions will be concentrated at Terminal 3.
Here are what to expect at Changi Festive Village:
- Candy Wonderland
- Candy Carnival
- Candylicious Night at the Airport (Jewel)
Candy Wonderland at Terminal 3 Level 2 (Departure Hall, Public Area)
Step into a charming world of sweet wonders! Meet a giant 5-meter tall bear, a colorful 7-meter rotating Ferris wheel, a pool of sprinkles, and candy cane lane. At night, don’t miss the magical light and snow show. On weekends evening, there will be street performances too!
Date: 4 Nov 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
Admission: Free.
Light & Snow Show Times: Daily 7.30pm & 8.30pm. Additional show at 9:30pm (Fri-Sun)
T3 Candy Carnival at Terminal 3 Basement 2 and Level 1
T3 Candy Carnival is a sweet paradise filled with lots of exciting games, rides, and and adorable Changi-exclusive confectionery-themed prizes to be won.
Challenge your precision in the virtual reality shooting game, snag oversized plushies from the giant claw machine, or bounce freely in the inflatable castle of desserts at Candy Bounce. For the little ones, indulge in a sugar rush on the Candy Kart go-kart course.
Head to Candy Snow House, a world of snow and ice, featuring intricately carved ice sculptures which glow from within, a three-lane 5-metre-long snow slide and a 3-metre-long ice luge. You can also play basketball, snow bowling, or mini golf on a course made entirely of ice! Then, live your winter holiday dreams by riding on a hand-pulled sleigh or skate around on a snow scooter.
T3 Candy Carnival is divided into 2 sections:
- Terminal 3, Level 1 (outside McDonald’s)
- Terminal 3, Basement 2 (opposite Kopitiam)
Date: 4 Nov 2023 to 1 Jan 2024
Carnival Candy Admission: Free. But you need to purchase carnival credit to play games, enter Candy Snow House and buy food.
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10pm
A Candylicious Night at the Airport at Changi Experience Studio (Jewel)
A Candilycious Night at the Airport is a fun overnight camp which offers lots of fun activities for families to bond over while celebrating the festive holidays.
During the day, you will participate in Chocolate Art Jamming Workshop to paint the very first edible airport of the future, explore the Candy Carnival where you can play at Candy Bouncy Castle, Candy Kart and Candy Snow House, and take part in airport-themed games at the Changi Experience Studio to your heart’s content till the sun sets.
At night, you will enjoy a fun sleepover in a cozy tent within the Changi Experience Studio.
Other than the above fun experiences. your ticket will also entitles you to a free entry to Canopy Park and Changi Experience Studio, free S$10 T3 Underground Carnival Credits (child), prize of one Singapore Zoo ticket per person (worth S$48), to be received after completion of quest, and free parking (1 parking coupon per group).
| Adult | Child | |
| Price | $88 | $98 |
A Candylicious Night at the Airport is open from 25 Nov 2023 to 23 Dec 2023.
More information on Changi Festive Village: https://www.changiairport.com/en/changifestivevillage.html
Read my complete guide about things to do in Changi Airport.
5. Jewel Changi Airport: Christmas at Jewel
This year’s Christmas at Jewel features Pipe Around the World at Jewel, a Super Mario-themed event that takes place from 17 November 2023 to 1 January 2024.
There will be various photo-worthy spots scattered all around Jewel that will delight Super Mario fans, such as the five-metre-tall 3D centerpiece installation, a ? Block, a Super Star display, a Super Mushroom display, and 8 character photo spots.
Shiseido Forest features a giant 16-metre tall sparkling Christmas tree adorned with silver, platinum and gold lights and ornaments.
Shiseido Forest Valley at Night: Enjoy choreographed lights dance in perfect harmony with timeless Christmas melodies at Christmas Light & Sound show which takes place at 7.30pm, 8.30pm, 9.30pm everyday, with an additional show on weekends (Fri – Sun) at 10.30pm.
After the light & sound show, stay at Shiseido Forest for Snowfall experience which takes place at 7.35pm, 8.35pm, 9.35pm and 10.35pm daily. Admission is free this year (finally they removed the requirement to spend a certain amount to get into Shisheido!!)
Canopy Park at Level 5 will be transformed into a garden of lights this time of the year. Come nightfall, you will be able to soak in the festive atmosphere with the special lights and decorations at Canopy Park. Ticket costs $8 for Public, but if you’re local resident, you may get discounts. Read my guide for exploring Canopy Park at Jewel.
In the mood for a Christmas concert? Take part in Evening of Enchantment, a one-night only special concert on 23 December 2023, from 7pm, at the Shiseido Forest Valley. Ticket costs SGD36/pax.
Featuring captivating performances by renowned local artistes, Benjamin Kheng and Annette Lee, attendees can sing along to their latest hits and Christmas classics, fully immersing themselves in the festive atmosphere. The evening will also feature a mesmerising Handbell performance by Ministry of Bellz, with the charismatic local personality, Naomi Yeo, taking visitors through this enchanting night.
When is the best time to visit Jewel Changi Airport? In the evening if you want to catch the Christmas light-up, otherwise, during the day if you prefer natural light. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.
6. FunVee Christmas Light-Up Tour
If you think seeing Christmas Lights from the ground is too mainstream, try going on a FunVee Christmas Light-Up Tour (FYI, use promo code EVA20 to get 20% discount).
In this 45-min sit-down tour, you’ll be able to see Christmas Lights from the upper deck of an open-top bus!
It was a very different experience of soaking in the Christmas festivities. And I think it’s an experience you’ll never forget!
7. Universal Studios Singapore: A Universal Christmas
No matter how old you are, you are never too old to visit a fabulous theme park. And the Universal Studios Singapore (USS) is not just a normal theme park during this festive season. Why?
Because this fabulous theme park is transformed into a magical place where you can experience the following magical things:
- Have A Trolls-ific Christmas amidst dazzling décor, and watch Poppy and Branch from DreamWorks’ Trolls as they decorate the Christmas tree in a fun-filled performance of music and dance, followed by a special meet-and-greet opportunity.
- Experience magical snowfall at Let it Snow at New York, and take Insta-worthy pictures with Santa and his friends!
- Meet up with popular stars across seven Instagrammable photo stations. Look out Shrek and Princess Fiona, as well as Bumblebee the Transformer.
- Sing along Universal singers at Mel’s Merry Mixtape show (at Mel’s Diner stage) as they perform their foot-tapping mix of the biggest Christmas hits from every decade.
- Visit the Worldwide Institute of Santa’s Helpers (W.I.S.H) as they playfully give old Saint Nick a hand in spreading Christmas cheer around the world in this night-time special with appearances by some of your favourite characters.
- At Santa’s Present Party, follow Santa and his helpers deliver presents to some special names on the ‘nice list’, including Kevin, Stuart and Bob from Illumination’s Minions, Po and Master Tigress from DreamWorks’ KungFu Panda, and more.
Don’t forget, there are plenty of thrill and fun rides in the USS too in addition to all of these Christmas specials.
A Universal Christmas happens from 2 December 2023 to 1 January 2024. They’re open from 10am to 8pm from 2-17 Dec, and 10am to 9pm from 18 Dec – 1 Jan (To check USS Calendar, click here and look on the right side for “View Calendar” link).
When is the best time to visit? From 18 Dec onwards, so that you get an extra hour (but the crowd level might be higher during these days)! Any day is fine, but personally I would avoid weekend. Also, make sure to be there early before the gate opens to maximize your time.
How much does it cost? Regular price is SGD 98, but you can get cheaper tickets if you book here.
Read my tips about Universal Studios Singapore:
8. VivoCity
Usually held at rooftop, this year’s Christmas celebration at VivoCity takes place at VivoCity Outdoor Plaza at the ground floor, near the main road of Telok Blangah Road.
This year’s theme is Frosty Holidays at VivoCity, featuring Artic-themed installations, such as giant 15m-tall Christmas Tree topped with snowflakes, ice landscape filled with penguins and other Artic creatures, from 17 Nov 2023 to 25 December 2023.
Every evening, visitors can get immersed in magical Snow Display at the giant Christmas Tree at 7.30pm and 8.30pm (with additional display at 9.30pm on Fri, Sat, Sun and PH).
Beside Frosty Holidays, there’s an exciting event called X’Mas with a Splash at VivoCity which features 4 large-scale inflatables as well as a water play zone!
There will be ball pits, obstacle courses and an exhilarating 8-metre-tall water slide for you to celebrate Christmas with a splash! Ticket starts from SGD 25.
9. Other Locations
On top of the above major locations, there are many Christmas trees and decorations all around Singapore. Some of my favourites are below.
Capitol Building
You’ve finally come to the end of the post! Too many things to see, right? I recommend you explore Singapore slowly during the festive season in order to truly enjoy it.
If you have recommendations of other places to visit, let me know in the comments! I hope you have a good holiday season this year! Ho ho ho!
Previous years’ Christmas Light-Ups:
Christmas in Singapore 2019
Christmas in Singapore 2020
Christmas in Singapore 2021
Christmas in Singapore 2022
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Eunike
Saturday 2nd of December 2023
I have bundle ticket for Christmas wonderland & supertree observatory. Is the observatory gate in the christmas wonderland location? And is there any toilet in the area? Once i get in the area, can I go outside for a while (ex.toilet time)? Can i bring food from outside (ex. Mcdonald)?
Eunike
Monday 4th of December 2023
@Eva, thank you for answering.. I registered for 6.30 slot, if i'm being late, how long it would be tolerated?
Eva
Monday 4th of December 2023
Supertree Observatory is right inside Christmas Wonderland, so you can do both at the same time if you want to save time. Yes you can get a stamp before getting out of Christmas Wonderland, and re-enter again on the same day. Toilet is outside Christmas Wonderland. No you can't bring outside food.