Joanna James
As one of the top destination choices available to those who are looking forward to a tropical Christmas, Singapore has become an unlikely wonderland for holidaymakers who wish to avoid winter. With locals, expats and the country's main landmarks and shopping hotspots joining in the Christmas spirit, there's no better location for a memorable Christmas than sunny Singapore. Here are some of the must-experience highlights during a Christmas holiday in the island nation.
As an area of Singapore that goes all out for Christmas each year, Orchard Road is set to break new ground as this year marks the 40th edition of the Orchard Road Christmas events. Taking place from the 16th of November this year to the 1st of January, 2024, the stretch of Orchard Road that lies between Plaza Singapore and Tanglin Mall will be lit up to the nines and include live musical performances, pop-up stores and other immersive seasonal attractions. Orchard Road's Christmas Eve Street Party, which is scheduled to take place on 24th of December, 2023 after 6 pm, is another red letter event that vacationers can take part in by heading to the area between Bideford junction and Paterson junction. With the roads closed to traffic, the lively street party will take place until half past midnight. Pop-up stores will also be welcoming visitors in both November and December along the pedestrian walkway leading from the ION Orchard to the Mandarin Gallery.
Orchard Road will also be hosting not one but three Christmas villages this holiday season. The Shaw House Urban Plaza Christmas Village will take place between 24th November and 1st January while the Plaza Singapura Christmas Village will start on December 1st and run for a month. The Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza village, on the other hand, will take place from 8th December to the 1st of January. The best time to head over to these Christmas enclaves is after sundown as most performances and the beauty of the lit-up streets are only visible after dark. The morning hours, however, are ideal for those who wish to avoid crowds.
Tourists based at properties offered by Worldwide Hotels or any other affordable Singapore hotel can dedicate a whole day to exploring the Gardens by the Bay. The theme for the 2023 Christmas celebrations at Gardens by the Bay is "Poinsettia Wishes – A Nordic Christmas Adventure" and this means the iconic Flower Dome will be teeming with winter blossoms and poinsettias by the hundreds. A large number of Viking-themed winter highlights will also be part of the Gardens by the Bay from 24th November to New Year's Eve. Some of the most anticipated points of interest at the gardens include the Flower Field, which will not only house a Viking longship but also a Nordic Fishing Village.
Tipped to be Singapore's finest Christmas market, Christmas Wonderland will take centre stage between December 2nd and January 1st. This year's market will include Mistletoe Alley, St Nick’s Square, ELFresco, Gingerbread Grove, Merry Lane and the Games Village. Revellers will be able to enjoy rides on the two-storey Venetian horse Carousel at the Garden Rhapsody Show. The 10-metre-tall Whimsical Windmill will be the site of another impressive light display while Merry Lane will allow visitors the chance to walk through light displays in the shape of gingerbread homes, castles and the Jolly Express.
Even travellers heading out of Singapore can get one last taste of Christmas at the Changi Festive Village at Singapore's Changi International Airport. Divided into thematic zones, the T3 Underground Carnival is among the many seasonal hotspots that visitors and passengers can enjoy before they embark on their flight back home.
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