Christmas cheer doesn’t come automatically, but with lots of feasting and drinking, holiday jingles, and of course, gatherings with friends and family. But if all that doesn’t work, we know what just might: visceral Christmas wonderlands filled with beautiful landscapes and fairy lights. Here are the most magical ones in town.
Highlights
Endless Wonder Christmas Village
Smack in the heart of Orchard Road is the place to be this holiday. While most already come here to bask under the glow of the street light-up each year, there’s so much more happening this time with a massive festive village being erected at the Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. The central attraction at this inaugural event will undoubtedly be the duplex carousel ride (take note, Instaphiles), but be sure to stay on and visit Santa at his home, eat and drink at the many pop-up wooden huts, as well as tune in to concerts and performances on selected days. Nov 25-Dec 25, free admission
Christmas Wonderland
After three magical runs, Gardens by the Bay isn’t resting on its laurels with their annual year-end event. They’ve wowed us with towering, illuminated light sculptures and light hails of faux snow, and this year, they’re taking things up a notch with a gravity-defying circus show, an outdoor skating rink, twice the number of carnival rides, and bringing more yummy goodies to the fairgrounds than before by partnering with foodie event experts Savour. Expect eats from the likes of Wildseed Cafe, Meat Smith and one Michelin-starred Saint Pierre as you shop around the festive and wine markets. Dec 1-26, 4-11pm, tickets $4-10
A Universal Christmas
It probably doesn’t get more thematic than at Universal Studios Singapore. This season, they’re transforming the entire New York and Hollywood zones into a starry, snowy world. Catch a brand new production called Oscar’s Grouchmas starring your favorite Sesame Street characters, go on a ride on Santa’s sleigh, help out the elves at Santa’s workshop, and as night falls, revel with Marilyn Monroe and Betty Boop as a song and dance takes place under twinkling lights and a beautiful projection mapping. Dec 1-Jan 1, 2018 tickets $76
Markets & Parties
Christmas Festive Market
Conveniently located at the newly erected Tanjong Pagar Centre (now Singapore’s tallest building) is this market decked with artisanal goods, bespoke gifts and other one-off festive products to get for your gift exchanges. Through Dec 1
Free Folk Christmas Market
While shopping at Millenia Walk, be sure to take a stroll down the level 1 Great Hall and check out the many odds and ends—from bespoke carved stamps to handcrafted jewellery—you can find at a festive market run by the people at Free Folk. Through Dec 3
Super 0 x The Council
Welcome the first Saturday of 2017’s last month with prolific party partners in crime Super 0 and The Council, along with beats from Cats On Crack, Julien Brochard and Nastia as live visual projections dance off the walls of art enclave Gillman Barracks. Dec 2
Flashbang
From the same guys behind Artbox Singapore (Invade) comes Flashbang, an equally ambitious and OTT event guaranteed to draw an insane crowd. Taking over that open-air car park from 3-11pm daily on Grange Road will be over 120 retail and F&B stores, neon light art installations, party zones and live music. Dec 9-30
Santa’s Workshop @ The South Pole
The Civic District’s coolest F&B row, South Beach Avenue, is turning into a Christmas party street thanks to organizers from The Local People. It’ll be a blend of art, design, food and music. Come between 8-10pm for free LED balloons! Dec 15-17
Christmas in Queenstown
Bringing cheer to the westerly heartlands for the second year running is the Church of the Good Shepherd. They’re setting up a Christmas weekend market filled with dazzling lights, choir and string performances, as well as festive stalls offering hot food, sweet treats and artisanal goods from local shops. Dec 15-17, 22-23
Urban Ventures Street Party X House of Noise
It is time for the last block party of the year so make it count and get excited as Keong Saik and Jiak Chuan Roads make way for three stages, two DJs, 20 live bands and a rousing Christmas market. You won’t want to miss this one. Dec 16
Out-of-this-World Christmas
Make your year-end celebrations a blast with City Square Mall’s array of Transformers- and space-themed attractions. A must-see is the 10-minute Stellar Light Show that takes place every 30 minutes at the outdoor park area, before taking a spin on the Christmas carnival rides and checking out the Transformers appearance onstage. Through Dec 31
