Enjoy these 9 Christmas Events in Singapore 2018

Christmas bells are ringing, you’ve sent your cards and done (most of) your Christmas shopping and you’ve already ordered the holiday ham and log cake. Now what?

Plenty, we say! From being awed by amazing displays, experiencing snow without leaving the country to living it up in Christmas markets and attending dog festivals, you’re bound to find a thing (or two, or three) on this list that you’ll enjoy.

1. Walking in a Winter Wonderland

It’s back! For the fifth time, Gardens by the Bay is hosting their Christmas Wonderland. There, you can get entertained by world-class acts from illusionist Rob Lake, admire Asia’s tallest golden luminarie christmas tree and find yourself in a mirror maze. That’s not all – do visit this Christmas Wonderland on an empty stomach as there’ll be food and drink to savour! Did we mention there’s also an outdoor skating rink (yes, it’s real ice!) for aspiring Yuzuru Hanyus to strut their stuff?

When: 30 November – 26 December

2. Make a wish upon a Poinsettia

The Christmas Wonderland isn’t the only thing happening at Gardens by the Bay. Step into the Flower Dome and be welcomed into a whole different dimension.

From a beautiful landscape of poinsettias, Christmas berries and holly right up to fully decorated evergreen conifer christmas trees, be delighted as Tsum Tsum versions of beloved Disney characters like Olaf spruce up the green landscapes.

Santa has flying reindeers, but Disney has a flying elephant – a Tsum Tsum Dumbo! Don’t forget to look up and snap a photo of the long-nosed creature with a sled full of presents.

When: Until 6 January

3. Those Disney Christmas Lights

Since the first Orchard Road Christmas Light-up in 1984, Orchard Road Business Association has been working hard to put up an even grander display that continues to wow both locals and tourists every year. This year is no exception.

From Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura, be enamoured by the bright lights inspired by Disney princesses, Mickey Mouse, Toy Story and – of course – Frozen. And if that isn’t enough for you, don’t forget to hunt out the various photo-opp spots along the walkway to snap a quick-pic with iconic Disney characters like Ariel, Elsa and the little snowman Olaf.

When: Until 1 January

4. The Christmas Carnival is coming to town

While you’re strolling down Orchard road and admiring the Disney light-up, why not stop by the Christmas Village located in Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, right outside Ngee Ann City? You’ll be walking past it, but the giant (read: two-storey) carousel, viking ship and swing will be hard to miss.

From dawn to well-past sundown, this usually empty lot will be abuzz with live performances, the aroma of mouth-watering food and the festive vibe of Christmas. Of course, having the Santa house on-grounds helps with boosting that Christmassy vibe.

When: 15 November – 25 December

5. Bow-wow (that’s dog for ‘Merry Christmas’)

It’ll be sad if your furry friends don’t get to be part of the festivities, and that’s why this year’s Singapore Dog Festival is themed A Canine Christmas. It’s free-admission for everyone – you don’t even need a dog to attend this! For three days, canines and their humans alike will gather at The Grandstand for an afternoon and night of sharing sessions, educational talks and fun activities.

Note from a friendly doggo: “Dear humans, please keep your furry friends on leashes; I have no doubt as well-trained as they may be, they’ll be tempted by the spread of curated animal products from local as well as international vendors.”

When: 14 December – 16 December

6. Watch Santa deliver presents

Singapore’s ArtScience Museum has partnered with Japan-renowned TeamLAB to bring you Future World – an exhibition in the ArtScience Museum where art collides with science in an array of interactive displays.

While the exhibition is permanently nestled in Singapore’s ArtScience Museum, Future World is presenting Sketch Christmas exclusively this December. Watch as holiday spice livens up the usual displays, while local landmarks like Marina Bay play around with ten new interactive artwork displays.

By the way, if you were the kid who tried to stay up late and catch a glimpse of Santa but never succeeded, then poke the digital Santa’s big red belly and watch him deliver presents across the display!

When: 1 December – 6 January

7. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Where else can you experience snow in the middle of the tropics? Snow City, of course! With its advanced technology and some science, Snow City is able to produce and maintain snow for both tourists and locals to enjoy all-year round.

As if escaping the heat and making snow angels weren’t enough to convince you, experience a blizzard and be serenaded by Christmas carollers in Snow City’s Hansel and Gretel’s Winter Adventure event.

What are you waiting for? Grab your mittens and head down to experience a truly white Christmas this year.

When: 17 November – 1 January

8. A Christmas Carol? You Mean A $ingapore Carol

Don’t wait for the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to visit you before you catch W!LD RICE’s newest production: ‘A $ingapore Carol’, a retelling of Charles Dicken’s classic Christmas tale about love, compassion and the spirit of giving – with a local twist, of course!

Directed by Hossan Leong, this extravagant musical boasts a stellar cast (hello, Broadway Beng!), a musical score by Elaine Chan and a cheeky script by Jonathan Lim that you and your family are bound to enjoy. Tickets range from $45-$80, so stop your scrooge-ing and leave your ‘bahhumbug’s at home for a night of musical and family fun.

When: 23 November – 15 December

9. Santa Run

Santa has reindeers to pull his sleigh, but we don’t. So put on your running shoes and get running on your way to make children’s dream come true!

That’s right, Singapore’s Make-A-Wish Foundation has brought back Santa Run for Wishes this year in three different distances: 2.5km, 5km and 10km. Register, head down to the Sports Hub and enjoy your leisurely run along Marina Bay.

Price ranges from $40-$60 and all proceeds from the run and donations go to Make-A-Wish Foundation Singapore to help grant wishes of children with life-threatening conditions. A healthy body for you and a child’s dream coming true – talk about your win-win situations!

When: 2 December

By the way: don’t worry about that festive feeling ending in December; the Marina Bay Carnival is back and with its imported rides, carnival games and food booths, festivities will stretch right until it closes in March next year. Ha! Who said Christmas only had 12 days?