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The Best Things to Do during Christmas in Singapore for Ho Ho Holiday Fun!
- Watch the annual Christmas parade at Universal Studios Singapore
- Play games and watch festive performances at Christmas Wonderland
- Celebrate Christmas in sub-zero temperatures at Snow City Singapore
- Watch the Christmas Concert at the Victoria Concert Hall
- Make your own chocolate tree at Mr Bucket Chocolaterie
- Explore Jewel Changi Airport’s festively decked halls and terminals
- Enjoy a festive afternoon tea at The Raffles Hotel
- Watch the Singapore Ballet’s Christmas production
- Go on a Singapore River Cruise
- Burn extra holiday adrenaline at Trifecta
- Spend the holidays under the sea at S.E.A. Aquarium
- Christmas Markets
For me, Christmas is the best season, and celebrating it in Singapore truly captures the festive spirit. World-class theme parks host vibrant parades, streets transform into Christmas markets, and restaurants offer special holiday meals.
I personally love visiting Christmas villages to gather festive goodies for friends and family and even snag great holiday deals on limited-edition items.
If you’re seeking similar festive things to do during Christmas in Singapore, I’ve narrowed down my top picks!
Watch the annual Christmas parade at Universal Studios Singapore
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway
Contact Details: +65 6577 8888
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
If you’re looking for a Singapore Christmas attraction that is grounded in tradition, then head over to Universal Studios at the end of the year. The world-class theme park hosts an annual Christmas parade, featuring all the park’s famous characters.
Since the parade happens every year, the theme also changes. While the theme varies, elements of the parade remain the same, which include giant floaters, dancers dressed as elves, stunt artists walking on sticks, and so much more.
Running from December through early January, it’s best to book tickets in advance to enjoy this festive event.
Tip:
- Aside from the Christmas parade, the management also decorates the theme park with holiday decor and showcases live performances related to the season. Note that some performances and Christmas-themed attractions are only there for a limited time and may charge separate entry fees on top of your USS ticket.
Play games and watch festive performances at Christmas Wonderland
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr
Operating Hours: Every December 1 to January 1 of each year
If you love visiting Gardens by the Bay whenever you’re in the Lion City, then you definitely should visit the annual Christmas Wonderland showcase once the holiday season comes around.
Every year, the Gardens becomes a Yule-themed wonderland with carnival games, Christmas lights, live performances, and more. Though there’s no snow, Christmas Wonderland is the closest you’ll get to a White Christmas in the country.
This is also a great place to go shopping for Christmas trinkets that you can gift to friends and family back in your home country.
Tip:
- There are carnival rides inside Christmas Wonderland, but there are usually long queues at night. I recommend coming on a weekday evening to avoid the crowds. Stay within the grounds from 7:45 pm to 8:45 pm to catch a nightly musical show. The show won’t take place, however, if it rains, so it’s best to ask staff members around if the show will push through on the day of your visit.
Celebrate Christmas in sub-zero temperatures at Snow City Singapore
Address: 21 Jurong Town Hall Rd, Science Centre Singapore
Contact Details: +65 6560 2306
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Snow City is a popular summer spot when people want to beat the heat, but it’s also a pretty cool place to visit during the holiday season. This massive indoor snow centre features dozens of snow and ice-themed attractions for everyone to enjoy.
There are snow art installations, an Ice Hotel, a bumper-cars-on-ice ride called Drift On Ice, and a 60-metre snow slide. Basically, if you’re looking for a place to experience ice and snow for the first time, Snow City is the place to be this Christmas.
Plus, you can even book the place for private events if you wish to celebrate the holiday season with your friends and family there. If you want to celebrate a Christmas party with your coworkers, Snow City also offers corporate deals and team-building packages.
Tips:
- For the Drift On Ice bumper cars, there is a minimum height of 1.20 metres to drive the car. Visitors below the minimum height requirement will need to be accompanied by an adult and can only sit on the passenger side. You can rent gloves and insulated pants, and socks can be purchased at the store for sanitary purposes.
Watch the Christmas Concert at the Victoria Concert Hall
From singaporesymphony
Address: 11 Empress Pl, #01-02
Contact Details: +65 6908 8810
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Every Christmas season, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra hosts the Annual Christmas Concert held at the iconic Victoria Concert Hall. This event is considered to be one of the longest-standing traditions in Singaporean arts and culture.
The Christmas Concert showcases the best of the country’s musicians as they play yuletide tunes like the Baroque masterpiece Messiah created by Frederic Handel.
The concert also features the Singapore Symphony Chorus, the Children’s Choir, and guest artists from all over the world. Tickets to this annual event start at $48, depending on your chosen seat location (tickets can go up to $188 for premium seats!).
Tips:
- Discounts and promos are available for students, persons with disabilities, school bookings, and senior citizens. Read here for more information about the different discount tiers. Don’t ever be late to the show. You’ll only be allowed to enter the concert hall during pauses and breaks during the show. It’s best to arrive at the concert hall 15 minutes before performance time!
Make your own chocolate tree at Mr Bucket Chocolaterie
Address: 13 Dempsey Rd, #01-03/04
Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday to Saturday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
For anyone with a sweet tooth, a visit to Mr Bucket Chocolaterie is a must during Christmas. Enjoy various chocolate creations and indulge in their special Christmas Village showcase held every December.
You can actually make your own chocolate bars here any time of the year, but their Christmas Village event allows you to create your own chocolate tree as you sip on wine and munch on their signature bonbon creations.
The Creation Station at the Dempsey Factory will showcase limited-edition chocolate toppings and ingredients that mimic the festive vibe of the Christmas season. If they run out of slots, you can still create your own chocolate slab at the factory, though!
Tips:
- Do note that this is not a halal-certified restaurant, but they do offer halal creations. Make sure to ask the staff members about their halal-friendly options when you arrive! The Christmas Village usually runs for the whole month of December, but to get more updates on the next showcase, stay tuned to their Instagram page!
Explore Jewel Changi Airport’s festively decked halls and terminals
Address: Floors B5-5D, Singapore Changi Airport
Contact Details: +65 6956 9898
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
During the Christmas season, Jewel Changi Airport decks its halls and terminals with jolly and festive decor, lights, and installations for passengers and visitors coming to the island for the holidays. It’s a bright and merry welcome!
The airport boasts impressive attractions, with Shiseido Forest Valley being a top highlight. Enjoy lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and stunning rock formations that create an outdoor feel inside the airport.
When it’s Christmas season, the airport turns into a winter wonderland with festive-themed stalls selling souvenirs, local fare, and toys. There are usually stalls that offer games, rides, and even tickets to see ice sculptures, too!
Tips:
- If you stick around the Shiseido Forest Valley and the Rain Vortex, you can catch a light and sound show between 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. It usually plays and displays Christmas carols, but it may change over time. Sometimes, Jewel Changi may host live performances and Christmas carol singing in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for them!
Enjoy a festive afternoon tea at The Raffles Hotel
Address: 1 Beach Rd
Contact Details: +65 6956 9898
Operating Hours: Open 24/7
If you’re not a fan of loud Christmas activities, then a few hours indulging in Christmas-themed cakes, biscuits, tarts, and tea at the Raffles Hotel might be more your cup of tea, if you get what I mean.
This kind of holiday activity is more for those who like a more quiet and upscale celebration. The Christmas afternoon tea at the hotel is served in the majestic Grand Lobby, giving you a full view of the giant Christmas tree they put up every year.
The tea menu selection includes glasses of Champagne, freshly brewed tea, biscuits, scones, finger sandwiches, savoury tarts, mini pies, and festive selections like mincemeat pie, fruit cake, and rose jam.
Tips:
- The hotel serves its Afternoon Tea menu daily from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm only. There’s a strict dress code wherein guests are expected to wear casual chic clothing and no flip-flops. The hotel often hires musicians to play for their dining guests in the afternoon until the evening. A fan favourite every Christmas is their harpist!
Watch the Singapore Ballet’s Christmas production
Address: 1 Esplanade Dr
Contact Details: +65 6828 8377
The Singapore Ballet is the country’s national dance company, and they perform dozens of world-renowned classical and contemporary ballet masterpieces from iconic choreographers like George Balanchine, Edward Liang, and Val Caniparoli.
Every year, the dance company releases a season showcasing different ballets from their repertoire. They have one for almost every quarter of the year, with a major showcase in December or the Christmas season.
During the holidays, this is where they showcase classical ballets like The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, and even Giselle. If you’re a dance fan, a ticket to their December showcase is a must!
Tip:
- The Singapore Ballet uses the Esplanade Theatre Studio as their main venue. If you want to get more discounts on tickets, you can sign up to become an Esplanade&Me Member for exclusive promos on shows and performances.
Go on a Singapore River Cruise
Address: Clarke Quay, Jetty
Contact Details: +65 6336 6111
Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Friday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
A Singapore River cruise is a must for tourists, especially during Christmas. Operating even on public holidays (except Chinese New Year), a Christmas Day bumboat ride offers a unique festive experience!
The cruise takes you through iconic spots on the island that sit along the Singapore River. This includes passing through the Quays, the Raffles Landing Site, Marina Bay Sands, The Merlion, and the Parliament House.
While the cruise is fantastic during the day, it’s equally majestic at night because of the city lights and Christmas decor installed in the city. The city becomes colourful, bright, and merry, which really adds to the charm of celebrating Christmas on the boat!
Tips:
- The most anticipated time to ride the bumboat at the Singapore River Cruise is at the end of the year when the Marina Countdown for the New Year takes place. You’ll get front-row seats to the massive fireworks display at Marina Bay Sands! Cruises operate daily, but there may be closures due to maintenance works or preparations for major national events in the city. Make sure to stay tuned for updates about schedule changes here.
Burn extra holiday adrenaline at Trifecta
Address: 10A Exeter Rd, #01-01
Contact Details: +65 8399 0484
Operating Hours:
Monday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
Saturday, 8:00 am to 11:00 pm
Sunday, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Have you got some extra adrenaline you want to burn this Christmas? Try your hand at snowboarding inside the city’s world-class snow arena at Trifecta!
It’s the closest thing you’ll get to snowboarding down a snowy slope, and it’s quite impressive that you can do this in the heart of a city in the tropics. The snow arena is complete with undulating terrain, obstacles, and more for an added challenge.
Aside from snowboarding, you can also go skiing, surfing, and skateboarding inside the arena’s massive sports complex. Prices start with getting a single pass for one-time visitors, but if you want to do this all the time, I suggest getting a season pass instead.
Tips:
- It’s important to note that first-time visitors must enrol in Trifecta’s introductory class to ensure you get the basics before trying out the more difficult slopes. There are instructors there who can help you get your balance right before you level up! If you’re feeling a little parched, there’s a cafe right next door to the arena to get refreshments and snacks. Plus, the arena is located in Orchard, so you’re pretty much close to all sorts of dining establishments if you’re looking for heartier meals.
Spend the holidays under the sea at S.E.A. Aquarium
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island
Contact Details: +65 6688 8826
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Why not spend the holiday season under the sea? The S.E.A. Aquarium boasts one of the largest collections of marine animals in the world (there are over 100,000 of them!).
During Christmas, it welcomes visitors to spend a few hours in festive spirits with the many marine animals they house during their A Christmas Oddysea event. Here, the aquarium puts up festive-themed activities that change every year.
Aside from the flagship attractions, there are colouring activities for children, art exhibitions, and festive storytelling sessions. Stores inside the aquarium also sell limited-edition Christmas merchandise!
Tips:
- The aquarium is accessible for visitors with wheelchairs, available for rent at the Guest Services Kiosk for $15. Daily at 10:30 am, divers conduct live feedings in the Shipwreck section, the most popular spot for this activity. Be sure to arrive early to see the divers in action!
Christmas Markets
From christmasinqueenstown
Address: Multiple locations across Singapore
Christmas markets are a big deal in the Lion City, turning streets across Singapore into vibrant, festive marketplaces. While they may not resemble the winter villages you see in Christmas movies, they are just as merry and bright!
Popular Christmas market destinations in the city include Orchard Road where they host the Christmas Eve Street Party, the Great Christmas Village in Ngee Ann City, Christmas in Queenstown on Dundee Road, and a few more.
These Christmas markets change themes every year, but they’re a staple in the streets during the season. You’ll mostly find stalls selling all sorts of festive knick knacks like stockings, candles, gifts, ornaments, and Christmas-themed food like wine and cookies.
Tips:
- Unlike other major shopping malls in the city, you can actually haggle your way through great deals in these Christmas markets. Keep an eye out for stalls set up by charities and non-profit organisations, though. Buying some goodies from their display will help them go a long way. Note that some of these Christmas markets only run for a limited time, and some might not be open on Christmas Day.
