17 Family-Friendly Events Happening This December 2023 In Singapore

As Christmas draws near and the kids are getting more and more psyched up for the season, you may be scrambling to find ways to entertain them. The good news: there’s plenty to do this month all around the island, and you’ve come to the right place. From Sanrio to LINE FRIENDS, Ice Magic to Universal Studios, colossal candy and smiley worlds, there’s a lot here for the family to do.

Stories Come Alive! By Julia Gabriel Centre and BookXcess 

If your pre-schooler is a fan of stories, songs, laughter and rhyme, take them down with to OCBC Wisma Atria on 9 December for a fun, interactive storytelling session with Julia Gabriel Centre veterans William add Farhan. More than an hour of imaginative entertainment, your kid will also get a taste of the Julia Gabriel Centre “EduDrama®” experience. At the same time, you will enjoy a whopping 50% registration fee discount if you sign up for a Julia Gabriel Centre programme at the event with an OCBC credit or debit card (applicable for new Julia Gabriel Centre programme customers only).

Happening on 9 December at OCBC Wisma Atria, Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Rd, #04-01, Singapore 238877. Visit their website for more information.

Sporty Playdate

Bond as a family through sports this December at “Sporty Playdate”, an ActiveSG initiative for “Active Parents” and your kids aged 4-12 years old.  Join in the day-long family sports extravaganza and take part in parent-child multi-sport activities such as the Learn-to-Play Canoe programme, Learn-to-Play athletics, hockey and volleyball, a groovy Family Dance Fitness Workout, thrilling Family SportQuest challenge, or a sporty game card experience for all ages. This flexible mixed format sports event seeks to encourage more families to spend meaningful time together, and will accept walk-ins for most activities with pre-registration needed for selected programmes.

Happening from 9AM-6PM on 2 December at OCBC Square, Singapore Sports Hub, 1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628. Visit their website for more information.

SkyPark by Kiztopia @ Cineleisure

Officially opened on 24 November 2023, Kiztopia’s new indoor play paradise lays down roots in the heart of the city at Orchard Cineleisure. Branching off from its usual preschool bouncy offerings, this one caters more for adventure seekers aged six and up. Incorporating rock climbing and other high elements, SkyPark has been designed to challenge and inspire your older kids—even teens and adults. Its focus feature is a multi-level play structure that fosters friendly competition among the kids with gamified challenges. Party rooms are also available here for family celebrations, and there are vertical gyms and a ball pit for the little ones too. Tickets start from $15 for those sixteen and above—check out other available discounts and packages here.

Happening at SkyPark @ Orchard Cineleisure, Orchard Cineleisure, 8 Grange Rd, #04-04/05, Singapore 239695. Visit their website for more information.

Christmas Wanderland with Sanrio Characters

This Christmas, the Marina Square central atrium has been transformed into a magical Wanderland filled with your beloved adorable Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, My Melody, Kuromi and Little Twin Stars. Taking centre-stage is Hello Kitty at a dazzling six-metre-tall Pink Christmas Tree adorned with pretty baubles, pink ribbons and a sparkling star. Nearby, you will find Cinnamoroll at the Magical Rink, where scheduled 15-minute snow showers create perfect photo moments against the backdrop of the pink tree. The kids can meet Little Twin Stars at the colourful ball pit, go bowling with jumbo pins at the Magical Rink, make greeting cards at the Christmas Art Station, or meet and greet their favourite Sanrio characters. There will also be joyous and heart-warming carolling performances nearer to Christmas.  

Happening from now until 1 January 2024 at Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594. Visit their website for more information.

A Universal Christmas 

For the entire month of Christmas, Universal Studios Singapore presents “A Universal Christmas”—complete with snowfall, all-new live shows, festive performances and special yuletide encounters with popular characters including the Minions and the Trolls. Meet fan-favourite Minion characters Kevin, Stuart and Bob at Santa’s North Pole Headquarters, where you will find Santa’s new flying vehicle—the Jolly Jet Pack, and where gifts are being assembled in a hurry just in time for Christmas. The Trolls are also putting out a new show for the season—the Trolls Tree Trimming Party where you can watch as Poppy, Branch and their friends gather to decorate the Christmas tree. Expect also to be treated with holiday songs and scenes of Santa and his friends busying all throughout the park, along with appearances from other beloved characters Shrek and Fiona, Bumblebee, the Madagascar penguins, the Gingerbread Man and more. The Festive Packages for adults and children are priced from $98 and $71 respectively, available for booking here.     

Happening from 2 December – 1 January 2024 at Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269. Visit their website for more information.

SmileyWorld® at Downtown East

Downtown East launches a host of exciting activities and extensive photo ops this December with SmileyWorld Town, a 50-by-30-foot extravaganza packed with endless smileys and smiles. Located at the Event Square, highlights include a five-meter long Ball Pit with SmileyWorld floats, an enormous Interactive Board for collaborative festive play, a two-metre foam Giant Jenga, claw machines, an exclusive photobooth and vivid smiley photo walls—too many grammable spots to help you win that “Spot, Snap and Post!” contest. Best of all, admission is free, so rock on down to the East, strike a pose and say “Smiley!”

Happening from now until 1 January 2024 at Downtown East, 1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599. Visit their website for more information.

Ice Magic: Winter Wonderland

Dubbed “the largest touring pop-up winter wonderland in Asia”, Ice Magic returns to Singapore this Christmas in conjunction with Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2024—staying open until midnight on New Year’s Eve. It will make its temporary home at the Bayfront Event area, covering 3,000 square metres of chilly space. This year's edition promises to be larger and more thrilling than ever, including exciting activities like Singapore's first-ever Merry-Go-Round on Ice, the Longest Snow Slope, Double-Lane Couple Ice Slide, a picturesque wooden cottage, winter-themed culinary delights, fun arcade games, and Enchanted Nights with illuminated Artic winter lights that take place during the last hour of each session. Three daily sessions run for two hours and forty-five minutes each, starting at 10AM, 1PM and 4PM. Tickets range from $19-$49 and are available at SISTIC.

Happening from 9 December – 21 January 2024 at Bayfront Event Space, 12A Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018970. Visit their website for more information.

Changi Festive Village

Christmas hit Changi Airport hard this year with Changi Festive Village’s delicious candy-themed offerings. Delightful larger-than-life confectionary structures (including a giant cupcake Ferris wheel) will charm both young and old alike at Candy Wonderland, where you will be treated to roving performances by dino mascots, a marching band, jugglers, baskers, fairy stilt walkers and Santa himself. Sweet and whimsical rides, a big bouncy castle and games will entertain the younger ones at Candy Carnival, while those above five can race around Candy Kart on a candy-themed go-kart track. For food and snacks, look out for the food trucks and food booths outside McDonald’s at T3. Candy Snow House completes the entire experience with its snow and ice magic—featuring enchanting ice sculptures, thrilling ice luges and slides. If you’re looking for a fun-packed mini staycay, “A Candylicious Night at the Airport” offers a 2D1N “magical sleepover” at the Changi Experience Studio packaged with even more activities for the kids (priced at $88 and $98 per adult and child respectively).   

Happening from now until 31 March 2024 at Changi Airport Terminal 3, 65 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819663. Visit their website for more information.

Holiday Wonderland With LINE FRIENDS

Fans of LINE FRIENDS will be delighted to discover that Suntec City has put out a full-on LINE FRIENDS fiesta at the Atrium (Tower 1 & 2) this month. Brown, Cony, Choco, and Sally have arrived to celebrate the joyous yuletide festival, with carnivals, carols, magical snow and more. Suntec+ members can collect limited edition merchandise with a minimum spend, but even if you’re not one, the PLAY LINE FRIENDS retail pop-up store at Tower 1 carries plenty of cute collectibles for gifting or enjoying yourself. The kids will also be thoroughly amused at Snowball Frenzy, which houses a towering four-metre structure featuring four fun slides, a snowy ball pit, Carousel Bauble Swings, the Ball-mania Towers and carnival games. Admission via an event pass is redeemable with a minimum spend of $50—two receipts can be combined at most. Note: the minimum height requirement for a child is 85cm, all kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and socks and long pants are required for entry in the play area! 

Happening 11AM-9PM from now until 26 December at Suntec City Atrium (Tower 1 & 2), 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983. Visit their website for more information.

Santa Race For Wishes

Play, presents and more play aside, Christmas is also a time for caring for the less fortunate. If you’re up for walking, running or cycling to support a meaningful cause, Make-A-Wish Singapore presents a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to help change the lives of children with critical illnesses. Your contribution to this cause will enable Make-A-Wish Singapore to grant wishes this Christmas to critically-ill children and their families, positively impacting their social and emotional well-being by bringing them hope, strength and joy during this time of need. The mission: collectively run a total of 40,075 kilometres to help Santa and his friends complete their round-the-world tour, and you can do this virtually at your own time and pace.

Happening from 9-31 December virtually. Visit their website for more information.

Voices Of Singapore @ the Capitol Kempinski Singing Tree

Partake in the joy of Christmas and be charmed by the Voices of Singapore (VOS) choral society this December as they bring you heart-warming Christmas carols at the Capitol Kempinski Singing Tree, just outside the Capitol Singapore. Choirs from VOS embrace inclusivity, and comprise the Enabling Lives Festival-featured VOS Starlight Voices, as well as a special collaboration between the Agency for Integrated Care and VOS Silver Voices. All performances are free so just head on down as a family and prepare to be serenaded!

Happening at various timings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 1-17 December at Capitol Singapore Outdoor Plaza, Capitol Singapore, 15 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178906. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Malls Of Love 

A charity collaboration between beloved homegrown Chef Violet Oon and Community Chest’s ‘Empowering Lives: Food for Good’ initiative, the “Malls of Love” campaign seeks to raise funds through donations in support of Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS). Executing what Chef Violet Oon calls “an innovative idea to marry love for our community with our love for eating,” this event embraces the spirit of giving while creating real and lasting change for those in need—all donations will go towards purchasing customised hand splints, diaper supplies and Assistive Communication devices for CPAS beneficiaries. On 8 December at 4PM, head down to Great World to catch an exclusive school band performance by CPAS students and its beneficiaries, or to Tanglin Mall for a moving children musical recital.

Happening from now until 31 December at Great World, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994; and Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Rd, Singapore 247933. Visit the Great World website or Tanglin Mall website for more information.

Space Fest @ EXPO 2023

Singapore EXPO and Uncle Ringo present Singapore’s largest indoor space-themed carnival this month at the EXPO Hall 6. Enjoy an exciting day of intergalactic fun in the gigantic interstellar playground with over 20 space-themed carnival experiences, including exhilarating rides and interactive craft activities for kids aged 2 and up. Feast on a delectable selection of treats, beverages and food truck delights, or do some last-minute Christmas shopping at the Aurora Bazaar marketplace. Take post-worthy shots at all the cool installations around the carnival or relax and soak in the good vibes at the Space Beats stage with its dazzling roster of live performances.

Happening from 1-9PM Mondays to Thursdays; 11AM-9PM Fridays to Sundays from 2-31 December at Singapore EXPO Hall 6, 1 Expo Drive, Singapore 486150. Visit their website for more information.

Transformers: Cybertron Fest @ Singapore Comic Con 2023

Calling all Transformers fans! The ultimate Transformers: Cybertron Fest will be happening at Singapore Comic Con 2023 this month, showcasing the largest Transformers fan collection in Singapore to take place under one roof. Featuring first reveals, early toy releases, archived comics and figures, a limited-edition Transformers Takara Tomy collection showcase and specially curated rare figures of beloved Optimus Prime and Megatron, this festival promises to be a treat for franchise fans. There is also an Experiential Zone offering a “Pose Your Transformers Bot” photography workshop, digital gaming, a paint and transform workshop, a kids’ play zone and mascot meet-and-greet sessions at 12PM, 2PM, 4PM and 6PM. Get your Comic Con tickets here, starting from $35. Kids under 12 enter for free! 

Happening from 10AM-8PM on 9-10 December at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, B2 Hall E, 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956. Visit their website for more information.

Bluey Booth @ Singapore Comic Con 2023

Fans of Australian hit TV animation series Bluey can make their way down to Singapore Comic Con 2023 come 9-10 December too, because Bluey will be back for its second year at Booth L1-E04. Promising a host of fun-filled activities with the adorable blue heeler puppy and her sister Bingo, your kids can look forward to a scavenger hunt, silent disco, live performances and, of course, merchandise. There will also be arts and crafts workshops, an all-day photo booth and mascot photo-taking sessions, as well as special displays of early character and concept sketches by Ludo Studio. There will even be a parent-and-child Bluey Dance Off competition after special screenings of “Veranda Santa” and “Dance Mode” episodes, so bring your best dance moves! 

Happening from 10AM-8PM on 9-10 December at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Booth L1-E04, Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956. Visit their website for more information.

Children’s Museum Singapore’s First Birthday

In celebration of their first anniversary, Children’s Museum Singapore has lined up some special birthday treats for the kids. “The Marvellous Sugee Cake” is a fun hour of storytelling with author and illustrator Quek Hong Shin involving games such as quiz time and ‘pass the parcel’, taking place from 2-3PM on 5-7 December, priced at $10 per child—recommended for kids aged 4-8 years old. “What on Earth is a Birthday?” features an alien-themed interactive performance, craft activity and Bingo game exploring the meaning and tradition of birthdays. Recommended for kids aged 5-9 years old, this runs from 4-5:45PM on 9-10 December, priced at $25 a child. Book both your museum admission and programme tickets here—museum admission is free for all visitors from 8-10 December, and free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents the rest of the time. 

Happening from 5-10 December at Children’s Museum Singapore, 23-B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807. Visit their website for more information.

Secret Wild-erland

Mandai Wildlife Group presents a new and unique digital adventure across River Wonders and Night Safari this December. In collaboration with NAKED, INC., a Japan-based creative company that specialises in immersive digital art, Secret Wild-erland offers a dazzling day-to-night digital experience combining the beauty of underwater and nocturnal wildlife with mesmerising lights and interactive displays. For the month of December only, in partnership with Air New Zealand, Night Safari’s iconic Tipi Tent has also been transformed into a Mystical Bar where you can dine surrounded by hypnotic Southern Lights-inspired projections. From now until 14 December, enjoy 30% off the full Secret Wild-erland experience with the “2-Park Secret Wild-erland F&B Bundle”. Stand to win a family return trip to New Zealand also when you purchase any Mystical Bar bundle!

Happening from now until 17 March 2024 at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826. Visit their website for more information.