The most wonderful time of the year is right around the bend, and even with the ongoing pandemic and social distancing precautions, Christmas isn’t cancelled. At least not with these festive Christmas events still going on — with safety measures in place, of course.
With the crowds it draws every year, we wouldn’t expect Gardens By The Bay’s Christmas Wonderland to be on this year — in the physical sense, anyway. Instead, organisers have taken the 7th edition of the event online.
Of course, we’re a little sad to not be able to experience the iconic luminaire lights, snow blizzard and carnival games as well as food, but the virtual wonderland promises a line-up of enchanting activities, games as well as festive performances.
You can even get a spot of holiday shopping done, and there’ll be a special surprise involving the luminaire lights.
Ticket prices: Prices and more updates to be revealed
Visit its website for more information.
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While Christmas Wonderland is going digital, you can still visit Gardens By The Bay for a glimpse of the glorious and historic Orient Express. It’s the first time the exhibit is making an appearance outside of France.
It will comprise a reconstituted train platform, and showrooms that will showcase Orient Express’ illustrious history in giant trunks. Exhibits will include posters, menus, crockery, cutlery, suitcases, stained glass windows and furniture. Read more about it here.
When: Dec 12 – June 13, 2021
Ticket prices: $25 per person and $88 for the family bundle (two adults and two children), excluding the booking fee. Tickets will be available for sale from Oct 2, 2020 on SISTIC.
The Merry Minions are back at Universal Studios Singapore, alongside Gru, Lucy and the girls from Illumination’s Despicable Me, Puss in Boots, the characters of Sesame Street, Madagascar, and Shrek.
The streets of New York will be lit up and you’ll get to experience interactive movie sets – think a hot air balloon and a topsy turvy Christmas house. When the hunger pangs hit, make your way down to the eateries for festive bites, or have fun with various carnival games.
When: Nov 5, 2020 – Jan 3, 2021
Ticket prices: $66 (adults), $48 (youths and children), and $43 (seniors)
Visit its website for more information.
Explore a magical underwater world at the S.E.A Aquarium, which has been transformed with specially designed light effects and fascinating soundscapes.
Make your way to new zones like ‘Shipwrecked!’, where you’ll see how a ship’s end of service leads to the birth of a thriving new habitat as majestic sharks glide by above you. Don’t forget to pause for pictures at the dazzling and educational Coral-ful Wall, plus a stunning Christmas tree made from upcycled crate boxes.
When: Nov 7 – Jan 5, 2021
Ticket Prices: From $32 (adults), $28 (youths aged 13-17), $23 (children and seniors)
Visit its website for more information.
Each year, we look forward to strolling through the roads of the iconic Orchard shopping belt and taking in the dazzling lights. This year, the theme is “Love this Christmas”, with a wintry display of snowflakes, mistletoe and holly that pay tribute to frontliners for their contributions and sacrifices.
There’ll also be a 14m main arch at the junction of Orchard and Paterson Roads that will be dressed with a blue ribbon and glittering reindeer
It’ll be a much more scaled-down affair this holiday season though, without the Great Christmas Village fair that usually accompanies the light-up, to mitigate the risk of crowds.
Where: Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura
When: Nov 13 – Jan 1, 2021
For optimal Christmas cheer, head down to the European-themed Christmas Market at Capitol Singapore. With fashion and beauty, gifts and fashion and lifestyle offerings from over 40 participating brands and over 20 stores, you’re sure to check off your Christmas shopping list.
Or get hands-on with making your own gifts, building a gingerbread house, or pick up a new craft at the various workshops held this Christmas. Learn the art of meat marinating and roasting techniques, or master your baking skills from Kempinski’s own chefs.
Book any workshop priced at $100 or more or spend a minimum of $100 (a maximum of three same-day receipts or e-invoices) at Capitol Singapore, Chijmes and/or the online Christmas Market to redeem a $5 Capitol Singapore and Chijmes voucher.
Where: Capitol Singapore’s Outdoor Plaza, B1, B2 of the retail mall, to Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski.
When: Nov 20 – Dec 25, 2020, 12pm to 10pm
Social space Crane’s annual festive pop-up that features artisanal and handmade products from small local businesses is back, so get ready for a weekend of festive food, holiday gift ideas (think handcrafted ceramics and artisanal soaps as well as beautiful home goods), and more!
Expect booths from the likes of ByKuraHome, nail wrap designer Nodspark, handmade accessory label A&Saturday, and online lifestyle store Hey Happy Puff.
You can also get hands-on with candle-making and Christmas wreath workshops, and there’s a comic books and art jam for kids as well.
When: Dec 5 -6, 12pm-5pm
Where: Crane, #01-05/06/07 The Herencia, 46 Kim Yam road
Ticket prices: Admission is free. Social distancing measures apply.
Visit its website for more information.
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For the little ones aged four to six, this three-day holiday camp isn’t just fun, but educational, too! Young explorers will hands-on with a series of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) Christmas activities such as making their own snow (with safe ingredients, of course) and discovering the beauty of snowflakes, and building a catapult for a snowball launch.
Through this camp, kids will learn basic programming concepts through unplugged coding activity, explore new science concepts, get creative in the projects and more!
They’ll end off by having fun with electricity and lights, and light up their own gingerbread house and Christmas tree!
When: Dec 21-23, 9.30am – 12.30pm daily
Where: Trehaus, #07-21 Funan Digital Mall
Price: $245
Visit its website for more information.
What’s Xmas without some festive bakes? Get to rolling the dough or mixing cake batter to create delightful Santa-themed Foccacia or a Valrhona chocolate log cake with Little Bakers Lab’s series of workshops.
It also offers workshops for the most adorable Xmas man tous (steamed buns), but alas, these seem to have been fully booked.
Where: Little Bakers Lab studio (87A Serangoon Garden Way S555983)
When: Throughout November and December. Visit its Facebook page for workshop dates.
Ticket prices: $160 to $180 per person
For registration, send a private message on its Facebook page or WhatsApp 9389-6066.
