Although COVID-19 has put a stop to many activities, Christmas festivities are still set to go on this year – albeit with social distancing measures in place. Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES are two such places where you can immerse yourself in some festive spirit, from now till 31st December 2020, with both heritage properties transformed into a Nutcracker-themed Christmas wonderland.
From snowfall to festive workshops and avenues to give back to society, there are plenty of reasons to clear your work leave for. Here’s what else to expect:
Throwback to when we would put on a Nativity play every year as kids for our parents to coo over how adorable we were. Now, it’s your turn to play audience. Parents can enroll kids in performing arts workshops, where they’ll be able to learn skills like ballet moves, theatre acting skills or the basics of playing the Ukulele and Cajon.
Parents can get in on the action as well with culinary workshops like the Kempinski Roasting Workshop and Kempinski Baking Workshop by The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. If the responsibility of whipping up this year’s feast has been thrown to you, you’ll be able to apply some of the recipes learnt from this workshop to impress your friends and family at this year’s Christmas gathering.
Image credit: Capitol Singapore
Nothing says sentimental more than a DIY gift. If you want to add that special touch to your X’mas presents, sign up for the Craft and Lifestyle workshops available. From customising your own snow globe to decorating cakepopsicle desserts, there will definitely be one that piques your interest.
Check out the registration site for the full list of workshops.
Instead of running amok last-minute finding gifts for loved ones, get it all done at the Christmas Market in Capitol Singapore. From fragrances from Alletsoap for gift exchanges to door wreaths from Kids Forte for sprucing up your home decor, you’ll be able to find just about anything festive here.
All the booths are fully decorated with garlands and set up to mimic an actual Christmas market. The best part is that it’s all indoors – which means you’ll be able to shop no matter rain or shine. If you prefer browsing from home, you can also shop over 40 merchants on the online shopping site to pick out your gifts – from beauty products to food items.
What’s more, in the spirit of giving back, you can donate a minimum of $5 to the beneficiaries of the Community Chest online. The on-site Christmas Market will also display QR codes for shoppers to easily make PayNow donations. To top it all off, Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES will even match every dollar in donation, up to $50,000.
Christmas Market
Date: 20th November – 25th December 2020
Time: 12PM – 10PM, Daily
Location: B1-34, Capitol Singapore
Right as you enter Capitol Singapore’s Outdoor Plaza, you’ll see this 3D bridge that’ll guide you to where all the festivities are. This trick-eye installation made me feel as if I was actually crossing a bridge from the CBD to the Outdoor Plaza, where Christmas celebrations were in full swing.
There’s even a spot marked out for the photographer to stand, so IG boyfriends, follow that marker to capture your winning shots.
Living in tropical Singapore, the closest thing we’ll get to a white Christmas is if we make a trip down to Snow City. But if you’re not a fan of the cold, you’ll get to experience snow without the sub-zero temperature at Capitol Singapore. From now till Christmas Day, snow will be falling at the Outdoor Plaza every evening to get you deeper into the holiday mood.
While you’re at it, snap some photos in front of the Capitol Kempinski Singing Tree that’s decorated with life-sized characters from The Nutcracker. Standing at 8M tall, you definitely won’t miss it.
Besides Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, we all know a couple other Christmas songs right off the top of our head. From 11th – 25th December 2020, sing along to classics with the Voices of Singapore choir during their 30-minute carolling broadcasts.
These broadcasts will be happening at 8PM and 9PM daily, and you’ll be able to view them from screens set up at the Outdoor Plaza.
Snowfall at Capitol Singapore
Date: 20th November – 25th December 2020
Time: 7.30PM, 8.30PM and 9.30PM
Location: Capitol Singapore, Outdoor Plaza
Capitol Kempinski Singing Tree
Date: 20th November – 25th December 2020
Time: 12PM-10PM, Daily
Address: Capitol Singapore, Outdoor Plaza
Carolling Broadcast
Date: 11th – 25th December 2020
Time: 8PM and 9PM, Daily
For those whose Christmas wish is to be whisked away to another world, you can pretend to be Santa or one of his elves at Santa’s Loghouse. Situated right next to the Christmas tree, you’ll be able to snap your pictures from 12PM-10PM daily, and even get free photo mementos here with a minimum spend of $50.
Santa’s Loghouse at Capitol Singapore
Date: 20th November – 25th December 2020
Time: 12PM-10PM, Daily
Location: Capitol Singapore, Outdoor Plaza
Nothing shouts “social distancing” more than the domes at Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES. Fully furnished with fancy furniture, indoor plants and even aircon, these igloo-shaped domes provide a comfortable and intimate setting for your Christmas dinner date with your SO, family, or friends of up to 5 pax.
They’re available at a first-come-first-serve basis and are valid with every purchase of F&B items from the restaurants at Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES.
The domes at both locations are right in the middle of where all the festivities are, so you’ll also be able to enjoy activities like snowfall at Capitol Singapore and the light projection mapping from The Lawn at CHIJMES, all in the comfort of your own private area.
Reservations for the dome-dining at Outdoor Plaza and The Lawn are currently full. But stay tuned to Capitol Singapore’s Facebook page and CHIJMES’ Facebook page for updates. In the meantime, check the online booking links as there may be cancellations at times, or try your luck with walk-ins if you are around the area.
Dome-dining at CHIJMES
Date: 20th November 2020 – 3rd January 2021
Time: 12.30PM -10.30PM, Daily
Location: CHIJMES, The Lawn
Dome-dining at Capitol Singapore
Date: 20th November – 25th December 2020
Time: 12PM – 10PM, Daily
Location: Capitol Singapore, Outdoor Plaza
Image credit: Capitol Singapore
Come nightfall, the colourful projection mapping at CHIJMES will be a feast for the eyes. With colourful, Nutcracker-themed Christmas scenes on the white pristine walls of the CHIJMES hall, this will serve as a chio backdrop for some IG-worthy shots.
Projection Mapping at CHIJMES
Date: 20th November – 25th December 2020
Time: 8PM-11PM
Location: CHIJMES, The Lawn
Free photo memento from the photobooth when you spend at least $50 at Capitol Singapore or CHIJMES
When you get your Christmas shopping done at Capitol Singapore, CHIJMES or their online Christmas portal, you’ll get to redeem gifts that’ll add to your festive joy.
If you spend a minimum of $50 in a day*, you’ll enjoy complimentary gift-wrapping services, a free gift wrapper and gift tag set, as well as a photo memento at Santa’s Loghouse or the Capitol Kempinski Singing Tree.
Spend $100 in a single day, and you’ll also walk away with a $5 voucher that can be used at Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES. Those that want to ration their SingapoRediscover vouchers for staycations next year can also try their luck to win a night’s stay at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel in a lucky draw.
Every $50 spent in a day qualifies for one lucky draw chance, which you can enter on their website. Entries close 31st December 2020.
If you’re a DBS/POSB cardholder, SPH subscriber or The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore guest, you’ll get to enjoy even more perks. Besides getting twice the amount of gifts with a minimum spend of $50, you’ll also qualify for two lucky draw chances instead of one. You’ll also only need to just hit a spend of $80 to redeem a $5 voucher.
Gift Redemption
Date: 20th November – 31st December 2020, while stocks last
Location: Capitol Singapore Concierge, B1-19
*Maximum 3 same-day combined receipts
2020 has undoubtedly been a challenging year, but head down to Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES to end it on a high. With trick-eye installations, snowfall and igloo-like domes to dine in, there are plenty of opportunities to make fond memories with your loved ones.
This post was brought to you by Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES.
Photography by Edmund Wong.
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