With music, movies, and markets dedicated just towards it, Christmas is, without a doubt, a tree-mendous event. But, with the razzle-dazzle comes crowds. You already know it – there’ll be lots of people flocking towards the popular Christmas events in Singapore, from Changi Festive Village to the Orchard Road light-up.
Unintentional photo bombers in all your pictures? Not slay sleigh. For those seeking a peaceful festive season with their friends and fam, we sussed out these lesser-known Christmas events in Singapore with markets, activities, and even IG-ready decor.
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Image credit: Cluny Court
If you’re not keen on braving the sea of people along Orchard Road, there’s an annual Christmas Fair at Cluny Court that might be a worthy addition to your weekend plans. With over 20 stores participating this year, you can find gifts for even the pickiest of friends and family.
Image credit: Cluny Court
You’ll find sweaters from Italian-British designer Alfie Browns and bath salts from Oasis that’ll make for meaningful gifts for friends. Otherwise, spruce up the home with wooden decorations from Thailand and Madagascar, handmade Japanese ceramics, and festive tableware, if you’re planning to host Christmas parties this year.
Get the kids to tag along as well, but remind them to better watch out, as Santa Claus will be there in the flesh for a meet and greet. It might help to score brownie points with the man by checking out the donation drive for Singapore’s Autism Resource Centre happening here as well. ‘Tis the season of giving after all.
The Cluny Court Christmas Fair is right at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, if you want to make this a full-day event. P.S. The National Orchid Garden has free admission from now till 1st January 2024.
Cluny Court Christmas Fair & Santa Meet-and-Greet
Venue: 501 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259760
Dates: Now till 17th December 2023
Time: Thu-Sat 10am-7pm | Sun 10am-5pm
Contact: 6467 6077 | Cluny Court Website
If you’ve been ambushed or roped into yet another Secret Santa gift exchange, or left your Christmas shopping till the very last minute you might be in luck. You can still shop for gifts at Public Garden Christmas taking place on 23rd-24th December 2023 at Suntec City.
Image credit: @publicgarden via Instagram
Come discover quirky accessories, sustainable clothing, perfumes, and other lifestyle goods from independent brands from Singapore and around the region. If you’ve already got your Christmas gifts sorted, then join in the scavenger hunt. Spot a blue tote bag from this Public Garden Instagram post and it’s yours for the keeping.
Public Garden Christmas
Venue: 1 Raffles Boulevard, Level 4 Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre Hall 405-406, Singapore 039593
Dates: 23rd-24th December 2023
Time: 1pm-7pm, Daily
Contact: Public Garden Christmas website
Image credit: Marina Square
There’s something Singaporeans can’t get enough of – the non-speaking, bowtie-wearing Japanese kitty and her friends. If you’re confused, then you need to make a trip to Marina Square this month to find out who we’re talking about. Everyone else, we’ll see you with Hello Kitty and her Sanrio Pals there at Christmas Wanderland.
Image credit: Marina Square
There are festive-themed installations at the mall’s atrium surrounding a pastel pink 6m-tall Christmas tree for plenty of photo ops. Of course, the feline herself will be making an appearance too at Marina Square, along with other Sanrio characters like Gudetama and Pompompurin.
You can even experience a white Christmas while you’re here at the Magical Rink Snowfall. Happening thrice daily at the atrium, catch giant foam snowflakes falling from the ceiling that’ll blanket the Christmas decor in snow.
Christmas Wanderland
Venue: 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Dates: Now till 1st January 2024
Time: 10am-10pm, Daily
Sanrio Meet & Greet
Dates: Now till 17th December 2023
Time: Wed-Fri 4pm | Sat-Sun 4pm & 6pm
Magical Rink Snowfall
Dates: Now till 31st December 2023
Time: 2pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm, Daily
Contact: 6339 8787 | Marina Square website
Come on a weekday for unlimited playtime.
Image credit: Kiztopia
Here’s something we know the kids would look forward to. Jumptopia is back with a slew of Christmas-themed inflatables to bounce on at Marina Bay Sands. There are 3 zones of bouncing fun this time round, such as a labyrinth to get lost in, hills and slides to crawl all over, and a ball pit obstacle course.
This Wonders World section is ticketed, with admission at $28/pax. Families of 2 or 4 can get bundle discounts at $52 or $98 respectively.
The good news for parents is that there’s a free-to-enter section at the Playful Hangout with shops to buy merch, F&B outlets for a quick snack break, and kiddy go-karts ($15/child) if the kids still have the energy for more fun.
Book tickets to Jumptopia Playful Wonders.
Jumptopia Playful Wonders
Admission: $28/pax | $52/2 pax | $98/4 pax
Venue: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Hall C, Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore 018956
Dates: Now till 7th January 2024
Time: Mon-Thu 10am-7pm | Fri-Sun, PH eve & PH 10am-8pm
Contact: Jumptopia Playful Wonders website
Image credit: @belldandy8888 via Instagram
You can expect hordes of shoppers at every mall along Orchard Road this time of year, but if you seek a less-crowded alternative to do your holiday spending, City Square Mall has turned a shade of blue that might appeal to you.
Smurfs have quite literally taken over the mall and you’ll find hundreds of the blue munchkins being used as festive ornaments and decorations. Needless to say – get your camera ready for the photo ops in front of the Smurf-decorated Christmas tree and fields of Smurfs around the mall.
Image credit: Mabel Ang via Google Maps
If you can’t get enough of the cuties, there’s Smurf-themed wrapping paper up for grabs whenever you spend a minimum of $60 at the mall. Bump that up to $150 and you’ll also get Smurf-themed packing cubes for your year-end vacations.
While you’re admiring the Smurfs, check out the Christmas Marketplace happening indoors, featuring hand knitted and crocheted toys and clothing from different vendors. Pick some out as gifts for friends and you can get them wrapped by the volunteers from Love For A Dollar (LoveFAD) for $2/gift. 100% of the proceeds go towards Care Community Services.
A Very Smurfy Christmas
Venue: 180 Kitchener Road, City Square Mall, Singapore 208539
Dates: Now till 31st December 2023
Time: 10am-10pm, Daily
Christmas Marketplace
Dates: Now till 17th December 2023
Time: 10am-10pm, Daily
Wrap Joy with LoveFAD on L2
Dates: 15th-24th December 2023
Time: 11am- 9.30pm, Daily
Contact: 6595 6595 | City Square Mall website
Image adapted from @playlinefriends.sea via Instagram
Army – it’s time to fall in. And no, not our men and women in green. We’re calling for fans of BTS who might be interested in knowing that there’s a BT21 Winterfest Carnival happening at West Mall.
Yup, the adorable cartoon characters that represent BTS are decking the halls of the mall for photo ops and even game stalls. There are 7 games you can play, including carnival classics like knocking a tower of cans down or shooting mini basketballs.
Image adapted from @playlinefriends.sea via Instagram
It’s $3/token to play but it’s worth giving the games a shot, as you could score sweet merch for your mad skillz. You’ll need to collect tickets from winning these games then exchange them for prizes like bags of candy and even BT21 plushies.
BT21 Winterfest
Venue: 1 Bukit Batok Central, West Mall, Singapore 658713
Dates: Now till 31st December 2023
Time: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6309 1166 | West Mall website
Expect the Capitol Singing Tree to make a comeback this year.
There are a few Christmas traditions we Singaporeans always looking forward to – the Orchard Road Christmas lightup, faux snowfall outside Tanglin Mall, and now, the singing Christmas tree at Capitol Singapore. There’s no trickery involved, just the voices of the Singapore Choral Society belting out Yuletide tunes from this tree.
Last year’s Capitol Kempinski Christmas Market.
As you enjoy the carols, do be sure to check out the Christmas Markets at the Outdoor Plaza too. Meant to mimic the festive markets you can find in Europe, this one will have shops selling Christmas ornaments, gifts, and even food and drinks for the occasion.
Image adapted from WalkTechVlogs by Uphyo via YouTube
If you’re planning to come here on a date, swing by in the evening of 9th and 16th December 2023 for a free movie screening and popcorn at CHIJMES. Don’t fret if you can’t make it on these days; there’ll also be a Christmas-themed light projection on the heritage building choreographed to carols daily from 7pm-10pm.
Capitol Singapore Christmas Market
Venue: 13 Stamford Road, Singapore 178905
Dates: Now till 25th December 2023
Time: 12pm-9pm, Daily
Capitol Singapore Singing Tree
Dates: Now-25th December 2023, Every Fri-Sun & Christmas Day
Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm,
CHIJMES Movie Night Under The Stars
Venue: 30 Victoria Street, CHIJMES, Singapore 187996
Date: 9th & 16 December 2023
Time: 7.30pm
CHIJMES Light Projection Show
Date: Now till 25th December 2023
Time: 7pm-10pm, Daily
Spruce up your 2024 vision board with some artwork from local artist Sara Ho.
Image credit: @sara.street via Instagram
Back for a third time, Jolly Odd Fair is a year-end marketplace for young businesses to show off their artwork, DIY crafts, homeware, and clothing. You’ll find 26 different vendors this year, with the likes of pieces from Jewiclothes to vintage cameras from The Digicam Depository up for sale.
Admission is free to this BYOB event, that’s Bring Your Own Bag in case you were wondering. Also, cashless payments are preferred.
Jolly Odd Fair
Venue: 73 Dunlop Street, #02-00, Singapore 209401
Date: 16th-17th December 2023
Time: 1pm-8pm
Contact: Jolly Odd Fair Instagram
Image credit: Sunday Social via Facebook
For 1 day only, Sunday Social is holding a Christmas market at Sing See Soon’s greenhouse in Simei with vendors offering eco-conscious goods. With 30 sustainable brands all having booths, finding an environmentally-friendly gift for your pals should be a breeze.
Pets are allowed, and entry to this festive market is free. Be on the lookout for woodfired BBQ meats by The Social Outcast who will also be present at the market too.
Merry Xmas @ Sing See Soon
Venue: 5 Simei Lane, Singapore 528710
Date: 10th December 2023
Time: 10am-6pm
Contact: Merry Xmas @ Sing See Soon website
Santa Claus is coming to town, and so is this myriad of lesser-known Christmas events. Even if mingling with a crowd isn’t your idea of fun, there’s still more to the season than staying home with Netflix and turkey. Head on out to visit these stress-free events, markets, and pop-ups around town to enjoy the season of giving.
Other Christmas-related happenings:
Cover image adapted from Sunday Social via Facebook & Kiztopia
Originally published on 16th December 2022. Last updated by Nicholas Ong on 8th December 2023.
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