“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” The weather is colder (re: rainy) and we’ve got December deals in every direction, but that’s not the best part of the season. If you’re anything like me, you’re a sucker for festive decorations, especially the iconic Orchard Road Christmas lights.
Lucky for us, beautiful holiday installations can be found all over Singapore. Here are 12 places with some of the prettiest Christmas displays in Singapore that you won’t fir-get.
Table of Contents
Image credit: @aplussingapore via Instagram
Marina Bay Sands takes Christmas to a new level, literally, with magical floating trees suspended from the ceiling. Tonnes of trees are also lined up along walkways at Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands – it’s giving festive forest vibes and we’re sure you aren’t going to run out of IG spots here.
Image credit: @sammyitcg via Instagram
The award for the most glitzy exhibit will have to go to Dior’s installation which sits near the mall’s entrance. They’ve gone the extra mile and added a pair of revolving carousels wreathed in white and gold to go with their multi-tiered Christmas tree.
Address: 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-10pm | Fri-Sat & Eve of PH 11am-11pm
Contact: 6688 8868 | Marina Bay Sands website
VivoCity’s massive tree has returned and it’s bigger than ever. Situated at the mall’s Outdoor Plaza on the level 1, this giant tree is illuminated with snowflakes and surrounded by an adorable reindeer, along with a group of polar bears and penguins.
To make the display even more whimsical, you can catch a snow show every night, which makes for the perfect photo op for those not able to travel to winter destinations this December. Head on down with the little ones or the snow-mies to have yourselves a white Christmas.
Image adapted from: Klook
VivoCity has also partnered with Kiztopia once again to sweeten the event’s offerings with 4 inflatable-themed zones. At Xmas with A Splash, Kids can navigate through winter-themed obstacle courses, and even ride a 8m-long slide to splash down in a water-play zone.
Book tickets to Xmas with A Splash.
Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore 098585
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6377 6870 | VivoCity website
Of course, this article wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the one and only Orchard Road. This is probably the most anticipated display each year, with lights bright enough for Santa to see from the North Pole.
Besides admiring the 10/10 decor, you’ll also be serenaded by local buskers when walking along the streets. This year’s iteration of the Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up has some malls in the vicinity going all out; a strikingly red Louis Vuitton Christmas Tree plastered with the maison’s emblematic motifs is stationed at ION Orchard.
Wisma Atria is also in on the act, with their underwater-themed installation adorned with colourful corals and fairy lights draped overhead. Afterwards, stop by Orchard Central and walk through the conveyor belt-like pop-up. The numerous gift box props here will serve as a stark reminder to those who have yet to ponder over Christmas gift ideas.
ION Orchard
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6238 8228 | ION Orchard website
Wisma Atria
Address: 435 Orchard Road, Singapore 238877
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6235 2103 | Wisma Atria website
Orchard Central
Address: 181 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238896
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6238 1051 | Orchard Central website
In case you’re heading to Changi Airport to jet off for your EOY holidays, you’ll want to set aside some time to drop by Candy Carnival over at T3’s Departure Hall. It’s part of the ongoing Changi Festive Village 2023, and you don’t need a boarding pass to visit this expansive candy-themed wonderland.
Some photo spots include the 5m-tall polar bear and the 2-storey high cupcake ferris wheel. Unfortunately, you can’t hitch a ride on the ferris wheel, but feel free to catch the various performances flanked by huggable dinosaur mascots which take place in the evenings.
Location: Changi Airport Terminal 3 Departure Hall, 65 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819663
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6595 6868 | Changi Airport website
Those looking to do some Christmas shopping along the way can drop by Suntec City’s Holiday Wonderland. If you hit a minimum spend of $50 within 2 receipts at the mall, you can gain access to the LINE FRIENDS-themed ball pit. Here, snap pics with figures of LINE FRIENDS characters alongside larger-than-life inflatables of wreaths and candy canes.
Then, head outside to marvel at the towering, faux snow-spewing Christmas tree located at the Suntec Plaza. There’s a slew of carnival rides here to entertain the kiddos, as well as a couple of game booths and music performances to complete your night of festivities.
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: Suntec City website
POP MART and Disney fanatics, this one’s for you. Several POP MART x Disney displays have popped up at malls nationwide. They feature iconic Disney characters reimagined as oversized POP MART figures amidst playful, holiday-themed sets from Tampines Mall to Westagte.
We’ll leave it to you to discover which malls are hosting which Disney icon, but our favs will have to be IMM’s Mulan complete with a miniature Mushu, and Bugis Junction’s Tinkerbell who resides in a storybook.
Full list of participating CapitaLand malls
Image credit: @tanglinmallsg via Instagram
Living in the tropics, it’s no secret that “winter” in Singapore is really just the monsoon season. Well, Tanglin Mall brings our winter wonderland dreams as close to reality as possible. Apart from their beautiful 15m-tall tree, they’ve also got a snow show for visitors to enjoy.
Address: 163 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247933
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6736 4922 | Tanglin Mall website
Image credit: @j.recollection via Instagram
Yes, you read that right; the tallest Christmas tree in Singapore is right here at The Star Vista. Standing at 20m tall, this just may be worth the trek to the West. Around the tree, there are other installations to snap your festive #OOTDs at.
These include a train that’s parked at a makeshift station which you can actually climb into, as well as a couple of angel statues peppered around the grounds.
Address: 1 Vista Exchange Green, Singapore 138617
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 6694 3111 | The Star Vista website
Image credit: Capitol Singapore
Capitol Singapore is decked out in tinsel and bright lights. It also has a thicc christmas tree in the foyer and a snow show – both of which make for great photo ops.
Enjoy festivities like carolling sessions and live music performances, plus a cute European Christmas market with vendors selling handmade crafts and snacks. For maximum holiday vibes, swing by the Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski on 24th December for a Christmas countdown party complete with happy hour promotions to liven the mood.
Address: 13 Stamford Road, Singapore 178905
Opening hours: 10.30am-10.30pm, Daily
Contact: 6499 5599 | Capitol Singapore website
This Christmas, Raffles Place Park welcomes visitors with an eccentric Christmas tree along with several other interactive installations.
Image credit: Raffles Place Alliance
The suit-donning folks over at Raffles Place can hit the stationary bikes that power a light-up sign in real time, which rewards them with well wishes for Christmas after a good spin sesh.
Image credit: Raffles Place Alliance
Also, look for 6 special installations that bear special QR codes. Scan them with your smartphones, and you’ll be able to create a personalised art piece by changing the colours of their lights. Go wild with the customisations; you can even make the lights flash in accordance to a selected Christmas tune.
Address: Located right outside Raffles Place MRT
Opening hours: 24 Hours, Daily
Contact: Raffles Place Park website
Returning for its 10th year is Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay. With a lineup of installations peppered around the gardens, visitors can expect to see favourites like the 21m Spalliera and the specially lit Supertrees.
There’s even a Holly Roger pirate ship that’ll be taking visitors on a wild ride this year, so keep an eye out for that.
There’ll also be a 65m-long Walk of Lights tunnel to explore.
Apart from photo ops, rally the fam for the carnival games taking place here. You’ll also get an opportunity to get your picture taken with Santa, so fingers crossed you made it onto his nice list!
Admission: From $8/adult, $6/child
Dates: Now-1st January 2024
Time: 6.30pm-10pm, Daily
Venue: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore 018953
Contact: Christmas Wonderland website
Image adapted from: Jewel Changi
Jewel Changi Airport is well-known for being photogenic on its own and is upping the ante this Christmas with a massive tree and snow show for both locals and tourists to marvel at. You can even project different light-up patterns on the tree via a control panel.
There’s also a light and sound show at the Rain Vortex every night so be sure to check it out when you’re there. For more festive sights, the Canopy Park is also aptly blinged out with fairy lights, and Singapore Residents can enjoy 10% off individual attractions tickets here as well.
While you’re here, check out the limited-time Nintendo events as well. Right at Shiseido Forest Valley is the Super Mario Pop-Up, which has giant displays of Super Mario among his pipes and power-ups. There’s also the Nintendo Pop-Up Store, where you can get your hands on exclusive merch for your Mario-loving friends this Christmas.
From massive displays to spectacular snow shows, these 12 Christmas displays each offer something new for visitors to enjoy. Head on down to see them for yourself and snap as many pics as you can before the year ends.
For more things Christmas-related:
Cover image adapted from: Capitol Singapore
Originally published by Tay Jin Heok on 3rd December 2021. Last updated by Khoo Yong Hao on 5th December 2023.
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