Festive WILD-erland at Bird Paradise & Rainforest Wild ASIA
‘Tis the season to be jolly, but rather than journey up into the Northern Hemisphere to find Santa in Finland, here’s a more domestic kind of northbound journey you could take – especially if you like to take a walk on the wild side.
The Mandai Wildlife Reserve, or more specifically, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild ASIA, are pulling out all the stops for Christmas 2025, and here’s what you can look forward to at their Festive WILD-erland:
8m-tall wildlife-themed Christmas tree
Greeting you at the Mandai Wildlife WEST Lawn, towering 8m above ground, is the Tree of Life, the first-ever wildlife-themed Christmas tree.
It’s decked out in animal-themed ornaments – miniatures of the threatened species that are protected in the Mandai wildlife parks.
You can read all about these threatened species, which can be found in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, on the boards that have been put up next to the enormous tree.
Every effort counts, even if it’s not monetary – press the button with a counter next to the Tree of Life to commit to spreading awareness about what can be done to save our world, and its wildlife, from going extinct.
Make a contribution to receive a set of eco-friendly pencils at the Customer Service desk.
Alternatively, snap a selfie with the Tree of Life and hashtag #MyWildPledge and #MandaiWildlifeReserve when you post the pic online, to pledge your support for the Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s conservation efforts; better yet, make a contribution to actually help them save more of these protected species.
Catch the Aurora Borealis
ICYMI, Mandai Wildlife WEST leads to both Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild ASIA, which are the parks where Festive WILD-erland is taking place this year. Head on into the latter and find your way to The Cavern for an otherworldly experience under the magnificent Aurora Borealis – right here in Singapore.
As the sun sets, your aurora-viewing experience gets infinitely more magical, as “snow” begins to fall gently in The Cavern. Perks: there’s no need to go chasing the Aurora here, nor wrap yourself in umpteen layers of clothes to beat the freeze.
The snowfall here is also timed to the minute – every 30 minutes between 5pm to 6.30pm daily. And pray, don’t mix up The Cavern with Cavern Restaurant, where you won’t be finding any Northern Lights or faux snow.
Embark on Santa’s Adventure Quest & win up to $50,000 worth of prizes
Even if you have previously explored Rainforest Wild ASIA, here’s an opportune moment to do so again – thoroughly.
Hidden along the Forest Treks are Christmas Tokens – up to 30 of them daily – which you can exchange to unlock prizes. There are $50,000 worth of prizes like GoPro HERO cameras, Teva sandals, 1-night stays at the Colugo Camp and more to be claimed, so you’re quite certain to get one.
Look out for signs that will put you on the right track, and be careful not to disrupt or tear up any of the vegetation as you seek out the hidden tokens along the path.
You’ll know the coins when you see them; they’re labelled ‘Santa’s Adventure Quest’, and have a number behind each, corresponding with a prize which you can claim.
Join the penguins’ snowy Christmas party
Stick around to catch the penguins diving underwater.
Over at Bird Paradise, the penguins are whippin’ out their Antarctic dancing shoes, complete with light shows and snowflake projections – in lieu of the real deal – to bring the party to town.
Heads up, the dance floor closes at 7pm here, so turn up the Jingle Bell Rock while the night’s still young.
Complete the Penguins X’mas Party Quest for a special prize
Little ones who are too small to join the fun might want to put on their spy glasses instead, because hidden around the Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove are Christmas treasures to be found.
Keep an eye out for these trinkets to complete the quest – you can’t miss these extra cute Christmas ornaments peppered around the Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove.
Collect any 3 to redeem a Penguin Card Holder that’s just nice for EZ-Link cards, school passes and more.
Do note that this Penguins Christmas Party Quest is only available from 5.30pm-6.30pm daily for visitors aged below 12 years old, and that prizes are while stocks last, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Count down to Christmas with daily surprises
Back at the park entrance of Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild ASIA, you can’t miss the Calendar of Joy – a digital Advent calendar that counts down to the last 25 days to Christmas with daily surprises.
Snap a festive photo & meet Santa
While you’re here, grab your fam and friends to commemorate the visit with a snapshot at the festive photo points, with WILD-erland-themed installations that’ll ensure your visit is immortalised. To truly get into the spirit, get some Christmas Face Painting ($15) done at Bird Paradise, too.
With all that talk of the Northern Pole and Christmas, Mandai Wildlife WEST of course has their very own Magical Santa Meet & Greet, taking place between 11am-2pm and 5pm-7pm at the Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove on 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th December all the way till 1st January 2026.
Celebrate X’mas with the Mandai Wildlife Reserves
There’s so much more to see and do, to celebrate this festive season at the Mandai Wildlife Reserves, with a Disney Magical Pop-up Store, Christmas Train Adventure, as well as festive feasts in the parks – both for us humans and our wild friends. Even if you miss it in the coming weeks, don’t fret, because most of these activations will be ongoing into the New Year, till 4th January 2026, so make it a date and bookmark those calendars.
P.S.: Visit Bird Paradise, Rainforest Wild ASIA and the brand new Curiosity Cove with the 3 Attractions Destination Pass, which works out to entry from $22 per attraction. For Singaporean residents only, this comes with 30-day access to your chosen parks, and a Discover & Dine Voucher Pack that’s worth over $300.
Find out more about Festive WILD-erland here
This post was brought to you by the Mandai Wildlife Reserves.
Photography by: Charlene Lee