If you’re not already catching some sun on your beachside vacation this festive period, you might be surprised that we’ve just under 2 weeks of the year left to go. While some of us are heading into the new year right here on the Little Red Dot, there’s plenty to look forward to as we inch ever so closely to 2025.
For some inspiration on what to do before the clock strikes 12 this New Year’s Eve, look no further than the upcoming ONE Countdown 2025 celebrations in Somerset. From a bustling music festival to a carnival complete with circus acts and magic shows, here’s a glimpse of the festivities you can immerse yourself in as you raise a toast to the new year.
ONE Countdown 2025 is a slew of activities organised by the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY) to usher in the new year. These activities are happening all over Singapore, as there’ll be celebrations held in 17 heartland locations, across the city centre, and even at Migrant Worker Recreation Centres and dormitories.
Visitors to these ONE Countdown events can expect to be dazzled by live performances, carnival games, roving entertainment acts, drone shows, and of course, spectacular fireworks displays at the stroke of midnight. You can visit the ONE Countdown Go Where website to find a ONE Countdown event near you; there’s bound to be one happening in your vicinity.
The Somerset Belt.
Image adapted from: MCCY
If you’re out and about this New Year’s Eve, a convenient spot to meet up with friends and family to get in on the countdown action is the Somerset Belt. It’s got a fair share of exciting events, plus it’s centrally located which means getting there should be hassle-free for everyone.
We’ve also gotten word that public transport operators will be extending their services on the big day itself, so going home afterwards will not be so much of a headache.
There was certainly no shortage of show-stopping artists who made Singapore their stage throughout 2024 – think Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Olivia Rodrigo. Should you be an avid concert-goer, then Music Day Out – Magical Garden is just the thing for you this New Year’s Eve.
But, you won’t quite find Bruno Mars or Charlie Puth on the mic at this number. Instead, Music Day Out – Magical Garden will be featuring a slew of 16 independent artistes across 2 stages on Level 1 and 2 of *SCAPE, serenading the crowds with a diverse range of indie musical acts.
Image credit: @adoyband via Instagram
Some names to get you all excited include city-pop stalwarts ADOY hailing from South Korea, local Grindcore mainstay Wormrot, as well as retro revival band Masdo from Malaysia. If you’ve still got energy to bop, 4 DJs will be supplying the beats for a post-midnight rave, with sets from Philippines’ DJ Love, a pioneer of the now-viral Budots genre, and homegrown rising star turboboyfriend.
They’ve even got drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, on-site to keep you going throughout the night, courtesy of Off Day Beer Co. By the way, tickets are also free, so there’s really no excuse not to show some love and wrap up 2024 alongside these alternative music talents.
Admission: Free
Address: 2 Orchard Link, *SCAPE, Singapore 237978
Time: 5pm on 31st December 2024 till 4.30am on 1st January 2025, 4:30am
Contact: Music Day Out – Magical Garden website
Families looking for a kid-inclusive shindig to celebrate New Year’s Eve can make the trip to the Made by Magic: Somerset Kids Countdown Fest for some wholesome fun. Located at Somerset Youth Park, it’s a whimsical festival that both adults and children can have a blast at.
Admission is free, but in order to partake in some of the activities, you will have to purchase a Magic Pouch ($20). Each pouch contains 3 tokens which you can use to try your hand at experiences and activities on-site.
A total of 5 immersive zones that are inspired by magical elements will be set up to explore, such as the autumn-hued Mist Forest and the Memory Orb Factory, which sports a bubble dome and a human claw machine. The kids will want to dress the part too, so stop by the Pixie Dust Parlour, where they can pick out a costume to roleplay as princes and princesses.
There’ll also be 2 hands-on workshops for creative little minds to partake in. The Slime Sorcery workshop will have them whipping up batches of slime, while the others can tap into their inner artist at the Colouring Studio.Rowdy youngins can expend their boundless energy by going wild at the tropical-themed Island Hopper bouncy castle, or groove to the rhythm of the toddler-friendly DJ dance party. A dedicated F&B zone will also be set up nearby, so you don’t have to leave the premises to fuel up on drinks and bites.
Admission: Free
Address: 121 Somerset Road, Somerset Youth Park, Singapore 238166
Time: 31st December 2024, 4pm-1st January 2025, 12am
Contact: 9697 3884 | Made by Magic: Somerset Kids Countdown Fest website
In case you’ve not heard, TRIFECTA is a sports facility where visitors can have a crack at surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding in the middle of Somerset. This year-end, it’ll be gearing up for yet another thrill-inducing experience, as its grounds play host to the TRIFECTA FUNHOUSE.
Image credit: The Somerset Belt
It’s a bustling circus-themed carnival that promises an unforgettable evening as we bid farewell to 2024. For starters, visitors will be left picking their jaws off the floor when they tune in for the various circus acts happening around the facility. Fire breathers will be spewing flames, and agile acrobats will be pulling off gravity-defying stunts to keep you on the edge of your seats.
Don’t forget to snap a pic with the towering stilt walkers making their rounds, and catch the mysterious Mirror Man in action as he puts on a magic show to wow audiences of all ages. Carnival game booths will also be up and running, as well as a Roller Disco to skate your way into 2025.
If you’re up for some mischief yourself, rent a free costume and complete the look with a face painting sesh to scare the lights out of fellow carnival goers. Do stay for the DJ sets happening till the wee hours of the morning; they’ve prepared 6 headlining acts of varying genres, ranging from techno to industrial club music.
Do note that there are only 1,000 tickets available for TRIFECTA FUNHOUSE and they’re completely free, so you’ll want to snag them while they’re still up for grabs on the TRIFECTA FUNHOUSE website. There’ll be complimentary food and drinks for all ticket holders, as well as alcoholic drinks available for purchase too, so you can be sure your soul and belly will be well-satiated to take on 2025.
Admission: Free
Address: 10A Exeter Road, #01-01 TRIFECTA, Singapore 239958
Time: 31st December 2024, 5pm-1st January 2025, 3am
Contact: 8399 0484 | TRIFECTA website
Set aside some time this holiday season for some much-needed R&R by marking your calendars for one of these new year countdown events in Somerset. It’s a convenient, centrally located spot with tons of festivities. Step into 2025 alongside friends and family, as we take on the new year with renewed vigour.
This post was brought to you by the National Youth Council, *SCAPE, and the Somerset precinct.
Cover image adapted from: The Somerset Belt, TRIFECTA
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