Whether it’s pop-up themed cafes or limited edition merch that we queue up hours for, Singaporeans just can’t get enough of Sanrio characters. To get your obsession skyrocketing further, Sentosa Island Lights with Sanrio characters is now featuring larger-than-life Sanrio character inflatables, including everyone’s favourite Hello Kitty and the charming Little Twin Stars.
From now till 3rd January 2021, Siloso Beach will be lined up with plenty of installations that serve as perfect backdrops for your photos and IG stories. Read on to see what exactly you can expect, on top of attractive staycation packages and F&B deals at Sentosa.
Before you head down, be sure to book a slot out of the three hourly sessions every night starting from 7.30PM. Bookings can be done up to five days in advance and are open at midnight of each day. Once done, all you need to do is present your email confirmation at the entrance located at Sapphire Pavilion Siloso Beach to enter. The best part? Admission is free.
Make sure to head down in your comfiest shoes or sandals – you’ll be walking on the beach after all. It may get a little humid too so dress light to avoid sweating buckets. With the unpredictable weather every tail-end of the year, there’s no harm in packing a poncho or umbrella either.
As soon as you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the monumental Sentosa Island Lights LED banner decked out in blue. Look out for the characters that’ll pop up every now and then on the panel – from Hello Kitty and My Melody to Pompompurin and Little Twin Stars.
Just after the main entrance, you won’t miss the larger-than-life Hello Kitty posing beside the LED-lit installation – a recreation of the iconic Sentosa Gateway arch that we’re familiar with. It also features a multi-coloured backdrop filled with heart-shapes that illuminates the entire space.
Pro tip: There’ll likely be a queue for each installation. Come up with some poses in mind beforehand so you can take your shots ASAP and not bottleneck the queue.
Pair up with your BFF to snap a picture at this LED neon light display. It spans 12M-long and is spread out so you’ll be able to easily slot yourselves into a spot for that perfect IG shot without worrying about photobombers.
Pro tip: The colours of the lights are very subtle, so make sure to shoot from a near distance to make the lights stand out more.
This mini-maze will excite kids and kids at heart with its pink and white glow. With a giant My Melody chilling by the side, enter the maze to walk down a memory lane of Singapore’s iconic landmarks, like the Sentosa Ferry terminal and Port of Lost Wonder.
Decorated with fairy lights hanging above and a huge deconstructed dragon lurking beneath the sand, you won’t miss the giant Hello Kitty inflatable where you can strike your best poses.
With vibrant waterslides gleaming in the colours of the rainbow, you won’t be able to resist a photo at this spot. As tempting as it is to get a shot on the slides, that won’t be allowed – but you can still strike quirky poses in front of it. Look out for the second My Melody inflatable of the night too!
Psst.. this installation was remodelled after the waterslides at Fantasy Island. It was a famous waterpark located in Sentosa up till 2001 that 90s kids might remember fondly!
Kids from the 2000s on the other hand, will be familiar with the iconic duo Kiki and Lala, or more commonly known as Little Twin Stars. Situated right in the middle of the installation, you’ll have to navigate through the iconic monorails and cable cars to get to their inflatables.
Avid beach-goers are no strangers to the iconic “Siloso” word block situated at the foot of Siloso Beach. But the version at Sentosa Island Lights 2020 is brighter and more colourful than the original one – an ideal photo opportunity made even better with the Pompompurin setup and a glowing backdrop.
P.S. This is situated behind the screen as soon as you exit the main area. Make sure not to leave without turning the corner!
With all the photos you’re bound to take at Sentosa Island Lights, you might as well get rewarded for them. If you post a photo of yourself at the event on Facebook or Instagram and hashtag #SentosaIslandLights, you’ll get instant discounts at participating F&B outlets in Sentosa.
Some of the deals you can score include 5% off bubble tea from LiHO TEA, 15% off your total bill at Trapizza and 10% off the all-day menu at Toast and Curry. You can also check out the full list of participating F&B outlets online.
If you don’t want to head home after visiting the installations, you can always pre-book a festive staycation package at Sentosa so you can conveniently head back to your hotel room after. As we wrap up this eventful year, we may as well treat ourselves to a quick getaway with our SingaporeRediscover vouchers.
For a no-frills staycay to unwind with the fam, consider the 2D1N Merry Moments package (from $418+) at either Equarius Hotel or Hotel Michael, that comes with complimentary breakfast for two.
Else, the 2D1N Merry Adventures staycation package (from $538+) at the same hotels takes it up a notch and throws in two adult tickets to the S.E.A Aquarium and Universal Studios Singapore.
Lovebirds in need of some alone time can cap the year off with the Romantic Escapade package (from $688+). It grants you and your SO a one-night stay at One°15 Marina Sentosa Cove’s Marina View Room and a two-hour aromatic massage.
Besides staycations, you can also treat yourself to a feast without feeling the guilt of splurging with Sentosa’s festive menus.
Indulge in an Italian Christmas (from $48/pax) at The Cliff at Sofitel Sentosa that serves up a 3-course meal for lunch and a 5-course meal for dinner, or enjoy a Christmas 4-course Festive Brunch ($138+/ two pax) at Le Faubourg Sentosa for a more western fare. There is also a Gelato Bundle ($33) at Gelatissimo for two if you still have room for dessert.
Image credit: @greenwoodfishmarket
Although dim sum isn’t something that particularly screams Christmas, it’s hard to resist a deal like the affordable Dim Sum Buffet ($38+/pax) at WOK°15 Kitchen to stuff yourself silly with har gows and chee cheong fun.
If you’re looking for take-home Christmas feasts, the Festive Takeaways from Greenwood Fish Market might save you from making a mess in the kitchen. They offer everything from seafood platters, log cakes and champagne.
If you’re figuring out what to clear your year-end leaves for or want to start the new year on a celebratory note, then a visit back to Sentosa will surely check all those boxes.
Diehard Sanrio fan or not, Sentosa Island Lights with Sanrio characters will offer you something to look forward to from now till 3rd January 2021. What’s more, you can plan ahead with the extensive festive dining options and unwind with one of the festive staycation packages.
This post was brought to you by Sentosa.
Photography by Nadia Loewito.
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