Widely known for its diverse food and shopping attractions, Singapore is one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations. Christmas in Singapore is a particularly great time to visit.
When it comes to the yuletide season, Singaporeans have a special style of celebration, with equal parts of tradition and commercial observance.
While the exchange of gifts, Christmas dinners, and home visits are quite common, some seasonal practices remain “uniquely Singapore.”
Christmas in Singapore: 7 Traditions to Try
Orchard Road Light Up
Orchard Road lies at the heart of Singapore’s central shopping zone. Namely, Orchard refers to a street flanked by some of the busiest retail outlets in the country.
During Christmas, mall owners compete among themselves to display the most eye-catching decorations. These presentations range from street-side sculptures to hanging ornaments and the occasional snowfall display made from a machine that produces artificial snowflakes.
This time of year, Singaporeans drive down Orchard Road to admire the illuminated setups or take photos as they visit the malls. One of the most famous attractions is a 16-meter tall Christmas tree annually set up in the Takashimaya Mall.
Participating outlets may also offer discounts and other deals, making each trip highly fulfilling—especially if you plan to do some last-minute shopping for gifts.
Sentosa’s Themed Attractions
Sentosa is an island connected to mainland Singapore via a tiny causeway. This small getaway from the central city holds some of the nation’s most luxurious hotels/resorts and attractions, such as the Universal Studios Singapore (USS) Theme Park and S.E.A Aquarium.
You can expect many fun-filled memories for the entire family during the advent period, with unique Christmas-themed programs.
In 2019, S.E.A Aquarium (which holds one of the largest marine tanks in the world) hosted a Glowing Ocean exhibition featuring underwater Christmas light-ups in the form of bioluminescent jellyfish.
The USS theme park organizes annual Christmas events with dazzling light shows and colorful mascots.
Christmas Wonderland
Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s most popular tourist attractions. It features towering Supertree structures that form a futuristic landscape.
Since 2014, the Gardens has held an annual Christmas extravaganza that showcases brilliant decorations, light-ups, game stalls, and stage performances.
The event presents a fairground appeal, with bright and cheery holiday setups and timeless favorites: vibrant carousels, bumper cars, and carnival games for which participants may win prizes.
Luminarie light arrangements—a modern substitute of candles typically used in traditional Christmas celebrations—are some of the biggest highlights during the event.
At this celebration, various food and beverage stalls serve seasonal delights that will immerse you in the festive spirit.
As reported by Jakarta Globe, past years have seen Michelin star chefs presenting an array of selections such as cheese dishes and roasted beef. Also, you can enjoy the enchanting performances of carolers, singers, dancers, and local artists at the nearby Cassa Armonica gazebo.
Creative Christmas Buffets
Singapore is known as a culinary hub, and Christmas proves to be a popular time to stake that claim. Tourists can expect a large variety of Christmas buffets offered by hotels, restaurants, and hole-in-the-wall eateries.
Aside from the traditional servings of stuffed turkey, slices of ham, and log cakes, you can look forward to Asian fusion and culinary influences from the nation’s diverse community.
You are in for a treat, with sumptuous Christmas dinners unlike any you have tasted.
Celebration at the Riverside
The Singapore River was the original site of the nation’s first trading port before the water was proved too shallow for larger shipping vessels (commercial trading eventually relocated to Keppel harbor).
These days, the quayside areas of the Singapore River serve as a popular hangout with a wide variety of eateries, clubs, and shops.
Christmas celebrations at the Singapore River provide tourists with fascinating sights and sounds from the night scene and riverside dining with interesting seasonal dishes.
Vendors provide guided boat rides with decorated vessels, traveling between the bustling yuletide atmosphere from both sides of the channel. Enjoy the many memorable photo opportunities you’ll have as you cruise down the historic waterway.
Neighborhood Caroling
Beyond commercial celebrations, Christmas is also a time of significance for many communities to celebrate the birth of hope and social gatherings.
Churches throughout Singapore conduct caroling events during the yuletide season. This is a great opportunity to join in the reveling and retelling of the Christmas story.
To join, drop by St. Andrew’s Cathedral, a 186-year-old neo-gothic structure in the downtown core of the island nation, and the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Singapore.
The caroling events organized by churches are open to all individuals, allowing you a chance to bask in the Christmas mood and take part in the joyful ambiance.
Begin Your Celebration at the Airport
Singapore’s award-winning airport ranks as one of the best in the world. It’s stocked with a chain of eateries and retail outlets across its four (and still expanding) terminals. Plus, the airport is another place to check those exchange rates when planning your budget.
The airport annually celebrates the season with a wide range of themed exhibitions and events that you can immediately enjoy once you check into the city.
Past Christmas celebrations include the Tokidori Snow Holiday exhibition (featuring winter wonderland setups and eye-catching ornaments) and a Santa’s workshop nestled within an artificial valley.
Enjoy Christmas in Singapore!
While there’s no chance to witness natural snowfall in a humid tropical nation like Singapore, its unique history and exciting lineup of events are great alternatives.
Creative Christmas menus, spectacular events, and shopping experiences across boulevards with well-decked facades reflect the country’s reputation as an urban paradise.
Singapore is a place where you can fill your holiday season with delicious food, entertainment, and unforgettable sights.
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