We take a look at all the ways to get into the festive spirit during Christmas in Singapore, from street light-ups to Christmas Villages and more.
It may not be the obvious place to get into the Christmas spirit, but Singapore pulls out the stops to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
You’ll find plenty of fun ways to celebrate Christmas all over Singapore, from the Orchard Road light up to Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay and plenty more in between.
Good to know!
If you’re only in town for a few days and don’t want to interrupt your sightseeing, the good news is that most businesses and attractions stay open on Christmas Day!
Unlike Chinese New Year, when many businesses close down for a few days, it’s business as usual for much of Singapore on Christmas Day.
But that’s not to say that there isn’t a great festive atmosphere in Singapore. Far from it!
Singapore definitely gets into the Christmas spirit, with beautiful Christmas light displays, Christmas markets, street parties and more.
Read on to find out exactly how to celebrate Christmas in Singapore.
Christmas on a Great Street: Orchard Road at Christmas
Every year Orchard Road puts on a spectacular Christmas display. This year’s theme is “A Child’s Dreamscape”, with dazzling street lights all the way from Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura. put
Across three zones, 162 lamp posts and 106 trees are dressed in energy-efficient LED lights to enhance the festive experience.
You’ll also find three Christmas Villages along Orchard Road, complete with carousels, inflatable slides, carnival games, pop-up stores, food trucks, olive performances and more.
Find them at:
- Shaw House Urban Plaza (24th Nov – 7th Jan)
- Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza (8th Dec – 1st Jan)
- Plaza Singapura (1st Dec – 1st Jan)
Orchard Road Christmas Lights Bus Tour
Our favourite way to view the Orchard Road Christmas lights is to take an open-top bus ride. This year, the special Christmas Light Up Bus tour will run from 17 November to 23 December.
Join the tour at Suntec City and you’ll cruise past iconic landmarks like the Singapore Flyer and the Esplanade, before driving past City Hall and Fort Canning then onto Orchard Road.
You’ll then cruise the length of Orchard Road to admire the Christmas lights in all their glory.
Tours leave at 7.30pm and 8.30pm and last around 50 minutes.
Click here to book your tickets!
Christmas Eve on Orchard Road: Street Party
This year Orchard Road will also be hosting a Christmas Eve party. Here you’ll find street stalls, food trucks, roaming magicians and balloon sculptors and a Meet-and-Greet with Santa.
There’s also a whole line-up of live entertainers, from bands to carollers and a line-up of DJs to help you get into the Christmas Spirit.
Happy to party all night? There’ll even be midnight countdown to see in Christmas Day!
Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay
Kicking off on 1st December, Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay is another highlight of Christmas in Singapore.
You’ll find a supersized fairground with stunning light displays, Santa Claus, carnival games, live performances, and even ‘snow’ in the tropics.
The highlight for many is the beautifully illuminated structures and festive lights, including the Walk of Lights, a 50-metre-long spectacular light tunnel display.
Tickets are required and sold for entry every hour between 6.30 and 9.30pm. Find out more on the website here.
Changi Festive Village
You don’t even need to leave the airport to get involved with festive fun in Singapore – it’s all going on at Changi Festive Village in Terminal 3.
There’s a Candy Carnival with rides and games, roving entertainers and even a Candy Snowhouse, with ice sculptures and real snow to play in.
Learn more at their website here.
Christmas on Sentosa
As part of the Sentosa Music Fest, Sentosa Island is bringing us Christmas on Sentosa, promising a slew of performances and decorations all around the island, including candlelight concerts and silent raves at the SEA Aquarium.
Details are still to be released, but these performances are taking place between 24th November and 31st December. Watch this space.
Resorts World Sentosa are also hosting their Superstar Christmas throughout December, with themed events at Universal Studios and SEA Aquarium and a lineup of live music entertainment.
Christmas Carols in Singapore
It’s not Christmas without Christmas Carols! Here are the best places to listen to (and sing along to) carols in Singapore:
- The Singapore Symphony Orchestra Christmas Fundraising Concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall.
- Raffles Hotel will host various local choirs throughout December. You can find the schedule here.
- The Fullerton Hotel usually hosts local choirs – watch this space for timings!
- The Esplanade often hosts a free outdoor carol concert – watch this space for timings!
Where to go for Christmas Dinner in Singapore
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to Christmas lunch in Singapore. All of Singapore’s luxury hotels pull out the stops with extravagant buffets, complete with free-flowing drinks and entertainment.
Here are some of our favourite hotel Christmas buffets in Singapore:
- Raffles Hotel: Bar & Billiard Room
- Fullerton Hotel: Town Restaurant
- W Hotel: The Kitchen Table
- Intercontinental Singapore: Luce by Davide Giacomelli
Read more about these fantastic buffets in Singapore here.
Outside of the hotels, plenty of restaurants will be turning up the heat for Christmas too. Here are some of our favourites to book a table at for a full-on traditional Christmas feast:
Other festive dining ideas
There are plenty of other opportunities for festive dining in Singapore outside of the Christmas Day extravaganzas. Here are some of our favourite options.
Raffles Christmas Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea at Raffles Hotel is always a treat, and at Christmas, it gets even more special.
Running throughout December, you’ll be treated to the usual famous Raffles scones and finger sandwiches, alongside festive treats such as mince pies, fruit cake, profiteroles and a highly delicious sounding salted caramel pecan roll cake.
Insider Tip: Time your afternoon tea to coincide with one of the carolling sessions for the perfect Christmas atmosphere. See above for timings.
Be sure to book ahead on their website here.
Royal Albatross
The Royal Albatross is Singapore’s famous luxury tall ship, taking visitors out on sunset dinner cruises.
At Christmas time they take things up a notch with Christmas-themed cruises that are full of festive fun.
The decks are strewn with Christmas decorations, there’s a Christmas-themed 5-course menu, and live festive entertainment.
Sailing dates are 23-25th December and 29th-30th December.
Singapore Christmas Gift Ideas
Looking for some Singapore-themed gifts for your loved ones or to remember your Singapore trip by? Check out some of these items in our shop!
FAQs
Where to see Christmas Lights in Singapore?
Our favourite places to see the Christmas lights in Singapore are:
- Orchard Road
- Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay
- Shopping malls – check out Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, ION Orchard and Paragon.
Does it snow in Singapore?
As Singapore is tropical, it doesn’t naturally snow. However, they do make it artificially snow at Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay every year!
Tanglin Mall also hosts a ‘snow storm’ at 7.30pm every evening – it’s actually foam, not snow but the kids love it! Pack swimmers and a towel.
Alternatively head to Candy Snowhouse at Changi Festive Village for some fun in the snow and ice.
Are shops closed on Christmas Day in Singapore?
Unlike many other countries, most shops and malls are open on Christmas Day in Singapore, as with any other public holiday. You will only find many businesses closing over Chinese New Year.
Is Christmas a public holiday in Singapore?
Yes Christmas Day, 25th December, is a public holiday in Singapore. This means that many businesses will be closed for the day, but most shops and restaurants will be open as usual.
What is the weather like in Singapore in December?
Singapore is statistically the rainiest month of the year. You can expect frequent thunderstorms in the afternoons and evenings. Temperatures are slightly cooler than the norm, with the average being 26.8°C (80°F), with high humidity thanks to all that rain.
Read more about the Singapore weather in December here.