Twice as many rides, a circus, ice skating and food galore... we can't wait for December!
We’re off to a cracking good start this holiday season with plenty of fun and feasting (we’ve got Thanksgiving dinner sorted for you right here) lined up. We’re looking forward to the turkey dinners and holidays to Europe, or maybe even a ski trip in Asia for a change. But there’s one thing Christmas can’t do without, of course – lights. We love traversing Orchard Road when it’s all decked out in its sparkly finery, but what we’re really excited about is the extravaganza that is Christmas Wonderland!
For the fourth year running, Gardens by the Bay is gearing up for the holiday season with Christmas Wonderland. This year’s going to be bigger, better, brighter and more magical with 70 luminarie sculptures, including the popular seven-storey high Spalliera, an outdoor skating rink, a circus performance that will blow you away and a gourmet food festival guaranteed to satisfy all your winter cravings. Here’s what you should be looking out for…
Skate under the stars
Every little ice prince or princess dreams of gliding by under a starry sky. Imported straight from Switzerland, this will be Singapore’s biggest outdoor skating rink, at The Meadow. The rink will be framed by stunning luminarie light sculptures so be sure to brush up on your figure skating for that perfect photo. Each session is limited to half an hour and priority is given to children (sorry, mums and dads).
Tickets cost $10 per adult, $8 per child (4-12 years old).
When: 1 – 26 December, 4:30pm to 11pm daily
Come one, come all, the circus is in town!
Get down to the beat of Africa at the Asian premiere of Ethiopa’s Circus Abyssinia. This promises to be a truly spectacular display of gravity-defying stunts telling the story of two Ethiopian brothers who long to join the circus. Their wish is granted by the Man in the Moon – what a guy. The show is performed at The Meadow on Tuesdays to Sundays and on Christmas Day.
Tickets cost $12 per adult, $8 per child above 0.9m
When: 1 – 26 December, Tuesdays to Sundays, except 4, 11 and 18 December; 5pm – 10pm
Roll up for some carnival fun
The kids will love this – there’s twice as many rides this year including a carousel, mini-ferris wheel, bumper cars, tea cups and a Christmas train. And what would a carnival be without games? Step right up to try your hand at the Ring Toss, Pyramid Smash, Lobster Pot and Milk Can Toss and really impress the kids with your skills.
Ticket prices for rides start from $6, prices for games start from $4
When: 1 – 26 December, 4pm – 11pm
Be enchanted by Poinsettia Wishes
Nothing says yuletide cheer more than seasonal plants like poinsettias, amaryllis and Christmas trees. Aside from the eye-catching floral display in the Flower Dome, kids can expect enthralling storytelling, the Tales of Wonder Pantomime, music and dance performances, and meet and greets with Santa. If they’re lucky they might also get a fuzzy high-five from the garden’s roaming Bear Botanist.
When: Floral display 10 November 2017 – 8 January 2018; Christmas programmes run on various timings and dates throughout December
Be floored by these fantastic light displays
Get your cameras ready for the 70 luminarie sculptures scattered around the park, featuring new designs like the 13m tall Christmas ‘tree’ and some old favourites including The Spalliera, Southeast Asia’s tallest luminarie – this thing is a whopping seven storeys tall! At 7pm, the park will transform into a true winter wonderland, illuminated by 252,000 multi-coloured bulbs and showered in fluffy white flakes when Blizzard Time strikes (five times a day until 26 December) at the Spalliera. Time your visit right for the perfect family photo!
When: 1 – 31 December, from 7pm
Shop for delightful gifts at the European-style Festive Market
Get your Christmas shopping done at the European-style Festive Market at the Supertree Grove. Pick up cool trinkets and presents you know that special someone will love from stalls like BOLD&CRAFT, The Raclette Factory, Propupstore and more!
When: 1 – 26 December, 4pm – 11pm
Hear those sleigh bells ring-a-ling at Garden Rhapsody
Swing by the Supertree Grove after dark to catch a special edition of Garden Rhapsody, with festive sing-alongs and a brilliant light show.
When: 1 – 31 December, 7:45pm – 8:45pm
Meet Santa and score some Christmas goodies
The kids had better make sure they’ve been nice this year… Santa is welcoming special guests at Alpine House! All ticket holders can pop in to say hi to Santa and his flying reindeers. Get your pics before he flits off for the night and enter for a chance to win one of 100+ prizes daily, including free carnival rides and games, tickets to Circus Abyssinia, food and beverage vouchers and the Grand Prize – a trip for two to Lapland, Finland.
When: 1 – 26 December, 5pm to 10pm
‘Tis the season for feasting at SAVOUR
Explore this gastronomical wonderland at The Meadow featuring celebrity chefs from 10 award-winning restaurants like Pollen and Meat Smith. Satisfy those little rumbling tummies and get a taste of some true gourmet delights from as low as $6 and prepare for your own Christmas feast with cheeses, Christmas hams and turkeys at the specially-curated Wine Market. All ticketholders for Christmas Wonderland have access to SAVOUR. Cash is not accepted and may be exchanged on-site at SAVOUR dollar booths.
When: 1 – 26 December, 5:30pm – 11pm
Heading to Christmas Wonderland with the kids? Here are some of our hot tips for families:
- Ditch the car, take the train: nothing spoils a day faster than spending ages looking for a parking spot. Our advice? Take the train to Bayfront station and enjoy a leisurely 10min stroll through the park.
- Bring a picnic blanket for dining out on The Meadow: if the weather is nice, you’ll want to fill up on goodies from SAVOUR and just chill out on the lawn.
- Admission to Christmas Wonderland starts from $4. Better to purchase online instead of on-site to save $2 per ticket.
- Each paying adult can bring in up to three children under 0.9m free of charge. A child above 0.9m requires a ticket.
- Grab the bundled ticket option for entry to both Christmas Wonderland and the conservatories online at www.gardensbythebay.com.sg today or on-site from 1 December.
For more information and to book tickets for Christmas Wonderland, visit www.christmaswonderland.sg.
Top image credit to Christmas Wonderland
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