Get into the festive spirit with a visit to Santa, a spot of ice-skating, mince pies galore at a European market, and a dazzling array of cool-yule lights. Welcome to the Christmas Wonderland 2016 extravaganza!
Christmas event newsflash! We just heard from Santa’s elves over at Gardens by the Bay that deets for the third edition of Christmas Wonderland are hot off the press! If you’re looking for some festive fun for Christmas in Singapore this year, then this line-up will surely jingle your bells. We’ve wrapped up 10 things you need to know about this colourful extravaganza at one of our favourite places to visit with the kids, so consider yourself armed! From meeting Santa to ice-skating in an Ice Palace, a festive market and a chance to roll in snow at blizzard time, read on for our mini-guide to Christmas Wonderland 2016…
1. Oooh and aaah at the sparkling Italian luminarie lights
Gardens by the Bay has excelled itself this year when it comes to brightening up the Wonderland with seasonal cheer and more twinkling lights than ever. The beautiful Italian luminarie displays span a whopping 57,000sqm and include 240,000 dazzling bulbs! Expect an olde worlde feel to the 67 hand-sculpted displays: the sculptures, imported from Italy, have a 17th and 18th century Baroque design theme and the 19.7m centrepiece, Spalliera Castel del Monte, is designed for its 13th century castle namesake. A history lesson and a wow-factor all rolled into one!
Details: 2 December-1 January, 3.30-11pm daily. Admission into Christmas Wonderland, $4-$8 per person. Online ticket sales at www.christmaswonderland.sg from 28 October 2016.
2. Hang out with the big fella in red: Santa Claus is in town!
Head over to the Meadow Bridge area and step into the enchanting Magical Forest to find Santa’s cottage. The jolly fella himself has taken a break from making all those toys in the North Pole just so that he can meet our small elves, listen to their Christmas wish lists and have a happy photo snapped amongst the pine trees and festive baubles. Ho-ho-hope we’re on the ‘nice’ list!
Details: Open Thurs-Sun 2-18 December. Open daily 19 December-1 January. $20 per child including a take-home momento
3. Take a spin around an ice-rink at the Ice Palace
We’re always on the lookout for fun outdoor activities to do with the kids, and an ice-rink under the stars is news that we just have to shout about! Christmas Wonderland has brought us an upsized Ice Palace where we can pretend that we’re in the Arctic Circle. We’ll be whizzing around a 400sqm ice skating rink, zipping down an all-new 25m long ice slide, and even making a snow angel in the huge snow playground! A ton of fun without the risk of frost-bite!
Details: 2 December-1 January, 4-11pm daily. Snow playground $12-$16 per child (ages four to 11). Ice-slide $4 per slide. Ice skating $18 per person (45 minute session).
4. Hit the Hi-5 Funtastic House for bouncy castle fun: 1-2-3-4-Hi-5!
Livewire kids will adore burning off some of that Christmas excitement over at the Hi-5 Funtastic House, where they can expect a bouncy castle and dress-up opportunities galore with a Hi-5 theme. Pre-book to save any tantrum drama in case of crowds.
Details: 2 December-1 January, 4-9pm daily, $24 per child (45 minute session).
5. Roll up, roll up for carnival time!
Take in the sights and sounds of the fairground area, where the whole fam can have a ton of fun with carnival faves including bumper cars, a mini ferris wheel and motorised bug cars. Need a rest from all that excitement? Hop on the Christmas trains pootling around the Bay to check out the goings-on at a more leisurely pace.
Details: 2-18 December, open Thurs-Sun. 19 December-1 January, open daily, 3.30-11pm. Rides and games start from $4.
6. Visit the European Festive Market for a merry mulled wine or two
Those of us not lucky enough to be jetting away on holiday for Christmas were feeling resigned to just dreaming of visiting the fabulous traditional Christmas markets in Europe for our mulled wine and hog roast fix. Which is why it was merry news to our ears to learn that there is a European-style festive market popping up. Hurrah: our wishes have come true! Expect all the traditional trimmings being served up from wooden huts designed to trick us into thinking we really are in Germany!
Details: 2 December-1 January, open daily 3.30-11pm.
7. Feast on fabulous festive fare at Glass House
Once you’ve taken advantage of all the gorgeous shopping ops at the festive market, the kiddos are worn out from their ice-rink and bouncy castle exertions, and the whole family has been bowled over by the lights, it may well be time for a food pit-stop to refuel for more fun ahead. Head to Harry’s over at the all-new two-storey Glass House where you’ll find a festive menu everyone will love. Feast on fabulous fare while taking in the gorgeous views of the luminarie light sculptures – a truly unique dining experience.
Details: Open daily, 3.30-11pm (festive menu running from 2 December-1 January).
8. Get caught in a blizzard: tropical style!
No need to dash out and stock up on a winter wardrobe for a chance to experience snow here in the tropics! Blizzard Time will be blasting foam snow across the Spalliera Castel del Monte on a daily basis and while we can guarantee you won’t get cold, you might get messy!
Details: 2 December-1 January, daily sessions at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm.
9. Get into the Christmas spirit at a festive parade and sing along to a carol or two
It’s not Christmas without a heartfelt rendition of Away in a Manger or Silent Night, so we can’t wait for the huge lineup of choral performances being belted out at the Cassa Amonica gazebo. Sing along to festive favourites with performers including The Youth Choir, Vocatones and Hwa Chong Choir, and look out for exciting yuletide roving acts like the Nutcracker Parade and the Merlion Pipes & Drums.
Details: 2 December – 1 January, check www.christmaswonderland.sg for full schedule.
10. Skip through fields of Christmas floral faves in the Flower Dome
Once you have had your fill of mince pies and Christmas carols, escape from the heat and into the aircon over to the Flower Dome for more merry moments. The Merry Medley display is kicking off mid-November, and kiddos will love skipping through fields of poinsettias, amaryllis and Christmas roses and checking out giant glass globes, ballerinas and a band of toy soldiers.
Details: 11 November – 5 January, open daily 9am-9pm, admission charges from $8 per person.
See you there, folks!