If you don't celebrate Christmas, you're going to need something to do on 25 December that doesn't involve the festive fanfare. In its place: fun events, animal encounters, water play and more ideas for things to do on Christmas day!
While the whole of Singapore seems to have gone tinsel, turkey and bauble mad, not everyone is decorating a Christmas tree, scheduling meet and greets with Santa or deliberating which festive feast to plump for. So if you’re just looking for something plain ol’ fun to do on 25 December rather than something Christmassy, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are some alternative ways to spend a non-traditional Christmas Day in Singapore, without a turkey leg in sight!
20 alternative ways to spend Christmas day in Singapore
1. Try a new experience
Looking to spice up troop morale with live entertainment? Singapore’s buzzing with a vibrant array of on-stage performances – from musicals and theatre shows to concerts. Throughout the year, there’s a relentless lineup of captivating acts hitting the theatres. There’s also lots of new experiences to try in Singapore – find all the latest ones here!
2. Visit a pet cafe
Don’t have a furry friend at home? Snuggle up with a cup of your favourite brew alongside adorable pets at the finest dog and cat cafes in Singapore. Please note, to ensure the best experience for everyone, these cafes have age restrictions for children – typically allowing only kids aged six and above. Make sure to check before planning your visit!
3. Go skating
Get ready to pump up that adrenaline with your crew and dive into a world of thrilling skating adventures at the parks. And guess what? Singapore just welcomed the brand-new Trifecta, a haven for skating and surfing enthusiasts. We got the lowdown after checking it out, so dive into our detailed review for all the scoop on this exciting spot.
4. Visit a farm
Looking for a break from jingles, carols, and the glitz of Christmas lights? Well, guess what? We’ve got just the thing, and it’s far from the city buzz. Explore our roundup of farms in Singapore where you can kick back and mingle with some awesome animals. We’ve curated the ultimate farm experiences in and around Singapore, offering you a chance to reconnect with nature in the best way possible.
5. Check out the MRTs across the island
Bet you’ve zipped across Singapore on the MRT, our version of a sleigh ride, right? But have you ever paused to appreciate the incredible MRT stations themselves? Well, guess what? Our big sister company has got your back with a comprehensive rundown of the most fantastic MRT stations scattered across the island. Don’t forget to check them out on your next visit!
6. Indoor playgrounds
Feeling a bit off the city vibes this festive season? No worries! We’ve got the perfect spots around town where both the young and old can have an absolute blast. Dive into our convenient list of the coolest newly opened indoor playgrounds guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained. Spend quality time bouncing in inflatable castles and rolling around in ball pits – it’s a fun-filled extravaganza for the entire fam!
7. Go fishing or prawning
Ditch the hustle and bustle, head to a sweet reservoir spot, and get your fishing game on. Seriously, toss all that city stress into the water and just chill. Take a breather, swap the noise for the calm vibes of nature. It’s your chance to reset, relax, and enjoy the peaceful side of life while reeling in some fish with the famalam.
8. Do a good deed
Christmas is a time of giving, so why not give back by donating and volunteering? Take the time to look at charities where you can give away your gently used goods and organisations where you can make a difference. Or, you can have the best of both worlds by gifting charitable Christmas gifts – check out our guide if you need ideas!
9. Make a spa day
If the festive season is leaving you frazzled (we know how you feel), we’ve got the best alternative way to spend Christmas in Singapore… by soothing your nerves at the spa! We’ve got a list of places where you can hit up for a spot of pampering and indulgence. If you don’t have enough time, you can decide between going for a facial or a foot massage.
10. Scream your lungs out at Universal Studios Singapore
While we can’t guarantee they won’t be wearing Santa hats, bring your little minions to hang out with the real minions at Universal Studios Singapore. Don’t forget to check out our USS guide to how to ace the park before setting off for a full-on day of thrills, spills and family fun.
11. Get splash happy at a water park
Get wild and wet at one of our favourite water parks for a day out that’s a family pleaser for the tiniest of tots to the grumpiest of teenagers. Wild Wild Wet will definitely blow Christmas Day traditions out of the water! In fact, make a staycay of it, and book a cheeky little getaway in one of the family-themed rooms at the recently reopened D’Resort Singapore. Adventure Cove at Sentosa is a great spot for a splash-tastic time with the fam too!
12. Watch a family movie
Swap out the mince pies for popcorn and catch a movie at the cinema. Go for Gold (Class) if you’re feeling in a decadent mood. M&Ms in a cocktail glass should be compulsory every day of the year. Before you hit the movie scene, bookmark our handy list of movies to catch on the big screen in Singapore!
13. Swot up on cool science
With seriously cool permanent and pop-up exhibits happening over at Science Centre Singapore, spend the day checking out the life cycle of butterflies, exploring a mirror maze or learning the story of poop! Or, head on down to the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and discover the fascinatingly horrifying world of parasites. How’s that for an alternative Christmas Day?
14. Pack up a picnic
If the sun is shining (fingers crossed), then pack a picnic and gather the troops for a day out at East Coast Park. This pretty stretch of Singapore never gets tired and with its adventure playgrounds, great eateries (if you’re not in a picnic mood), sandy beaches and activity opps aplenty. There really is something for everyone (and every budget).
15. Enjoy a great escape
Looking for an easy way to escape all the Christmas hullabaloo? You’ll crack a great day out with older kids by heading to an escape room! There are plenty to choose from, but lucky for you, we have a great guide to some of the best escape room challenges Singapore has to offer.
16. Get back to nature
Ditch the city and head to MacRitchie Reservoir, which has the added charm of being in a central location, making it easy to get to. Challenge the kids to the MacRitchie treetop walk – a free trail on top of the world – and look out for the cheeky macaques along the way. If you have water sport fans in the famalam, then rent a canoe or kayak for an hour or two. This is the great outdoors at its best.
17. Light up your life at Future World
There’s never a dull moment over at ArtScience Museum, and the ongoing Future World exhibit tops our lists for a) awesome museums for the whole family and b) great hot or rainy day activities. What’s not to love about spaces where flowers bloom on the walls, giant stacking blocks glow in the dark and you get instant calm from watching giant waves roll all around the room?
18. Explore a rustic island
Who needs a sleigh when you have a bumboat? All aboard at Changi Pier and pack yourselves off for a day’s adventure on perennially green Pulau Ubin. Watch out for the weird and wonderful wildlife residents, hire some bikes, breathe in the fresh air and kick back to a time when kampong was king. Pulau Ubin, how we love thee.
19. Stay at home!
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the festive season is the perfect excuse to stay at home for some serious family bonding time. You don’t have to decorate a tree or bake Christmas cookies. Instead, whip out a board game or your home craft kit and soak up all that special QT. Do it throughout December if you must!
20. Or go for a staycation
If the option to stay at home is not going to cut it with your fam, then may we suggest a staycation? It gives you a holiday feel without the madness of the airport during festive season – we’ve got a mega list of 47 staycation hotels and deals to help make your decision!
Happy alternative Christmas, folks!