Dust off the tinsel, break out the mulled wine and start clearing your calendars, people! Christmas 2016 is on its way, and with it comes a sleigh load of merry performances, jolly theatre productions and festive events in Singapore sure to get the whole family into the spirit of the season. If you aren’t jetting away on a Christmas holiday, or the kids are looking for boredom busters once they have finished at their end-of-year camp, then grab some tickets for the family to one of these Christmas shows. From dazzling light displays to traditional Christmas carols, jaw-dropping acrobatics to a meet-and-greet with Santa, we’ve got shows, performances and events that will jingle your bells for sure.
The Nutcracker
It absolutely can’t be Christmas without a pirouette or two from the sugar plum fairy (and the tune that goes with it – which will be stuck in your head right about…now). The quintessentially Xmas classic, The Nutcracker, will be twirling onto stage for the holiday season and follows the adventures of a little girl named Clara through amazing ballet choreography by Singapore Dance Theatre and a vibrant score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
When: 7-11 December
Where: Esplanade Theatre
Cost: From $30 per person
www.sistic.com.sg/events/nutcrack1216
A Very Electric Christmas
A Very Electric Christmas is a show guaranteed to light up your Christmas: it will be performed in total darkness with the story being regaled through music and electroluminescent artistry – try saying that after a glass of festive cheer! The sparkly extravaganza will be brought to you by international light wizards, Lightwire Theater, and tells the tale of Santa’s helpers and a young bird named Max, who finds himself lost and alone in the North Pole. Expect friendly worms singing carols, nutcracker soldiers, mischievous mice and even an evil Rat King in this dazzling production suitable for kiddos age five and up.
When: 9-11 December
Where: Victoria Theatre
Cost: From $55 per person
www.sistic.com.sg/events/celectric1216
Father Christmas
If you are looking for a family-friendly festive show then you will be as excited as we were when we heard that Raymond Briggs’ classic, Father Christmas, is being brought to life on stage this November. Your own little elves will get a sneak peek of how Santa Claus prepares for his biggest night of the year, Christmas Eve, and also reveal a quirkier side to the man in red through a series of unexpected fun scenarios. Will Father Christmas make it to his sleigh in time to deliver his stash to the children of the world? Buy tickets to find out!
When: 25-27 November
Where: SOTA Drama Centre
Cost: From $38 per person
www.sistic.com.sg/events/cfather1116
Hi-5 Fairytale
Join the Hi-5 gang for their new high-energy musical show, Fairytale, which is packed full of your kids’ favourite fairytale stories and classic Hi-5 songs. Add bubbles, bouncy balls, cool lighting effects and plenty of surprises to the mix and you have yourself the perfect Christmas show for small people here in Singapore.
When: 2-4 December
Where: Sands Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands
Cost: From $45 per person
www.sistic.com.sg/events/hi51216
A Right Rubbish Christmas
This show sounds anything but rubbish to us and we are loving the traditional pantomime feel to A Right Rubbish Christmas. Kids will adore the abundance of hilarious characters bursting onto the stage full of song, slapstick humour and family-friendly fun: expect a greedy king, his dentally challenged daughter, a shady advisor, a classic panto dame and a fairy godmother among the cast. Grab tix for this one quick: it will be dashing back out of town quicker than you can say he’s behind you – oh no he isn’t!
When: 20 November, 10.30am and 2.30pm
Where: Sands Theatre, MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands
Cost: From $35 per person
www.sistic.com.sg/events/rubbish1116
Singapore Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert
While chances of a white Christmas are slim here in our balmy climes, you’ll certainly be Dreaming of a White Christmas at the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Christmas Concert. Join Associate Conductor, Joshua Tan, as he leads the SSO through a toe-tapping array of yuletide tunes that are sure to be a hit with all ages.
When: 16-18 December
Where: Victoria Concert Hall
Cost: From $28 per person
www.sso.org.sg
Cirque Adrenaline
Hold onto your hats for this one, people! If death-defying theatrics, including motorbike stunts, high-flying trapeze, aerial acrobatics and fire acts, are something that you and the family fancy being awestruck by this December, then Cirque Adrenaline is absolutely the show for you! Expect high-adrenaline moments at this daredevil take on a Christmas trip to the circus. Don’t try this at home!
When: 15-25 December
Where: Mastercard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands
Cost: From $38.50 per person. Kiddos under three are free.
www.sistic.com.sg/events/ad1216
Christmas Wonderland
Head over to perennial favourite, Gardens by the Bay, for the third edition of Christmas Wonderland, where the festive fun is ramped up to merry overload. We’ve wrapped up 10 things you need to know about Christmas Wonderland 2016, and given you the full low-down on the festive picks including a meet-and-greet with Santa, dancing lights, tropical snow, roving performances and carol singing opportunities galore. We *might* be at the mulled wine stall in the Christmas market. See you there!
When: 2 December-1 January
Where: Gardens by the Bay
Cost: Admission from $4 per person
www.christmaswonderland.sg