By SGN | 16 Dec 2021
D1
A Christmas on a Great Street
No Christmas would be complete without a trip down to Orchard Road to live out our shopa-ho-ho-holic dreams.
The annual light-up transforms the shopping belt this year with dazzling displays in the form of white Christmas roses, along with red, white and gold poinsettias.
If that’s not enough to “wow” you, look out for a spectacular 3D projection on the walls of Mandarin Orchard. Bring the kids along so they can meet Merli and friends, too!
After your shopping fix, get serenaded and entertained along Orchard Road with local buskers and musicians that are sure to get you into the festive mood.
D2
Two Glamping Trips
Let’s face it: 2021 has been rough, and most of us are in need of a well-deserved break from hustling hard all year. But instead of the usual staycation, try a glampcation instead.
At Changi Airport, you can glamp by the runway, pretend airplanes in the night sky are shooting stars, and get comfy with your loved ones while watching the beautiful sunrise – the snuggle is real.
If you’re up for more adventure, take it old school on an island getaway to Sentosa or Pulau Ubin. Pitch a tent and enjoy a festive picnic by the sea.
D3
Three Festive Cakes
And not just any cake. We’re talking Christmas confections bursting with the flavours of Singapore.
Feast your eyes (and tummy) on a beautiful ondeh ondeh yule log cake from One Farrer – scented with gula melaka, pandan and coconut – or Baba Chews’ cendol log cake, loaded with cendol jelly and red bean mousse. They’re so good, yule be sorry for giving them a miss!
If you’re looking for something bolder, nothing can top Parkroyal’s rainbow durian cake. This golden yellow durian-flavoured log cake comes with a vibrant rainbow filling and puts the King of Fruits in its rightful throne.
D4
Four Shopping Sprees
You’ve been well behaved all year following COVID safe management measures, so you deserve some presents and retail therapy.
The Capitol Kempinski Christmas Market has artisan stores offering handmade gifts, jewellery and decorative ornaments. Other jolly good options are the Chinatown Christmas Market and the I’mable Gift Market, which has goods made by or with persons with disabilities.
At CapitaLand malls, step into the future with Singapore’s top virtual influencer Rae, who makes her first-ever physical digital appearance at the Molly 15: Into The Future exhibition. Immerse yourself in a Jolly Molly Christmas celebration, shop your heart out and make it rein!
D5
Five Supertrees
Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay is a Christmas installation and event jam-packed with festive activities, lights, music and more.
Walk your way through 8 whimsical light displays, including a musical lightshow under the dreamy Supertrees, and have a hearty meal at the Mistletoe Alley Market. Just a short walk away are the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, where you can enjoy Christmas-treat-inspired flower displays as well as one of the world’s largest indoor waterfalls.
Whatever you choose to do, we’re sure it will leave a fa-la-la-la-lasting impression!
D6
Six Children Playing
If your kids are rebels without a Claus, keep them occupied with cutting-edge fun at ArtScience Museum’s Sketch Christmas. Watch hand-coloured drawings come alive in the imaginative festive town featuring colourful sleighs and flying reindeer.
At Downtown East, D’Ultimate Xcape offers a one-of-a-kind staycation in a 10-room boutique container hotel, complete with games, carnival rides and an inflatable bouncy park.
D7
Seven Snowballs Soaring
Christmas may not be the same without wintry weather, but we know some cool spots you can hit up. Check out Singapore’s first ice hotel gallery and admire the ice sculptures and installations, or dive into a soft blanket of snow at Snow City, Singapore’s first permanent indoor snow centre.
If you like to skate, head to Kallang Ice World or The Rink at JCube. And when the weather outside is frightful(ly hot), it might be a good idea to cool off at Wild Wild Wet, a large water theme park in Downtown East.
D8
Eight Hornbills Calling
Singapore isn’t just a concrete jungle. In fact, our little city is brimming with lush greenery, parks, and forests full of flora and fauna.
Make it a green Christmas and gather with friends and family at Jurong Lake Gardens for some precious quality time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Enjoy the fresh air or a cosy picnic in the green open spaces, and keep an eye out for small birds like the zitting cisticola and the savanna nightjar or squirrels and otters scurrying across the field.
D9
Nine Cocktails Mixing
Singaporeans know how to work hard and play hard. And there’s no better way to get the party started than Christmas-themed cocktails.
At Barbary Coast in Boat Quay, you’ve got 9 festive cocktails to choose from, including Drunk Uncle Mulled Wine, Nutcracker Nog Fog and Holly Jolly Gin-mas. The bar hop doesn’t stop with more Christmas offerings over at Jigger & Pony, Atlas, Manhattan and No Sleep Club. (P.S. In case you haven’t heard, Jigger & Pony snagged 9th place in the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Let’s raise a mistle-toast to that!)
D10
Ten Songs a-Playing
All we want for Christmas is… a magical music experience. A Harpy Jolly Christmas at Esplanade Concert Hall promises to bring just that, with an enchanting performance by Singapore’s very own harp quartet.
For a nostalgic trip down memory lane, Singapore’s music icon Dick Lee takes you through his favourite Christmas songs at his ChristmasTime concert at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands.
D11
Eleven Hearts a-Giving
To truly celebrate the season of giving, Giving SG lets you choose from over 500 nonprofits to donate to, volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about, or fundraise for a charity of your choice.
Go the distance to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses with Santa Run for Wishes, spread the joy of festive feasts to home-bound elderly with Meals-on-Wheels, or donate to The Salvation Army in their Christmas Kettling initiative. You can also check out Home This Christmas, The Art Faculty and Share a Gift for more ways to give.
D12
Twelve Cultures Feasting
Singapore’s diverse cultures prove that there’s more than one way of celebrating or feasting at Christmas. What flavours will your spread have this year?
For inspiration, look to The Marmalade Pantry’s char siew beef short ribs or Violet Oon’s Peranakan offerings. Si Chuan Dou Hua’s tapas degustation set is perfect for gifting and comes with 24 intricate handcrafted Sichuan delicacies. Turkey lovers, experience a whole new world with a tandoori turkey, rendang turkey or even biryani turkey.
Treat the family to an Asian-influenced Christmas set at New Ubin Seafood with rendang glazed burgers, or a multi-cuisine spread of Hokkaido surf clams, garlic butter prawns and gobi Manchurian from Island Kitchen Collective.
We hope our 12 Days of Christmas bring a big dose of Singaporean cheer to your Christmas this year.
However you may choose to celebrate, here’s all of us at Singapore Global Network wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
