Check out these festive markets in December
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ST rounds up five of the most festive spots where youth might enjoy some of that year-end cheer.
PHOTOS: BLUE SKY EVENTS, CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP, WORLD CHRISTMAS MARKET SINGAPORE, DESMOND WEE
Xu Yimi
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SINGAPORE – Ah, here comes the most glitter-laden and sparkly season – which wouldn’t be complete without a good dose of shopping. TL;DR rounds up five of the most festive spots where youth might enjoy some of that year-end cheer.
1. Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay
Where: Supertree Grove
When: Till Jan 1, 2025
Time: 6.30pm to 11pm
Admission: $9 to $13 (adults, advance purchase), $11 to $15 (adults, same-day purchase); $7 (children aged 3 to 12)
The centrepiece is the 20m-tall Spalliera light display, which was inspired by Italian Gothic architecture and handcrafted by artisans in Puglia, Italy.
PHOTO: BLUE SKY EVENTS
Gardens by the Bay’s Christmas Wonderland is back for the 11th year. It is one of Singapore’s biggest Yuletide events, attracting over five million visitors since its debut.
Expect traditional carnival games and rides, more than 20 food and beverage stalls, and around 15 retail kiosks.
What distinguishes Christmas Wonderland from other festive markets is its impressive light displays. You pay to enter a zone of light installations, such as giant gift boxes, white arches, a trio of “Merry Bears”, the largest of which is nearly 6m tall, and a giant ice skate.
The centrepiece is the 20m-tall Spalliera light display, which was inspired by Italian Gothic architecture and handcrafted by artisans in Puglia, Italy. It is also the backdrop for the nightly Blizzard Time, when “snowflakes” fall on visitors to choral music composed by local composer-conductor Dr Darius Lim.
Visitors can also look forward to live band performances by local singer-songwriters, such as Jayden Chia, Suncity Sons, Heema Izzati, and more. Most of these performances will take place at 7.15pm to 9.30pm each night.
2. World Christmas Market at Marina Bay
Where: The Promontory
When: Till Dec 25
Time: 5pm to midnight (weekdays); 4pm to midnight (weekends)
Admission: Free
Festive stalls selling Christmas gifts at the Decor and Gift Bazaar at the World Christmas Market.
PHOTO: WORLD CHRISTMAS MARKET SINGAPORE
World Christmas Market is a European-inspired Christmas market that promises a traditional festive experience, from classical carolling, to handmade gifts. The Promontory at Marina Bay will be “snow-covered”, and littered with light decorations.
The highlight of this market is the food: Baked ham, roast turkey and Hungarian chimney cakes can be found alongside local treats such as you tiao, shao bing and soybean desserts on Grab Feast Street.
A Christmas Gift, a musical specially written for this event, will be performed nightly at 7.30pm.
Also look out for the “singing Christmas tree” at the Arrival Plaza, featuring a live choir performing Christmas classics.
Visitors can also check out the Snow Globe Picture Booths for winter-themed photo taking, Christmas cookie making workshops, and AR video experiences.
3. Great Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza
Where: Civic Plaza
When: Till Jan 1, 2025
Time: Check website for daily timings
Admission: Free
The Great Christmas Villages are back at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza and Shaw House.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE
Most people throng Orchard Road at Christmastime to take in the atmospheric festive light-up along the thoroughfare.
The Great Christmas Villages are back at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza and Shaw House.
We recommend the one at Ngee Ann City for youth, where shoppers can browse stalls selling everything from jewellery to plushies, or have a go at traditional carnival games and rides.
The highlight here is the 14m-tall Christmas tree, where four-minute snowfall shows take place each night. A number of local buskers and bands will play live music on the weekends.
4. Public Garden Christmas Market at Suntec Convention Hall
Where: Halls 403 and 404
When: Dec 21 and 22
Time: 1pm to 7pm
Admission: Free
Cat ceramics made by P.BLE, to be featured at the Public Garden Christmas Market 2024.
PHOTO: P.BLE_/INSTAGRAM
The Public Garden Christmas Market may lack the romantic, fairy lights vibe of other festive markets, but it makes up for it with an extensive array of independent Asian brands, some of which are bringing in Christmas-themed merchandise.
Expect a gamut of design, fashion, vintage, beauty products, and more. Those seeking unique gifts won’t have to look far. For instance, at Vingtsix, visitors can mix-and-match designs to create personalised accessories. P.BLE is also bringing along animal-shaped ceramic tableware from Phuket.
Check out the participating brands at @publicgarden on Instagram.
5. Hello Kitty Carnival at Changi Airport
Where: Terminals 1 to 4
When: Till Feb 16, 2025
Time: 12pm to 10pm
Admission: Free
PHOTO: CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP
This is something for the fans of all things kawaii and Hello Kitty.
All four terminals at Changi Airport have been adorned with Sanrio-themed decorations as part of Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary, along with pop-up stores offering cutesy merch at the departure halls of Terminals 2 to 4.
Larger-than-life figures greet visitors at 15 locations. For instance, an 8m-tall Hello Kitty figure greets visitors at the Hello Kitty Festive Wonderland at Terminal 3, where there is also “live snowfall” in the evenings. Make sure you catch this for IG-worthy reels before Jan 1, 2025!
And if the line at the nearby 7m-long rainbow slide is too long for you, check out the photo booths and game booths instead, where you might be able to win limited-edition character collectibles such as plush toys and puffy bags.
For more information, visit https://www.changiairport.com/en/happenings/events-directory/changi-festive-village.html
The writer is a student at Victoria Junior College, who was doing a stint at The Straits Times during her school holiday.
TL;DR covers news and features for youth readers aged 17 to 23, in junior college, polytechnic and ITE. We celebrate youths slaying their way through the world, look at trends that serve vibes, and help you survive this stage of life.
