Enjoy 'snow' at Gardens by the Bay Xmas event

Gardens by the Bay's Christmas Wonderland will showcase more Italian Luminarie light sculptures, a European-style festive market as well as nightly "blizzards" of snow, among other attractions.
Gardens by the Bay's Christmas Wonderland will showcase more Italian Luminarie light sculptures, a European-style festive market as well as nightly "blizzards" of snow, among other attractions. PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI FOR THE STRAITS TIMES

Skating on ice in the midst of towering trees, making snow angels at a playground, and strolling through a European-style festive market.

Visitors to the Gardens by the Bay's Christmas Wonderland celebrations will be able to experience the thrill of winter this festive season without having to leave the tropics.

The event is back in its second year and will open on Nov 28, running for a month.

It is organised by Gardens by the Bay and Blue Sky Events this year. Last year, it drew more than 900,000 visitors.

The organisers hope to surpass that number this time by introducing a host of interactive events and activities, in addition to bringing back old favourites such as Baroque-style light sculptures.

There will be 56 of these handmade Italian sculptures made from white-wood, almost twice the number of last year's 30.

The size of the event space has also doubled to 35,000 sq m, extending beyond the Supertree Grove to the Meadow and the Flower Dome.

Visitors can indulge in entertainment options such as game stalls, a vintage carousel, funfair rides, an ice skating rink and an indoor snow playground.

"Blizzards" of snow will also descend upon those revelling in the festive atmosphere at least thrice every night, in addition to Christmas parades and choral or theatrical performances.

Admission to the venue itself is free and entrance fees for the rides and attractions range from $4 to $14.

Noting "there was such a high level of excitement for what you could visually see last year", Ms Sarah Martin, the director of Blue Sky Events, said there was a need to raise the bar "for what you could also do".

Yuen Sin

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 06, 2015, with the headline Enjoy 'snow' at Gardens by the Bay Xmas event. Subscribe