Christmas Light-Up 2020: 15 Places To Visit For Giant Light Tunnels, Real Snow Slides & Themed Trees
It's the most magical time of the year as we ring in the yuletide season. Shopping for gifts aside, it's usually the little things that make the occasion of Christmas complete - festive feasting, catch-ups with our loved ones, and of course, gazing upon the mesmerising Christmas decorations across the island.
Here's a compilation of 15 Christmas light-up spots in Singapore for 2020 - not just at Orchard Road and Gardens by the Bay, but at other areas like the Botanic Gardens and Changi too. Highlights include giant light tunnels, a 2-storey carousel, and magical projection mapping music shows to dazzle your nights
- Gardens by the Bay -
#1: Christmas Wonderland - 17m tall light sculptures and 2-storey carousel
Photo from Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay’s highly-raved Christmas Wonderland will be partially online this year, without any physical Christmas market or carolling sessions, but don’t let that be a downer ‘cause you can still enjoy their festive light displays in person.
Photo from Gardens by the Bay
Photo from Gardens by the Bay
This year’s edition of the event features 10 dazzling light installations, including a fairy light tunnel, glowing flower field, and 17m tall Spalliera structure. There’s also a fairytale-worthy carriage and double-storey carousel.
Photo from Gardens by the Bay
Do note that tickets must be purchased in advance and you’ll have to pick 1 of 9 specific time slots.
#2: Poinsettia Wishes - European-style architecture amidst red festive blooms
Photo from Gardens by the Bay
The annual Poinsettia Wishes display in Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome is back up again, with yet another carpet of red festive blooms for you to admire. This year’s set-up includes a replica of the Netherlands’ Gouda City Hall, a grand towering castle-like structure. Flanked by nutcrackers and adorned with festive garlands, it sure is a magical sight to behold.
Photo from Gardens by the Bay
Cosy-looking snow-capped cottages dot the path further on, with luminarie sculptures lighting up the way as night falls.
Read our full article on Poinsettia Wishes here.
- Orchard Road -
As with every year, Orchard Road is abuzz with Christmas festivities and its annual Christmas light-up. While there’s no Great Christmas Village this year, various malls along the shopping stretch are still decked out in glittering lights. Here are some that are particularly eye-catching:
#3: Wheelock Place - aerial light decor
Photo from @kokobanana.travels via Instagram
With its conical tower, the building that houses Wheelock Place already looks like a Christmas tree in itself, especially when it’s lit up at night. Like every year, its interior is jazzed up with aerial decor for Christmas, best viewed and photographed from bottom-up.
Photo from @kokobanana.travels via Instagram
The area outside is done up with a number of Christmas trees, including one made of neon light sticks, an iridescent one in warm hues of pink and orange, and a traditional one with pink and blue baubles.
Photo from @kokobanana.travels via Instagram
The Christmas cottage nearby is just for show and cannot be entered, but feel free to strike a pose with it as your backdrop.
#4: Wisma Atria - snow cottages and mini railway
Photo from @teruki_h via Instagram
Right outside Wisma Atria is a mini Winter wonderland of snow cottages, happy snowmen, and a little railway track and traditional steam train snaking through - and yes, it actually moves! This cute and cosy touch gets us dreaming of a European holiday.
Photo from @teruki_h via Instagram
Along the same area are gold reindeers standing stately around a tree with a similar bronzey colour theme.
Photo from @teruki_h via Instagram
#5: ION Orchard - giant pinwheel tree that glows in rainbow hues
Photo from @soodneena via Instagram
There’s no way you’ll miss ION Orchard’s massive Christmas tree. Made up of plenty of pinwheels, this unconventional yet classy setup is accented by tinsel garlands. Most of the time, the tree appears gold, but if you’re lucky enough, you’ll catch it bathed in rainbow lights.
Photo from @srisuthan_sj via Instagram
#6: Tanglin Mall - teddy bears and snowmen with interactive elements
Photo from @yeenling_chong via Instagram
Although it’s located along the further end of our shopping belt, Tanglin Mall is worth the walk for its Christmas decor with interactive elements. Say hello to giant teddy bears, snowmen, and at the centre of it all, a ginormous Santa sculpture.
Photo from @modernage_sg via Instagram
Check out Tanglin Mall’s video below for a virtual walkthrough:
#7: Orchard Central - golden arch walkway
Photo from @teddie_e_poodle via Instagram
A light walkway at Orchard Central seems to be a recurring theme every year - but we ain’t complaining. This year, the arches take on a golden sheen, with gold-painted branches giving it an extra enchanting look. Peer closely and you’ll also find snowflakes and white poinsettia flowers hung on the light strands.
Photo from @srisuthan_sj via Instagram
Don’t just hang around outside, ‘cause there are also pretty backdrops within the mall itself.
Photo from @neroj_mt via Instagram
- Nature spots -
#8: Singapore Botanic Gardens - themed Christmas trees away from the crowds
Photo from @singaporebotanicgardens via Instagram
Not many know this, but Singapore Botanic Gardens also has its own Christmas light up. The last time they had one was a couple of years ago, so this is a rare treat that shouldn’t be missed, especially if you’re a nature lover.
Photo from @ongwk76 via Instagram
From afar, their Christmas trees look like regular ones, but look closer and you’ll see quirky ornaments, including otter stuffed toys.
Photo from @katesaysoui via Instagram
In fact, the potted trees across the entire park have also been dressed up with unconventional themed decorations. Some examples include Japanese fans, paper angels, and recycled plastic bottles.
Photo from @theworkingchic via Instagram
Indoor zones will also be done up nicely, with festive baubles and streams of fairy lights hanging from the ceilings.
Dates for the Botanic Gardens’ Christmas light-up have not been specified, so it’s best you head down ASAP before the decorations get taken down!
- Festive igloo domes -
#9: CHIJMES - Nutcracker-themed light and music show
Photo from CHIJMES
Dining in one of the underwater Christmas domes at SEA Aquarium will set you back a couple of hundreds, but not the ones at CHIJMES. These are absolutely free of charge, and you can sit in them so long as you order food from one of the restaurants or cafes that are part of CHIJMES’ compound.
Photo from CHIJMES
Fairy lights dangling from the trees overhead add an extra enchanting touch. This is couple by a special light and music show depicting the story of The Nutcracker, projected onto the gorgeous building that is CHIJMES Hall.
Read our full article on dome dining at CHIJMES here.
#10: Capitol - snowfall sessions and free board game rental
Photo from Capitol
If the domes at CHIJMES are full, you can always try your luck at Capitol, which is just a hop, skip, and jump away. The premise here is similar, just that one of the domes comes with musical instruments, and you can rent board games to play for free. Instead of a projection mapping show, you’ll get to soak in the Christmassy vibes with snowfall sessions - an experience your kids are sure to love.
Read our full article on dome dining at Capitol here.
- Sentosa -
#11: Universal Studios - upside down house, character mascot meet-and-greets
Photo from RWS
Although Halloween Horror Nights wasn’t able to happen this year, Universal Studios Singapore has managed to come through this yuletide season - with performances and character meet-and-greets featuring your favourites like the Minions, Shrek, and the jolly animals of Madagascar.
Photo from RWS
Turn your world upside down at Mir Tinsel Turvey’s house, where - you guessed it - everything is topsy turvey, complete with “trick-eye” perspective zones.
Photo from RWS
#12: Snowball Fantasy - magical blue globules at Quayside Isle
Photo from @the_wanderluster_dw via Instagram
Being a seaside location, it’s fitting that Quayside Isle has taken on an ocean blue colour theme for its Snowball Fantasy light up for Christmas this year. While the decor here is simple, it is tastefully done and no less mesmerising. Whimsical blue globules stacked upon each other form a Christmas tree, while others hang from the trees along with warm fairy lights and luminous purple hoops.
Photo from @catoucapixaba via Instagram
You’d want to come here in the evening to catch the sunset - a perfect backdrop for a romantic stroll with your significant other.
Photo from @turberrysg via Instagram
Date: Until 31 December 2020
Time: 7pm - 10pm
Venue: Quayside Isle at Sentosa Cove
Price: Free
Website
- Changi Airport -
#13: Changi Festive Village - real snow slides and bouncy castles
Photo from Changi Airport
Christmas celebrations are in full swing at Changi Festive Village, which stretches across Jewel Changi as well as Terminals 3 and 4 of Changi Airport. There’s much to see and do here, for both young and old alike, with bouncy castles and a 16-metre tall Christmas tree making up some of the highlights.
Photo from Changi Airport
Those who are missing their Winter holidays can still experience a mini snowy getaway at the double-storey snow house, which will have you zooming down a snow slide or snow luge, and experiencing a light and sound show - all while surrounded by adorable tokidoki characters.
Photo from Changi Airport
Read our full article on Changi Festive Village here.
#14: Dino Dazzle - dinosaur-themed decor with 25m fairy light tunnel
Photo from Changi Airport
If you haven’t already gotten enough prehistoric fun in the form of a dinosaur-themed go-karting experience and U-Cha’s unique dinosaur egg bubble tea, hop on down to Jurassic Mile right outside Changi Airport to check out some frighteningly life-like dinosaur Christmas displays.
Photo from Changi Airport
All the dino installations here have been given a festive makeover with shiny baubles, neon signages, and fairy lights. Speaking of which, don’t miss the chance to snap a photo at the fairy light tunnel that stretches for a whole 25 metres!
Read our full article on Dino Dazzle here.
- Others -
#15: Millenia Walk - artsy pastel trees
Photo from @ik.5392 via Instagram
The beautiful thing about the Christmas decor at Millenia Walk is that you can admire them rain or shine, as they’re located indoors within the mall itself. Instead of having artificial leaves like conventional Christmas trees, these are made from a metal mesh material painted in pastel colours - giving them a modern, artsy appearance. Inside the trees are glowing spheres that look like they’re floating on their own.
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Text by: GirlStyle SG
