Christmas in Singapore (2022): The best activities to do with your family and friends

20/12/2022

7 min read

‘Tis the season to be jolly! The decorations are up, the Christmas trees are standing tall in the living rooms, and the socks are prepared for Santa’s arrival. Indeed, the spirit of Christmas is upon us, so let’s make the most of it. In this guide, we’ve searched out the best activities that you can do in Singapore this Christmas season. 🎅🏻

01 • Bask in a wholesome Christmas experience at Gardens by the Bay’s Christmas Wonderland

(Photo:  Gardens by the Bay)

Christmas isn’t just about the decorations and the food — it’s about spending time with your loved ones and the joy that comes with it. With the season in full swing, the exciting Christmas Wonderland event is back to give you just that opportunity.

Stroll around the park and admire works of art such as the Spalliera, a magnificent light display consisting of 103,000 light bulbs and standing at an astonishing 21 metres tall. Then, make your way to the Whimsical Windmill.

It’s a 10-metre tall windmill-shaped sculpture boasting 35,000 light bulbs that are sure to dazzle you with a kinetic light display.

That’s not all — there’s also a Christmas carnival, where you’ll be able to have fun in a series of traditional carnival games like Fishy Fishy, Ring Toss, Pyramid Smash, and more! Each game costs $6, but you can also go for two games at once by paying $10.

If you’ve been waiting to meet Santa, you’ll be able to do so here. This Christmas season, he’s making a pit stop in Singapore before his annual gifting spree, so whip your cameras out and give your best poses.

02 • Go on a shopping spree at a festive market

(Photo:  Gardens by the Bay)

Looking for a suitable Christmas gift in Singapore can be a pretty tall order — we’ve been there and done that. And while Singaporeans are so spoilt for choice as there are Christmas gifts in every store, sometimes we just want something unique for our loved ones.

If you can relate to what we just said, check out these festive markets in Singapore that offer some pretty unique and meaningful gifts.

For the artistically-inclined amongst us, there’s The Art Nooq’s Christmas market which offers a variety of interesting gifts.

Interested in handcrafted, custom accessories? Check out Shuark and Nami Gems by JC, a pair of booths at The Art Nooq, offering handcrafted polymer clay and crystal accessories.

And maybe you’d like to give someone an artistic wall decoration — in which case, Magpie and Giggles is your woman. It’s run by a local weaver, Natasha, who creates intricate handwoven wall hangings that are made out of yarn.

Those who prefer something more traditional must take a trip down to Gardens by the Bay to check out Mistletoe Alley, a Christmas market offering lots of special gifts.

Gardening lovers will enjoy Rayne or Shine, where they can expect to see pots of plants and cacti that double as pieces of home decor.

Last but not least, if you want to get a Christmas gift for a baby, Happy Rei has you covered. They offer a range of baby goods, including reusable colouring mats, onesies, and even toys made out of safe materials.

The babies might not be able to say how much they love them, but you’ll still be able to see it on their faces. 🥰

03 • Buy real Christmas trees in Singapore

It is very easy to buy artificial Christmas trees in Singapore since you’ll be able to find them in a myriad of places. However, did you know that you can actually find real Christmas trees in Singapore? 🤯

One of the easiest places to find a real Christmas tree in Singapore is the local supermarket chain Cold Storage. This year, Cold Storage has three sizes of Fraser Fir trees available — 5-6 ft, 6-7 ft, and 7-8 ft. They’re all affordably priced from $139 for the shortest to $199 for the tallest. 

Maybe you want a tree that comes with a disposal service so you won’t need to worry about the hassle of disposing of it. In that case, head down to Sing See Soon, where you can also get Fraser Firs of up to 9 feet, with a tree disposal service available at just $30! 

The trees at Sing See Soon are more expensive than those at Cold Storage but they have a long shelf life and can last up to 4 weeks if cared for properly. Best of all, they have that pine scent that can set the perfect festive vibes.

💡 Pro tips:

  • Buy a Christmas tree stand
  • Invest in a fire retardant spray to protect your tree from catching fire

Need a quick and hassle-free way to bring home your new Christmas tree? Our Ssangyong Stavic, BYD T3 electric van, or the DFSK EC35 electric van can get the job done just right. 📦

04 • Feel the Christmas spirit and meet dinos at Changi Festive Village

(Photo: Youthtopia)

Changi Festive Village has returned this year, with an entire slew of activities to usher in the yuletide season.

No Christmas is complete without a Christmas tree – and Changi Airport has exactly that. Standing 16m tall in Jewel’s Shiseido Forest Valley, the Prudential Singapore Jewel Christmas tree cuts a dazzling figure with its baubles, lights, and its iconic star atop its crown.

Surrounded by all manner of greenery, the tree melds so well with its environment that you’ll want to snap photos just for the Christmassy vibe that the view gives off. What’s more, there’s a tunnel beneath the tree with fascinating underwater audio and visual projections.

Then, there’s the real deal — Christmas with dinosaurs. Head on down to Jurassic Mile, now glowing in festive lights to celebrate the festive season and to enchant you with its Avatar-inspired bioluminescence.

Expect to see glowing plants and trees, festive decorations, and 30 different dinosaurs like Stegosaurus, T. Rex, and Spinosaurus, all decked out for the Christmas season and lit up in surreal lights.

We can say it’s a fascinating experience and offers lots of photo opportunities for the ‘Gram. 📸

05 • Get Christmas food from a different cuisine for your festive dinner

(Photo: Trapizza)

Christmas food in Singapore is a dime a dozen as there are so many restaurants that offer the classics of turkey and ham. But if you want to tuck in an unorthodox feast, we’ve got you covered.

Cue Trapizza, an Italian restaurant at Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa that’s known to adhere to their roots and this extends to their Christmas menu.

Chow on seasonal Italian dishes such as Italian Porchetta Suckling Pig, Herb Citrus Marinated Charcoal Grilled Swordfish, and Classic Panettone with Sabayon Sauce.

But why settle for just that when you can treat your taste buds to festive sweet breads like Chiostro Pandoro Classic.

The Christmas menu is available from 1 to 31 December 2022, so go ahead and make your reservations right away!

And for the die-hard fans of Asian cuisine, check out Hai Tien Lo. It’s a Cantonese restaurant that serves up both traditional and ‘new Cantonese’ cuisine.

This Christmas season, they’re offering two versions of the Festive Set Menu done the Cantonese way.

Sink your teeth into delights such as Barbequed Meat Trio Platter, Stewed Lobster with Inaniwa Udon in Superior Stock, and Braised Dried Fish Maw and Conpoy in Thick Broth served with Pumpkin. 🤤

Their Festive Set Menu is available till 3 January 2023, so make your reservations now.

(Featured photo adapted from: Gardens by the Bay, Youthtopia, Hai Tian Lo, and Sassy Mama Singapore)

Ready to usher in the festive season? Download GetGo now to rent a car from over 1,300 locations islandwide. Use promo code G50BLOG to enjoy 50% off* (capped at $8) your first drive.

* Code is only valid for the first booking. Other T&Cs apply.

Merry Christmas, everyone!
Adam ☃️

Related stories