The Christmas weekend is here! Finally, we can put an official stop to the preparations, and start with the celebrations! And with Monday being a make-up Christmas holiday, it’s going to be a long weekend of fun spent with those we love and cherish.
On top of the annual feasts and parties, here are some ways you can soak in the Christmas atmosphere with kids in tow:
High Up on Wheels Along Orchard Road
Be a tourist for a night. Hop onto a topless double-decker bus, and get as close as you possibly can to the brightly lit Christmas arches along the 2.88km stretch of road from Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura. See all the beautifully decorated malls – including Best Dressed award winners Centrepoint and Ion Orchard – at one go. No need to walk. No sweat!
This Christmas Light-up Tour is an annual offering from DUCK & HiPPO. The topless bus operator brings passengers on a 45-minute ride in its HiPPO topless bus from Suntec City to Tanglin Road, Orchard Road, and Bras Basah, before returning to Suntec City. There are two departures daily at 7.30 and 8.30pm till 24 December.
On Christmas Eve (24 Dec), there’s a special tour that starts at Mid Point Orchard from 7.30pm onwards, with half-hourly departures till 11.30pm. It covers the same areas and ends at Mid Point Orchard. For kids that can stay up late, a countdown aboard the bus makes for a memorable experience. Just make sure you catch the bus that departs at 11.30pm.
Where: Depart from Suntec City (till 24 Dec, 7.30 and 8.30pm daily) and Mid Point Orchard (only on 24 Dec, 7.30pm till 11.30pm, every half-hourly)
Charges: $15 per person (children below 3 go free)
Click here for more information.
Immersed in Fun at the Museums and Esplanade
While museums may not sound like festive destinations, you’ll be surprised at the kid-friendly activities and performances you can find at the National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, and Esplanade this long weekend!
Over at the National Museum of Singapore, you can make your own jingle bell for the Christmas tree, enjoy Christmas classics performed by a flute ensemble, and be inspired by colourful tales from the past, told in dramatic and interactive ways to get the little ones’ attention.
These activities are held on 25 Dec and are part of the National Museum’s December Holiday programme. The best part is, they are free! Click here for the activity schedule.
The Singapore Art Museum offers interesting activities on Christmas Day, recommended for children four years old and above, alongside the Singapore Biennale 2016. Craft and bring home an imaginative wreath, create a special Christmas tree with recycled materials, and make a contemporary kaleidoscope – fun activities designed to echo the themes of the artworks at the Biennale.
There will also be choral performances by The Pioneer Voices, whose special music arrangements of traditional carols reflect different perspectives of the tradition. The full schedule of events can be found here. For ticketing information, click here.
Free musical performances brighten the season during the Christmas weekend at the Esplanade. Celebrate the season with music ranging from jazz to classical and gospel at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre and Concourse in the afternoons and nights. Adults and children alike will be mesmerised by the performances. For the full programme, visit Esplanade’s site.
Where: National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, Esplanade
Charges: Free for National Museum of Singapore and Esplanade; Singapore Biennale 2016 admission charges apply for Singapore Art Museum
Singing Along to Frozen the Movie at an Indie Theatre
Yes, you may have heard it too many times. But it’s Christmas! Make it a merry one for the kids by bringing them to the screening of Frozen (Sing-A-Long) at The Projector, an indie movie theatre and hipster-certified hangout at Golden Mile Tower. With lyrics onscreen highlighted by a bouncing snowflake, it’s going to be a mega Christmas karaoke session! Don’t forget to dress the kids up for the occasion!
Where: The Projector (only one screening on 25 Dec, 3pm)
Charges: $13.50 (standard), $11.50 (concession).
For more information, click here.
Baking a Rainbow Log Cake Together
Instead of getting a store-bought log cake for your celebrations, why not bake your own? Better still, bake it together with your little one – on Christmas Eve! It’ll be messy fun, but no cleaning up is required, since you’ll be baking at the City Square Mall studio of Genius R Us. All ingredients and packaging materials will be provided, so all you need to do is to show up with your tot! Have a good time baking and bonding!
Where: Genius R Us, City Square Mall Studio
Charges: $55 for a child, $90 for a child and adult pair
For details, refer to the last poster on this page.
Admiring Christmas Blooms and Larger-Than-Life Christmas Ornaments
Be wowed by the beautiful flowers and majestic coniferous trees, towering toy soldiers, and giant snow globe featuring a ballerina at Gardens By The Bay’s Flower Dome. Go ahead, whip out the phone, or professional camera, and click away. The yuletide scenes make a perfect backdrop for your family Christmas portrait.
Where: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Charges: Admission charges are available here
Watching Santa Feed the Fishes at the Aquarium
Have a Merry Fishmas at the S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa. Catch Scuba Santa and Elf feeding the marine animals from a giant gift box! Listen to Mrs Santa’s touching stories that will move the little ones to step up their conservation efforts. You can even get to meet Pikachu! More glad tidings for you: Resorts World Sentosa will donate $10 to Community Chest for every ticket purchased in December. Click here for more details and the schedule of events.
Where: S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa
Charges: Admission charges are available here
