Singapore celebrates biggest and brightest Christmas ever<\/p>\n
Singapore is celebrating its biggest and brightest "Christmas
\nin the Tropics" with an irresistible line-up of fun-filled
\nactivities and exciting entertainment.<\/p>\n
Set against the backdrop of Singapore's longest and brightest
\never coordinated Christmas Light-up stretching continuously from
\nTanglin Road, Scotts Road, Orchard Road to Marina Bay area, the
\nmyriad of Christmas celebrations promises both residents and
\nvisitors an exciting and memorable time this festive season.<\/p>\n
The wide range of activities, which began on Nov. 12 and will
\nrun until Jan. 2, includes countdown parties, mega concerts,
\ninternationally acclaimed performances, art exhibitions, special
\nprograms at Singapore's tourist attractions, shopping promotions
\nand tantalizing culinary treats that will bring festive cheer to
\none and all.<\/p>\n
Singapore Tourism Board's assistant chief executive (leisure),
\nDr. Chan Tat Hon, said: "Christmas in the Tropics has become well
\nestablished as the key, year-end event that not only residents
\nlook forward to each year, but is a major draw for overseas
\nvisitors as well."<\/p>\n
Based on a survey conducted during last year's Christmas
\ncelebrations, 38 percent of visitors to Singapore planned their
\ntrip to coincide with the celebrations and 24 percent of them
\nwere actually repeat visitors to the Christmas in the Tropics.<\/p>\n
During last year's Christmas celebration, in the months of
\nNovember and December, close to 1.6 million visitors came to
\nSingapore. This represents strong double-digit growth of 17
\npercent as compared to the 1.3 million visitors during Christmas
\nin the Tropics in 2003.<\/p>\n
This year's Christmas in the Tropics offers the strongest
\nline-up of events ever. Since its inception in 2002, Christmas in
\nthe Tropics has grown from 14 events to the 56 events that will
\nbe held this year at venues island-wide. With such a spectacular
\narray of celebratory events, Singaporeans and visitors will be
\nspoilt for choice this Yuletide season. "We believe that
\nChristmas in the Tropics, arguably one of the world's most
\nelaborate festive celebrations, will enable visitors to take home
\nfond memories of uniquely Singapore experiences," added Dr. Chan.<\/p>\n
Parade of Floats<\/p>\n
One of the highlights of this year's Christmas celebrations is
\nthe vibrant parade of colorfully decorated lighted floats.
\nComplementing the spectacular Christmas Light-up along Orchard
\nRoad, this display of seven colorful lighted floats will launch
\nthe start of Celebrate Christmas in Singapore with color and
\nfestive cheer.<\/p>\n
For the first time, the Christmas Street Parade will be
\nbrought to the heartlands of Chinatown on Dec. 16 & 17,
\nQueenstown on Dec. 18, Bukit Batok on Dec. 23, and Yishun on Dec.
\n24. Visitors and Singaporeans alike can catch the floats along
\nOrchard Road on Dec. 16 and Dec. 25.<\/p>\n
Stage performances<\/p>\n
In addition, residents and visitors will also be treated to
\nexciting celebratory performances of song, music, dance and drama
\nevery night from Dec. 16 to 25, along Orchard Road at three
\ndifferent locations -- Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, Paragon and
\nTong Building. Christmas Celebration Village at Ngee Ann City
\nCivic Plaza will run from Dec. 16 to 25.<\/p>\n
From Dec. 16 to 25, people will be transported back in time as
\nthe Christmas story is re-enacted at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.
\nThere will be costumed performers and life-sized displays of the
\nwalled city of Bethlehem, its marketplace and the nativity scene
\nof the birth of Jesus, right in the heart of Orchard Road.<\/p>\n
Orchard Road will also witness its biggest choir celebration
\nwith the "Singing Christmas Tree" from Dec. 16 to 25 at the Civic
\nPlaza. Visitors and residents can look forward to a delightful
\nexperience with inspiring music by singers and musicians who will
\nbe performing on the dazzling and colorful 50-foot-high Christmas
\ntree.<\/p>\n
To add to the festive ambience, 10 foreign minority groups
\nincluding the Karen tribe from Thailand, Ifugao and Igorot tribes
\nfrom the Philippines, Aboriginals from Australia, the Amis
\ntribe from Taiwan, Lun Bawang tribe from Sarawak and Miao tribe
\nfrom Yunnan-Kunming, will be showcasing their unique ways of
\ncelebrating Christmas through their songs and dances. Visitors
\nwill also get to see their varied native crafts, wares and
\ncostumes.<\/p>\n
Grand Celebration<\/p>\n
Come Christmas Day, the heart of Orchard Road (from Scotts
\nJunction to Paragon) will come alive with the staging of
\nSingapore's largest-ever outdoor concert along Orchard Road on
\nDec. 25.<\/p>\n
Known as the Grand Christmas Celebration Concert, it will
\nboast strong participation from local and international artistes,
\ncelebrities and performing groups.<\/p>\n
Free HiPPO Rides<\/p>\n
STB is once again offering tourist free HiPPO rides to enjoy the
\ncaptivating Christmas Light-up. This is part of STB's efforts to
\nadd to the festive cheer by offering visitors a unique and
\nmemorable experience during this Yuletide season.<\/p>\n
From Nov. 12 to Jan. 2, except on the eves of Christmas and
\nNew Year, visitors to Singapore can hop on to the open-top HiPPO
\nbus for a 30-minute spin along Orchard Road free of charge. Six
\ntours at half hourly intervals will be available between 7.30pm
\nto 10.30pm.<\/p>\n
Free CityBuzz Rides<\/p>\n
In addition, from Nov. 12 to Jan. 2, visitors to Singapore can
\nget to enjoy a free CityBuzz service (C1- Orchard, C2- Chinatown,
\nC3- Little India). Visitors can get to experience the unique
\nsights of Singapore's city center in the cool comfort of the air-
\nconditioned double deck buses.<\/p>\n
Late Night Shopping<\/p>\n
Orchard Road & Marina Bay<\/p>\n
Visitors and residents alike can shop till they drop this
\nfestive season with Singapore's first-ever year-end late night
\nshopping.<\/p>\n
Two of Singapore's premier shopping belts, Orchard Road and
\nMarina Bay, will be extending their shopping hours till late at
\nnight. In addition, shoppers will get to enjoy special discounts
\nand promotions at participating malls including Tangs, Ngee Ann
\nCity, Paragon, Heeren, Centrepoint, Plaza Singapura, Raffles City
\nShopping Centre, Suntec City and Millenia Walk.<\/p>\n
To offer visitors more reasons to visit and shop in Singapore
\nduring this festive season, many shopping malls will also be
\noffering irresistible promotions and great shopping deals.<\/p>\n
Other highlights<\/p>\n
Apart from shopping, visitors and Singaporeans can also look
\nforward to exciting entertainment and performances such as the
\nmusical comedy, "A Twist of Fate", and the premiere of "The Snow
\nQueen" by the Singapore Repertory Theatre, "The Nutcracker"
\nballet by the Singapore Dance Theatre, as well as the popular
\nRent musical, which is on its 10th anniversary World Tour.<\/p>\n
People can also experience The Art of Star Wars, a
\n2,000-square-metre exhibition of the epic Star Wars movie series,
\nor party up a storm at the annual dusk-to-dawn ZoukOut dance
\nmusic festival.<\/p>\n
With a breathtaking harbor view as the backdrop, visitors and
\nlocals can expect a unique dining experience while admiring a
\nspectacular light show extravaganza at the sparkling hilltop gem
\non Mount Faber - The Jewel Box.<\/p>\n
Christmas in the Tropics celebrations culminate on New Year's
\nEve at the hippest hangouts in town, such as Clarke Quay, CHIJMES
\nand IndoChine where revelers will be ringing in the New Year and
\ntoasting to a memorable and uniquely Singapore festive
\nexperience.<\/p>\n
With such a spectacular array of celebratory events leading up
\nto the New Year, families, party-goers and revelers will be
\nspoilt for choice.<\/p>\n
From dazzling streets and lavishly dressed malls, to great
\nshopping deals, diverse dining options, fun parties and exciting
\nevents, there is something for everyone during this festive
\nseason in Singapore. -- Singapore Tourism Board<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/singapore-celebrates-biggest-and-brightest-christmas-ever-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}