Singapore celebrates biggest and brightest Christmas ever
Singapore celebrates biggest and brightest Christmas ever
Singapore is celebrating its biggest and brightest "Christmas
in the Tropics" with an irresistible line-up of fun-filled
activities and exciting entertainment.
Set against the backdrop of Singapore's longest and brightest
ever coordinated Christmas Light-up stretching continuously from
Tanglin Road, Scotts Road, Orchard Road to Marina Bay area, the
myriad of Christmas celebrations promises both residents and
visitors an exciting and memorable time this festive season.
The wide range of activities, which began on Nov. 12 and will
run until Jan. 2, includes countdown parties, mega concerts,
internationally acclaimed performances, art exhibitions, special
programs at Singapore's tourist attractions, shopping promotions
and tantalizing culinary treats that will bring festive cheer to
one and all.
Singapore Tourism Board's assistant chief executive (leisure),
Dr. Chan Tat Hon, said: "Christmas in the Tropics has become well
established as the key, year-end event that not only residents
look forward to each year, but is a major draw for overseas
visitors as well."
Based on a survey conducted during last year's Christmas
celebrations, 38 percent of visitors to Singapore planned their
trip to coincide with the celebrations and 24 percent of them
were actually repeat visitors to the Christmas in the Tropics.
During last year's Christmas celebration, in the months of
November and December, close to 1.6 million visitors came to
Singapore. This represents strong double-digit growth of 17
percent as compared to the 1.3 million visitors during Christmas
in the Tropics in 2003.
This year's Christmas in the Tropics offers the strongest
line-up of events ever. Since its inception in 2002, Christmas in
the Tropics has grown from 14 events to the 56 events that will
be held this year at venues island-wide. With such a spectacular
array of celebratory events, Singaporeans and visitors will be
spoilt for choice this Yuletide season. "We believe that
Christmas in the Tropics, arguably one of the world's most
elaborate festive celebrations, will enable visitors to take home
fond memories of uniquely Singapore experiences," added Dr. Chan.
Parade of Floats
One of the highlights of this year's Christmas celebrations is
the vibrant parade of colorfully decorated lighted floats.
Complementing the spectacular Christmas Light-up along Orchard
Road, this display of seven colorful lighted floats will launch
the start of Celebrate Christmas in Singapore with color and
festive cheer.
For the first time, the Christmas Street Parade will be
brought to the heartlands of Chinatown on Dec. 16 & 17,
Queenstown on Dec. 18, Bukit Batok on Dec. 23, and Yishun on Dec.
24. Visitors and Singaporeans alike can catch the floats along
Orchard Road on Dec. 16 and Dec. 25.
Stage performances
In addition, residents and visitors will also be treated to
exciting celebratory performances of song, music, dance and drama
every night from Dec. 16 to 25, along Orchard Road at three
different locations -- Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, Paragon and
Tong Building. Christmas Celebration Village at Ngee Ann City
Civic Plaza will run from Dec. 16 to 25.
From Dec. 16 to 25, people will be transported back in time as
the Christmas story is re-enacted at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.
There will be costumed performers and life-sized displays of the
walled city of Bethlehem, its marketplace and the nativity scene
of the birth of Jesus, right in the heart of Orchard Road.
Orchard Road will also witness its biggest choir celebration
with the "Singing Christmas Tree" from Dec. 16 to 25 at the Civic
Plaza. Visitors and residents can look forward to a delightful
experience with inspiring music by singers and musicians who will
be performing on the dazzling and colorful 50-foot-high Christmas
tree.
To add to the festive ambience, 10 foreign minority groups
including the Karen tribe from Thailand, Ifugao and Igorot tribes
from the Philippines, Aboriginals from Australia, the Amis
tribe from Taiwan, Lun Bawang tribe from Sarawak and Miao tribe
from Yunnan-Kunming, will be showcasing their unique ways of
celebrating Christmas through their songs and dances. Visitors
will also get to see their varied native crafts, wares and
costumes.
Grand Celebration
Come Christmas Day, the heart of Orchard Road (from Scotts
Junction to Paragon) will come alive with the staging of
Singapore's largest-ever outdoor concert along Orchard Road on
Dec. 25.
Known as the Grand Christmas Celebration Concert, it will
boast strong participation from local and international artistes,
celebrities and performing groups.
Free HiPPO Rides
STB is once again offering tourist free HiPPO rides to enjoy the
captivating Christmas Light-up. This is part of STB's efforts to
add to the festive cheer by offering visitors a unique and
memorable experience during this Yuletide season.
From Nov. 12 to Jan. 2, except on the eves of Christmas and
New Year, visitors to Singapore can hop on to the open-top HiPPO
bus for a 30-minute spin along Orchard Road free of charge. Six
tours at half hourly intervals will be available between 7.30pm
to 10.30pm.
Free CityBuzz Rides
In addition, from Nov. 12 to Jan. 2, visitors to Singapore can
get to enjoy a free CityBuzz service (C1- Orchard, C2- Chinatown,
C3- Little India). Visitors can get to experience the unique
sights of Singapore's city center in the cool comfort of the air-
conditioned double deck buses.
Late Night Shopping
Orchard Road & Marina Bay
Visitors and residents alike can shop till they drop this
festive season with Singapore's first-ever year-end late night
shopping.
Two of Singapore's premier shopping belts, Orchard Road and
Marina Bay, will be extending their shopping hours till late at
night. In addition, shoppers will get to enjoy special discounts
and promotions at participating malls including Tangs, Ngee Ann
City, Paragon, Heeren, Centrepoint, Plaza Singapura, Raffles City
Shopping Centre, Suntec City and Millenia Walk.
To offer visitors more reasons to visit and shop in Singapore
during this festive season, many shopping malls will also be
offering irresistible promotions and great shopping deals.
Other highlights
Apart from shopping, visitors and Singaporeans can also look
forward to exciting entertainment and performances such as the
musical comedy, "A Twist of Fate", and the premiere of "The Snow
Queen" by the Singapore Repertory Theatre, "The Nutcracker"
ballet by the Singapore Dance Theatre, as well as the popular
Rent musical, which is on its 10th anniversary World Tour.
People can also experience The Art of Star Wars, a
2,000-square-metre exhibition of the epic Star Wars movie series,
or party up a storm at the annual dusk-to-dawn ZoukOut dance
music festival.
With a breathtaking harbor view as the backdrop, visitors and
locals can expect a unique dining experience while admiring a
spectacular light show extravaganza at the sparkling hilltop gem
on Mount Faber - The Jewel Box.
Christmas in the Tropics celebrations culminate on New Year's
Eve at the hippest hangouts in town, such as Clarke Quay, CHIJMES
and IndoChine where revelers will be ringing in the New Year and
toasting to a memorable and uniquely Singapore festive
experience.
With such a spectacular array of celebratory events leading up
to the New Year, families, party-goers and revelers will be
spoilt for choice.
From dazzling streets and lavishly dressed malls, to great
shopping deals, diverse dining options, fun parties and exciting
events, there is something for everyone during this festive
season in Singapore. -- Singapore Tourism Board