Not quite like Elvis Presley's song
Myriam Ohlig for My Destination Singapore
This very special time of the year, when many celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, brings to Singapore one of the most enchanting and anticipated Christmas light-ups of Asia!
For 30 years, Christmas street lights and decorations on Orchard Road, have been the highlight for many Singaporeans and visitors. Regardless of their faith and ethnic group, each year they all draw together at night for a leisurely walk with their families and friends. From Tanglin Mall to Orchard Central, they amble the 2.2 km-stretch of avenue, gazing in wonder at the fabulous yuletide lights and beautifully decorated shopping malls.
‘Tis season, feel the magic of Christmas in the tropics. We take you for a night stroll on Singapore’s infamous shopping belt, “The most beautiful avenue of the world”*: Orchard Road!
*according to the International Presence Survey 2012
Christmas Light up on Ion Orchard
Christmas on A Great Street Ranked one of the "Top 10 Christmas Markets of the World" by Lonely Planet, Singapore is the only country in Asia, whose Christmas decorations are regularly compared to countries like France, Germany and Switzerland. Although the festivities are not confined to Orchard Road and stretch throughout the Marina Bay, Singapore River areas and other shopping malls and attractions, there’s nothing like the spectacular sight of the sparkling Orchard Road to truly feel the magical glee of Christmas. All the credit goes to the energetic Orchard Road Business Association, which organises each year in collaboration with the electronic firm Hitachi, the Christmas light-up on the “Great Street”. This year the traditional Christmas street lines of green, red and gold have given way to some scintillating hues of white and blue. Unlike the sad song of Elvis Presley, which inspires solitude and melancholy, this year’s blue Christmas on Orchard Road soothes the soul and enlivens the spirit. This splendid scene of glimmering diamonds and blue sapphire gems unfolds before you. Stretching across the width of Orchard Road and unrolling out of sight, there lays hundreds of precious jewels hanging and sparkling like a shower of falling stars. This ravishing backdrop designed by Rich-Art Enterprises and held between the 23rd of November 2013 and the 5th of January 2014, is the perfect setting to keep shoppers and travelers in the holiday spirit.
Let it Snow at Tanglin Mall!
Magnificent Shopping Malls Dressed with their most beautiful adornments, shopping malls also greet customers and visitors with festive holiday cheer. This year 11 of them take part in the traditional 'Best Dressed Building Contest 2013' for which all visitors are invited to choose the shopping mall with the most enticing Christmas decorations: Tanglin Mall, Forum the Shopping Mall, ION Orchard, TANGS @ Tang Plaza, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City/Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Paragon, Grand Park Orchard, Mandarin Gallery, The Centrepoint and Orchard Central which was the winner of the 2012 edition. During the Christmas season and due to heavy traffic conditions, we highly recommend you use public transportation. Starting from Orchard Road MRT station, take the exit B and hop in a bus on Orchard Boulevard towards Tanglin Mall. This is the place to bring your kids for some fun and messy amusement in the “snow”. Everyday until the 1st January 2014 (weather permitting) your little ones can run and romp outside in the snow-like-foam around the Grand Christmas tree. We’ve seen Santa’s reindeers grazing freely at the crossroad of Tanglin Road and Grange Road. It seems that this year he has given his faithful companions some days off. He put down his sleigh for a majestic red and gold carriage pulled by four white horses. After some fun in the snow, make your way towards Orchard Road following the street light garlands. If you look for some great spots to shoot stunning photos of the Orchard Road Christmas lights, stop here. Right at the junction between Tanglin Road and Orchard Road, there’s a perfect angle to capture the whole Christmas light-up. Then amble the immense avenue to choose your favourite backdrop for photo-taking. An igloo-inspired dome with tropical animals at the Forum The Shopping Mall? Or a romantic garden maze at ION Orchard to kiss each other under the mistletoe? If you've got the munchies grab a snack at one of your favourite street vendors or have a comfortable dinner in one of the many food courts and restaurants.
A Wintry Wonderland at The Centrepoint
The glamorous entrance of TANGS @ Tang Plaza is a true delight for the eyes. A mannequin wearing a magnificent dress of white, gold and blue jewels stands tall like a tree papering the ceiling entirely with her headdress of peacock feathers. At Paragon, with its 12m-tall Christmas tree adorned with golden trumpet-playing fairies, a ravishing vista awaits you. Opposite, Ngee Ann City boasts every year an immense Christmas tree embellished this time by the American jeweler Tiffany & Co. Located inside at the first floor atrium near the information counter, this is always a popular draw. Further down the avenue, Grand Park Orchard and Mandarin Gallery ties up with the overall white and blue colours of this Christmas light-up with a more or less modern take on the tradition. While the last stretch of Orchard Road displays a profusion of brightly coloured ornaments. Orchard Central has once again been a hit with its OC Christmas Town Square. You’ll find some lovely photo spots made out of pink and green tones and mosaic cutouts such as the door step of a fantasy home, a giant pink tap, or a British mailbox taking a bow. The last decoration not to be missed on Orchard Road is The Centrepoint's Wintery Wonderland. We’ve spotted Santa Claus back on his sleigh flying above a marvelous kingdom with imaginary features and simulated falling snow. But who won the Best Dressed Building Contest 2013? This year with its OC Christmas Town Square, Orchard Central has conquered once again the audience’s heart! This is the 3rd consecutive year!
