Looking for places to bring the kids this December holidays? Kick off the Christmas festivities with loads of Christmas markets, workshops and carolling to get you into the spirit of the season. Coupled with exciting light installations, educational fun, thrilling rides and loads of character meet-and-greets, you and your children will have an unforgettable holiday!
Educational Fun
Christmas Fun at the Science Centre
Christmas Fair
Celebrate the holidays at the Science Centre’s Christmas Fair, featuring family-friendly hands-on activities, festive food and drinks. Furthermore, complete your gift shopping with local artisans, showcasing their items. Examples of these may include potted plants, woven quilts and wine. Additionally, purchase a pair of Sci-Sational Christmas show tickets and spend $10 at the fair and participate in the lucky draw. Up to five guests stand to win lucky draw prizes worth a total of $1,000. Winners will be announced on Science Centre Singapore’s Facebook page on 25 December 2019.
Where: The Annexe
When: The three weekends leading up to Christmas, namely 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 December, from 10am to 6pm.
How much: Admission fees are $6 for adults and $4 for children.
Sci-Sational Christmas
Next, join the elves on an exclusive tour of their headquarters in the centre of their Christmas Village. First, they’ll demonstrate hydrogen and nitrogen combustion, followed by a lesson on making a scented Christmas candle that you can bring home. Additionally, make sure to look around for Santa’s top-secret office!
Where: Annexe Hall 1
When: 1 – 25 December 2019, 10am to 6pm
How much: $15 per person
Annular Solar Eclipse
Rounding off the festivities at the Science Centre is the Annular Solar Eclipse, where the Sun turns into a magnificent Ring of Fire. This rare phenomenon occurs when the moon is in front of the sun, resulting in blocking the sun’s rays and casting a shadow over Singapore. Additionally, if you’re eager to learn more, there’s The Sun, The Moon and Everything in Between workshop from 9.30am to 11.30am.
Where: Ecogarden
When: 26 December 2019, 11am to 3pm
How much: $6 for adults and $4 for children. Additionally, the solar glasses from Science Centre’s Curiosity Shop cost $5 each.
Christmas Carolling, Tree Decorating and Storytelling Sessions
Enjoy a full day of festivities at the National Museum of Singapore, beginning by decorating your own mini Christmas tree, with a cinnamon stick and festive decorations. Next, join The Crescendos as they perform popular Christmas tunes. The group, comprising youths, aspires to bring good choral music – from diverse genres and cultures – to everyone.
For a taste of seafaring adventures, head to the Entrance of the Exhibition Galleries for the Storytelling Sessions: Orang Laut Tales by MoonShadow Stories. Climb onboard the ship’s deck and discover An Old New World from the viewpoint of the Orang Laut, some of Singapura’s earliest inhabitants. Be immersed in the seafaring life of these navigators and sailors as they guided trading ships through the Straits waterways. Following this, children can make their own paper boats.
Both the Christmas tree decorating activity and this exhibition are presented in conjunction with An Old New World: From the East Indies to the Founding of Singapore, 1600s-1819.
Where: National Museum of Singapore. Christmas Carolling – 2.30pm – Rotunda, Level 1, 3pm – Entrance of Singapore History Gallery, Level 1 and The Platform on the second level for the last performance. O Christmas Tree (tree decorating) Glass Atrium, Level 2. Storytelling sessions at Entrance of the Exhibition Galleries, Basement Level
When: 21 December, Saturday, 2.30, 3 and 3.30pm for Christmas Carolling: 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2-5pm for decorating Christmas trees and 2pm and 3.30pm for the storytelling sessions.
How much: Free for all activities, but the storytelling sessions are limited to 25 children per session.
Character Meet and Greets
PAW Patrol
Next, meet more of your favourite characters like Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol, at United Square. Join these pups on an all-new, thrilling adventure as they all get ‘Mighty’ powers from a meteor with mysterious green energy. Additionally, kids can also become trainee Mighty Pups for the day in the brand new PAW Patrol Mighty Hero Training Experience, where they can overcome challenges to save the day! U-POPP members can redeem 100 POPPoints for a print out of your family’s favourite moments at the Mighty Pups Photo Booth, open from 2 to 5pm daily.
Where: United Square Atrium, Basement 1
When: From now till 15 December. Meet & Greet: Tuesday – Friday, 1pm & 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 1, 4 and 7pm. No shows or meet and greets on Mondays. Experiential Zone open every day from 11am to 6.15pm, will close and reopen 45 minutes before and after each show respectively.
How much: Spend $50 in a single same-day retail receipt to take photos with the Mighty Pups. Otherwise, accumulate 100 POPPoints to redeem a Priority Meet & Greet pass (for the first 10 families only, valid only on weekdays). For the Game Pass, accumulate $60 (or $40 for U-POPP members) in three same-day combined receipts and redeem it at the Concierge on Level 1.
Sesame Street 50th Anniversary Celebrations
Join Elmo, Abby Cadabby, the Count and Cookie Monster and celebrate Sesame Street’s 50th anniversary in Marina Square. Just 50 families in the queue can greet them onstage. After the show, stroll through the brownstone neighbourhood decorated for the festive season at the atrium, and be sure to take loads of pictures on the famous stoops. Moreover, learn more about the characters at the Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary exhibition booth.
Where: Marina Square Atrium, level 1
When: 6-8, 11-15, 18-22 December. On 6, 12-13 and 19 December, the performances are at 3 and 7pm. For 20 December and the weekends, namely 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 December, the shows are at 1pm, 3pm, and 7pm. Only Wednesdays (11 and 18 December) have just one show timing at 7pm.
How much: Meeting the characters is free.
Angry Birds Live Show
Join Red and the other Hatchlings in a holiday-themed performance at the Live Show in Suntec City. Following this is a meet-and-greet session to take pictures with your favourite birds – 50 slots only per session. Additionally, on 7, 14 and 21 December, follow Red and the Hatchlings in the March of the Birds around the mall. Otherwise, try knocking down the pigs from their towers in a real-life Angry Birds game, balance the eggs and bring them back to the nest, and send the birds back to their safe zone.
Other activities include participating in the Facebook or Instagram contests, which ends 22 December 2019. Moreover, get rewarded when you spend at Suntec City: redeem a gift wrapper and gift tag, and parking coupon or $2 EZ-Link Card top up when you spend $60 for instance. Additionally, purchases of $150 will entitle you to redeem a Hatchlings Tote Bag or Hatchlings Umbrella. Last but not least, get $3 off your Grab ride to the mall with the promo code SUNTEC.
Where: Suntec City
When: Now till 25 December, with live shows on 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22 December at the North Atrium at 2 and 7pm.
How much: Free for the live show. Spend a minimum of $30 in a single receipt to have three chances at the game booth.
Doraemon & Friends
Meet Doraemon & Friends at the B1 Atrium at Ang Mo Kio Hub, or at Jurong Point’s centerstage. The timing is the same at both venues. After the show at Jurong Point, head to the inflatable Doraemon Playland ($5 per entry) or create your own t-shirt or tote bag at the Doraemon Workshop.
When: Now till 26 December, Meet & Greet and Dance 6 – 8, and 13 – 15 December. The former’s show times are at 11am and 1pm, while the latter’s are at 5 and 7pm.
Where: Ang Mo Kio Hub, B1 Atrium, and Jurong Point
How much: The shows are free. Minimum spending applies for exclusive Doraemon merchandise. Additionally, M Malls members who have spent a minimum of $30 in one receipt on the same day can get a photo pass or a workshop pass. M Malls members who spend $60 or $90 at FairPrice Xtra in two same-day combined receipts can redeem Doraemon wrapping paper (two pieces per redemption). Next, redeem a Doraemon Pillow & Blanket Set in Design 1 and 2 with $150 (or $225 at FairPrice Xtra) minimum spend, or the third design with $180 or $270 at FairPrice Xtra minimum spend. These should be in three same-day combined receipts.
Dazzling Light Installations
Ion Sky: Adventures in Food Wonderland
Inspired by popular snacks in Singapore, meet Ang Ku Kueh Girl® and her friends as an alien invasion disrupts their lives in Food Wonderland. Follow them on a flavourful adventure as they protect what they hold dear, in a brand new digital projection light show at ION Sky. The daily shows run at 2, 4 and 7pm.
If spotting the local delights like Nasi Lemak and Roti Prata makes you hungry, check out the various eateries in ION Orchard, and enjoy exclusive treats at participating stores. Make sure to present your ION Sky admission ticket and check in-store for availability.
Where: Level 56, ION Sky
When: Now till 31 December 2020, 2 – 7pm
How much: Redeem an ION Sky ticket with a minimum spend of $20 per receipt. Book these via the ION Orchard Mobile app or over the Concierge counters.
Island Lights
Local and international artists and boat owners collaborate to transform and light up Sentosa Cove Village for Island Lights. An evening out includes interactive light art that has been curated by Space Objekt, immersive art installations, fun-filled activities and dinner by the quay. Of the installations, Candy Quartz by Tina Fung and Reza Hasni shows seesaws amongst colourful illustrations – depicting child-like fun and play.
Where: Sentosa Cove Village
When: now till 31 December, 6.30 to 10.30pm
How much: Admission to the event is free, but does not include the entry fee into Sentosa. Use the promo code SentosaEvenings to get $6 off your Grab ride.
Glowing Ocean
This year’s edition of the special showcase at S.E.A Aquarium, Glowing Ocean, is a collaboration with several artists conveying the impact of climate change. Examples of such installations include When Corals Fade by the in-house RWS creative team. This depicts the chain reaction of rising temperatures. As the multi-hued corals bleach, and then die, this impacts the ecological balance of coral reef communities and marine life. Following this, the local coastal communities depending on the reefs for medicine, food and materials will also be adversely impacted. Other installations include Kelly Limerick’s life-sized crochet kelp forest, as well as Milan-based Carnovsky and Singapore’s Kult Studio & Gallery’s Beautiful Warning Signals.
Furthermore, be educated with the series of talks and feeding sessions by aquarists. Meanwhile, delight your children with the meet-and-greet sessions with the mascots. Of these, enjoy the Meet the Mantas presentation at 11am, where aquarists dive into the Open Ocean Habitat to feed the reef manta rays with a syringe. Additionally, learn more about the misunderstood sharks and the playful dolphins.
Where: S.E.A Aquarium, Sentosa
When: 1 December to 1 January 2020
How much: For Singapore residents, a family of two adults and one child’s one-day tickets, which includes the Glowing Ocean exhibit, will cost $78.
Exhilarating Action-Packed Fun
NERF Action Xperience
For a more exhilarating adventure, your children can explore the exciting zones of the NERF Action Xperience. While they navigate the various obstacles, they’re also equipped with a range of NERF blasters for their use. These challenges include avoiding zombies and reaching the top of an active volcano. Meanwhile, younger children can zip through the car tracks, work their way through a rope course or fling themselves into a pool of NERF balls. Finally, children of all ages can express their creativity in Create’s freestyle area.
Where: Marina Square Level 1
When: Ticket sales start from 10am to 7pm.
How much: For full access to Create, Conquer and Compete for those aged seven and up, tickets will cost $39. Littler ones (from three to six) can still have loads of fun at the Create & Challenge areas for $29 each.
A Universal Christmas
Love the Minions? Join them, Gru, Lucy and the girls from Despicable Me in a Christmas celebration at Universal Studios Singapore. Not only that, but you’ll also get to meet the Sesame Street neighbours, the stars of Madagascar. Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit from Santa, and you can accompany him on his sleigh and join him on a magical storytelling journey. Top it off with a wonderful collection of Christmas shows and get to enjoy the largest snowfall ever! Not forgetting, the amazing world-class rides and attractions you can enjoy as well! Finally, adult annual pass holders can get a chance to win a ride with Santa on his sleigh.
Where: Universal Studios Singapore
When: Now till 1 Jan 2020
How much: Get a free 4R DigiPhoto when you buy two Adult One-Day Tickets at $150. Tickets for children aged four to 12 are $59 per person. Should you opt for an Adult Annual Pass, enjoy unlimited entry and priority access, with discounts on Universal Express passes, food and beverages and retail outlets and a free DigiPhoto.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow
Real Snow: Plaza Singapura Snow Fun House
Bundle the kids up in their winter gear and head into the Fun House at Plaza Singapura, where temperatures can be as low as -10 degrees. Younger children under eight can enjoy the mini slide on the first level, while the older kids can glide down the two-storey slide. Don’t forget to take loads of pictures at the Christmas-themed area! Also, don’t lose your passes since you’ll need them if you want to meet Santa with two sessions on 14-15 and 21-22 December at 3 and 3.30pm.
Where: Level 1, Outdoor Front Plaza
When: Now till 26 December, 11am to 9pm, last entry at 8.30pm, each session lasts 20 minutes.
How much: Minimum spend of $45 in one receipt for a pair of entry passes. If you charge your purchases to your American Express CapitaCard, you’ll get two pairs of passes.
Real Snow: Live Like an Inuit
Of course, one other place to truly experience winter in Singapore (yes what an oxymoron) is Snow City. Not just fun for the whole family, it’s educational too. For example, as an Arctic Avenger, you’ll join Oki the friendly Inuit and his friends around the different zones. First, traipse through the Arctic Snow Playground, and find out how global warming negatively impacts their lifestyle and ecosystem. This area also features several life-sized snow sculptures of the mascots. Secondly, in the Snow Field, learn more about the Aurora Borealis phenomena, and sit in Suki’s giant nest for a storytelling session, and experience a blizzard.
Next, try ice fishing and see the igloos where they live. Plunge yourself into the snow, and be pulled on a sleigh by a team of huskies. Afterwards, head to the Arctic Snow Slide and race down a three-storey high snow slope. Another fairly new attraction is Singapore’s coldest bumper cars arena, where you can drift around on ice! Additionally, children can put their climbing skills to the test at the newest Indoor Boulder, which is also great for preschoolers.
Where: Snow City, Jurong Town Hall Road
When: 10am to 7pm during this school holiday period.
How much: $22 and $26 for Singaporean children and adults respectively. This includes two hours of play and one ice bumper car ride.
Have a Capitol Christmas
Perhaps the highlight of all the activities at Capitol Piazza is the snowfall in the evening. While it isn’t real snow, it’s still perfectly Instagrammable. Other exciting activities to get you into the festive spirit includes a Christma market, meeting with Santa, or skating on the ice skating rink. The festivities don’t end at Capitol, be sure to head over to CHIJMES for the photo-worthy Instagram Wonderland and to see the stunning laser projection show.
Where: Capitol Piazza, various locations
When: 6- 25 December. Details here.
How much: There is no charge to experience the snowfall, listen to the Christmas musicians and performers and singing tree, or to take photos at the Instagram Wonderland or the light projection show and with Santarina. However, a minimum purchase of $50 each is required to redeem tickets to meet Santa or to skate on the skating rink (otherwise entry fee will be $5 and $6 respectively).
Garden Wonderland
Let your children experience snow even on our sunny shores with the snowfall at Tanglin Mall. It starts with an avalanche of foam snow, followed by fake snow to end off the day. However, for more Christmas festivities, visit Tanglin Mall on the weekends to experience the Christmas Village, listen to Christmas carollers and visit Santa’s village.
Where: The snowfall will be at the Level 1 entrance, outside Starbucks, while the other events are at Level 1 and Level 2 atrium.
When: Now tlll 1 January 2020. The avalanches will start at 7.30pm every day, followed by snow till 8pm. On weekends and public holidays, there’s a second session starting at 8.30pm, and ending at 9pm.
How much: Free.
Christmas Carnivals
The Great Christmas Village
Looking for some thrills this holiday? Head over to the Great Christmas Village. Go on a heart-racing swing, or a London Train at *SCAPE. Afterwards, head over to Grange Road carpark and become the prize in a claw machine – it can hold up to 100kg, so both kids and parents can try this! Then, head to the perennial favourite – the bumper cars or try winning some prizes from the carnival games! Accompanying these thrilling games are wonderful live performances and delightfully tasty treats.
Where: Grange Road Carpark and *SCAPE
When: For Grange Road car park and *SCAPE, the opening hours are from 4pm on weekdays, and closes at 10pm, except for Friday, where it closes at 11pm. On weekends, the carnivals open at 12pm, and close at 11pm on Saturday, and 10pm on Sunday.
How much: You’ll need to buy some credits to enjoy these rides and games. We recommend pre-purchasing online, since you can get perks like extra credits, Shaw Theatres movie vouchers. Mastercard® holders get additional credits.
Christmas Wonderland
There’s a whirlwind of festivities at the Gardens by the Bay. First of all, there’s a superb carnival, featuring a Ferris Wheel, bumper cars and game stalls. Next, Luminarie showcases several light sculptures like the 21-metre tall Spalliera. This is inspired by Tuscany’s San Gimigano towers. Aside from these, watch the Supertrees light up to a shower of ‘snow’. Definitely be sure to check out the various kid-friendly performances, like Vitaly – Pure Wonder, Trash Test Dummies, and the Old Shoemaker at the Meadow.
Where: Gardens by the Bay
When: Now till 26 December
How much: Admission is from $6 to $10
Add some festive cheer to your December by taking part in our Mummyfique’s 12 Days of Christmas giveaways and win awesome prizes!
