Frivolous, festive and fun – silly season hits Singapore

Singapore Tourism Board says that the festive season is well and truly underway in Singapore, with three months of magical celebrations (and shopping discounts) having kicked off with Christmas in the Tropics (11 Nov – 2 Jan), ahead of a number of fabulous New Year’s Eve spectaculars, and then the festive street parties to herald in the Chinese New Year (18 & 19 Feb).

Right through until January, the Lion City is filled with colour, energy and music as shops and businesses from Orchard Road to Marina Bay usher in the silly season with the Christmas Light-Up – a 24-year-old tradition drawing local crowds and visitors from around the globe.

Stroll beneath trees draped with golden leaves and colourful birds as Orchard Road is transformed into an Enchanted Christmas Garden. Specially decked out shopfronts, stunning mall decorations and super shopping discounts all make the retail experience even more enticing, while at Marina Bay the Christmas Bells ring out carols throughout December.

Retailers are offering exceptional packages this year: significantly discounted watches from Calvin Klein, DKNY and Armani; free accessories when purchasing Apple iPod Nana and iPod Video units; slashed prices on FujiFilm digital cameras and Sony video camcorders. There are also specials on jewellery, handbags, cosmetics and fragrances. And extended trading hours mean you’ll have hours on end to shop and enjoy the glittering city of Singapore.

This Christmas you’ll also see choirs, dance groups and musicians performing nightly in the streets as part of “Blessings Under a Star”, while life-size nativity scenes and a massive 100ft Christmas Tree complete the picture. Try to get a seat on a FREE open-top HIPPO tour bus to ensure you don’t miss any of the spectacular decorations and lights.

It’s not just Christmas which gets special treatment in Singapore – you’ll find it tough to choose which party to hit on New Year’s Eve as boisterous countdowns ring out across town, from Clarke Quay to ViVoCity, Marina Bay to Sentosa.

At the Clarke Quay Mardi Gras Countdown Party, check out Brazilian dancers, street performers and live bands at an all night free party, or join in the inaugural New Year’s celebration at Singapore’s first coal-fired power station turned nightlife and entertainment complex – St James Power Station. Nine bars and clubs will stage exhilarating live acts, churn out wicked dance beats and put on dazzling audiovisual shows to make your evening truly exceptional.

For dance music fans, Sentosa and MTV will host Asia’s favourite beach party where Siloso Beach will be transformed into a huge dance floor with a combination of dry and wet zones, and enigmatic spin doctors pump out non-stop tunes: from hip hop to R&B; funk to retro; world music to latin; trance and chill out to progressive and house music. A foam pool packed with bubbles, a double dose of pyrotechnics and special appearances by MTV DJs will finish off the night.

If something a little less hectic is your style, The Legends at Fort Canning Park is hosting A Heritage New Year, a mega buffet and countdown party in a beautiful heritage colonial building with an East-meets-West theme and live entertainment. The Marina Bay NYE Countdown is a fantastic event for families. Join locals as they take in the spectacular visual art installation on the bay, stirring video dedications and rousing fireworks display. 

While in most countries New Year’s Eve would mark the end of the party season, in Singapore it’s just the beginning. Chinatown will come alive with the annual Chinatown Light –Up commencing on 27 Jan and running through until 5 Mar. To usher in the Year of the Pig there will be an official countdown party in Chinatown on 18 February, but the whole city celebrates with massive sales, and shops, malls  and street bazaars become packed with shoppers buying food, snacks, clothes and homeware in preparation for the big day.

Throughout the vibrant celebrations, known as Chun Jie (pronounced “choon jee-air”) meaning Spring Festival, visitors and locals will feast on traditional treats such as waxed duck, barbecued sweet meets, a special fish salad and a wide assortment of cookies which are only eaten at this time of year, while enjoying a variety of fringe festivals including the annual colourful Chingay Parade on 23 and 24 February, and the Singapore Rive Hong Bao celebrations along Esplanade Mall from 16-25 Feb. .

For further information about Singapore party season, log onto www.visitsinagpore.com or contact the Singapore Tourism Board on (02) 9290 2888.

Report by The Mole