December ushers in the holidays and the festive spirit, making it the perfect month to immerse yourself in all things magical, merry, and bright. From enchanting experiences in town like Harry Potter: Visions of Magic to Hello Kitty’s 50th-anniversary celebrations at Changi Festive Village, there’s no shortage of family-friendly events to bookmark. SAFRA’s year-end events also add to the excitement with neon parties and candy-themed activities for all ages.
And if you’re looking for Christmas gifts or dining recommendations, don’t worry – we’ve got you sorted, too. Read on for the best new things to do, places to dine at, shops to go to, and travel deals this December.
Things To Do
Neon Night Fest 2024
Get ready for two spectacular nights of unforgettable entertainment at SAFRA Jurong! The Neon Night Fest 2024 is lighting up your calendar on 6 and 7 December, with great vibes, unlimited drinks, dazzling performances and interactive activities. It’s the ultimate year-end celebration for you, your friends, and your family.
If going to KTVs is your favourite bonding activity, you’ll love the Karaoke Open Mic on 6 December. Grab the mic, sing your heart out, and stand to win exciting prizes. There’ll also be live band and stage performances, which ends with a live DJ set from 10pm to 12am on 7 December, along with free-flow beer, wine, and cocktails.
For parents with young kids in tow, look out for the fringe activities offering airbrush tattoos, henna art, face painting, caricature drawing and more.
Neon Night Fest 2024 takes place on 6 and 7 December, 6pm-11.30pm at SAFRA Jurong. For more information, visit safra.sg/whats-on/neon-night-fest-2024
SAFRA Fitness Fest 2025
Challenge your fitness level and bond with loved ones at the SAFRA Fitness Fest 2025, a vibrant event packed with physical challenges designed to test your limits and foster a sense of community. Mark your calendars – registration begins this December, with events running from January to February 2025.
This year, SAFRA Fitness Fest unveils two exciting additions: the Families for Life Parent & Child Challenge at SAFRA Yishun and the Youth Challenge at SAFRA Tampines.
Read more about the event highlights below:
Youth Challenge (18–35 years)
Date: 25 January 2025
Venue: SAFRA Tampines
A high-energy competition with five timed stations. Participants accumulate points by completing as many reps as possible for each station, with top scorers crowned champions.
FFL Parent & Child Challenge (1 parent + 1 child, 7–12 years)
Date: 15 February 2025
Venue: SAFRA Yishun
A fun-filled, competitive bonding experience featuring 5 fitness stations designed to challenge parents and kids alike.
Fitness Race
Date: 22 & 23 February 2025
Venue: SAFRA Choa Chu Kang
Choose from 3 categories, including Elite, Open, and Double Trouble, to test your fitness against the best. In this time-based challenge, participants compete to finish the race as quickly as possible by completing the challenge stations, including low rope and tyre flip.
For more information, visit safra.sg/whats-on/fitness-fest-2025
Festive Sweets Wonderland @ SAFRA
From now until 31 December, SAFRA clubs transform into a Festive Sweets Wonderland, brimming with sweet surprises, creative activities, and family-friendly fun at all its clubs.
Start with the 12 Days of Mystery Sweet Treats (1–12 Dec), where SAFRA members can redeem delightful surprises daily. Foodies will also love the 1-for-1 Sweet Festive Deals, on till 31 Dec, available via the SAFRA app. Deals up for grabs include the 1-for-1 Desserts from KEK Seafood at SAFRA Punggol at $5.80 nett (U.P. $11.60 nett), 1-for-1 Sweet Pastries from Taira Pastry at SAFRA Tampines at $10.50 nett (U.P. $21 nett) and 1-for-1 Snack Bites from HaveFun Karaoke at SAFRA Toa Payoh and SAFRA Yishun at $9.90++ (U.P. $19.80++).
SAFRA members can also take part in the Families For Life Find The Santa Stockings activity to uncover the hidden stockings around the club and stand a chance to win a customised SAFRA 2025 desk calendar.
Don’t miss the chance to share your hopes for the new year on candy-themed cards and contribute to SAFRA’s Frosty Candy House Board – a community gesture to ring in 2025.
Happening at all SAFRA clubs. For more information, visit safra.sg/whats-on/festive-sweets-wonderland
Harry Potter: Visions of Magic
Potterheads, it’s time to raise your wands. The Asian debut of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic has arrived at Resorts World Sentosa, bringing the Wizarding World to life through dazzling light and sound effects. Fans young and old can immerse themselves in iconic scenes, wield interactive wands, and journey through 10 spellbinding themed zones, including two Singapore-exclusive additions.
Kick off your adventure aboard the Knight Bus, then explore Grimmauld Place, the Ministry of Magic, and the Hall of Prophecy. Exclusive to Singapore, the Chamber of Secrets lets you confront a Basilisk’s lair, while The Trap Door recreates challenges guarding the Philosopher’s Stone. Finally, encounter magical creatures in Newt’s Menagerie, uncover secrets in Knockturn Alley, and delve into memories at The Pensieve. Each zone promises photo-worthy moments and magical surprises.
Don’t miss a sip of frothy Butterbeer at the enchanted retail space, where you can also shop for bespoke Harry Potter merchandise.
Harry Potter: Visions of Magic is now on at Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Level B1, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
Changi Festive Village x Hello Kitty
Changi Airport is bringing festive cheer with a kawaii twist, celebrating Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary as part of this year’s Changi Festive Village. Till 16 February 2025, step into a magical wonderland filled with Sanrio characters, festive fun, and carnival excitement!
At Terminal 3, the Hello Kitty Festive Wonderland features an 8m-tall Hello Kitty topiary surrounded by beloved friends like My Melody and Cinnamoroll. Snap photos, slide down a 7m rainbow slide, and enjoy daily snow shows for an extra sprinkle of holiday magic. Exclusive meet-and-greet sessions with Sanrio characters add to the excitement – just spend S$50 at participating outlets to reserve your pass.
The fun doesn’t stop there. There are plenty of photo ops spread across four terminals, with 15 adorable Sanrio-themed installations, from Hello Kitty in a rickshaw to spinning Pompompurin figurines.
The T3 Arrival Hall has also transformed into a carnival extravaganza with nine Sanrio-themed zones, interactive games, and enchanting rides like the 50th Celebration Grand Express. Claim five carnival tokens by spending $50 in public areas ($80 in supermarkets and Jewel), or earn extra tokens with Mastercard or Changi Pay.
Changi Festive Village x Hello Kitty is now on at all four Changi Airport terminals.
Shopping
Beyond The Vines design house
Get your festive gifting sorted and support local with Beyond The Vines’ newest Design House in Tiong Bahru. Spanning 3,800 sq ft, this thoughtfully curated space offers customisation services and special product lines.
At the heart of the space is a striking display of the brand’s signature Dumpling Bag series, set against a wave-like structure in their iconic Engineer Blue.
Don’t miss the customisation area where you can personalise accessories with playful lettered key tags, adding a bespoke touch to the Dumpling Bags, Crunch Carryall, or Poofy series. We can’t think of a better place to get thoughtful gifts that combine style, creativity, and a touch of personalisation, all while championing a beloved local brand!
46 Kim Yam Rd, #01-07, Singapore 239351
Blue Bottle Coffee merch
Need a gift for the coffee lover in your life? Blue Bottle Coffee’s festive collection is here to elevate your gifting game with limited-edition merchandise and seasonal blends, available exclusively at their retail concept store in Raffles City.
The Bella Donovan ($27) offers a bold and fruity profile for whole bean enthusiasts, perfect for pour-over or French press. Espresso lovers will appreciate the Hayes Valley Espresso ($27), with notes of orange and chocolate complemented by a velvety crema. The standout Winter Blend ($33) brings festive cheer with rich flavours of molasses and dark chocolate – perfect for cosy gatherings. Pair these with the Japanese-made Holiday Claska Mug ($33), a caramel-toned beauty that adds warmth to any coffee ritual.
For a gift that elevates your loved one’s morning routine, the Pour Over Kit ($66) includes everything needed for barista-level brews at home, complete with a dripper, filters, and a detailed guide.
252 North Bridge Rd, #01-01 Raffles City, Singapore 059817
Travel
Peach Aviation’s direct flights to Osaka
With its new direct flights from Singapore to Osaka, starting 5 December, Peach Aviation is making travel to Japan more accessible. As the first Japanese airline in 14 years to launch this route, Peach offers daily flights from Changi Airport Terminal 2 at wallet-friendly prices starting at $164.20 (one-way).
Perfect for planning year-end holidays, these flights depart at 2.15am and land at Kansai International Airport by 9.35am, giving you a full day to explore Osaka. Budget-conscious travellers will appreciate fare options like the $99 one-way ticket available on selected dates. Peach’s flexible fare types cater to various needs, from baggage allowances to seat selection.
While there’s no in-flight Wi-Fi, you can pre-download your favourite shows or enjoy snacks and beverages available for purchase onboard. Whether you’re visiting Osaka’s culinary hotspots or exploring nearby cities, Peach Aviation’s affordable fares make it easier to kick-start your 2025 holiday plans.
For more information, visit flypeach.com/sg
Dine
Ushiyama Yakiniku
Beef lovers, take note – Ushiyama Yakiniku has brought Singapore its first Ohmi wagyu beef yakiniku experience at Holland Village. Plus, it’s helmed by a Tokyo-born head chef who honed his craft at Waku Ghin and Wakuda.
Ohmi beef, one of Japan’s top three wagyu varieties alongside Kobe and Matsusaka, is the star here. From just $38, diners can savour a variety of premium cuts, from shank to the luxurious chateaubriand, expertly grilled to highlight the beef’s melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavour.
Beyond yakiniku, the menu boasts an array of cooked dishes like truffle cold somen ($24), wagyu fried rice ($26), and spicy beef and vegetable soup ($18). Adventurous eaters can indulge in wagyu beef tartare with a raw egg yolk ($36).
251 Holland Ave, Holland Village, Singapore 278981
Baia
Thinking of a cool spot to watch fireworks on NYE? Esplanade Mall is now home to Baia, a chic rooftop dining lounge bar by the ilLido Group. Located on Level 4, Baia blends luxury and indulgence with panoramic Marina Bay skyline views, lush greenery, and an elegant 72-seater outdoor terrace.
This art deco-inspired venue spans 5,000 sq ft, offering a vibrant atmosphere with live DJs, dance performances, and magicians setting the tone. The extensive cocktail menu here is crafted with Proof & Co, spanning three categories: radiant SOL, bold NOX, and punchbowl-style MOSAICS.
Odyssey ($24) is a tart and bright gin and tonic, while Seaside Fresco is a tropical concoction of Planteray Sealander rum, mango, citrus, and saffron. Pair your tipple with small plates like caviar, gourmet pizzas, and decadent desserts.
8 Raffles Ave, Level 4 Esplanade Mall, Singapore 039802
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