Some Singaporeans may be flying to wintery destinations this festive season, while others can escape to winter wonderlands within Singapore. If you don’t like the cold, there are still plenty of things to do and new places to dine on our sunny island.
Read on for what’s new in December 2023.
Things To Do
Festive Wanderlust with SAFRA
Who says you have to get on a plane to feed your wanderlust? Exclusively for SAFRA members, “travel” to the various SAFRA clubs on the Travel Passport Expedition and collect stamps on your travel passport by spending a minimum of $10 (inclusive of discount and GST) at each club’s food and beverage outlets. The more stamps you collect, the more prizes you can win.
Take part in more activities like Design The Ornaments, where you can design and decorate your ornaments with your resolutions for 2024, before submitting them to the Customer Service Officers to be placed on the Christmas tree. The first 50 SAFRA members to do so at each club will stand to win a prize.
And don’t miss all the festive dining promos at all SAFRA clubs as well, with free dishes and drinks with purchase!
For more info visit safra.sg/whats-on/festive-wanderlust-with-safra
Till 31 December 2023 at all SAFRA clubs.
Orchard Road Light-Up
It’s that time of the year again when Orchard Road is lit with plenty of Christmas trees, dazzling lights, and photo opportunities for the ’gram along this iconic street. This year, you’ll find everything from a 21m-tall Louis Vuitton Christmas, a massive Olaf from the Frozen movie, and an underwater-themed installation with fairy lights at Wisma Atria.
Not to mention, this year’s edition marks the 40th anniversary of the Orchard Road Light-Up. So there’ll also be three Christmas Villages, and the event’s first-ever street party on 24 December.
Located outside Shaw House Urban Plaza, Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza and Plaza Singapura, all Christmas Villages (on now, with Plaza Singapura starting on 8 December) will have carnival rides, games, pop-up stores, and food and beverage kiosks, with exclusive double-storey carousel and Ferris wheel at the Shaw House Urban Plaza location.
And if you want to see the festivities from a different perspective, hop on an Orchard Road Christmas Lights bus tour. We don’t know about you, but it’s time to get lit.
Till 2 January 2024 along Orchard Road.
Immersive Disney Animation at MBS
If you and your special person are big fans of Disney, here’s an adorable date idea. There’s a new Immersive Disney Animation at Marina Bay Sands featuring over 40 beloved animated films brought to life with state-of-the-art responsive projectors. You’ll almost feel like you’re in the world of Zootopia, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Lion King, Frozen, and more.
Plus, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how Walt Disney Animation Studios brings movies to life through exclusive, custom-designed interactive exhibits. Aspiring artists can even learn tips and tricks to draw their favourite Disney characters.
4 Bayfront Avenue, Sands Theatre, Singapore 018973
Christmas Wonderland
Of course, how can we forget about the quintessential Christmas event in Singapore? Christmas Wonderland is back at Gardens by the Bay, and this 10th edition will feature a supersized fairground with gorgeous light displays, “snow” in the tropics, meet-and-greet with Santa, amusement park rides, and many more.
As usual, there are plenty of photo ops for your group selfies or couple pics with your wife or girlfriend. Some we foresee will be favourites would be a 65m-long kaleidoscopic tunnel made up of colourful LED lights, and the Spalliera, a 20m-tall light display that’s reminiscent of Mesola Castle in northern Italy.
And of course, the highlight of Christmas Wonderland every year is the massive Carousel that transports you to a carnival in Europe.
Tickets start from $8/adult.
Till 1 January 2024, at 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Shopping
Moleskine’s Gift of Creativity
If you’re not sure what to gift your bros this Christmas, why not check out Moleskine’s Holiday Collection? It’s a staple for anyone doing creative work, whether they write professionally or just enjoy doodling or journaling during their free time.
Check out the Precious and Ethical Collection, which features hand-bound notebooks featuring a tactile vegan cover that is made from organic waste from the Italian wine industry, presented in an elegant gift box. For those who like bolder patterns and colours, the Silk Collection has a range of contemporary paisley-patterned notebooks hand-bound in 100% Italian silk by a family-owned Italian textiles company, Mantero.
Available at all Moleskine stores and online at www.moleskine.com
Lenovo AP Legion Line-up
For those who have been wanting to upgrade their gaming setup, check out the new Lenovo AP Legion Line-up. The Lenovo Legion 9i is the world’s first 16-inch gaming laptop in the Lenovo Legion’s ecosystem, plus, it has a self-contained liquid-cooling system.
As with other Lenovo Legion laptops, the Lenovo Legion 9i comes with Windows 11 and a 3-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate5,6, so you have hundreds of games at your fingertips.
Other products in the new line-up are the Legion Go and Legion Glasses. The latter is a plug-and-play advanced wearable display solution that allows you to play AR games in HD, thanks to the micro-OLED display technology.
For more info, visit lenovo.com/sg/en/pc
Skechers Nite Collection
If you love to go on night walks or jogs, this one’s made for you. Skechers is introducing its latest performance collection, the Nite Owl and Nite Vizn Collection.
A special feature of the Nite Owl collection is that it features a reflective finish engineered mesh upper with photo-reactive glowing detail. This makes it great for night runners. Each shoe series that’s part of the collection also boasts Skechers’ proprietary footwear technologies, including the Skechers Air-Cooled Goga Mat breathable insole, Ortholite comfort foam insole layer, and lightweight and responsive mid-sole cushioning using ULTRA GO or ULTRA LIGHT technology for higher rebound.
Priced from $139.00, the new Nite Owl and Nite Vizn Collection can be purchased online via skechers.com.sg and in-store at Skechers concept stores.
Dining
SAFRA Choa Chu Kang: Free lunchtime parking & lunch promotions
For those who drive, we understand that parking can be expensive. If you’re working in the West, take advantage of SAFRA Choa Chu Kang’s free lunchtime parking on weekdays between 12pm to 2pm.
Plus, there are these weekday lunch promotions at selected SAFRA Choa Chu Kang dining outlets:
- Paradise Now: Buy 1 Get 1 Free Pasta from 11am – 3pm
- Syed Café Exclusive: Additional 5% off for SAFRA members from 12pm – 2pm
The free lunchtime parking and lunch promos will end on 31 December, so don’t miss out!
See what other dishes you can enjoy at these eateries in our video!
For more info, visit www.safra.sg/promotions/free-lunchtime-parking-at-safra-cck
Kyuukei Coffee
Coffee lovers, listen up. There’s a new “hidden” cafe operating from an HDB block in Alexandra called Kyuukei Coffee. Don’t expect any ordinary kopitiam, though. This literal hole-in-the-wall looks like it’s right out of a hipster neighbourhood in Tokyo. Think muted earthy tones, moss green tiles, and wooden accents peppered with plenty of rattan.
Drink-wise, coffee starts from $4.50 for a Long Black and $5 for a Flat White. If you want it iced, it’s just an additional $0.50. Pair your beverage with pastries such as the Cruffin ($6.50) or Kouign Amann ($5) and you’re sorted.
Block 121 Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-06, Singapore 150121
Donuts by Creamier
Most Gen Zs and Millennials in Singapore grew up treating themselves to Creamier, a homegrown ice cream brand that’s become a household name. Here’s some good news: they’ve just launched Donuts by Creamier!
Their in-house donut brand features freshly handmade treats daily in small batches. Expect flavours like Sea Salt Gula Melaka ($4), an ode to the brand’s ice cream of the same flavour. Those with more adventurous taste buds can take a bite of Creamier’s Laksa Mai Hum ($5), inspired by Katong Laksa.
These donuts are now available at Creamier outlets islandwide, so get your hands on some now.
Available at Creamier outlets islandwide.
Save more with SAFRA! Enjoy special deals and discounts on dining, shopping, entertainment, travel, fitness and more from over 1,500 merchant outlets islandwide. Sign up or renew your SAFRA membership for three years at the price of 1 year ($43.20 inclusive of GST)! Plus, get your spouse and children on board to enjoy the same privileges too – 1st dependent pays $5.40/year, and it’s free for the 2nd dependent onwards. Visit safra.sg/savemore for more details.
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