The best places to see Christmas lights and decorations in Singapore

Gardens by the Bay’s Christmas Wonderland, Singapore’s biggest yuletide fair, makes its much-anticipated return with an array of new immersive experiences, light displays, fun performances and festive celebrations for all to enjoy, with four times as many larger-than-life light displays as in previous editions.

Perennial favourite Blizzard Time gets an exciting orchestral enhancement while the magnificent 20-metre-tall Spalliera returns refreshed with a design inspired by the Italian Gothic architecture of the Orvieto Cathedral. Don't miss the romantic Walk of Lights tunnel and Odette’s Dance, a special installation featuring ballerinas dancing daintily among 4000 bulbs. Stick around at the Grove because there’ll also be an enchanting Garden Rhapsody light and sound show, with the Supertrees' lights ‘dancing’ to the rhythm of Christmas classics. Find out more about what you can expect here.

With Christmas just around the corner, feast your eyes on The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands's golden-hued glow thanks to a magnificent Christmas light-up done in partnership with luxury fashion house, Chanel. It features the brand’s well-known emblems, like its iconic No.5 bottles, strung up amongst glittering snowflakes and presents. Don’t forget to stop by The Magical House at the Event Plaza for an immersive experience featuring the brand’s iconic fragrances.  For a fun twist, also check out Marina Bay Sands Hotel’s reimagined Christmas tree consisting of a tower of iridescent orbs and illuminated holographic baubles topped with a dazzling golden star. Find out more here.

Yet another luxury fashion brand is getting into the Christmas spirit. This time, awe at Ralph Lauren’s 16-metre-tall Holiday Tree at Jewel Changi Airport’s famed Forest Valley. The specially-designed centrepiece promises a spectacular sight against the popular Rain Vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Accompanying the tree is a charming winter alpine lodge blanketed by fluffy ‘snow’ and the brand’s iconic Polo Bears huddled inside, making for an extra whimsical experience you must get on camera. Get up close and you’ll see the lodge decked out in Ralph Lauren’s signature tartan blankets and pillows, and an array of festive gifts. Find out more here.

It seems that our beloved airport is the place to be this holiday season, especially with the debut of The Gift of Disney Cruise Line at Jewel, inspired by the Disney Adventure cruise setting sail from our shores next year. From now until January 2, 2025, find larger-than-life Disney Cruise Line-themed installations at Jewel’s Canopy Park, where you can snap photos with all your favourite Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters. There’s even a 4-metre replica of the iconic Disney Cruise Line’s ship funnel to make you feel like you're already sailing on the Adventure Cruise. Find out what other activities you can expect at this Disney-lover’s paradise here.

Nowhere else in Singapore celebrates the festive season like Gardens by the Bay, which is why for Christmas this year, it brings a beloved American festive tradition closer to home. This first-ever Christmas Train Show pays homage to the beloved American tradition of building model railroads under Christmas trees for the holidays. Set against detailed backdrops of miniature iconic American landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Terminal, the Empire State Building, and more, watch as charming model trains chug around these replicas and various festive plants like vibrant poinsettias, conifers, and stunningly decked out Christmas trees. Find out more about the experience here.

Christmas cheer takes over illumi, the world’s largest illumination event. Capture cherished memories at various Christmas-themed zones, like the ‘Walls of Lights’, where you’ll be enveloped in endless curtains of sparkling lights. ‘The Enchanted Maples’ is where you’ll find a Canada-inspired experience, complete with red and orange LED maple trees and Santa’s reindeer sleigh. Fancy a trip to the North Pole? Check out ‘The Infinite Poles’ for a breathtaking ‘icy’ landscape of penguins waddling alongside majestic polar bears and whimsical igloos amid an endless forest of shimmering stalagmites. At the centre of the experience is a magnificent illuminated Christmas tree adorned with floating butterflies. Your tots will love frolicking in nightly ‘snowfall’ sessions, playing at the on-site bouncy castle, and taking photos with Santa by a cosy fireplace. Find out more here.

All along the stretch of Orchard Road, you’ll find the highly anticipated Christmas on A Great Street light-up, back this year with stunning outdoor Christmas trees and several weekends of live performances, pop-ups, attractions, and more. It’ll be a white Christmas like no other as ‘snow’ falls around a 14-metre-tall Christmas tree at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza’s Christmas village. Have your phones out to view a special immersive AR projection of golden sparkles, snowflakes and fireworks raining down on the façade of Hilton Singapore Orchard. Countdown to Christmas Day under a medley of festive lights that stretch 400 metres from Ion Orchard to Ngee Ann City. Find out more here.

Take a night stroll along Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade and you'll be greeted by the sight of 78 brightly lit ChariTrees – Christmas trees for a charitable cause – all lined up in a row. There's also a larger lone pink ChariTree a little off to the side, if a pink Christmas is more up your alley. In line with the spirit of giving during this season, the trees serve to spread hope and awareness for underprivileged children, end-stage kidney patients, mental health causes and more. Make a donation via Giving.Sg if you'd like to play a part in bringing joy to those in need.

A festive mood is bubbling across the island and Changi Airport is not shying away from it with its latest edition of Changi Festive Village. Instead of going with a typical wintry theme featuring Santa and Frosty mascots, Singapore’s airport has decided to honour Hello Kitty – the cult-favourite Sanrio character who’s celebrating her 50th anniversary this year. At the centre of it is a massive 8-metre Hello Kitty 50th anniversary topiary at the Terminal 3 Departure Hall, surrounded by festive gift boxes and colourful flowers to match the vibrant spirit that the mouthless cat embodies. You’ll also find her Sanrio friends throughout the rest of the airport’s terminals, including Kuromi at the T1 Arrival Garden. Find out more about the Sanrio-themed Changi Festive Village 2024 here.

It’s all about the glam at Ion Orchard, one of Singapore’s glitziest shopping havens. This year, watch as it gets even more stunning thanks to a new Christmas star made in collaboration with luxury label Christian Dior. Get your best pose ready and snap ‘gram-worthy shots with the massive 15-metre-tall Dior Star glittering magnificently on level one of the mall, just outside the Dior boutique. Plus, look out for Christian Dior’s fabled animal sculptures that add a playful and whimsical touch to the enchanting scene.

This Christmas season, Downtown East transforms into a wonderland of cuteness where a series of 3D festive panda displays flanked by illuminated bamboo trees take centrestage. Let the kids run wild exploring a free-entry bamboo forest maze with 12 interactive zones, featuring foam obstacles, a mirror maze, ball pit, and plenty of opportunities for picture-perfect memories. Keep an eye out for the panda mascots that will be handing out heart-shaped candy, catch performances by a capella carollers and ukelele players on selected evenings, and indulge in seasonal treats like panda-shaped macarons and milk tea in limited edition bamboo bottles. Find out more here.

Christmas takes on an adorable twist over at One Holland Village. Its 10-metre-tall Christmas tree is decked out in deco inspired by the beloved Line Friends minini characters. You’ll see it stunningly lit up in the plaza’s centre, surrounded by the characters dressed in cute festive attire. More photo opportunities await at various spots around One Holland Village, with life-sized minini characters and themed spaces perfect for the ‘gram.

Known for their visually captivating and interactive art, renowned Brooklyn-based artists Wade and Leta’s playful abstraction of a Christmas tree, titled Moving Wonders, is the Millenia Walk's biggest centrepiece for the festive session. Make sure to give the merry built-in swing a try and have fun with elements that spin and swirl. But Millenia Walk’s artist takeover doesn’t stop there – it will also feature a diverse range of art offerings from talented local and regional artists. Check it out here.