Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay (2019)

Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay has been one of the highlights for the year-end season in Singapore and this year’s 6th edition features the debut of the Christmas Parade and a brand new interactive Santa’s Workshop!

Apart from expecting to take Insta-worthy photos of the light installations, visitors can also enjoy feasting at the various food kiosks at the venue, watch some theatrical productions, do a spot of shopping or play some traditional carnival games and rides.

Taking centrestage at the Supertree Grove, is the 21-metre tall Spalliera luminarie light sculpture, which is modelled after San Gimignano, an Italian hill town in Tuscany and the tallest luminarie Christmas tree in Asia. The stunning luminarie sculptures are handmade by Italian craftsmen using white wood from the south of Italy.

The Walk Of Peace is a 50-metre long light tunnel installation, inspired by the glow of sunset at the Gardens. I didn’t realise that it was made using 60,000 lights!

Do note that this is an extremely popular selfie/wefie spot and you’ll need a lot of patience and quick reflexes to be able to take pictures without getting photobombed by the other people around you. The best time would probably be just before closing time and you can almost get the entire tunnel to yourself (compare the photos below with the one above).

   

Whilst in this area, you may also rub shoulders with some interesting characters, who add to the carnival atmosphere.

   

Over at The Meadow, visitors can enter Santa’s Workshop and be transported to the North Pole upon stepping into that igloo.

Meet some reindeer and penguins on your way to meet Santa!

 

Don’t get distracted by the gingerbread men and colourful cupcakes on your way to find the man in the red suit!

This year, you can watch some animatronic elves packing presents for Christmas.

  

Finally, get to take a photo with Claus and he will tell you whether you’ve been naughty or nice.

For the first time at the Gardens, we finally have a Christmas Parade!

This comprises of a small float procession, featuring festive characters on three floats.  The parade will start from the Supertree Grove (near The Klook Express) and make its way down to The Meadow.

Look out for penguins, snowmen and igloos on the first float.

Next is a group of bear friends gathered around a campfire at the Gardens.

(hmm… but why am I reminded of Alvin and the Chipmunks when I look at them?)

The third and last float features Santa on his reindeer sleigh.

This provides another opportunity for visitors to take some pictures with Santa, if the float is stationary – i.e. when the float is parked, just before or after the parade.

Do note that the parade only takes place at 8pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

On weekdays, Santa will be making his rounds on his reindeer sleigh float.

Also accompanying the floats are a wacky bunch of elves, santarinas and some costumed animal characters.

You can find them dancing to the catchy music before the parade at the Supertree Grove and also after the parade at The Meadow.

Over at The Klook Express, visitors can go on a holly jolly ride around the globe and take in the sights from the world’s best scenic train rides, from the breath-taking Swiss Alps to Japan’s famous Sakura scapes. Download the Klook app and sing a song at the Carol-oke booth here and share your rendition to win travel vouchers for your next holiday.

If you do walk past this booth, be warned that you could encounter some cringeworthy renditions of your favourite Christmas carols!

Do take note of the following timings for Blizzard Time (presented by Haagen-Dazs) and Garden Rhapsody The Christmas Special:

To soak in the festive atmosphere, do catch this year’s new Garden Rhapsody – The Christmas Special, which features a medley of familiar Christmas tunes accompanying the light and sound show at the Supertree Grove.

   

Take a break from walking around and enjoy Yuletide Sessions and Christmas Carols under the magical Cassa Armonica gazebo, right in the heart of the Spalliera. There are performances by Inch Chua, Jana Ann & Joy Alexis, Sam Driscoll, Two Cheers and a Toast, The Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) Choir, EVOKX, The NTU Alumni Choir, and more.

A perfect spot to get out of Singapore’s hot and humid weather is to head to the Haagen Dazs Pop-Up Store. Two new limited edition mochi ice cream flavours are available here – Azuki Mochi ice cream with smooth Hokkaido Azuki bean sauce and steamed mochi pieces, as well as the French dessert-inspired Crème Brûlée Mochi ice cream with aromatic burnt sugar sauce and steamed mochi pieces.

In addition, three limited edition festive ice creams are also available – Frozen Snowman, Santa’s Reindeer and Fruity Escape.

My sister and I both thought the Frozen Snowman looked cute, so we each ordered our own versions of it! You can choose any 2 flavours of ice cream (except for the two new mochi flavours) to “build” your snowman, which comes with a chocolate-coated marshmallow top hat.

     

If you are feeling lucky, do note that there are two Lucky Draws that you can participate in at this pop-up store. The first requires you to fill up your details, plus your favourite ice cream flavour on this tag (see below) and hang it onto the Christmas tree. The other draw requires you to post a picture of your ice cream on Instagram with hashtag #hdandme and there is another card that you will need to fill up and return to the staff.

Go look for this photo spot before you order your ice cream, because when you snap a picture here and show it to the cashier at the pop-up store, you will receive a 10% discount off your bill.

If you’ve never experienced “snow” in the tropics, you can do so during Blizzard Time in the heart of the Spalliera at the Supertree Grove. I was too busy enjoying my Frozen Snowman cone and by the time I was done, I exited from the pop-up store to this sight.

Head over to The Meadow if you want to enjoy a magical gastronomic evening under the stars, surrounded by 50 magnificent Christmas trees. The Christmas Tree Café offers a selection of tantalising gourmet festive food and drinks from $6.

Sinfonia Ristorante strives to deliver a fine dining experience that is accessible for all gourmands.
Christmas Wonderland Featured Item: Chicken Wings with Tomato Blue Cheese and Roasted Beef Ribeye in Veal Jus

Mr. White, a pop-up restaurant conceptualised by WMartin and Taste Singapore, specialises in fusion cuisine that extracts the best elements of different culinary traditions to create a wholly unique multi-sensory experience.
Christmas Wonderland Featured Item: Wild Honey Hammer Wings, Smokey Sausage and Wagyu Beef Burgers

London’s Burger & Lobster has long queues at their outlet at Jewel Changi Airport. However, the queues here are shorter, if you haven’t yet tried their delicious burgers and lobsters!
Christmas Wonderland Featured Item: Brisket Roll, Original Mini Lobster Roll and Grilled Prawn Skewers

I couldn’t help ordering the combo comprising of a Beef Brisket Roll and Original Mini Lobster Roll ($25).

The beef brisket roll was flavourful and juicy with every bite! I enjoyed it as much as I did the lobster roll.

Dessert Wonderland – a first ever collaboration between iconic brands N2 Extreme Gelato, Happitea, Durian Edition and Tokyo Lamington.
Christmas Wonderland Featured Item: Durian Kakigori, Bandung Lamington and Malt-coated Roasted Sweet Potato

Lychee Oolong Tea

Head over to the Meadow Theatre for some theatrical productions (additional tickets are required to be purchased). Check the official website for show timings and prices.

The Old Shoemaker (SG) – 29 November to 1 December 2019
Snow Play (UK) – 4 to 8 December 2019
Trash Test Dummies (AU) – 11 to 26 December 2019
Vitaly – Pure Wonder (US) – 20 to 26 December 2019

Festive Market
Experience a truly authentic Christmas atmosphere with a total of 24 festive huts at the Supertree Grove, featuring speciality food and beverages, plus an opportunity for visitors to shop for Christmas gifts, all at one location.

Savoury dishes and returning favourites include the succulent Jumbo Turkey Drumstick from The Beast, Christmas Roast by Fat Belly, Garlic Onion Rosti from The 6ixs Rosti, a Street Food Circus version of Butterscotch Beer Fish & Chips, Mac Taco’s Christmas Taco perfectly paired with Turkey and Cranberry, Shiso’s Meatless Meatball Skewers and Pita Tree’s Chicken Paella.

Dessert lovers can indulge in sweet treats like the Rainbow Candy Cane Prata and Waffles from Fooditude, Pancake Hut’s (by Sofnade) own version of a Christmas Tree Pancake Stack and kick back with a glass of wine and classic panettone by Vino Amore. The Swag Social returns with their sinful Red Velvet and Mochi Donut Balls, Coffee Bandits entices with their Snowy Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich and waffle lovers can try the Signature Hot Chocolate and Buttermilk Waffles from French patisserie, Paul. Those who need a bubble tea fix can sip on Brown Sugar Deerioca and Matcha Brown Sugar Deerioca from The Alley, whilst admiring the view of the illuminated fairground.

The Beast prides itself on serving true blue Southern comfort food that warms your soul and puts a smile on your face!
Christmas Wonderland Featured Item: Jumbo Smoked Turkey Drumstick

Besides providing amazing and delicious food, The Swag Social also believes in providing food that puts a smile on your face, like a glow in the dark candy floss!
Christmas Wonderland Featured Items: Red Velvet & Matcha Mochi Donuts Balls

The Alley is renowned for its intensive tea selection, premium handcrafted ingredients and combination of artisanal and creative brewing practices. Some of their popular beverages include Brown Sugar Deerioca & Matcha Brown Sugar Deerioca.
Christmas Wonderland Featured Item: Chocolate Wonderland

Brewerkz, Singapore’s longest-running craft brewery experience, returns to Christmas Wonderland this time with an event-exclusive bespoke craft brew.

Named after the age-old tradition of kissing under the mistletoe, the Brewerkz Mistletoe Kiss White Beer features a refreshing plexus of cloves, vanilla and banana, brewed to conjure the familiarity and warmth of Christmas celebrations.
Christmas Wonderland Featured Item: Full Bar, Cocktails – Mistletoe Margarita, White Christmas Mojito (Rum), The Grinch Vodka, Snowman’s Gin.

Enjoy the sweetness of Christmas served to you in one bite at a time at Sofnade’s Pancake Hut! Don’t forget to grab their mini pancakes as well.
Christmas Wonderland Featured Items: Christmas Tree Pancake Stack

Carnival Games
18 traditional carnival games and rides are available to all visitors of Christmas Wonderland to enjoy. Tokens are required to ride and play.

Lucky Draw
All visitors to Christmas Wonderland stand a chance to win one of 12 prizes in The Great Christmas Wonderland Giveaway in four draws conducted on 6, 13, 20 and 26 December. Prizes include a 3-day trip for two to Bali, Pattaya or Penang, inclusive of a two night stay at Hard Rock hotel and return flight tickets, 3-day staycation with Hilton Singapore, weekend drives with Volvo as well as shopping vouchers. Terms and conditions apply.

Just make sure you collect one of these pamphlets at the admission gates, as it contains the lucky draw participation form.

Christmas Wonderland runs from 29 November to 26 December 2019.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 5pm to 11pm
Friday to Sunday, Christmas Day (25 Dec), Boxing Day (26 Dec): 4pm to 11pm
Christmas Eve (24 Dec): 4pm to 12.30am

Venue:
Gardens by the Bay
18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953.

Ticket Prices:
Standard Admission (Online): $6 (29 Nov – 12 Dec), $8 (13 Dec – 26 Dec)
Standard Admission (Onsite): $10
Concession – for senior citizens (Onsite): $6 (29 Nov – 12 Dec), $8 (13 Dec – 26 Dec)
*Entry is complimentary for up to 2 children under 0.9m for each paying adult.
*Separate charges apply for certain Christmas Wonderland attractions, OCBC Skyway and Gardens by the Bay conservatories

BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE AND SAVE
Purchase admission tickets online to enjoy savings of up to 40%. Additional charges for some attractions within the event grounds as well as into the Conservatories apply.

For more information and to book tickets for Christmas Wonderland, visit www.christmaswonderland.sg or official ticketing partner KLOOK at www.klook.com.