Best experiences in Singapore for new year getaways

Choosing the best things to do when in Singapore can be a hectic task. So, to make things easy for you, here are some of the best experiences in Singapore for new year getaways.

New Year celebrations in Singapore are an unforgettable affair, with festivities filling our bustling streets and a range of spectacular sights to savour in the heart of the city. Unforgettable light projections await visitors to the heart of the city for this year’s Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2022. The display lights up in a different colour every week, and visitors can catch the illuminations from 8 to 10.30 pm every night, with an extended showtime till 11.45 pm on 31 December.

Festive fun and dazzling experiences

Expect to get into a festive mood early this year—Visitors to Orchard Road should keep a lookout for a stunning dual-façade augmented reality projection on the walls of the Mandarin Gallery from 1 November 2022.

Additionally, Music in the Air will be bringing you carols and Christmas classics along the stretch from ION Orchard to Ngee Ann City, as well as outside Wheelock Place and Far East Shopping Centre. This year, visitors can also enjoy a special visual treat by scanning the key visuals on any of the 27 glass panels located along the entire stretch of Orchard Road between ION Orchard to Mandarin Gallery using the PopAR Live App.

Fret not if you find yourself occupied during the festive season—the lights, music and decoration linger until 2 January 2023, giving you ample time to soak in the festive mood.

Bringing back the magic of the Great Christmas Village

As part of this year’s festivities, Christmas on A Great Street will be ushering in the festive cheer with the much-loved Great Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza from 7 December 2022 onwards.

Romp up with your loved ones and enjoy the carnival with the carousel and festive rides at Hello Fun, or feed your social media and tummy with the delicious treats with Hello Food, featuring stalls such as VeganBurg, Speciality Thai Grills, Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.

If you’re hankering for live music and entertainment, Hello Music at the main stage in the Great Christmas Village is bound to have you dancing along to the tunes of musicians like Jack and Rai, Fyrdaus Macbeth and The Cold Cut Duo. Alternatively, drop by Hello Arts at Wisma Atria which boasts a range of inspiring installations and hands-on workshops like alcohol ink painting, tapestry weaving, clay modelling, and crafting.

With stunning light displays, Santa Claus, tasty festive fare, carnival games, live performances, ‘snow’ in the tropics and more, Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay promises magical fun for the entire family.

The annual Christmas Wonderland is a must-see highlight of Singapore’s exciting year-end celebrations that has been bringing festive cheer to close to 5 million visitors of all ages since its debut in 2014.

The festival’s ninth edition takes place from 2 December 2022 to 1 January 2023. Visitors to this Yuletide wonderland will be able to immerse themselves in a plethora of exciting games, activities and unforgettable sights.

Illumination and enchantment

Taking place on a massive fairground, Christmas Wonderland is home to unforgettable sights and Yule-themed extravaganzas. This year, visitors will be able to explore six different festival zones, filled to the brim with exciting activities.

St. Nick’s Square—the fairground’s largest zone— is undoubtedly the highlight of the event. Admire the stunning 21-metre tall Spalliera display—an Italian-made marvel that resembles an intricate crown this year and keep your eyes peeled for Santa, who’ll be standing by with the season’s greetings. Be mesmerised by the 10m tall Whimsical Windmill at Gingerbread Grove and feast your eyes on the 250 candy-cane-shaped decorations surrounding it, or snap a selfie at the Walk of Lights, a 50-metre long tunnel illuminated by over 50,000 LED lights.

As part of the celebrations, Gardens by the Bay’s iconic SuperTrees will be holding a special festive edition of the Garden Rhapsody light and sound show, a spectacle that’s bound to enchant and captivate.

Fun for the entire family

Visitors joining in the fun with their families will find a whole range of carnival games and amusements to get them in the holiday mood.

The Games Village zone boasts a range of traditional carnival games and challenges, like Ring Toss, Pyramid Smash and High Striker, alongside fishing games and other activities. For a magical ride of a lifetime, hop on board the Venetian horse carousel, a double-storey marvel hand-painted by European craftsmen. While it’s always sunny here in Singapore, you’ll be able to get in the festive mood at Merry Lane’s Snowland, which features an illuminated igloo and polar bears, and ‘snow’ in the tropics. Be sure to keep an eye out for other charming displays in the vicinity, such as the Jolly Express, Poinsettia Castle and a Gingberbread House.

Feasts and festive shopping

Round off your visit with a spot of holiday shopping at the iconic Mistletoe Alley Market, an European-style outdoor market with an eclectic selection of festive huts selling an array of festive products and services. Official event merchandise is also available, which will make for great souvenirs.

If you’re feeling peckish after all that excitement, be sure to pop by ELFresco, where you can feast on delectable festive bites from beloved F&B brands like Brewerkz, Burger & Lobster and Sofnade. You can also enjoy festive tipples from Hendrick’s and Penfolds.

Inspired by one of the highest-grossing films globally of all-time, Avatar, Avatar: The Experience, is an immersive walkthrough showcase. Located at the Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay, here visitors can interact with mystical creatures and flora, and experience Pandora's captivating culture through its bioluminescent environments. The remarkable interactives and startling material of Avatar: The Experience, will give guests a chance to interact with a baby banshee handled by expert puppeteer docents providing unique photo opportunities for this event.