Singapore winter events to watch for

Family at the Gardens of the Bay

Whilst many destinations batten down the hatches from December through to the start of March, there are a slew of winter events which take place annually in Singapore. The start of peak season, Singapore winter events range from Christmas and New Year celebrations to music festivals.

Temperatures at this time of year rarely drop below 24°C. Humidity levels are some of the lowest at any time in Singapore’s calendar. So although you’re likely to face a bit of rain, especially at the start of the winter season, it’s certainly not going to dampen spirits as Singapore’s winter events take hold!

Want to know what not to miss? Check out the top Singapore winter events right here!

Christmas events in Singapore

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Head to Singapore towards the start of December and there’s no getting away from the Christmas festivities! Many of Singapore’s year-round attractions make an extra special effort to show seasonal cheer, whilst pop up events aren’t difficult to find either.

Head to Gardens by the Bay and you not only get to explore the like of the avatar experience at its Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, but also its Christmas Wonderland. In the shade of the famed Supertree Grove, visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, take to rides including a Victorian carousel and enjoy a magical sound and light show. Needless to say, the wonderland is at its best after dark.

Any time of day is a good time to visit the Christmas market at Capitol Singapore’s Outdoor Plaza. As well as a great place to do some last-minute gift buying, there’s an eight-meter-high Christmas tree, some of the best Christmas lights in Singapore, and even a nightly ‘snowfall’ around 7 PM. Elsewhere, you can fulfil your Christmas ice skating dreams at the indoor rinks at JCube or Kallang Ice World whatever the weather.

New Year events in Singapore

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As if to prove just how glorious Singapore is at this time of year, Singapore gets no less than two new year celebrations. Festivities take place across the island, but the top place to head for the December 31 countdown to midnight has to be Marina Bay. The waterfront is lined with entertainment and lights leading up to the event everyone has been waiting for – the magnificent firework display as the clocks strike twelve.

And what about Singapore’s other new year celebration? If you visit Singapore towards the end of January, you won’t fail to notice the lead up to Chinese New Year. This two-week long celebration coincides with the full moon, giving it its alternative name of the Lunar New Year.

Chinatown is the obvious place to head, where stalls sell special treats such as nian gao (sweet rice cakes) beside exquisitely-made lanterns and other decorations. Firecrackers are another essential ingredient of the traditions, used to scare away a mythical beast. The celebrations culminate in another unmissable fair and firework display at Marina Bay.

Additional January events in Singapore

Displays of another kind are to be had at Singapore Art Week. Marrying traditional gallery exhibitions with talks, tours and art walks, it has become Singapore’s premier art event since its creation roughly a decade ago. An island-wide arts extravaganza, it usually takes place in late December or January.

Mid-January is the timing of Pongal, or Harvest Festival. It’s marked by many Singaporeans with colorful rice flour artworks at the entrance to homes and businesses. Hindu temples become busy with worshippers, and special performances crop up alongside a variety of family-friendly hands-on workshops.

At around the same time, the Singapore Fringe Festival brings a range of provocative, contemporary and heart-warming acts to its Theatres on the Bay location. A mix of Singaporean and international performers engage audiences with ticketed performacnes as diverse as Singapore itself!

Other Singapore winter events

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For unrivalled revelry to the beat of some of the world’s best DJs, Singapore has the ZoukOut Music Festival. A far cry from the country’s reputation of hardworking efficiency, ZoukOut provides a great excuse to let your hair down.

Taking place in early December on Sentosa Island’s Siloso Beach, this dusk-till-dawn celebration of dance music has become one of the biggest in Asia. No surprise then that it attracts some of the top names in the business. Previous incarnations have seen sets by the likes of David Guetta, Stereo MCs and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Singapore’s pleasure island, elsewhere on Sentosa visitors will discover a range of superb attractions. Extreme sports enthusiasts will satisfy their need for a new adrenaline rush at AJ Hackett Sentosa Giant Swing and Skybridge. From its maximum height of 40 meters, equivalent to a 12-story building, you’ll get the thrill of a lifetime and incredible views!

A great alternative for those who aren’t sure their life insurance is up to date is Singapore Cable Car. It links Singapore’s Keppel harbor front with Sentosa and Mount Faber, providing expansive vistas across the southern coastline along the way.

Meanwhile, February is a big month for couples thanks to Valentine’s Day. The recently heartbroken might well want to avoid Singapore this month since it goes all out with hearts and other symbols of pairing up.

Most restaurants create special menus just for the day – make sure you book in good time – but there are other events to look out for too. These include outdoor movie screenings at Keppel Bay and couples’ massages in many spas. Or how about a romantic cruise along the Singapore River, taking in some of the country’s finest cityscapes?

Visit for Singapore’s winter events – save on Singapore’s top attractions

There are lots of reasons to consider a trip to Singapore during the winter months. You might be after a little warmth as the weather turns colder back home. Or you might be keen to explore Singapore’s winter events schedule.

Either way, don’t miss your chance to experience Singapore’s top year-round attractions as well. We think there’s no better way to do this then with Go City! We give you the opportunity to save on admission whilst taking in a massive range of picks, from museums to theme parks.

Alex Birungi
Go City Travel Expert

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Woman eating freshly cooked takeaway dumplings inside a hawker center.
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The Best Food Markets in Singapore

Singapore has a bit of an unfair reputation when it comes to cost. While it’s true that it may be expensive for expats living out there or visitors who want to stay in the top-tier hotels (hello, Marina Bay Sands!), it certainly needn’t be the case for your average vacationer. Case in point: you’ll find some of the best eating in the city’s 100+ legendary hawker centers, where authentic Singaporean, Malay, Chinese, Indian and Indonesian dishes start from a mouthwatering couple of Singapore dollars and rarely top more than six or seven bucks, meaning you needn’t ever really splash the cash to give your tastebuds a good time. Read on for our guide to the best food markets in Singapore. What is a Hawker Center? Hawker centers are embedded within Singapore’s very DNA. Here’s where you’ll find decades-old street food stalls that have been handed down through the generations; where locals queue for delicious, affordable meals and catch up on the local gossip over great steaming bowls of noodles, fragrant curries and melt-in-the-mouth grilled meat and fish dishes. There are over 100 of these centers – effectively covered, standalone food courts – dotted around the city, each hosting dozens of vibrant eateries. A literal feast for the senses, you can expect to see (and smell) suckling pig roasting on the spit, roast duck displayed tantalizingly in shop windows and plumes of aromatic smoke and steam rising from pots and griddles at every turn. There’s something to suit every palate here: sweet and savory, spicy and mild, hot and cold, meaty and meat-free – your only challenge is not to be drawn straight to the first stall you encounter by those utterly intoxicating aromas. Singapore Hawker Center Hints and Tips Hawker centers are dedicated standalone premises, usually covered but sometimes open-air and are not to be confused with what Singaporeans call ‘food courts’. Food courts are generally found inside shopping malls; they’re a little less characterful and a mite more expensive than hawker markets, but nevertheless a solid option if you’re out on a shopping spree. Many hawker stalls operate cash-only policies, so be sure to bring some cash as well as a big appetite. We recommend first-timers buy several different small dishes from multiple stalls to get a real (excuse the pun) flavor of what’s on offer. If a stall has a queue, that tends to be a sign the food is top-notch and that the wait will be worth it. Don’t pass busy stalls by! Don't be put off if you find hawker centers a little overwhelming – it really is worth persevering to unlock some of the fantastic flavors on offer within. If in doubt, you can always take a tour with a local guide to help you find your bearings. Singapore Hawker Food – What to Eat Even the most ravenous of visitors may find it difficult to work their way through all the excellent dishes Singapore’s food markets have to offer. But there are a few staples that we’d consider must-eats. Chili crab, for example, is (unofficially) Singapore’s national dish. This stir-fried sensation – crab drenched in spicy sweet-and-savory-sauce – is as ubiquitous as it is delicious and you’ll find it in any hawker center worth its salt. Then there’s sticky skewers of pork and chicken marinated in umami peanut sauce. Again, available everywhere. Other popular favorites include Indian-influence roti canai – a buttery, crumbly melt-in-the-mouth flatbread served with a variety of curry sauces – BBQ pork with rice, pungent fish head curry and chicken with rice. Make like a local and join the morning ritual of spiced teh tarik (tea) or kopi (coffee) sweetened with condensed milk. Feeling adventurous? Turn up the heat by seeking out some of the nation’s most out-there delicacies, among them pufferfish, live octopus and, for the bold gourmand only, fried pigs’ fallopian tubes in spicy kung pao sauce. Nom. Best Hawker Centers in Singapore And now for the main course, the entrée, the bit you’ve all been waiting for: our pick of some of the finest food markets in Singapore. Tuck in! Lau Pa Sat Oozing old-school Singapore charm, the Landmark Lau Pa Sat market is as well known for its distinctive octagonal shape and colonial-style architecture as it is for its satay. Find a spot beneath the soaring wrought-iron Victorian arches and tuck into a huge variety of international cuisines, including Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean and more. East Coast Lagoon Food Village Singapore’s only beachside hawker center provides the picture-perfect setting for a sweet sugar cane juice, fresh coconut or ice-cold Tiger beer. Hit up Song Kee Fried Oyster at stall 15 for perfectly fluffy omelets packed with local oysters and drizzled with a fiery chili sauce. Newton Food Centre Perhaps best known for its appearance in the movie Crazy Rich Asians, this vibrant market near Newton MRT station boasts over 100 stalls serving up some of the best seafood dishes in town. Order spicy sambal stingray in banana leaf for the win. Hong Lim Market and Food Centre Hong Lim is one of the more easily navigable Chinatown hawker centers (more so than the sprawling Chinatown Complex, in any case), so a good option for novices. Authentic Singaporean cuisine abounds here. Try pork braised with Chinese five spice, zingy laksa with crayfish or Teochew porridge served with a variety of meat, fish, veg, eggs and sauces. Clementi 448 Market and Food Centre The long queues at Fried Carrot Cake in Clementi 448 are a dead giveaway. This very literally named hawker stall is something of a local legend around these parts, having been around for over half a century. First things first though: this moreish Singaporean classic (pictured above) has no carrot in it and nor is it really a cake, at least not in the Western sense of the term. But don’t let that (or the queue) put you off this unmissable piping hot melée of sweet, spicy cubed radish cake, egg, garlic and chili sauce. Delish. Old Airport Road Food Centre A little off the beaten track on Singapore’s east coast, the Old Airport Road Food Centre is nevertheless well worth the effort for its vast selection of stalls serving up everything from crab to carrot cake, satay to sambal, dumplings to duck. With close to 200 hawkers to choose from, good luck deciding what you’re going to eat! Tekka Centre This Little India landmark, handily located right next to the MRT station, specializes in Indian food. Head here to make all your dosa dreams come true, and for tandoor grill feasts fit for a maharajah. Tekka Centre is part hawker center, part mall and part wet market, so there are plenty of opportunities for souvenir-hunting and soaking up the old-school Singapore vibes after lunch. Adam Road Food Centre This diminutive hawker center is pretty much right next to the Singapore Botanic Garden, a 200-acre oasis of vibrant flora and tropical rainforest. Work up an appetite with a stroll around the shores of Swan Lake and a visit to the National Orchid Garden before heading to Adam Road for a well-earned laksa. Changi Village Hawker Centre Aromatic nasi lemak, an utterly life-altering dish of rice, coconut milk, chili sauce, crispy anchovies, peanuts and egg, is the one to try here. Located on the island’s northeastern tip, Changi might feel slightly out on a limb, but no day tripper could fail to be charmed by this cute coastal village’s excellent Malay cuisine, fine sandy beaches and lush palm groves. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Christmas in Singapore
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Christmas in Singapore

It's the same every year. Horned animals, jolly red fellows, and gifts wrapped in paper start appearing on TV. Those songs clog up your favorite radio stations - you know the ones. And you hear the distant scream of your bank account as it prepares to be drained of all its savings. Yes, that's right. It's Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year. So if you're considering visiting Singapore this winter, you might want to know what Christmas is like in the city. Well, don't worry; we've got all answers down below, as well as suggestions to amplify your merriment! Read on, and discover Christmas in Singapore. Including: How do they celebrate Christmas in Singapore? Is Christmas in Singapore good? Is Christmas a big holiday in Singapore? Christmas cheer at Gardens of the Bay Christmas at Universal Studios and more! How do they celebrate Christmas in Singapore? In such a multicultural city, it's no surprise that Christmas is handled in a rather traditional sense. Shopping malls are wrapped in tinsel and fairy lights, Christmas trees spring up from nowhere, and stockings adorn many a shop window. So, really, it's probably just like your home town. Only in Singapore, so the weather's much better! Is Christmas in Singapore good? It is! You'll find plenty of Christmas activities to enjoy in and around the city, as well as Christmas shopping savings, markets, and plenty more. But we'll get to that. Is Christmas a big holiday in Singapore? Even though there's a relatively small Christian population in Singapore - around 19% identify as Christians - Christmas is still a big holiday in the city. Much like many of the other religious holidays and festivals celebrated in Singapore, Christmas gets a similar treatment. Now that we've got your burning questions out of the way, let's talk about the best things to do over Christmas in Singapore! Christmas cheer at Gardens of the Bay If you're visiting Singapore, you've probably already heard of Gardens of the Bay. Thanks to its beautiful SuperTrees, it's one of the most recognizable green spaces on the planet. With millions of plants, multiple biomes, and even an Avatar movie crossover found within, there's plenty to do and see for every visitor. But what of Christmas? Well, you've got a few choices. First is Christmas Wonderland. Arguably Singapore's biggest Christmas extravaganza, visitors will be treated to the kind of light show one expects at Garden Rhapsody - just extra Christmasy. But that's not all; you can also meet Santa and snap a pic, play carnival games, explore the Mistletoe Alley Christmas market, and even hop on some rides. All-round yuletide fun for one and all, just like Santa always wanted. This one runs throughout December, so if you're visiting Singapore over Christmas, you should be just fine. The other is Poinsetta Wishes, a massive display of delightful Andalucian flora that gets a Christmas glow-up every winter. Every year, a different Christmas theme takes over the Flower Dome. Last year it was Nordic-inspired Christmas treats like gingerbread reindeer and a giant hollowed-out apple adorning Santa's sleigh. 2022/23's display hasn't been announced yet, but keep an eye out online to find out. Typically, the Christmas display at the Flower Dome runs from the end of November to the beginning of January. Joy to the world at Universal Studios Universal Studios is every cinephile's ideal theme park. With tons of rides dedicated to some of the planet's biggest film franchises, it's fun for kids and bigger kids alike. One moment, visitors will be dodging dinos at the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure; the next, they'll be riding alongside Optimus Prime as the Transformers battle the Decepticons. But over Christmas, it transforms into a winter wonderland. The halls are firmly decked with boughs of holly, carols bellow out around the park courtesy of your favorite universal characters, and you can hop on the Universal Rocking Railway to catch a glimpse of trees inspired by Shrek, Minions, and plenty of others. You can also post a letter to Santa and watch as the Postmaster Elf drops it off at the North Pole Postal Service. And when you're overcome with hunger from all the Christmasy activity, head to the Festive Market to pick up some Christmas twists on Singapore favorites. Pick up some cheer at a traditional Christmas market We've already talked about Gardens by the Bay's Mistletoe Market and Universal's Festive Market. But what other markety delights can you find in Singapore? Well, there's the Chinatown Christmas Market, which appears at the end of December, from Dec 19-20th, and then again from Dec 26-27. See Chinatown adorned in decorations, and prepare to pick up some great bargains on food, knickknacks, and decorations if you're behind on your Christmas schedule. Then there's the Christmas Fair at Crane Club. From Dec 4-5, you can pick up some great gift ideas, all made by local businesses. From clothes to homeware and plenty of chocolate to boot, you'll find something for everyone at this brilliant Christmas spot. Or, try I'mable Gift Market, a conscientious Christmas Market that not only offers sustainably-made products, but they're also made by people with disabilities. And no matter what you pick up, you'll know that your purchases help the community and disability services. Does it get much more Christmasy than that? Not in our book. Let loose at a Christmas Village And finally, we'll end our exploration of Christmas in Singapore with a visit to Changi Festive Village. From November 4 - Jan 2, you'll be able to attend one of Singapore's best-kept winter secrets. Located onsite at Changi Airport, this wonderful village provides with a myriad of activities on offer. Hop on a go-kart and race around a circuit, jump into the dino-themed bouncy castle, lay your eyes upon a huge 50+ foot Christmas tree, and top it all off with some Christmas bites. Brilliant. And there ends our guide to Christmas in Singapore! Wherever you choose to spend your winter holiday, have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! If you're wondering what else to get up to on your Singapore vacation, check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the best of Singapore for one low price. That way, you can get your fix of Christmas cheer and make the most of the rest of your stay!
Dom Bewley

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