Christmas in Singapore 2007
Orchard Rd-Marina Bay Light Up

Watch this space for updates about Christmas in Singapore 2008!

On this page: [Tips for Visitors] [Christmas in Singapore 2007 Photo Tour]

Christmas in Singapore - An enchanting Christmas carousel.

What: Christmas in Singapore 2007 - The Light Up

When: Nightly, 17 Nov 2007 - 2 Jan 2008

Where: Orchard Road, Bras Basah Road, Marina Bay

Theme: A Fairytale Christmas

The Light Up for Christmas in Singapore 2007 was inspired by the magic of The Nutcracker Suite.


If you are planning to celebrate Christmas in Singapore in 2008, you may use the information on this page as a guide. Watch this space as I bring you updates about the 2008 celebrations. Each year, the Light Up begins around mid-November and lasts till New Year's Day. So that's a rough time frame if you are planning your 2008 Christmas vacation. The Orchard Road Christmas is a sure winner with kids. Take your children to celebrate Christmas in Singapore 2008. Or become a child again yourself!

Tips for Tourists	[Or skip to Photo Tour below]

Book a hotel along Orchard Road-Bras Basah Road. Why? Live in the heart of the Christmas celebrations. And retreat to your hotel room once the crowds become overwhelming. Also, all the late-night shopping can be done around here.
If you are lucky enough to holiday here on New Year's Eve, book a bay-facing room at one of the Marina Bay hotels. At midnight, watch the fireworks from the comfort of your balcony or window. (It gets very crowded below, believe me!)
The best way to get to the Orchard Road Light Up? Use the train (MRT). Exit at Orchard Station - this is where most of the action starts.
FREE CHRISTMAS LIGHT UP TOUR FOR TOURISTS

For 2007, there was a real treat for tourists. You get to ride FREE on the Topless HippoBus - an open-top double decker bus. Sit on the upper deck and you can almost touch the Christmas lights.

What's the easiest way to get the tickets? When you arrive at Singapore Changi Airport, go to the Singapore Visitors' Centre at either Terminal 1 or 2. Present your passport to get a complimentary ticket.

If you are already in Singapore, head for the Singapore Visitors' Centre @ Orchard. To get there, use the MRT and exit at Somerset Station. Onto Orchard Road, the Visitor Centre is a 5-minute walk against the direction of traffic.

The HippoBus tour starts near the Singapore Visitors' Centre @ Orchard. It leaves every 15 minutes between 7pm and 9.30pm and lasts about 30 minutes.

This ride was offered during Christmas in Singapore 2007. It's a great way to start of your Christmas Light Up tour. Once you've seen the entire Light Up stretch, you can zero in on the nicer spots for photo-taking.

Ticket reservation information: (65) 6338-6866. Call from your hotel or ask the receptionist.

[Watch this space for updates on this free bus tour for the 2008 Light Up.]

OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS DURING CHRISTMAS 2007
- The Nutcracker Christmas Fairytale on Ice
  - Famous Russian ice-skaters perform.
  - 13-16 Dec 2007, 3pm & 8pm, Singapore Indoor Stadium.
  - SGD 45-120. Call (65) 6348-5555.
- Interactive Christmas Village @ Plaza Singapura
  - Free nightly performances with a Christian theme.
  - Grand concert on Christmas Day along Orchard Road.
  - Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut Station.
- Christmas Floats' Parade on Orchard Road
  - Nightly, 15-24 Dec 2007.

The Orchard Road Light Up Photo Tour

Now that we're through with the travel tips, let's enjoy some photos I took of the Orchard Road Christmas Light Up in early December 2007.

	It's no joke! These blue fairy lights hover over the entire Orchard Road. All 4km of it. I've driven down Orchard Road 5 times already this year, just to marvel at these lights. I'm a sucker for this kind of things.

	The junction near the Orchard MRT Station is a great place to start your Christmas Light Up walking tour. This, in my opinion, is the most happening place of the Light Up.

	Don't you dare go to the Orchard Road Light Up without a camera!

	This year's being a Fairytale Christmas, be prepared to meet the characters of the Nutcracker story. This sparkling carousel - with its dancing ballerinas -draws the attention of visitors...

	and enchants this little boy.

	A girl admires a Nutcracker doll, which is encased in a 'bubble'. "Hmm... just why do they cover these lovely dolls with tacky plastic?"

	Princess Ballerina - probably the most photographed person during the Light Up. You'll find her poised gracefully outside the Ngee Ann City Shopping Centre.

	And her Nutcracker toy soldier companion.

	He guards the Orchard Road-Scotts Road junction with the help of his friends.

	Everybody wants to take photos with the doll!

	This silver-painted mime artiste makes his rounds at all the major festivals. You'll see him in Chinatown during Chinese New Year as well.

	And the children absolutely love him.

	There's more music during the Light Up this year than in previous years. Outside Wisma Atria, a South American band - Quipukamak - captivated both the young and old. Nice hypnotic music. Some 100m away, a qipao-clad Chinese girl was playing an erhu. Her tune? Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge over Trouble Waters. It's quite amazing.

	The Christmas trees get taller every year. These two are mainstays outside Paragon Shopping Centre. Other giants are found at Ngee Ann City and Raffles City Shopping Centres.

	Have a wonderful Christmas in Singapore 2007. And don't forget to take your camera to the Orchard Road Christmas Light Up.