SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
November 2017
14 Places to Enjoy Fabulous Christmas Activities with the Kids this Holiday! (2017)
‘Tis the season to be joyful, and what better way to get your cheeky cherubs smiling than with Christmas activities? Here are the best in Singapore’s malls — perfect for getting into that festive mood as a family!
With it being monsoon season, planning for an outdoor adventure with the family can be challenging. But don’t let it rain on your festive parade; just pop into a mall! Almost every single one in Singapore has geared up for the Christmas season, with live performances, games, and exclusive meet-and-greets to thrill the kids while you hunt for those last-minute gifts.
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1. Hop Aboard the Joy Ride of Discovery at ION Orchard
Embark on a joy ride of discovery as ION Orchard transforms into a magical train station! ‘Hop aboard’ a steam train, complete with classic English carriage seats, windows, and smoke from the train’s chimney. Clever moving graphics and imagery will take the whole family on an exciting journey across cities and continents to explore forests, valleys, and snow-capped mountains. With the train station decked out in hot air balloons, Christmas trees, glittery presents, and decorative lights, you’ll be spoilt for choice for festive photo backdrops!
Don’t miss ION Orchard’s Pandora Christmas tree either. With 72 glistening rose gold snowflakes and over 130,000 fairy lights, the 20m walk-in Christmas tree will give you your most elegant Instagram shot of the season. Give the kids a once-in-a-lifestyle opportunity to walk into a tree and enjoy an animated winter wonderland light show too!
When: 10 November 2017 – 1 January 2018
Time: 10am – 10pm
Where: ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, S238801
(See also: 31 Year-End School Holiday Activities (2017) to keep Your Kids Engaged this November and December)
2. Have an Out-of-This-World Christmas at City Square Mall
Do you love the Transformers as much as your kids do? Head down to City Square Mall this festive season to experience an intergalactic Christmas like no other! From 2 – 17 Dec, get up close and personal with fan favourites Optimus Prime and Bumblebee after enjoying Transformers ‘live’ on stage. Spend $50 to redeem a Meet The Autobots pass one hour prior to each show. At City Green Park, galactic carnival games promise to provide hours of entertainment for the whole family. Spend $40 to enjoy carnival classics, from bumper cars to an inflatable slides and obstacle courses!
Remember to stay for the first-ever Stellar Light Show as City Square Mall transports your family into a starry universe though an outdoor musical tunnel with over 24,000 LED lights, spanning over 50-metres. Cozy up under the action-packed visual display with your loved ones to witness the stunning 10-minute light show of your dreams! Light showtimes: every 30 mins from 7pm to 10pm daily.
When: 17 November – 31 December 2017
Time: 1pm – 10pm
Where: City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, S208539
3. Enjoy an Illuminating Christmas at Universal Studios Singapore
Enjoy an even brighter Christmas this year when you head down to Universal Studios Singapore! Don’t miss Santa on his snowy sleigh ride, explore the dazzling World of Stars, catch Sesame Street friends in an all-new Oscar’s Grouchmas show, and take part in an interactive Santa’s Workshop! With fun-filled daytime and nighttime experiences for the whole family, park hours will be extended to 9pm every night for guests to soak in the Christmas cheer. There’re even a larger-than-life Christmas tree, multimedia light shows, and spectacular fireworks!
When: 1 December 2017 – 1 January 2018
Time: 10am – 9pm
Where: Universal Studios Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway, S098269
4. Choose Between the Light and Dark Sides at Frasers Centrepoint Malls
Calling all Star Wars fans! Head over to Frasers Centrepoint Malls this holiday season to enjoy a Star Wars themed Christmas, with life-sized dioramas and virtual reality experiences. Monumental 7.5m-tall Christmas Trees featuring infinity mirrors will be present at Causeway Point, Changi City Point, and Waterway Point, with TIE fighters flying overhead at Eastpoint Mall.
The epicentre of the perennial battle between the Light and Dark sides is situated at The Centrepoint, where life-sized Stormtroopers, BB-8 in his X-wing, and a TIE silencer stand ready to greet all Jedi. Finally, get the special Frasers Rewards galactic passport and stand a chance to win $180,000 worth of instant rewards!
When: 17 November – 31 December 2017
Time: 10am – 10pm
Where: The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, S238843
5. Be Delighted by the Jolly Jamboree Carnival at AMK Hub
Look forward to the biggest Christmas carnival in the heartlands! This year, AMK Hub presents a Christmas Jamboree, featuring fun-filled themed rides, a bouncy castle, Meet and Greet with Santa and Friends, Snow and Bubble shows, and a Christmas Marketplace. Kids are sure to be delighted by the Jolly Jamboree Carnival, with a circus display of a life-sized balancing elephant, an interactive candy cane cluster, and more. In addition, let them soak in the spirit of cheer as they enjoy the theme park rides, from a Balloon Wheel to a Viking Ship and Helicopter Ride!
Don’t miss the spectacular winter wonderland showcase, with snow and bubble shows happening daily. You can also keep the magic of Christmas alive for your little ones with a Meet and Greet with Santa and his friends! Every weekend, be sure to keep an eye out for the troop as they make their way around the mall to say hello. Parents can also make their way to the Christmas Marketplace for any last-minute presents.
When: 17 November 2017 – 1 January 2018
Time: 10am – 10pm
Where: AMK Hub, 53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, S569933
6. Learn Together as a Family This Christmas at KidZania
It’s time to celebrate the festive season! KidZania Singapore has a trio of year-end in-park programmes, promising different experiences for families to enjoy this school holiday. From 17 Nov – 10 Dec, kids can learn to set healthy New Year’s resolutions as they learn more about healthy living at KidZ & Health. This 3-week long event includes a complimentary spinal scan or a giant snakes and ladders floor game to teach Junior about the importance of healthy living. On 9 December, the City opens for an early evening of Christmas Family Fun for the entire family to bond through role-play activities.
Not forgetting that Christmas is a time of giving, Memories Through Time: Hope will be held from 11 December till the end of the year. Here, festive activities will encourage kids to learn about values such as care and empathy, and giving back to the community. What better way to spend Christmas than learning together as a family?
When: 17 November – 31 December 2017
Time: 10am – 6pm
Where: KidZania Singapore, 31 Beach View, #01-01/02, S098008
7. Spot the Rarest Rays This Holiday at the S.E.A Aquarium
This holiday season, get ready as S.E.A Aquarium debuts one of the world’s rarest rays! The ornate eagle ray, an endangered species, is the first of its kind to be featured in zoos and aquariums worldwide. Look forward to sharing a memorable experience with your Bub as they learn more about this elusive creature at the annual Merry Fishmas celebrations! Don’t miss out as S.E.A Aquarium transforms into a water wonderland with sparkling displays, interactive activities, Scuba Santa and Elves’ underwater adventures, and more!
Guests can also embark on a trail to spot five of the aquarium’s latest additions: the ornate eagle ray, Argentine humphead, Mauritius triggerfish, honeycomb cowfish, and bat ray. Before leaving, don’t forget to make a stop at the 3.2-metre tall Fishmas tree, made with over 300 plastic bottles assembled by young environmentalists. There’s never a bad time to teach the kids about saving the Earth!
When: 1 December – 31 December 2017
Time: 10am – 7pm
Where: S.E.A Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Resorts World Sentosa, S098269
8. Check Out the First-Ever Quayside Christmas Festival at Robertson Quay
The Quayside Christmas Festival is definitely not to be missed! Kiddos will love the dedicated children’s area, located next to the new InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay. With lawn games, roving magicians, and caricaturists on hand, it’ll be hard to convince the kids to leave. Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four, and Ring Rope Toss will keep all ages happy at Quayside throughout the day, and an interactive Photo Booth will ensure the best moments are captured!
Parents can head over to the Christmas Market, where boutique artesian chocolates to homemade candles, Italian olive oils to traditional Christmas baked treats ensure that you’ll find that perfect gift. Joining the line-up of stores include Super Loco, Summerlong, Dabbawalla, ABC Bakery, Decker BBQ, and Publico Ristorante, where parents can relax with a quick bite or a cuppa while the kids play.
When: 3 December 2017
Time: 11am – 10.30pm
Where: Quayside, 60 Robertson Quay, S238252
(See also: 34 Places for Christmas Feasts and Festive Takeaways This Yuletide Season!)
9. Engage in Sensory Play This Holiday at HarbourFront Centre
Join Suzie & the Polar Bears at HarbourFront Centre this Christmas! From 2 Dec – 24 Dec on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, catch Suize & the Polar Bears at 2pm and 6pm. Meet and Greet sessions will follow 10 minutes after the show, and roving activities will be around the mall at 3pm to 3.30pm on show dates. That’s not all! With a minimum spend of $20, let Kiddo get artsy at the Christmas craft workshops. Engage their sensory play at the Kinetic Sand Pit or win prizes at the Snowball Toss! Other activities without a minimum spend include an adorable eskimo photo booth + snow room, and Santa’s very own topsy turvy upside down room.
Parents can also choose to participate in the lucky draw and stand to win family cruise holidays with Princess Cruises in Alaska and Canada or Vietnam and Thailand! There are also great gifts up for grabs throughout the holiday season, including limited edition Christmas wrappers, an exclusive Suzie & Polar Bears cutlery set, and a Sure-Win Instant Lucky Dip*.
When: 24 November – 31 December 2017
Time: 10am – 10pm
Where: HarbourFront Centre, 1 Maritime Square, S099255
*Different minimum spending requirements for the various gifts.
10. Have a Special Nickelodeon Christmas at 6 Different Malls Across Singapore
Celebrate Christmas with your favourite Nickelodeon characters! At six malls across the island, iconic Nickelodeon characters will come to life and present you a Christmas like no other. From Shimmer and Shine wielding some genie magic, to SpongeBob going Gold, to the PAW Patrol Pups sharing some tunes, and to Dora the Explorer on her December adventure, the kids are bound to have a magical holiday season.
“PAW Patrol Pups to the Rescue” Mall Show
This festive holiday, a brand new PAW Patrol Mall Show is coming to United Square and OneKM Mall! This action-packed, high-energy musical adventure is Skye’s first mall show in Asia, definitely not one to be missed! Don’t forget to bring along your camera to shake paws with the pups after the show!
When: 21 November – 4 December 2017
Time: Monday to Friday, 2.30pm & 7pm; Weekends, 2pm, 5pm & 7pm (No shows on 30th Nov)
Where: United Square, 101 Thomson Road, S307591
When: 6 December – 12 December 2017
Time: Monday to Friday, 1pm & 6pm; Weekends, 12.30pm, 3.30pm & 6pm (No shows on 7 Dec)
Where: OneKM, 11 Tanjong Katong Road, S437157
Nickelodeon @ Takashimaya’s World of Gifts
Shimmer and Shine will be making a special appearance at Takashimaya on the following dates.
When: 22 November – 25 December 2017
Time: 24 November 2017, 7.30pm (Ngee Ann Civic Plaza); 16 December 2017, 3pm & 7pm (B2), 5pm (L4)
Where: Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Road, S238873
Dora’s “Are You Ready For Adventure” Mall Show
What better way for the kids to celebrate friendship this holiday season than with Dora the Explorer! Help Dora, Boots, Diego, and Santa find the way to this one-of-a-kind celebration. After the show, let Junior unleash their creativity and watch as they create their very own backpack just like Dora’s! Don’t miss a treat with Dora the Explorer at an exclusive tea party, where snacks and drinks are served over big-time fun.
When: 5 – 7 December 2017, 8 – 10 December 2017
Time: 3.30pm and 2.30pm respectively (Mall Show)
9 December, 2.30pm (Tea Party)
Where: Bukit Panjang Plaza, 1 Jelebu Road, S677743
When: 12 – 14 December 2017, 15 and 17 December 2017
Time: 3.30pm and 2.3pm respectively (Mall Show)
16 December, 2.30pm (Tea Party)
Where: Lot One, 21 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4, S689812
SpongeBob Gold
Join SpongeBob and his pals for a festive season filled with music and laughter! See the hero of the Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob Squarepants, on stage in “SpongeBob Gold – Live Stage Show”. Watch as your child’s face lights up as they interact with their favourite characters at a special Meet and Greet! Not to mention, enjoy a Gold Tea Party with SpongeBob and friends, including sweet treats, games and more. Your Bub can also create their very own Christmas decoration at the Gold Craft Workshops to take home.
When: 30 November – 17 December 2017
Time: 1pm – 5.30pm
Where: Raffles City, 252 North Bridge Road, S179103
11. Join The Heroes From Robocar Poli at Plaza Singapura
From 24 Nov – 10 Dec, celebrate the Happy Poli-Days at Plaza Singapura. A first for Singapore, the character show will feature fun and interesting adventures where kids and parents can also expect classic Christmas songs weaved in to celebrate this festive season. Parents can look forward to spending quality time with the kids at thematic craft workshops, a meet-and-greet, and tea party.
Simply spend a minimum of $30 in a single same-day, same-mall receipt to score an up-close-and-personal meeting with Robocar Poli heroes! Parents will also be able to redeem an entry pass for the tea party on 30 Nov and 7 Dec 2017 at 4pm, with a minimum spend of $80.
When: 24 November – 10 December 2017
Time: Monday – Thursday (No Tuesdays), 1pm & 7pm
Fridays – Sundays, 1pm, 4pm & 7pm
30 November & 7 December 2017, 4pm (Tea Party)
Where: Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road, S238839
12. Have yourself a Merry Minions Holiday at NEX
Get ready to celebrate a Merry Minions Holiday at NEX this Christmas! Bring in the sunshine as the whole family enjoys a tropical festive season at NEX, including an exclusive photo-taking session with the Minions. In addition, NEX has lined up a tropical wacky Christmas show featuring a craft-filled Kids’ Party and other fun activities. Junior will definitely be delighted by these engaging festive activities! During the season of giving, NEX will be partnering with Make-A-Wish-Foundation® Singapore (MAWSG) to make giving back an enjoyable experience for the family. Reward your child with a Minion plush toy for $10 (8-inch) or $20 (12-inch), with all proceeds going towards charity!
For parents who’ve yet to finish up their Christmas shopping, there’s another great reason for you to shop at NEX. Stand a chance to win a 5D4N trip for two at the Minions Theme Park in Osaka, Japan when you participate in the exclusive lucky draw!
When: 1 – 10 December 2017
Time: 1pm & 7pm (Christmas Show); 4pm – 5pm (Kids’ Party); 12pm – 8pm (Tropical Balloon Land); 1 – 3 December 2017, 8 – 10 December 2017, 1.15pm & 7.15pm (Meet the Minions)
Where: NEX, 23 Serangoon Central, S556083
13. Have a Magical Snowy Christmas at Parkway Parade
This 23 Nov – 25 Dec, enjoy snowy fun activities for the whole family at Parkway Parade! Kiddos can look forward to a subzero snowy retreat at the Snow Fun House, an indoor snow experience, complete with a snow luge, snow pit and an igloo. To redeem a ticket, spend a minimum of $50 in 2 combined same-day receipts (minimum spending for Cold Storage and Giant is $100). Be sure to check out the snow cannon blaster taking residence at the mall’s basement pavilion, dispensing a wondrous snowfall for a picturesque white Christmas!
There’ll also be special appearances by Arctic Avengers mascots to spread the Christmas cheer. Stay on for the wonderful snowfall experience, taking place daily in front of the Snow Fun House, 8pm on weekdays, and 5pm & 8pm on weekends and public holidays.
When: 23 November – 25 December 2017
Time: 10am – 10pm
Where: Parkway Parade, 80 Marine Parade Road, S449269
14. Shop Till You Drop at the Christmas Festive Market at Tanjong Pagar Centre
Source: GuocoLand Singapore
This 20 Nov – 1 Dec, the atrium will be decked out with festive music and decorations for the perfect Christmas experience. Parents and kids can expect to find a wide variety of eye-catching artisanal goods at the Christmas Festive Market! Featuring handmade accessories, customisable gifts, and even unique body care products, it’ll be a breeze to find the perfect gift for anyone on your list.
Kids will also be spoiled for choice as they dine for free. Six participating F&B outlets at Tanjong Pagar Centre will offer free kids’ meals with every purchase of an adult ala-carte set. Be it Japanese or Mediterranean, both kids and parents will have endless dining options to choose from!
When: 17 November – 25 December 2017
Time: 11am – 7pm (Christmas Festive Market)
Where: Tanjong Pagar Centre, 7 Wallich Street, S078884
With all the fun activities available indoors, there’s no need to worry about bad weather. Be sure to head down to these 14 places to enjoy a fun and fabulous Christmas with the family!
Header image: NEX Singapore
Feature image: Universal Studios Singapore
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