Things to do to celebrate Christmas and New Year in Singapore (2022-2023)
The month of December is best known for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It is the time of the year for friends, colleagues, and family to gather and catch up with each other.
In Singapore, many people will take a long break in conjunction with the festivals in December to spend quality time with their loved ones, from having lunches and dinners, visiting places of interest, attending workshops, to joining foam dance parties.
Still haven’t decided what to do with your loved ones this 2022 Christmas and the upcoming new year in 2023? We have curated a list of hotel buffets, restaurant menus, and activities for children and grown-ups, and grouped them into the following categories:
- Christmas buffets, lunches, brunches & dinners
for friends, colleagues & employees - Christmas light-ups & festive decorations
for friends, couples, and family - Carnivals with food, games & rides
for family with kids - New Year’s Eve (NYE) countdown parties
for friends and couples
Christmas buffets, lunches, brunches & dinners
Christmas feasts allow family and friends to chat and spend time with each other while savouring rich and sumptuous meals. Colleagues can also go to Christmas buffets for team lunch, year-end team bonding event, or company lunch & dinner.
We have shortlisted a list of Christmas buffet lunches and dinners in the city and CBD as follows:
Photos via Goodwood Park Hotel / Website
Element @ Amara Singapore – From SGD 40.00++ per person
- Christmas buffet
- Menu: [Festive Buffet] [Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet] [Christmas Day Brunch Buffet]
- Date: 1 – 30 December 2022
- Time:
- (Lunch/Brunch) 12:00pm – 3:00pm
- (Dinner) 6:00pm – 10:00pm
- Address: 165 Tanjong Pagar Road, Amara Singapore Level One, Singapore 088539 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW15) Tanjong Pagar
- Note:
- For every 3 paying adults, 1 additional adult dines free for Festive Lunch and Dinner buffets.
- UOB cardholders enjoy 15% off Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffets.
Royale Restaurant @ Mercure Singapore Bugis – From SGD 58.00++ per person
- Festive Buffet 2022
- Menu: [Festive Prelude Menu 1] [Festive Prelude Menu 2] [Festive Buffet Menu]
- Date: 2 December 2022 – 1 January 2023
- Time:
- (Lunch) 12:00pm – 2:30pm
- (Dinner) 6:00pm – 9:00pm
- Address: 122 Middle Road, Singapore 188973 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (CC2) Bras Basah
- Note: Receive 10% off for early booking of Festive Buffet before 15 December 2022.
Princess Terrace Cafe @ Copthorne Kings Hotel – From SGD 62.00++ per person
- Festive Penang Buffet Promotion
- Menu: [Festive Penang Buffet] [Christmas Eve & Day Authentic Penang & Nasi Kandar Buffet]
- Date: 1 December 2022 – 1 January 2023
- Time:
- (Lunch) 12:00pm – 2:30pm
- (Dinner) 6:00pm – 10:00pm
- Address: 403 Havelock Road, Singapore 169632 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (TE16) Havelock
- Note: Receive 20% off for early booking of Festive Penang Buffet (excluding 23-25 Dec & 31 Dec) before 30 November 2022.
Coffee Lounge @ Goodwood Park Hotel – From SGD 62.00++ per person
- Goodwood Christmas Cheer 2022
- Menu: [Festive International Buffet]
- Date: 1 December 2022 – 2 January 2023
- Time:
- (Lunch) 12:00pm – 2:30pm
- (Dinner) 6:00pm – 10:30pm
- (Christmas Lunch) 10:30am – 1:00pm
- (Christmas Dinner) 2:00pm – 4:30pm
- Address: 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS22 | TE14) Orchard
- Note: CIMB, Citi, DBS/POSB, HSBC, OCBC, UOB cardholders enjoy 40% off every second adult diner.
The Orchard Cafe @ Orchard Hotel Singapore – From SGD 72.00++ per person
- Festive Promotions
- Menu: [Festive Buffet] [Christmas Eve & Day Buffet] [New Year’s Eve Buffet] [New Year Buffet]
- Date: 21 November 2022 – 2 January 2023
- Time:
- (Lunch) 12:00pm – 2:30pm
- (Dinner) 6:00pm – 10:00pm
- (Christmas Eve Lunch) 11:30am – 1:00pm | 1:30pm – 3:00pm
- (Christmas Eve & Day Dinner) 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 8:00pm – 10:00pm
- (New Year’s Eve Dinner) 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 8:00pm – 10:00pm
- Address: 442 Orchard Road, Level 3, Singapore 238879 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS22| TE14) Orchard
- Note: Enjoy 25% off for reservations and payments made by 11 December 2022. 15% off from 12 December 2022 onwards.
Photos via Crossroads Singapore, Mariott Tang Plaza / Website
Food Capital @ Grand Copthorne Waterfront – From SGD 72.00++ per person
- A Yuletide Feast
- Menu: [Yeletide Feast] [Christmas Specials] [New Year Specials]
- Date: 14 November 2022 – 1 January 2023
- Time:
- (Lunch) 12:00pm – 2:30pm
- (Dinner) 6:00pm – 10:00pm
- (Christmas Day Brunch) 12:00pm – 3:00pm
- (New Year’s Eve Brunch) 12:00pm – 3:00pm
- (New Year’s Day Brunch) 12:00pm – 3:00pm
- Address: 392 Havelock Road, Level 1, Singapore 169663 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (TE16) Havelock
Town Restaurant @ Fullerton Hotel – From SGD 72.00++ per person
- Festive Specials
- Menu: [Festive Lunch Buffet] [Festive Sunday Brunch] [Festive Sunday Brunch for Kids] [Festive Dinner Buffet – Sun – Thu] [Festive BBQ Dinner Buffet – Fri & Sat] [Christmas Brunch] [Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Dinner Buffet]
- Date: 14 November 2022 – 31 December 2022
- Time:
- (Lunch) 12:00pm – 2:30pm
- (Brunch) 12:00pm – 3:00pm
- (Dinner) 6:30pm – 10:00pm
- (Christmas Brunch) 12:30pm – 3:30pm
- (Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Dinner) 6:30pm – 10:30pm
- Address: 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (EW14 | NS26) Raffles Place
Lime Restaurant @ PARKROYAL on Pickering – From SGD 79.00++ per person
- Holly Jolly Christmas – Festive Feast
- Menu: [Festive Menus]
- Date: 1 – 30 December 2022
- Time:
- (Weekday Lunch) 12:00pm – 2:00pm
- (Weekend Brunch) 12:30pm – 3:00pm
- (Dinner) 6:30pm – 10:00pm
- (Christmas Dinner) 5:30pm – 10:00pm
- Address: 3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NE5) Clarke Quay
- Note: UOB, Citibank, Amex & DBS card holders enjoy 15% discount on festive buffets.
Crossroads Cafe @ Singapore Mariott Tang Plaza Hotel – From SGD 83.00++ per person
- Festive Buffet Brunch
- Menu: [Festive Buffet Brunch] [Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Brunch] [New Year Eve & New Year Day Brunch]
- Date: 3 December 2022 – 1 January 2023
- Time:
- (Brunch) 12:00pm – 2:30pm
- Address: 320 Orchard Road, Singapore 238865 [Map]
- Nearest MRT station: (NS22 | TE14) Orchard
Christmas light-ups & festive decorations
Visiting places with Christmas light-ups and decorations is a must in Singapore. Get yourself basked in the festive mood without breaking the bank.
You can take photos with the Christmas decorations and lighting, watch the 3D projections, listen to Christmas carols, play with artificial snow, and more.
The following are two areas in town that you can visit to get into the mood this Christmas:
Orchard Shopping Belt
Photos via Orchard Road Business Association / Facebook @orchardroad.sg
Christmas celebrations in Singapore are never complete without visiting the famed Orchard Road. For the 39th time, the iconic shopping belt in Singapore is again dressed with glittering decorations this Christmas. Take a walk down the streets with your friends, family, and loved ones in the evenings.
After your stroll, don’t forget to visit the shopping malls to shop for Christmas and new year gifts and let the children roam free in the carnival with games and rides at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza.
- Venue: Orchard Road [Map]
- Dates: 12 November 2022 – 2 January 2023
- Nearest MRT station: (NS22 | TE14) Orchard
- Admission Fee: Free
City Hall
Photos via Capitol Singapore / Facebook
Other than Orchard Road, another place where you can experience the Christmas atmosphere in Singapore is in the city centre stretching from City Hall to Marina Bay. While their festive decorations may not be as extensive as on Orchard Road, the Christmas ambience is still strong with light projection shows, choirs and music performances happening on the streets as well as in the malls.
Capitol Singapore and CHIJMES will host live band performances and Christmas carols in the evenings throughout this period. One of the highlights of the festive programme is the snowfall that will descend every 30 minutes from 7 pm to 9 pm daily during this period.
Suntec City
As part of Suntec City’s ‘Christmas Carnival Cheer’, a mini carnival comprising of game booths and amusement rides is open to visitors at the outdoor area near the Fountain of Wealth. If you happen to be out with the kids in town or after taking a festive walk in the City Hall area, bring them to Suntec City for some Christmas shopping and fun.
There will also be a medley of Christmas songs and popular covers by local buskers such as Jeff Ng, Sheng Li, Jason Yu, and The Staircase Duo over the weekends from Friday to Sunday at the carnival.
- Venue: Near Fountain of Wealth, Suntec City [Map]
- Dates: 18 November – 25 December 2022
- Opening Hours:
- (Monday – Friday) 5:00pm – 10:00pm
- (Saturday – Sunday) 12:00pm – 10:00pm
- Nearest MRT station: (CC 4 | DT 1525) Promenade
- Admission Fee: Free (Rides and games start from SGD 5 per try)
- Note: This is a mini carnival with 4 amusement rides and 5 game booths. Read more about other carnivals operating this festive season in the next section.
Carnivals with food, games & rides
When it comes to bringing kids out for Christmas, nothing beats a carnival.
On top of games and amusement rides in typical fun fairs, patrons can look forward to delectable local street food, entertainment by live bands, photo taking with spectacular lighting structures, circus performances, and real snow.
Check out these carnivals where you can enjoy a full day of fun this festive season:
Christmas Wonderland
Photos via Christmas Wonderland / Facebook
Located in Gardens by the Bay, Christmas Wonderland features a 21-meter tall Spalliera, a 10-meter tall windmill, and a 50-meter-long tunnel.
Kids can enjoy delectable snacks while having fun riding the double-storey Carousel and playing at the game booths.
- Venue: Gardens by the Bay, Supertree Grove [Map]
- Dates: 2 December 2022 – 1 January 2023
- Opening hours: 6:30pm – 10:30pm (last entry at 09:30pm)
- Admission Fee: SGD 8 – 12 per adult, SGD 6 per child
- Note: If you are in Gardens by the Bay before the opening hours, you will be able to access the venue and take photos with the installations for free (albeit with the lights switched off).
The Great Bay Fiesta by Uncle Ringo
The Great Bay Fiesta, a 4-in-1 mega carnival, will be held at the event space right beside MBS for the entire month of December. Organised by Uncle Ringo, a locally renowned fun fair operator, the carnival features a host of amusement rides and games, a 35-stall street food bazaar, a snowy playground made from real ice, and circus performances from the UK.
Admission to the food bazaar is free, while the remaining activities are ticketed events.
While you are at the carnival, don’t forget to catch Spectra – the 15-minute free light and water show at MBS’s bayfront at 8pm and 9pm. An additional show at 10pm will be held on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Venue: Bayfront Event Space (beside Marina Bay Sands) [Map]
- Dates: 1 December 2022 – 1 January 2023
- Opening hours: 10:00am – 10:00pm (varies across activities)
- Admission Fee: SGD 0 – 152 per person
Changi Airport T3 - Underground Carnival
Photos via Changi Airport / Website
The Underground Carnival at Changi Airport Terminal 3 is indoor, hence making it the perfect backup plan for every family with kids if it rains.
There are over 30 games and rides for both children and the young-at-heart, just like a typical carnival. Between 5 pm – 7 pm on 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 December 2022, spot Santa Claus at Levels 1 & 2, and take a photo with him to draw a free present from his red sack! Prizes range from carnival rides, workshop passes, and soft toys, to glamping packages.
- Venue: Basement 2 & 3, Terminal 3, Changi Airport [Map]
- Dates: 19 November 2022 – 2 January 2023
- Opening hours: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
- Admission Fee: Free (Rides and games charged by credits)
- Note: Credits can be earned by spending in Changi Airport, or purchased online through the iChangi mobile app or purchased onsite
Universal Studio Singapore - A Universal Christmas
Photos via Resort World Sentosa / Website
Good news! Universal Studio Singapore will be having Christmas-themed shows, performances, and light installations during this holiday. Highlights include Santa’s Circus Extravaganza (a 42-performers parade with breathtaking snowfall), live circus acts and acrobatics, delectable Christmas treats and desserts, and meet-and-greets with Universal Studio characters in their festive costumes.
- Venue: Universal Studio Singapore [Map]
- Dates: 23 November 2022 – 2 January 2023
- Opening hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm (subject to changes without prior notice)
- Admission Fee: SGD 75 – 98 per adult, SGD 63 – 75 per child
New Year Eve (NYE) countdown parties
Put your hands up in the air! Party into 2023 in the company of fireworks, music, light shows, performances, and booze.
We have curated 5 parties that you can join to count down and say goodbye to 2022:
Our Tampines Hub - Countdown to Magical Moments
For the Easties, a free community party will be held at the 5,000-seat stadium in Our Tampines Hub on the very last day of 2022.
Hosted by local artists Najib Ali and Hazelle, the event will start at 10 pm and feature a series of activities from circus-themed acrobatic performances, live music, counting down to the much-anticipated fireworks display.
While the event is free, you will need a ticket to get admitted. Stay tuned to Our Tampines Hub’s Facebook page to learn how, when, and where you can collect the tickets.
- Venue: Town Square, Our Tampines Hub [Map]
- Date/Time: 31 December 2022, 10:00pm onwards
- Admission Fee: Free (Tickets required)
Alternatively, if you prefer to attend a countdown event closer to home, People’s Association has organised a myriad of activities from stage performances, movie screenings, sports try-outs, to skating at 15 locations island wide. Click here for more details.
CÉ LA VI Singapore
CÉ LA VI Singapore is a pub on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands. If that doesn’t sound amazing enough, the dance party includes 1 glass of alcoholic drink and you will get to revel in the lap of luxury this New Year’s Eve at Singapore’s most iconic lifestyle destination.
- Venue: CÉ LA VI Singapore, Marina Bay Sands [Map]
- Date/Time: 31 December 2022, 3:00pm to 1 January 2023, 6:00am
- Admission Fee: SGD 38 – 98 per person
- Note: Minimum age for admission is 18 for female and 23 for male.
Skecher Sundown Live Countdown Party @ Sentosa
Sundown Festival, the leading music festival organiser in Singapore, will be organising their first party since 2019 along Palawan Beach, Sentosa. Different from usual rave parties, Skechers Sundown Live Countdown Party 2022/2023 is a family-friendly event that welcomes juniors as well as adults.
Held from 4pm on new year’s eve, pre-party activities from charity message, movie screening, face painting, scratch art, jagua tattoo, to sustainability workshop will keep patrons of all ages entertained. The countdown party will commence later in the evening into late night, led by renowned South Korean artist, DJ Soda.
- Venue: Palawan Green, Sentosa [Map]
- Date/Time: 31 December 2022, 4:00pm to 1 January 2023, 1:00am
- Admission Fee: SGD 40 – 58 per person, SGD 168 package for 4 persons
- Note: This is a family friendly event. Children are allowed to be admitted, though alcohol can only be purchased and consumed by patrons aged 18 and above.
Don't Let Daddy Know (DLDK) Singapore
Don’t Let Daddy Know (DLDK) is a countdown party organised by a world-leading Dutch music festival organiser for the first time in Singapore.
There will be a mix of local and international DJs, spamming nonstop electronic dance music (EDM) through the night. Hardcore revelers, are you ready to rave?
- Venue: Singapore Expo, Hall 3 [Map]
- Date/Time: 31 December 2022, 5:00pm to 1 January 2023, 1:00am
- Admission Fee: SGD 168 per person
- Note: Minimum age for admission is 18.
Star Island Singapore Countdown
Photos via Star Island Singapore Countdown / Website
Star Island Singapore Countdown is a part of Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2023. The 70-minute show features the artisanal Japanese Hanami fireworks performances.
What’s so special about this fireworks show? It is more than a firework display, it is an art performance synthesising fireworks, music, laser light, and stage performances.
- Venue: The Float @ Marina Bay [Map]
- Date/Time: 31 December 2022, 10:00pm to 1 January 2023, 1:00am
- Admission Fee: SGD 68 – 318 per person
- Note: Doors open at 5:00pm. This event is kids friendly and is not a EDM dance party.
Adiós 2022 & Hola 2023!
