Key highlights of Christmas in the Tropics 2012

Singapore's highly anticipated ‘Christmas in the Tropics,’ which has become a tradition for locals and tourists from the Asian region, returns from November 17, 2011 to January 6, 2012. Expect many colorful events in gorgeous venues such as Orchard Road, Marina Bay and Sentosa Island.

Below are highlights for Christmas in the Tropics 2012.

Orchard Road

Christmas on A Great Street

17 November 2012 – 6 January 2013

• Revel in one of the biggest holiday seasons of the year at the world-famous shopping district Orchard Road. 
• The glitzy street has been ranked among the top 10 in Frommers‟ World‟s Best Holiday Lights: 10 Decorated Cities and Lonely Planet‟s Top 10 Christmas Markets of the World. 
• The celebration in Singapore features shopping promotions and festivities with daily lucky draws and prizes.

Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS) 

17-25 December 2012

• Enjoy nightly live musical performances at four performing areas along Orchard Road walkway between Scotts and Bideford Road.
• Experience the Christmas story with the viewing of dioramas and exhibits along the walkway fronting Mandarin Gallery, Wisma Atria and ION Orchard.
• Enjoy an evening of carolling on 24th Dec and be part of one of Asia‟s Mass Caroling events at ION Orchard.
• Watch local and foreign talents participating in CCIS‟ highlights of the Grand Christmas Day Concert 
• Take part in the many activities, including photographic opportunities with CCIS‟ beautifully decorated floats.
• Come join Celebrity DJ Dong Fang Billy as he leads a mass wellness and health exercise, and enjoy a fashion show.

Marina Bay

Joint Christmas Shopping Promotion 

23 November -25 December 2012

• Experience a complete Christmas experience in Marina Bay – Shop, eat, stay and play (sightseeing) at Marina Bay from dawn to dusk.
• Over $50,000 worth of prizes to be won!  Prizes inclusive of shopping and dining vouchers, hotel stays and exciting rides tickets. One lucky winner will be picked from each participating establishment.
• The 10 participating malls/properties are: 1. Citylink Mall, 2. Esplanade, Theatre on the Bay, 3. The Fullerton Heritage, 4. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 5. Marina Bay Link Mall, 6. Marina Square, 7. Millenia Walk, 8. Raffles City Shopping Centre, 9. The Singapore Flyer and 10. Suntec City Mall

SSO Christmas Concert 2012 (Esplanade Concert Hall)

13-14 December 2012

• Christmas comes alive as Singapore Symphony Orchestra Choral Director Lim Yau leads the SSO, Singapore Symphony Chorus and Singapore Symphony Children‟s Choir in two evenings of traditional carols and favourite yuletide melodies.
• Narrator William Ledbetter will also join the orchestra for The Night Before Christmas by Philip Lane, a heartwarming work based on a famous poem which remains a perennial favourite with audiences the world over.

Crazy Christmas 2012 (Esplanade Theatre)

28 November - 9 December 2012

• This year‟s Crazy Christmas revue celebrates movie magic as the Silver Screen meets Silver Bells.
• Includes Singapore's finest entertainers such as Selena Tan and Adrian Pang, together with the
  likes of Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin. 
• Catch the family friendly version with Hossan Leong from 28 Nov – 2 Dec, or the naughty R18
  version with Kumar from 4 – 9 Dec.

Santa Claus the Musical (Marina Bay Sands‟ Grand Theatre)

13 December 2012 – 6 January 2013

• From the producers of Annie comes SANTA CLAUS The Musical, a delightful Christmas adventure. 
  With an all-star cast direct from the UK, a live orchestra, fabulous sets, costumes and spectacular
  special effects.
• Come on adventure with Santa Claus as he and his chief Elf, Joe, try to stop the Ice Queen and her 
  faithful henchman, Jack Frost, from cancelling Christmas around the world.  
• The show features popular festive tunes from the festive season including Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is coming to town, Let it Snow and Rockin‟ around the Christmas tree and many more.
• Tickets in the VIP Category and VIP Box Seats are inclusive of a special Christmas present.

Marina Bay Countdown
31 December 2012

• A short film named What Are You Grateful For? will be conceptualised and produced specially for the event.
• This will be a heart-warming four-series film about how ordinary people‟s lives have been changed by gratitude and people giving their take on what gratitude means to them.
• This film will also include behind the scenes footage on the preparation of Marina Bay Singapore Countdown as well as video dedications.
• This short film will be screened at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre and along the waterfront promenade on New Year‟s Eve and posted online to increase the outreach. 
• Following last year‟s success, Music & Movement, an events & entertainment company, will be organizing a concert “Happy 3+65” at The Promontory for the second year running.
• It is a New Year‟s Eve celebration that is meant to showcase local talents and promote local music.
• There are plans to organise this concert on an annual basis and develop it into a performance platform that local acts can aspire to be at on New Year‟s Eve. 
• Similar to last year, Marina Bay Link Mall will organise „Downtown Bites‟, a F&B carnival at the waterfront promenade featuring its tenants such as Four Seasons Gourmet Market, Salad Stop, Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and The Rotisserie.

Sentosa HarbourFront

VivoCity

ILLUMINATE! The Light of Christmas comes to VivoCity (Amphitheatre, Level 3)

7 – 14 December 2012 8 pm except December 10th

Be dazzled by the visual spectacle of lights this Christmas at VivoCity. A specially choreographed 30-minute musical featuring sand art, music, dance and amazing  light inspired specialty acts not to be missed!
Shoppers with a minimum spending of $100 (maximum of 3 combined same-day receipts) between 23 November and 14 December 2012 can redeem one pass (admits 4 persons) to watch one of the shows that runs from 7  – 14 December 2012. OCBC Credit/Debit  Cardmembers just need to charge $80* to their cards to qualify.

VivoCity 6th Anniversary Celebrations (The Promenade, Level 1)

6 Dec 2012 6 pm

In celebration of VivoCity‟s 6 th Anniversary, don‟t miss this spectacular fireworks display to mark this joyous occasion. Choreographed by German choreographer Markus Katterle, the night sky above VivoCity will be bursting with colours.

Christmas Late Night Shopping

Shoppers will enjoy extended shopping hours till 11pm at VivoCity from 21 – 23 December 2012. With special late night shopping deals at participating outlets, there  will also be festive roving activities to keep shoppers entertained.

Singapore Cable Car and The Jewel Box

30 Nov 2012  - 6 Jan 2013

• Soak in the joyous festive ambience at The Jewel Box‟s Hilltop Celebrations atop Mount Faber and onboard Singapore Cable Car this year cos‟ there‟s something for everyone. 
• Bring your family and friends as you embark on a Christmas adventure the moment you hop onboard the enchanting Christmas-themed Angry Birds cable cars for a magical Christmas Voyage to an enchanted Hilltop Christmas Village atop Mount Faber.
• Photo opportunities are aplenty with photo sites including Angry Birds Christmas trees, Angry Birds village and other spectacular venues around The Jewel Box featuring a visual spectacle of 10,000 bells as this year‟s themed décor.
• To ring in 2013 with a private and unique twist, book a champagne cabin flight onboard Singapore Cable Car and countdown the last minutes of 2012 with your family and friends in your very own private cabin. 
• At midnight, watch the skies light up as fireworks go off at Sentosa, Resorts World Sentosa, Vivocity and The Jewel Box.

Sentosa Island

Sentosa PLAYcation (Merlion Plaza & Palawan Beach)

24 November– 30 December 2012

• Come PLAY at Sentosa and enjoy a larger-than-life PLAYMOBIL experience this holiday season
  • with  life-size PLAYMOBIL characters around Sentosa! 
• At Palawan Beach, join the knights and pirates at the fort and take pictures at themed photo-points. 
• Be wowed by the collectors‟ display corner with collections since 1974. 
• Engage the little ones with interactive arts and crafts or be entertained with performances 
  specially lined up for your family. Join us at Merlion Plaza and ride on Santa‟s reindeers at the
  interactive photo-point or take pictures with walkabout characters!
• Be amongst the first to collect exclusive PLAYMOBIL figurines at Sentosa!

SENTOSA PROMOTION

15% off Sentosa Islander gift card! Spread the festive cheer this Christmas with a Sentosa Islander gift card!  Enjoy year-long fun on Asia‟s favourite playground with unlimited island admission, exclusive privileges, dining deals and exciting attraction offers! Sign up now at Membership Counter at Sentosa Station (VivoCity, Lobby L, Level 3), Beach Station or Sentosa Visitor Centre!

Zoukout 2012 (Sentosa‟s Siloso Beach)

6 – 8 December 2012

• Singapore‟s most anticipated annual outdoor dance party at Siloso Beach has been bringing together
  

  night revellers all over Asia for over a decade now.
• Organised by long-reigning superclub Zouk, this two-night dance music festival features world-class
  

  acts that span house, techno, trance, hip hop and electro, and has seen the likes of Carl Cox, Tiesto, 

  Armin Van Buuren, Sasha, David Guetta and other DJs.
• This year‟s line-up includes big names Major Lazer, Above & Beyond and Calvin Harris and many others.
• Visitors can also experience some of Singapore‟s best DJ talents at work with Jeremy Boon, Aldrin
  

  and Hong spinning the decks.

Siloso Beach Party

31 December 2012

• Asia‟s Largest and Grooviest Beach Countdown Party is back! Count down to a sensational 2013 with 12 hours of non-stop action at five distinct party zones, our giant foam pool and sandy dance floor!
• The Siloso Beach Party is the only year-end countdown event set against the allure of the sea front. 
• Party goers can indulge and party to music that they love, whether it‟s dancing to heart-pounding hits at the Main Arena, chilling out to lo-fi and beach house tunes at COASTES, indulging in plush party sounds at Azzura Beach Club, surfing to the rhythm at Wave House Sentosa, or grooving to a mix of Latin Jazz at the new beach bar, Mambo.
• Enjoy exciting fringe performances and fuel your energy with the wide array of food and drinks! The whole hosts of activities will satisfy your appetite for entertainment till the break of dawn.

Source : Highlights for Christmas in the Tropics 2012

Christmas in Singapore 2012 - Christmas in the Tropics

Be prepared for a thrilling end to the year as Singapore’s much-loved “Christmas in the Tropics” (CIT) returns from 17 Nov 2012 to 6 Jan 2013. Locals and visitors alike will be able to look forward to perennial favourites such as the annual Christmas light-ups and a myriad of lifestyle activities and retail promotions, as well as exciting new shows and event highlights to celebrate the yuletide season in style.

Singapore Christmas 2012 season continues to gain momentum and popularity, with 6.57 million people visiting both Orchard Road and Marina Bay during CIT 2011, an increase from 6.06 million in 2010. The festive celebrations have also gained a measure of international recognition, with Orchard Road, Singapore’s main shopping strip, being awarded the Merit Award for Events and Programming by the International Downtown Association for its Christmas decorations in 2011. The Orchard Road light-up itself was also ranked among the Top 10 Christmas Markets of the World in 2011 by Lonely Planet (UK), and one of the World’s Best Holiday Lights: 10 Decorated Cities in 2010 by Frommer’s (US).

“Over the years, Christmas in the Tropics has become a much anticipated year-end tradition for both locals and visitors in the region. This year, the Orchard Road, Sentosa HarbourFront and Marina Bay precincts will each feature distinctive Christmas programmes, enabling everyone to experience how Singapore, as a compelling lifestyle city, ushers in the festive spirit in our own special way “, said Ms Tan Yen Nee, Deputy Director, Enrichment and Lifestyle Precincts Development at the Singapore Tourism Board.

The Christmas celebrations at the precincts, led by their respective stakeholders and precinct associations, have distinct themes that appeal to diverse audiences while also building on the precincts’ individual identities.

Orchard Road

Back for the 29th year, Orchard Road’s Christmas light-up, Christmas on A Great Street, centres on yuletide folklore and tradition, complete with motifs of hearts, doves, Christmas trees and nutcracker soldiers.

Led by Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) together with main sponsor Hitachi and official card Visa, the light-up will span three zones and have different motifs representing the light-up theme’s three main messages; the Tree for Joy in the Tanglin zone, the Heart for Love at Orchard, and Dove for Peace at Somerset.

“Visitors will once again be immersed in the festivity of Christmas in the tropics as Orchard Road lights up in dazzling splendour. This year, they can also look forward to bringing home a souvenir of their experience with our limited edition Christmas-themed merchandise that will be sold along Orchard Road. Together with shopping rewards and street performances, Orchard Road Business Association will once again present the multi-faceted charms of Christmas on A Great Street,” says Mrs May Sng, Chairman of ORBA.

For the first time, visitors can bring home Christmas souvenirs that capture the Orchard Road Christmas experience. Designed to complement the street décor theme, these keepsakes range from key-chains to mugs, as well as tote bags and t-shirts and are specially designed by students from LASALLE College of the Arts. The limited-edition merchandise will be sold at the Gift Shops located in front of Tang Plaza and Ngee Ann City.

Orchard Road Christmas Festive Light-up

Orchard Road’s transformation into a magical wonderland will start on 17 November with the Light-Up Ceremony at ION2 (ION Orchard’s outdoor atrium). The ceremony also marks the start of Community Chest’s annual charity drive, and ORBA will be collaborating with Celebrate Christmas in Singapore and student volunteers from Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic to hand out candle torchlights to the public during the ceremony. With every candle lit, ORBA will donate S$1 to Community Chest.

Ten malls along the 2.2km shopping strip will also be in their holiday finest as the Best Dressed Building Contest takes place from 17 November to 2 December. Members of the public who vote for their favourite building on Orchard Road’s Facebook fan page will stand a chance to be among 12 lucky voters who will win up to S$1,000 worth of shopping vouchers.

Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS) also takes place on Orchard Road and Marina Bay from 17 to 25 December this year. Since 2003, CCIS has been relating the story of Christmas through song, dance and theatre. During the ten days of CCIS, spectators can revel every night with musical and drama performances, and participate in fun-filled interactive activities such as the mass wellness and health exercise led by celebrity DJ Dong Fang Billy and a fashion show.

For a heartwarming evening of yuletide melodies, join CCIS on 23 and 24 December as they present Orchard Road’s biggest Mass Carolling event. Held at ION Square from 7.30 pm to 8.45 pm, be mesmerised by the harmony of some 500 carollers from the different churches in Singapore and the region.

Those with a penchant for last minute Christmas shopping will also find more reasons to indulge as five Orchard Road malls, 313@somerset (from 21 to 22 December), ION Orchard, Paragon, TANGS Orchard and The Centrepoint, will be opened till 11pm from 19 to 23 December.

Sentosa HarbourFront

Christmas at the Sentosa HarbourFront precinct also promises to be a dazzling experience with the wide array of Christmas decorations and programmes organised by the HarbourFront Centre, Mount Faber Leisure Group, Sentosa, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and VivoCity. The entire precinct will be set aglow at the flick of a switch at a synchronised light-up taking place on 24 November. From the enchanting Christmas village at the Jewel Box, the charming PLAYMOBIL-themed Christmas tree and life-sized PLAYMOBIL Santa and his reindeers at Sentosa, and Christmas celebrations within RWS’ Universal Studios Singapore, to HarbourFront Centre’s Royal Christmas Adventure backdrop and the visual spectacle of lights over at VivoCity’s Illuminate!, each visit to the precinct promises to be a different and memorable experience.

”We look forward to seeing the Sentosa HarbourFront precinct come alive with lights, spreading the spirit of festive holiday cheer through a mesmerising display of sparkling Christmas decorations for all to enjoy. With a series of exciting events lined up this year in Sentosa Harbourfront, merry-makers can create holiday memories to last for a long time,” said Mr Chang Yeng Cheong, spokesperson for the Sentosa HarbourFront precinct.

ZoukOut 2012

Visitors to RWS can expect an exciting line-up of events and offerings in the lead up to the New Year, including the resort's grand opening celebrations on 7 December, with public performances and spectacular fireworks. RWS will open the world's largest oceanarium, Marine Life Park, as well as Incanto, an original theatrical magic spectacular featuring top illusionist and three-time Merlin winner Joe Labero.

To commemorate VivoCity’s sixth anniversary, a stunning fireworks display choreographed by German fireworks maestro Markus Katterle will mark the occasion with a dramatic burst of colour on 6 December.

Shoppers will also be able to enjoy extended shopping hours till 11pm, complete with roving entertainers and late night shopping specials from 21 to 23 December.

Silosa Beach Party

Marina Bay

This year, the members of the Marina Bay Business Association (MBBA) comprising CityLink Mall, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Marina Square, Millenia Walk, Marina Bay Link Mall, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore Flyer, Suntec City Mall and The Fullerton Heritage have come together to offer a shopping promotion that will give away a total of S$50,000 in prizes. From 23 November to 25 December, with a minimum spend of S$80, 10 shoppers may each stand to win at least S$5,000 worth of dining and shopping vouchers, hotel stays and tickets to attractions around the Bay.

 “Visitors can truly look forward to discovering the splendour of celebrating the festive season with their nearest and dearest at the beautiful Marina Bay. The malls will be decked out for the season with fabulous festive finds, culinary delights, rewarding spending programmes and an exciting suite of entertaining programmes and customer care services to get everyone in the wonderful spirit," said Ms Esther Teo, Chairperson for the MBBA Christmas project 2012.

Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2013 Fireworks

There’s no better way to partake in the festivities than through music and theatre. At the Esplanade, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) will usher in the yuletide cheer with the SSO Christmas Concert 2012. Playing on 13 and 14 December, SSO choral director Lim Yau leads the SSO, Singapore Symphony Chorus and Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir in two evenings of festive tunes. The popular Crazy Christmas Revue also takes to the stage from 28 November to 9 December to celebrate movie magic. Singapore's finest entertainers such as Selena Tan and Adrian Pang, together with the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin will bring plenty of laughter and love to the audience.

Over at Marina Bay Sands, the producers of popular musical Annie presents Santa Claus the Musical, a delightful Christmas adventure set to take place at the Grand Theatre from 13 December 2012 to 6 January 2013. The heartwarming musical depicts the efforts of Santa Claus and his chief elf as they try to stop the evil Ice Queen from cancelling Christmas, and will feature an all-British cast backed by a live orchestra, popular festive tunes, fabulous sets, and special effects.

Source : Singapore Sets the Stage for a Sensory Christmas Experience

Singapore Siloso Beach Countdown Party 2012/2013

There are many colorful ways to greet new year in Singapore and the best for beach lovers and partygoersis the full night party at Singapore Siloso Beach Countdown Party on December 31st 2012. This 12 hours non-stop party between 06 PM to 06 AM at Siloso Beach is Asia's largest beach countdown party and this year it will come with 5 party themes and 1 crazy event. It transforms 1.2 km beach stretch of Siloso into the ultimate countdown party arena.

Here is some official information on the party from Singapore Tourism Board's web site. The party is a part of large Christmas in Tropics (CIT) chain of events in Singapore:

Asia‟s Largest and Grooviest Beach Countdown Party is back! Count down to a sensational 2013 with 12 hours of non-stop action at five distinct party zones, our giant foam pool and sandy dance floor! The Siloso Beach Party is the only year-end countdown event set against the allure of the sea 7 front. Party goers can indulge and party to music that they love, whether it‟s dancing to heart-pounding hits at the Main Arena, chilling out to lo-fi and beach house tunes at COASTES, indulging in plush party sounds at Azzura Beach Club, surfing to the rhythm at Wave House Sentosa, or grooving to a mix of Latin Jazz at the new beach bar, Mambo. Enjoy exciting fringe performances and fuel your energy with the wide array of food and drinks! The whole hosts of activities will satisfy your appetite for entertainment till the break of dawn.

Foam pool at Siloso Beach Party

Famous with volleyball, courts and beach babes/bikini girls, Siloso Beach on Sentosa island of Singapore is also one of the most famous beach party location in Asia. After sun sets, the beach transforms into a night life spot with parties, music, lively bars and restaurants celebrating the beach lifestyle long into the night – every night. The Siloso Beach is also venue for annual ZoukOut beach parties and Singapore Siloso Beach Countdown Parties.

No beach party is complete without bikini babes

Ticket price, including first free drink, is 52 Singapore Dollars.

Alternatively, you can enter 2013 in Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2012/2013 which is held in Marina Bay area and famous for its impressive 15 minutes long Fireworks show.