5 Reasons to celebrate Christmas at Marina Bay Sands Singapore

It’s the most magical time of the year and what better way to celebrate this wonderful occasion than at one of Southeast Asia’s most magical places? Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands is all aglow with unparalleled festive experiences for an unforgettable Yuletide. The iconic integrated resort adds an enchanting sparkle to Singapore’s vibrant city district with its transformation into a glittering Christmas Winter Wonderland. 

From now until 2 January 2024, visitors can revel in the resort’s dazzling holiday installations whilst relishing in the season of celebration over an impressive and wondrous lineup of dining, shopping, leisure and entertainment specials. Photo opportunities also abound as some 300 sparkling trees wrapped in red and gold little the resort at every turn. 

The iconic three towers of Marina Bay Sands will also be lit up with enchanting decorations, treating travellers to a picturesque festive display until 25 December. Whether it’s exploring the shopping mall’s retail wonders or dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, there are plenty of ways to spread the joy with your loved ones this festive season. 

In case you’re wondering just how magnificent these celebrations are, Marina Bay Sands kicked off the holiday season on 10 November with a Christmas Light-up that was graced by Ms Pia Wurtzbach, 2015’s Miss Universe, and the live vocals of Australian singer David Campbell as he serenaded the audience to classic Christmas hits. 

The celebration was also in conjunction with Dior Beauty, who unveiled a stunning 11-metre-tall tree crowned by Monsieur Dior’s lucky star beneath a canopy of 14 garden-inspired floral trees floating in the heart of the mall.

The installation also features an enchanting carousel where Dior Beauty’s iconic fragrances are presented as larger-than-life sculptures or nestled in coffrets that open like music boxes.

Further, audiences were treated to a brilliant display of live performances and an ensemble featuring Christmas characters such as gingerbread men, nutcrackers, and ballerinas. As the live children’s choir gave a wonderful performance of Hark The Herald Angels Sings and Merry Christmas Baby in the finale, snow-like confetti rained upon the audiences, truly capturing the magic of a White Christmas. 

With the festive mood on a high, here are five magical reasons to celebrate Christmas (and stay for New Year’s!) at Marina Bay Sands Singapore.

 

Joyous gifting and retail therapy at The Shoppes

At Marina Bay Sands, expect the creme de la creme of brands located at The Shoppes for the ultimate retail experience. From now until 31 December, the luxury shopping destination invites customers to experience Dior’s take on the festivities at its exclusive Christmas pop-up at Basement 2. There, patrons can discover Dior’s savoir-faire and its art of gifting with bespoke services such as pouch embroidery, engraving and gift-wrapping, and peruse limited-edition holiday collections. 

To further elevate the Christmas mood, various luxury boutiques are also offering personalised services with a festive touch. Guests are guided at Ikebana at Grand Seiko to create the perfect holiday floral centrepiece and leather ornament painting at Moynat with an in-house painter. Other exciting experiences that are happening throughout December include Christmas calligraphy at Chaumet, Christmas wreath making at Fendi and TAG Heuer, and Christmas candle personalisation at Pomellato. 

In addition, several luxury brands have refreshed their boutiques in light of the holidays. Revel in Jo Malone London’s refreshed interiors inspired by the early 1900s British colonial houses. Notably, it is the first Jo Malone London in Singapore to house a cosy fireplace inspired by its London townhouse headquarters! Along the same vein, YSL Beaute unveils a new kiosk concept to bring its iconic beauty and fragrance collection to The Shoppes for the first time. 

And who says shopping is just for adults? The shopping mall has a dynamic roster of brands to appeal to visitors of all ages. Namely, the recent transformation of the vibrant Luxury Children’s Precinct saw Kids21 launch its newest flagship boutique. The store boasts a 300-square-metre emporium positioned to be the leading Southeast Asian brand for luxury childrenswear and lifestyle accessories. Little ones can find everything from soft plushies, toy cars, children’s books and board games to the latest clothing items.

 

Bask in the euphoria of non-stop entertainment 

It’s the season of giving and Marina Bay Sands is sparing no expense in spreading the joy with its star-studded lineup at Marquee Singapore. Known as one of the hottest party spots in the city, Marquee is bringing the roof down with its electrifying beats. Just early this month, world-renowned DJs Marshmello and Steve Aoki dominated the stage with high-octane performances of unparalleled highs.

The party doesn’t stop there as EDM favourites Astrolab, Charlotte De Witte and Andrew Rayel are set to take over Marquee with their brand of fun. Oh, and did we mention that Marquee has an eight-armed Ferris Wheel that comes equipped with a photo booth in each pod and a three-storey slide located inside? If you’re looking for a fun night to party till sundown just an arm’s throw away from Marina Bay Sands, Marquee is where you need to be!

For table reservations and enquiries, e-mail [email protected]. 

 

Decorate the Crystal Tree at Digital Light Canvas by teamLab 

For those who are more creative-inclined, Marina Bay Sands has got you too! The Digital Light Canvas by teamLab located inside The Shoppes is the perfect place for both you and your family to tap into your creative side in this unique immersive experience. Until 31 December, Digital Light Canvas will feature a seasonal exhibit where the giant interactive light installation will be lit up with a massive luminous Christmas tree.

Here, ticketholders are invited to interact with the art installation by using their smartphones to scan designated QR codes. Pick a decorative piece and watch it transform into a three-dimensional ornament on the digital Christmas tree! Further, you can also choose from several other nature-inspired drawings, colour them to your liking and submit them to be included in one main digital artwork within the space that can be interacted with. You can even print your pieces on tote bags, shirts and pins to take home!  

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website here. 

 

Journey across time and space at ArtScience Museum

Apart from the wondrous Christmas-themed festivities at Marina Bay Sands, leave time for the world-class ArtScience Museum just outside The Shoppes. The renowned museum is known for exploring the intersectionality of art, science, technology and culture—and its current exhibition is a must-see.

Titled New Eden: Science Fiction Mythologies Transformed, the contemporary art exhibition dives deep into the popular genre of science fiction and its rich cinematic and literary history in the context of a postmodern society. Embark on a journey to alternative realms and dream worlds through the works of 24 talented female artists and collectives around Asia such as Cao Fei, Anicka Yi, Mariko Mori and Sputniko. 

Featuring almost 70 contemporary artworks ranging from historical artefacts to film extracts, New Eden is a ponderous exhibition that will shed light on the connections between the genre of science fiction and Asian philosophy and mythology. The exhibition will run until 3 March 2024.

Apart from this, the ArtScience Museum is also presenting a blockbuster exhibition Mars: The Red Mirror, for avid space lovers. The thought-provoking exhibition consolidates 12,000 years of cultural history surrounding the Red Planet from ancient times to the present day, weaving together entrancing narratives from scientists, modern-day experts, filmmakers, and contemporary artists through an Asian lens. 

For more information on ArtScience Museum’s exhibitions and to purchase tickets, visit the website here.

 

Wrap up the year in style at Countdown in the Sky 2024

Come for Christmas and stay for the NYE countdown! Come 31 December, the annual Countdown in the Sky party is set to take place 56 storeys above ground at Marina Bay Sands’ iconic SkyPark Observation Deck. Ring in the new year in style as you enjoy a fireworks spectacle in your front-row seats at the most exciting NYE event in the city. 

Visit Marina Bay Sands’ official website for more details on Countdown in the Sky 2024. 

 

For our definitive guide on how to celebrate Christmas 2023, visit our BURO Holiday Cruise here.