Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay
The inaugural Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay was officially launched on 28 November 2014, Friday with the illumination of the Spalliera - the largest Luminarie light sculpture - by Minister for National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan.
There are many festive installations that you can feast your eyes on at Supertree Grove and at the Flower Dome. I had the opportunity to do just that last Friday during the official launch. And in the company of my friends - Debbie and Sheng, we spent the evening walking around Gardens by the Bay.
This set of Luminarie light sculpture welcomed us near the Visitor’s Centre and it was just the start of a magical night. Did you know that all the light sculptures are made of white wood frames from the south of Italy and they are handmade by skilled Italian craftsmen? Imagine the scale of planning and workmanship that goes into these beautiful sculptures so take your time and slowly enjoy your walk.
Yuletide in the Flower Dome
I am pretty sure that for most of us, we have been to the Flower Dome in the day but now is the chance for you to enjoy a walk at the Flower Dome at night in a wintry wonderland with glistening tower that gleams in a realm of dreams. You can admire a charming little town adorned with poinsettias and Christmas trees and learn how plants adapt to survive winter on the Garden Trail.
Besides that, the atmosphere in the Flower Dome with the Luminarie light sculptures glowing is very peaceful and romantic. It will be a great night walk with your family and kids and for couples or those who are dating, this is the place to go this Christmas season.
Both Flower Dome and Cloud Forest have extended their operating hours to 10:00pm from 29 November 2014 to 6 January 2015 and admission charges do apply. However, you get to enjoy a 10% discount on the admission rates when you purchase your tickets online at www.gardensbythebay.com.sg at least one day before your visit. Terms and conditions applies.
The Supertree Grove is where you will definitely feel the strongest festive spirit of Christmas with the Casa Armonica that lights up your path towards the festive market and the Spalliera.
For couples who wants a little bit of magic added to their upcoming wedding photo album, the Casa Armonica is actually available for bridal photography hire from Mondays to Thursday during the event. If you are interested, send an email to [email protected] and enquire for more information.
This beautifully lit mini capola (or better known as gazebo) will be the host to 12 days of choirs, Festive Sirens and Festive Verses by Act 3 Drama Academy. Be sure to check out the entertainment schedule on the website so you get to enjoy your favourite acts!
Set amidst the Supertree Grove, the Festive Market will feature specially designed wooden huts adapted from renowned Christmas markets throughout Europe, such as those in Hyde Park in London and the Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris.
The Festive Market opens from 29 November to 21 December 2014 from 3pm to 11pm daily while the Food huts open from 5pm onwards. Here, you get to indulge in some delicious food from Brewerkz, Chef on Wheels, Peach Garden, Saybons and have your desserts from Ice Cream & Cookies Co before you quench your thirst at the Christmas Wonderland Bar.
Once you have filled your tummy with all these goodness, you can start your Christmas shopping from vendors like Yankee Candles, Happy Plant, Babyatt, Perfect Fit and many others! So be sure to bring along your wallet (with your cash and debit/credit cards!) if you want to do some shopping.
Exclusive Dining Experience at Spiegeltent
The spectacular Spiegeltent which is a traveling ‘mirror tent’ from the Netherlands will make its first appearance in Asia under the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay. The Spiegeltent was originally built in the late 19th and 20th century, only a handful remains in existence.
You can get the chance to dine within the enchanting tent made of 1,000 pieces of wood, canvas, brocade, exquisite mirrors and stained glass for a unique gastronomic experience but just a heads up, the menu changes every week.
Unfortunately we did not get the opportunity to dine at Spiegeltent because it was closed off for a private event but we had a glimpse of the interior and it is really stunning!
The Spalliera is the highlight of this entire Christmas Wonderland, being the largest masterpiece at 31m wide and 17m high which is approximately five storeys.
This is also the place where you get to experience 'snow’ in the tropics when 'Blizzard Time’ comes. The Spalliera will host Blizzard Times four times a day (subjected to weather conditions) so do take note of the timing: 7:30 to 7:40pm, 8:20 to 8:30pm, 9:05 to 9:15pm and 9:45 to 10:00pm.
Garden Rhapsody Christmas Edition
End your night at Gardens by the Bay by watching the Garden Rhapsody Christmas Edition and be entertained with familiar Christmas tunes as the towering vertical gardens come to life every evening in a specially choreographed 12-minute music and light show.
The Festive Market will be open till 21 December 2014, while the Luminarie light sculptures will be lit up till 1 January 2015 and Yuletide in the Flower Dome will continue till 6 January 2015.
There are many photo taking opportunities that you do not want to miss when you are at Christmas Wonderland so if you are posting your photos onto social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, make sure you hashtag #ChristmasWonderlandSG to share it with everyone!
Since last Friday, I have been recommending family members and friends that I met to take some time out of their busy schedule and spend the evening at Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay. With the year coming to an end and Christmas just around the corner, the evening spent walking around Gardens by the Bay with the Luminaries glowing will somehow make you feel relax and really happy. And yes, you might also feel like dancing to Pharrell William’s Happy throughout the night because you are happy!
Christmas Wonderland Singapore
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Website: http://christmaswonderland.sg
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasWonderlandSingapore
Instagram: @ChristmasWonderlandSG
Hashtag: #ChristmasWonderlandSG
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