Singapore Christmas village planned for Orchard Road
In this article (5)
Drawing inspiration from Europe, a Singapore Christmas village featuring pop-up stores from 25 brands, will make its debut at the annual Orchard Road light-up this year.
Outside Ngee Ann City from November 25 to Christmas Day, the village will feature such brands as Fish & Co, Starbucks and Toast Box, with Singapore’s first-ever duplex carousel.
“Christmas villages are very popular in Europe,” says Orchard Road Business Association (Orba) chairman Mark Shaw. “It will be a good opportunity for retailers to reach out to customers.”
Running from November 11 to January 1, the ninth edition of Christmas on a Great Street will be themed “Endless Wonder”. Highlights will include the event’s highest-ever main arch, reaching 12m, outside Ion Orchard and a 5m Enchanted Tree installation outside Wisma Atria.
Activities along the 2.8km stretch between Plaza Singapura and Tanglin Mall will start earlier this year, at 3pm rather than 6.30. There will be daily performances from bands, carol singers and roving cosplayers.
Shaw says LED lights will enhance the installations even in the afternoon. Each of the 1200 hanging globes to be strung on trees comprise coloured fabric intertwined with LED fairy lights.
Other attractions include the Walk of Wonder, a 12m-high 20m tunnel outside Forum the Shopping Mall made from reflective fabric and fairy lights.
A 4.5m Tree of Time in front of Ngee Ann City will be topped with a countdown-to-Christmas Day clock, and will be the backdrop to a Christmas Eve concert featuring bands and a midnight pyrotechnics show.
Orba expects the event to draw 3.6 million visitors this year. While this appears to be a sharp drop from the 6 million visitors counted last year, the association says it is introducing a new calculation method. In previous years, anyone who entered the event area would be counted as a visitor, but from this year visitors will be asked if they are there specifically for the event.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the primary reason for introducing the Singapore Christmas village?
What is the primary reason for introducing the Singapore Christmas village?
Orchard Road Business Association chairman Mark Shaw stated that Christmas villages are popular in Europe. He believes it will provide a good opportunity for retailers to connect with customers.
Q.Why does the projected visitor count for this year seem significantly lower than last year's figure?
Why does the projected visitor count for this year seem significantly lower than last year's figure?
The expected 3.6 million visitors are lower than last year's 6 million because Orba is implementing a new calculation method. Previously, anyone entering the event area was counted, but now visitors will be asked if they are specifically there for the event.
Q.What new or unique attractions are planned for this year's Christmas event?
What new or unique attractions are planned for this year's Christmas event?
Highlights include Singapore's first-ever duplex carousel at the Christmas village and the event's highest-ever main arch at 12m. There will also be a 4.5m Tree of Time with a countdown clock and a midnight pyrotechnics show on Christmas Eve.
Q.How will the earlier start time for activities impact the event experience?
How will the earlier start time for activities impact the event experience?
Activities will begin at 3pm instead of 6.30pm this year, allowing for daily performances and use of LED lights. Mark Shaw mentioned the LED lights will enhance installations even during the afternoon.
Reader pulse
Is the new Christmas Village a strong draw?
20,869 votes so far