In Singapore, Christmas is a party that allows everyone to indulge in their favorite pastimes—eating and shopping. If you’re looking for an excuse to go shopping in Singapore in December, look no further than Orchard Road, the country’s most renowned retail strip, which comes alive with a display of lights. As the island’s dining scene becomes even more festive, Christmas buffets and Yuletide menus appear at eateries throughout the island. But it’s not all luxury. Christians in Singapore still hold Christmas services as a celebration of the birth of Jesus.
Christmas Traditions in Singapore
Even though only over 19% of Singaporeans identify as Christians, the holiday is still widely honored in this country. Festive figurines such as Santa Claus, snowmen, and angels are actually quite popular decorations for an Asian land.
- Lights and Decorations: Singaporeans love their Christmas lights. Major centers along Orchard Road also set up decorations, which adds to the holiday atmosphere, and the boulevard itself is famous for its light show. ‘Christmas Wonderland’, Singapore’s very own Christmas theme park, is also a hit.
- Christmas Trees: Singaporeans love their Christmas trees, and they usually put their own special spin on the decorations, such as sweets, bows, and teddy bears. Christmas caroling groups perform in public places, and outside St. Andrew’s Cathedral, you may also see a life-size Nativity Scene.
- Countdown Parties: During the Christmas season, you can join the revelers at Marina Bay and Sentosa Island for countdown festivities, where the water is illuminated by fireworks. Live music, entertainment, and games are common to these New Year gatherings.
- Christmas Eve and Day: On both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, people gather for a feast to commemorate the day. Even though they may be spiced up with ginger and pepper to make them uniquely Singaporean, popular “Western” Christmas dishes in Singapore still include roast turkey. Marina Bay hosts fireworks every year on New Year’s Eve.
- Community: Singaporeans believe that the “birth of hope” is celebrated throughout Christmas, a time of importance for many cultures. That’s why churches in Singapore host Christmas services and activities.
History of Christmas in Singapore
Since Singapore was just established in 1819 and is home to a large Buddhist population, the celebration of Christmas there is comparatively new. Singapore has long been a cultural melting pot, thanks to its unique position in Southeast Asia. This includes Christmas customs. As a result of the increasing number of European inhabitants, particularly from the British Empire, and the 1836 founding of the Anglican Church, Christmas celebrations in Singapore started in the early nineteenth century.
Early 19th-century Christmas was mostly a Christian festival, with families making dinners and attending churches. During this time, Christmas decorations were also widely used; in 1886, Singapore had the first reported occurrence of a Christmas tree. The diversity of Singaporean Christmas celebrations mirrors the city-state’s evolution into a global metropolis. The nation officially recognized Christmas as a national holiday in the 1970s, and since then, the holiday season has evolved into something less religious, with more secular decorations, commerce, and community gatherings.
Singapore’s Christmas Decorations
- Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay: It is a month-long extravaganza with three enchanted areas: Gingerbread Grove, Frosty’s Fairground at The Meadow, and Supertree Grove. In this winter paradise, you will find light shows, carnival games, live music, and holiday foods.
- Raffles City X Guerlain Christmas Tree: A 50-foot-tall Christmas tree designed in partnership with Raffles City (a shopping mall in Singapore) and the cosmetics company Guerlain is on display every year in the country. The tree pays tribute to Guerlain’s bee with over 300 bee ornaments, stars, and honeycombs.
- Christmas Odyssea at Jewel Changi Airport: An imaginative exhibit, Christmas Odyssea at Jewel Changi Airport turns the airport, into a fanciful winter environment. See ice sculptures, snowflakes, and gingerbread homes as you explore zones including Gingerbread Landmark, Snowy Wonderland, and Ice Garden.
Traditional Christmas Foods in Singapore
Satay Turkey
To make satay turkey, instead of marinating the meat in traditional roasted turkey spices, you may use a combination of peanut sauce, coconut milk, curry powder, turmeric, and other aromatics. Skewered and cooked over charcoal, the turkey takes on a smokey, charred flavor.
Nasi Biryani Suckling Pig
One kind of biryani stuffing suckling pig is the nasi biryani suckling pig, which uses aromatics such as chicken stock, ginger, garlic, and onion to cook the rice. After that, the suckling pig is cooked until tender and juicy in a clay pot over low heat, and then the rice is added on top.
Berry Pandan Cake
Infused with coconut milk and eggs, this berry pandan cake is aromatic. Fresh berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries, are then sprinkled on top of the cake.