10 Things to Do in Singapore in December

The last month of the year is magical and unforgettable, in fact it is full of entertaining activities ideal for a great vacation. I recommend packing light and don't forget your raincoat, as temperatures range between 25° and 31° and although it coincides with the rainy season, the fun doesn't stop. There is plenty to see and do in Singapore during this time, starting with the Christmas atmosphere and New Year's Eve celebrations that are not to be missed.

Locals also take the opportunity to go shopping duringBoxing Day, try devil curry during St. Stephen's Day or explore Muslim traditions during the Festival of Sacrifice. If you want to escape the heat or rainy days, you can make snowmen at Tanglin Mall. In addition, Universal Studios Singapore each year reinvents itself with a program headlined by musicals, shows and themed attractions.

If you are planning to visit Singapore for Christmas, you cannot miss the varied program of activities that fills its streets and main attractions with life. At this time of the year, gastronomy is enriched with delicious proposals, derived from the multi-ethnicity that characterizes the City of the Future. Therefore, a gastronomic tour of the city can lead you to taste dishes based on seafood or the famous devil curry, which is served on December 24 at Christmas dinner or on December 26 to celebrate St. Stephen's Day.

You'll also find cultural performances and twinkling lights everywhere in areas such as the Bay Gardens, Orchard Road and Marina Bay. There are even winter parks and snow centers that turn the tropical atmosphere into the authentic North Pole, which could be an ideal plan if you're looking for things to do in Singapore with kids.

The most recommended location to take advantage of the festive atmosphere with the family is Universal Studios Singapore, where you'll find themed worlds revolving around movies, TV and entertainment. Here you'll be treated to encounters with lovable characters, Christmas events and decorations typical of the season. In addition, there are light shows starring the park's mascots.

In December, flight traffic increases considerably and airports tend to collapse, in fact Singapore Changi International Airport is one of the most visited airports and receives more than 5 million passengers a year. If you have a quick stopover in Singapore or simply want to enjoy a different experience, I recommend you take advantage of the Changi Festive Village.

It is an event that every year brings the North Pole to Southeast Asia with different family proposals. In fact, the light shows will not leave you indifferent and you will surely want to explore the snow houses. Specifically, it is installed from November to January and fills the main terminals of joy with ice slides, karting circuits, simulations and interactive exhibits, trails for stretching, waterfalls, a Ferris wheel, snack bars and areas with photo booths. There's no shortage of fun and you'll wish your stopover would never end, as the airport feels like a hotel.

A more relaxing option is also available, as you can book the airport's premium lounge, which is a private space with all the necessary amenities. You can take a shower if you request it in advance, and you generally don't have to worry about WiFi, food and beverages.

A typical December activity is the Christmas markets, in fact if you plan to travel to Singapore in November you can see how they are set up and the preparations that make these colorful spaces possible. Some are held outdoors and others reside under iconic buildings in the city. Overall, they are a sensory explosion where the buzz of whispers, the smells of scents, perfumes and food wafting through the air predominate, as well as the flavors of gastronomy.

If you are interested in this plan, then I recommend stopping by the most outstanding flea markets which include:

• Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay: in December, the Christmas Wonderland Christmas event is held, which is ideal if you plan to travel to Singapore with children. This is the city's largest Christmas market, which includes light sculptures, live entertainment, colorful parades, Santa tours and visits, and much more.
• KK Christmas Market: immerse yourself in Korean wonders at Tanglin Mall, where you can browse food, traditional products and even clothing.

December is the perfect time to take a ride aboard the city's best tour buses. These types of experiences allow you to appreciate Singapore up close, to revel in the magic of the season and to explore every corner at your own pace. During the day, they usually offer two routes that pass through decorated areas such as Chinatown, Orchard Road and Clarke Quay.

But if you want to explore the nightlife and appreciate the twinkling lights, then I recommend booking Singapore's Big Bus night tour bus It's usually a three-hour tour that takes you to see the local cuisine, giving you the opportunity to sample Christmas dishes. It also allows you to witness the Garden Rhapsody sound and light show at the SuperTree Grove, which usually includes special seasonal performances.

New Year's Eve events are condensed in the best areas of Singapore and you can recognize them by the vibrant energy they emanate, as well as the crowds of onlookers. Before the countdown head to Marina Bay, to find a comfortable spot to appreciate the annual fireworks display. It has been held since 2005 and attracts thousands of people, who gather around the bay, including places like Esplanade Park, Merlion Park and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge.

Some people prefer to go up to the terraces to get a VIP panoramic view, without the crowds. Regardless of where you choose to welcome the year, all you have to do is be mesmerized by the live entertainment and cultural shows. Later, you can head to the parties held on the beaches and in the local discos, which usually offer fun until dawn.

It is not for nothing that it is one of the most sought-after Asian destinations to bid farewell to the year. You will be able to travel back in time, as it is one of the first countries to countdown. In addition, you can take advantage of the best local activities and appreciate ancestral traditions, such as open houses, which are events organized by the locals and come from the Chinese culture. Inside you will find food tastings and exchanges of oranges and typical red envelopes of money, better known as ang pao's.

Boxing Day is a celebration typical of the United Kingdom and Canada, in fact it is considered a second Christmas, as it is the perfect excuse to go shopping, make gift exchanges and eat well. It takes place every December 26 and has become part of Singapore' s traditions in recent years. Of course, shopping malls are packed and stores offer discounts that you can't miss.

During this day you can squeeze the most out of Singapore's themed attractions that are more alive than ever, as they keep the Christmas energy going until January. For example, you can stop by Universal Studios to immerse yourself in light shows, meet the characters that marked your childhood and share with the family.

Occasionally, events are organized in local parks and outdoor activities, allowing you to play games like human Jenga, sample local foods and try Singapore-made cocktails.

This day also coincides with Boxing Day, so you can attend religious events or try devil curry in hotels and restaurants. Specifically, in the homes of locals it is prepared based on leftovers from Christmas dinner, while in local eateries it amounts to a mixture of the ingredients used to prepare it.

Singapore is a mix of traditions and that can be evidenced in its ethnic districts, which are a must stop during your vacation. In December I recommend attending the Sacrifice Festival or Hari Raya Haji, an important Muslim celebration that takes place between Kampong Glam, Haji Lane and Geylang Serai. Here you can witness rituals and prayers in mosques, as well as vibrant bazaars where you can sample Arabian food, buy clothes or fabrics and take souvenirs home.

It includes some spooky traditions, which I don't recommend you bring children to, as each year they sacrifice around 3,000 sheep and goats that come from Canada and Australia. This ritual is inspired by a passage from the Koran and symbolizes Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son, as well as God's show of mercy that allowed him to replace him with a sheep. Afterwards, the meat is distributed to humble communities or shared in the streets of the Arab quarter.

Everyone is welcome to participate, but it is important to show a respectful attitude. You can attend on your own, or perhaps join the best tours in Singapore to enjoy a guided tour through the history of this community.

December is all about the festive atmosphere at its best, so it's no wonder that the festivities are electrifying and full of surprises. In fact, this is the time of year for ZoukOut Singapore, an annual dance music festival that has been held on the beach since 2001. It is the oldest event of its kind in Asia and creates a universe of traditional and modern rhythms, with performances inspired by ancestral tribes.

It is ideal if you are looking for things to do in Singapore at night, as the program runs from dusk to dawn. The artists offer an insight into Asian culture, plus you can enjoy immersive experiences, gastronomic offerings and breathtaking scenery. To attend you have to register and on the day of the event be sure to arrive early because there are many people attending.

The Singapore Ice Cream Museum is an experience not to be missed during your vacation in the city. Slip into the world of ice cream wonders, through hundreds of flavors that are synchronized with the festivities. In fact, in December the spirit of Christmas is up with Pinkmas, an event that turns its spaces into an explosion of pink.

Sing carols in one of Singapore's best museums, sample unlimited ice cream and bring out your inner child. This time you'll find yourself in chip pools, forests and castles, of course, in pink. Even the staff wears pink uniforms and you'll find flavors inspired by the theme.

Overall, this museum is an ideal choice if you're looking for things to do in Singapore with kids, who will be excited to try as much as they can, as long as their stomachs allow, like crunchy cones and creamy toppings. Plus, to learn about the history of ice cream you can take part in interactive workshops. Or, explore their fun-filled facilities, with around 14 themed zones including:

• Unicorn Playground : Unicorn Playground is an area where you can take pictures with unicorns, to immortalize your passage through the museum. You can also find a swing in the shape of ice cream and swing gently.
• Dessert bar: if you go with your pet, here you can share a special moment, since animals are allowed. It is an ideal place to enjoy ice cream and delicious desserts, while the songs of the moment play in the background. They also prepare ice cream and ice cubes for furry friends, who also swelter in the heat of Singapore.
• Scream's Diner: if you prefer to cool off with a milkshake or a cocktail, you've come to the right place.

Tanglin Mall is very popular in December, in fact many people visit it to enjoy the seasonal events. Here you can see snow without leaving the tropics, as since 1990 they have been organizing artificial snowfalls that offer you the chance to play and take unforgettable pictures. Of course, its activities are ideal if you plan to visit Singapore with children, who will surely be thrilled to feel like in the North Pole.

If you plan to stay at least 5 days in Singapore I recommend you to consider its attractions, since the avalanches and snow blizzards that are organized every night, are a unique spectacle. In general, most attractions are available from December to January and you can also organize your Christmas shopping and witness cultural light shows. In addition, themed decorations and lightings also embellish its spaces, and you can even see an authentic Christmas tree.