Christmas by the River 2014
I don't know about you but despite me approaching my fifth Christmas in Singapore I still struggle every year to get in the spirit and do all the prep that comes before the celebration. I blame the year round warm weather for this. So heading down to Clarke Quay for the launch of this year's Christmas by the River was just what I needed to kick me into action.
The evening began with a performance from the Methodist Girls' School String Ensemble. They played a combination of beautiful pieces coupled with some seasonal favourites and got the evening off to a lovely start.
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of National Development was the guest of honour and there to officially launch the Christmas celebrations by the Singapore River. The event was launched with some beautiful fireworks which, being very close to, were incredibly loud but lovely. I was then treated to a river cruise tour on the Singapore river to view the decorations and the beautiful Singapore skyline. We all also got to enjoy a festive performance by Vox Camerata who were performing some seasonal songs on board a boat in the middle of the river.
If you fancy heading along to the river to see some of the festivities yourself over the next few weeks you will be able to enjoy a wealth of Christmas themed events and promotions. The three quays along the Singapore River are decorated with lovely Christmas decorations to get you in the spirit, including eight metre tall LED Christmas tree structures which really look lovely all lit up at night (see my photo below). Many of the river boats are also brightly decorated and illuminated.
Visitors can also enjoy Christmas markets packed full of Christmas themed treats, gifts and souvenirs. On the 13, 14, 19 and 20 December a Christmas festive market will be held along the river promenade in front of Clarke Quay Central. In addition on the 20 and 21 December there will also be a pop-up Christmas market at Clarke Quay's Central fountain square.
You'll also be able to enjoy numerous local choirs who will be cruising along the river and performing, this includes, Vox Camerata, International Festival Chorus Singapore, Cornerstone Church Choir and ACS(I) Choir. The choirs will be singing every Thursday to Saturday from the 15 November to 15 December 2014 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. As well as this Christmas Troopers will be roaming the three quays once a day every Friday from 7.30pm to 9pm looking for visitors to the quays to interact and take photographs with.
As if that wasn't enough, you'll be able to enjoy firework displays from the river banks at different quays every Friday at 9pm for the whole six weeks of the celebration.
There are many shopping opportunities to enjoy too during the festive period, with UnionPay rewarding shoppers along the outlets of the Singapore river. From the 14 November to 28 December 2014 shoppers who charge a minimum of S$50 to their UnionPay card at any of the outlets along the Singapore river each day will stand the chance to win some fabulous prizes. These include hotel stays at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel and Swissotel Merchant Court, dining and shopping vouchers and lots lots more!
Watching the launch of Christmas by the River was a great start to my Christmas celebrations and really got me in the festive spirit. Now I just need to crack on and start my Christmas shopping!
'Christmas by the River' is on now until 2 January 2015. Check out the Singapore river website for more information.
This blog resulted from an invitation and represents the thoughts and opinions of the writer. All information on this blog is provided "as is", with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy or timeliness and the writer will not be liable for any losses, injuries or damages from the display or use of this information. All text and photos on this blog are the original works of the writer unless stated otherwise.
Thank you to Singapore River One for the kind invitation.
The evening began with a performance from the Methodist Girls' School String Ensemble. They played a combination of beautiful pieces coupled with some seasonal favourites and got the evening off to a lovely start.
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of National Development was the guest of honour and there to officially launch the Christmas celebrations by the Singapore River. The event was launched with some beautiful fireworks which, being very close to, were incredibly loud but lovely. I was then treated to a river cruise tour on the Singapore river to view the decorations and the beautiful Singapore skyline. We all also got to enjoy a festive performance by Vox Camerata who were performing some seasonal songs on board a boat in the middle of the river.
Image courtesy of Singapore River One
Fireworks at the launch
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Image courtesy of Singapore River One
Vox Camerata
|
If you fancy heading along to the river to see some of the festivities yourself over the next few weeks you will be able to enjoy a wealth of Christmas themed events and promotions. The three quays along the Singapore River are decorated with lovely Christmas decorations to get you in the spirit, including eight metre tall LED Christmas tree structures which really look lovely all lit up at night (see my photo below). Many of the river boats are also brightly decorated and illuminated.
Visitors can also enjoy Christmas markets packed full of Christmas themed treats, gifts and souvenirs. On the 13, 14, 19 and 20 December a Christmas festive market will be held along the river promenade in front of Clarke Quay Central. In addition on the 20 and 21 December there will also be a pop-up Christmas market at Clarke Quay's Central fountain square.
You'll also be able to enjoy numerous local choirs who will be cruising along the river and performing, this includes, Vox Camerata, International Festival Chorus Singapore, Cornerstone Church Choir and ACS(I) Choir. The choirs will be singing every Thursday to Saturday from the 15 November to 15 December 2014 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. As well as this Christmas Troopers will be roaming the three quays once a day every Friday from 7.30pm to 9pm looking for visitors to the quays to interact and take photographs with.
As if that wasn't enough, you'll be able to enjoy firework displays from the river banks at different quays every Friday at 9pm for the whole six weeks of the celebration.
Illuminated Christmas trees along the riverbank |
Beautiful view of the CBD skyline from the Singapore River |
There are many shopping opportunities to enjoy too during the festive period, with UnionPay rewarding shoppers along the outlets of the Singapore river. From the 14 November to 28 December 2014 shoppers who charge a minimum of S$50 to their UnionPay card at any of the outlets along the Singapore river each day will stand the chance to win some fabulous prizes. These include hotel stays at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel and Swissotel Merchant Court, dining and shopping vouchers and lots lots more!
Watching the launch of Christmas by the River was a great start to my Christmas celebrations and really got me in the festive spirit. Now I just need to crack on and start my Christmas shopping!
'Christmas by the River' is on now until 2 January 2015. Check out the Singapore river website for more information.
This blog resulted from an invitation and represents the thoughts and opinions of the writer. All information on this blog is provided "as is", with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy or timeliness and the writer will not be liable for any losses, injuries or damages from the display or use of this information. All text and photos on this blog are the original works of the writer unless stated otherwise.
Thank you to Singapore River One for the kind invitation.
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