Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay
I have been well and truly getting my Christmas fix so far this year, including in this a recent visit to the launch of the Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay. The gardens look wonderfully festive and I admit that for the first time this Christmas season I got a tiny pang of longing to be back in the UK for my Christmas or alternatively for all my nearest and dearest back there to be able to come here. It truly does look magical all lit up and certainly got me focused on all the things I still need to do before Christmas day! Though I still seem to have lots left to do.
My evening began with a visit to the Flower Dome to see the Yuletide in the Flower Dome exhibit. The dome is teeming with beautifully lit Christmas trees and other decorations surrounding a snow covered village scene with lovely cool temperatures to match. A night time visit is a must to fully enjoy the Luminarie light sculptures, of which there are thirty around the gardens, and really soak up the atmosphere. The light sculptures are all handmade by skilled Italian craftsmen and are made of white wood frames from the south of Italy illuminated with lights in a variety of colours. The centrepiece in the Flower Dome of Santa in his sleigh flying off into the night sky delivering gifts is truly beautiful. Everyone in the dome on the night I visited seemed truly mesmerised and caught up in the magic of it all.
Naturally, as you are in the Flower Dome you also get to see some beautiful seasonal flowers and plants including fir trees, poinsettias and other blooms in festive red, green and white. My personal favourites in the dome were all the beautifully lit up fir trees and the wintry village scene.
Inside the Flower Dome |
Yuletide in the Flower Dome |
Yuletide in the Flower Dome |
Yuletide in the Flower Dome |
Yuletide in the Flower Dome |
Yuletide in the Flower Dome |
From the dome I made my way to view the Spalliera, the largest of the Luminarie light sculptures at the event standing 31 metres wide and 17 metres high (approximately five storeys). This is also breathtaking and strikingly beautiful and a must see on your visit. At the launch the Spalliera was lit by the Guest of Honour, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for National Development. When we gathered at the Spalliera we were in total darkness but were instantly wowed by its beauty as the lights were illuminated. As the Spalliera was illuminated we also got to experience 'Blizzard Time' when snow comes to Gardens by the Bay! I confess to being a little bit cynical about fake snow up until this point but seeing this totally wowed me and having not really seen snow for almost five years I really got caught up in the moment. Everyone there turned into children all over again as the snow fluttered down.
The amazingly beautiful Spalliera complete with fake snow! |
There truly is so much to see at Gardens by the Bay at the moment I'm not sure where to begin! You have to get down there to see for yourself. However it includes numerous activities for children, a multitude of different choirs performing over the next few weeks and various festive performances and acts. There is a Christmas Wonderland festive market set amidst the Supertree Grove with all the stalls in the traditional wooden huts similar to the many European Christmas markets I've been too. There are a variety of food and drink vendors as well as stores selling gifts perfect for Christmas presents. On top of this you can also enjoy a number of pop-up outlets including the Isetan Christmas village, with a variety of shops offering everything you could wish for this Christmas, Christmas delights by Culina, with an array of fine food and wine and Janice Wong, the acclaimed Singaporean pastry chef of 2am: dessertbar bringing to the Gardens an array of delicious sweet treats.
Visitors can also enjoy an exclusive dining experience at the Spiegeltent, open until 21 December 2014, 5pm to 11pm daily. The Spiegeltent is a travelling 'mirror' tent from the Netherlands which is making its first appearance in Asia. Originally built in the late 19th and early 20th century only a handful now remain in existence. It is made of 1000 pieces of wood, canvas, brocade, decorated mirrors and stained glass and here you can enjoy a unique dining experience in the tent dining on dishes created by Kitchen Language's Group Executive Chef, Martin Woo. Visitors can enjoy a range of festive delights including wild mushroom and truffle tartlets, roast turkey with chestnut and cranberry stuffing, cranberry and chestnut falafel, smoked salmon and creme fraiche roulade as well as desserts including sticky toffee pudding and Christmas Wonderland strudel and with the menu changing every week you are sure to leave happy! There are also specially concocted Christmas cocktails and beverages including hot vodka with honey, Wonderland champagne punch, watermelon slush smoothie and virgin yuletide pina colada. Diners can choose from an a la carte dinner menu with items priced from $7. Minimum purchase of a drink is required for entry into the Spiegeltent.
Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay is on now! Get yourself down there for a wonderfully festive treat.
The Festive Market will run until 21 December 2014 from 3pm to 11pm daily. Food huts open from 5pm.
The Luminarie light sculptures will be lit up until 1 January 2015.
Yuletide in the Flower Dome will run until 6 January 2015.
Access to Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay is free. While admission charges apply to the Flower Dome you can currently enjoy 10% off admission rates into the cooled conservatories when you purchase your tickets in advance online! This promotion is applicable for tickets purchased through Gardens by the Bay’s Online Ticketing Portal one day or earlier before the intended date of visit. Tickets issued under the Advance Ticket Promotion will be valid until 6 January 2015. Tickets must be purchased online by 5 January 2015. Please visit www.gardensbythebay.com.sg for full details. Terms and conditions apply.
For more information on everything happening at Gardens by the Bay over the Christmas season, check out their website here.
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 Gardens by the Bay for the kind invitation.
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