You can’t say you’ve celebrated Christmas till you’ve been to a Christmas Market/Fair and struggled with “these handicrafts are slightly out of my budget for the gift exchange” and “but it’s Christmas!” We’ve all been there, done that, every year, without fail. While some of us in Asia may not be experiencing a white Christmas on this side of the world, we do have some pretty awesome markets to join in the festivities.
Singapore
Christmas Wonderland EUROPEAN MARKET
What happens when you can’t jet off to Europe to celebrate Christmas? You settle for the next best thing, Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore’s biggest yuletide fair. Get enchanted by the beautiful light installations, sing-along to the Christmas carols and pretend for one moment you’re in Europe with the scheduled “snow” storms (a.k.a soapy foam). Look forward to an array of activities such as fun family-friendly acrobatic performances by Circus Abyssinia Present Ethiopian Dreams, ice-skating under the stars, carnival games and a host of delightful dining experiences curated by SAVOUR. Shop at the marketplace set in quaint wooden huts designed to replicate the feeling of being in Germany!
1 to 26 December, 4-11pm daily
Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953.
endless wonder: christmas on a great street
Get into the mood of Christmas shopping at Singapore’s famous shopping belt, Orchard Road. The halls, malls and the entire stretch of Orchard Road will be decked in festive decorations, captivating light displays, street performances and festive bazaars. I’m sure you can get all your Christmas shopping done in one day here. Join fellow partygoers on 24 December for a countdown to Christmas at Orchard Road’s first-ever countdown party. Indulge in some merrymaking before pyrotechnic displays light up the sky once the clock strikes midnight. After, ’tis the season to be jolly!
11 November – 25 December, Christmas lights come on at 7pm
Orchard Road, Singapore
Japan
tokyo christmas market
Inspired by European Christmas markets, Hibiya Park’s Tokyo Christmas Market will be ushering in the festive spirit with a giant 14-meter high Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramid carousel) as the center feature. Its location is convenient to boot being in the center of the city. You can expect traditional yuletide wine, sweets, sale of festive ornaments, as well as live performances and fun workshops for the whole family to participate in. There may even be a chance of a real snowfall too!
16 – 25 December, 11am -10pm daily
Hibiya Park, 1-6 Hibiya Koen, Chiyoda-ku
sapporo german christmas market
Since 2002, Sapporo has been organising the German Christmas Market as a mark of its sister-city ties with Munich, Germany. Located at Odori Park, there will be stalls selling Christmas items, hot wine, German food and commemorative mug cups with unique designs each year. There are outdoor concerts, indoor workshops, and if you’re lucky you might receive a gift from Santa Claus! The Christmas mood deepens from late November, when Odori Park is illuminated with an elaborate display or ornaments and lights.
25 November – 24 December, 11am – 9pm daily
Odori Park 2-chome
Taiwan
Christmasland in Taipei
Held in New Taipei City, the annual Christmasland is bringing 39 days of festive activities to people of all ages in Taipei! Immerse yourself in a fairy-tale like experience the entire Banqiao area transforms into a sprawling festive playground of spectacular culinary, entertainment, and shopping activities. Highlights include thrill rides for the kids, carnival parades, handmade goodies at the fair market and large-scale concerts to bring in the festive cheer.
24 November – 1 January 2018
New Taipei City Hall Citizen Plaza
Hong Kong
winterfest
Hong Kong spares no expense at putting up a show for Christmas. Join in as Hong Kong’s skyline shines with more glamour than usual as buildings get dressed up for the festive occasion. Bring your better half and take a memorable snapshot under the iconic Statue Square Christmas Tree, and marvel at the wonder of two dazzling multimedia shows — A Symphony of Lights and the Hong Kong Pulse Light Show. To top it all off, ring in the new year with fireworks at the spectacular Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations. Make this holiday season an unforgettable one.
1 December – 1 January 2018
Statue Square (WinterFest); Open Piazza, Hong Kong Cultural Centre (Pulse 3D Light Show)
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