Alternative ways to celebrate Christmas

SINGAPORE – It is often said Christmas is a time of giving, of caring for the less unfortunate, and of cherishing moments spent with loved ones (such as indulging in a Christmas buffet at a hotel with the extended family).

But we all know the holiday season is also about taking selfies in front of the Christmas lights and decorations at Orchard Road, or about sitting by the television watching a re-run of Home Alone and feasting on sausages, ham and 
log cakes.

This being Singapore, however, there are many more things you could do this weekend with your friends and family to soak in the festivities. Here are some alternate ways you can celebrate the holidays:

GO OUTDOORS

Not your typical warm and fuzzy festive celebration, but fun and exciting nonetheless. Headlining this year’s edition of Santa’s All-Star Christmas celebration at Universal Studios Singapore (USS) is Universal Journey, an all-new experiential festive light display with a world record-breaking 824,961 light bulbs.

Visitors will be invited to navigate eight thematic zones featuring dazzling light sculptures, spiral topiaries and larger-than-life Christmas presents. The theme park will also be transformed into an enchanted wonderland with snowfall, fireworks, festive light displays and all-new musical performances and appearances by the park’s cast in Christmas outfits. Tickets to Santa’s All-Star Christmas are available at S$74 (adult), S$56 (child) and S$36 (senior). An after 5pm family bundle, which includes park admission for two adults, one child and retail and dining vouchers, is available at S$134 this festive season. More information can be found on 
www.rwsentosa.com/uss

PLAY WITH SNOW

Did not get a chance to take a trip abroad to play with snow this winter? Take a bus or MRT to Plaza Singapura instead. The mall is hosting the first outdoor snow playground in Singapore. Shoppers will get to experience snowball fights and play with a snow luge. Spend a minimum of S$30 in a single same-day receipt to redeem an entry pass for two people to the outdoor Snow Fun House, which is situated at the Plaza Singapura’s Front Plaza from 11am to 9pm daily until Dec 25.

CATCH A SHOW

Ballet aficionados will know not to miss the Singapore Dance Theatre’s (SDT) staging of The Nutcracker this weekend at the Esplanade Theatre, especially since tomorrow’s show will mark star performer and principal dancer Rosa Park’s swan song after a remarkable career.

Set in pre-World War I Shanghai, and staged by SDT artistic director Janek Schergen to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s vibrant score, The Nutcracker is also a quintessential Christmas classic, and a favourite among Singaporeans here for the holiday season.

For some good family entertainment, there is also Lightwire Theatre’s captivating and electroluminescent staging of A Very Electric Christmas, about a young bird named Max who gets blown off course as he and his family head south for the winter, and his adventures of encountering caroling worms, mischievous mice and an evil rat king.

The Nutcracker and A Very Electric Christmas will end their run tomorrow. Tickets for both shows can be bought through Sistic.

ATTEND A POP-UP EVENT

What is the holiday season without excessive shopping? In addition to the usual haunts, be sure to check out special Christmas pop-up stores around town, including Public Garden’s annual Christmas event, which will take place this and next weekend from 1pm to 7pm. Public Garden Christmas 2016 will offer art, jewellery, apparel, home decor, beauty products and more at the F1 Pit Building at 1, Republic Boulevard, Level 3, #03-04.

Otherwise, visit Naiise Camp Christmas, Naiise’s third Christmas pop-up store, at 66, Kampong Bugis, Level 7 with merchandise themed and geared towards camping for sale. If that does not satisfy you, pick up limited edition plush toys at Craftholic’s first pop-up store in Singapore at Raffles City, or buy quality reads at massive discounts from the annual Epigram Books Christmas Pop-Up Store, which will be held from 11am to 9pm today and 11am to 8pm tomorrow at Epigram Books Main Office, 1008, Toa Payoh North #03-08.

Visit www.eventbrite.sg/e/epigram-books-christmas-pop-up-store-tickets-30015809093 to register for Epigram’s pop-up event.