Summary:
- Orchard Road’s 2025 Christmas light-up, running from 8 November to early January, will feature a 3.1km display themed around Singapore’s SG60 celebrations, complete with Merli motifs, gold-and-silver lighting, and festive photo spots inspired by local icons.
- Key attractions include a 14m-tall Christmas tree and European-style market at Ngee Ann City, a Great Christmas Village at Shaw House, nightly snowfall shows, family rides, and a 100m-tall outdoor projection on Hilton Singapore Orchard.
- The light-up’s launch, to be officiated by President Tharman Shamugaratnam, doubles as a Community Chest fundraiser for over 300 social service programmes.
European-style markets, a 14m-tall Christmas tree, and illuminated photo spots inspired by Singapore’s past are just some of the sights to look forward to at the Orchard Road Christmas Light-up for 2025.
While you’re there, don’t forget to crane your neck upwards every once in a while – after all, you wouldn’t want to miss the dazzling overhead Christmas lights stretching across 3.1km of Orchard Road from Tanglin to Dhoby Ghaut.
This year’s light-up will take a fittingly Singaporean glow in light of the nation’s diamond jubilee, so expect plenty of SG60 logos and the occasional Merli (the cutesy mascot based on the mythical Merlion) appearing alongside yule wreaths and snowflakes.
The lights will be up starting 8 November till the new year, with the festivities at Orchard Road expected to draw around 4 to 5 million visitors from both the heartlands and overseas.
Read on for a quick guide to Singapore’s biggest annual Christmas affair, complete with a driving and parking guide for those who prefer to see the lights in airconditioned, vehicular comfort.
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Highlights of Orchard Road Christmas Light-up 2025
Orchard Road has been illuminated by Christmas lights every year since 1984. It is essentially a hallmark event of the annual festive season in Singapore, which is why so many people continue making the yearly pilgrimage despite the bustling crowds.
In recognition of this significance, the official kick-off for the Christmas lights on 8 November will also be turned into a fundraising event officiated by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The event, co-organised by the Community Chest and Orchard Road Business Association, seeks to raise funds for over 300 social service programmes and projects.
In any case, whether you’re thinking to head down with the grandkids, or just looking for a hitlist of the highlights, read on to find out more.
1. The actual Orchard Road Christmas Light-up
Expect shades of gold, rose gold, and silvery white on display along three distinct sections of the 3.1km Orchard Road Christmas Light-up. Try to spot the loving details – like twinkling Christmas wreaths, swirling ribbons, and the Singapore-themed Merli and SG60 accents – while you’re at it.
2. Photo ops galore
Don’t get too fixated on the lights above though, as there’ll be plenty of festive installations at ground level too. Still, you’ll be hard-pressed to miss the huge glittering archway in front of ION Orchard – nor the likely queue leading to the podium for this dazzling photo spot.
Other photo opportunities include a motif of the iconic Toa Payoh dragon playground in front of Mandarin Gallery, as well as Santa’s, er, trishaw pulled by a team of reindeer at Shaw House Urban Plaza.
3. Grab a snack in the glow of a 14m-tall Christmas tree
That’s not to forget the magnificent 14m-tall Christmas tree standing tall at the Great Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza (8 Nov to 1 Jan 2026), accompanied by free snowfall shows at 8pm and 9pm nightly.
While there, visitors can also enjoy family-friendly carnival rides and games from festival partner Kiztopia. We’re talking a six-seater holiday carousel, mini Ferris wheel, a 17m by 8m inflatable castle, and more.
While you’re there, consider grabbing a snack or some last-minute gifts at the European-themed Christmas market. It won’t exactly be chilly, but hey, a little mulled wine never hurts.
If things get too crowded, there is a second Great Christmas Village at Shaw House Urban Plaza (8 Nov to 4 Jan 2026) to check out. There, expect carnival games suitable for the whole family, a Rudolph-themed train ride, and claw machines, among other fun activities.
4. An outdoor projection on the facade of the Hilton
Here in Singapore, the only thing we seem to love more than Christmas lights and queueing is outdoor projections on buildings, and this year’s Orchard Road light-up will be delivering on that.
A 100m-tall visual projection show will be airing on the facade of Hilton Singapore Orchard hotel for the duration of the festive period, with special shows slated for the one-minute countdowns leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The shows will be fittingly accompanied by a festive orchestra of lamppost-mounted speakers blasting Christmas-sy tunes from 10am to 10pm daily.
5. Christmas shopping deals
Festivities along Singapore’s shopping belt wouldn’t be complete without a great set of deals from the 13 participating malls across the stretch.
These include: 313@somerset, Forum The Shopping Mall, Great World, Ngee Ann City/Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Orchard Central, orchardgateway, Palais Renaissance, Paragon, Plaza Singapura, Scotts Square, Tanglin Mall, The Centrepoint, and Wheelock Place.
Expect over $350,000 worth of vouchers to be progressively doled out for shoppers who meet the minimum spend with festival partner Mastercard, along with a host of other Christmas discounts to keep the revelry going.
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Driving and parking guide
The Orchard Road Christmas lights stretch all the way from Tanglin to Dhoby Ghaut, which means that for the best in-car viewing experience, you’d want to drive along the one-way street all the way to the Dhoby Ghaut end before finding parking.
Obvious spots like Plaza Singapura (hourly parking) and especially The Cathay ($3.10 per entry on weekends after 6pm) will probably be filled fast, so maybe shoot for some place a little further. Options include the GR.ID shopping mall ($4.50 per entry after 6pm on Sat; all day on Sun) and Sunshine Plaza (hourly rate).
Another option is to double back by the Somerset stretch below Orchard Road, before snagging a carpark nearer to the thick of the action at 111 Somerset ($2.51 per entry after 6pm).
Of course, the most carefree way to get to the Orchard Road Christmas Light-up is to forego the car altogether and take public transportation.
Just take note that if you’re coming down on Christmas Eve, the whole stretch of Orchard Road from the junction with Paterson Road to the junction with Bideford Road will be closed to all vehicles from 6pm to 2am for a Christmas Eve Street Party.
Orchard Road Christmas Light-up 2025
Where: All around Orchard Road
When: 8 November 2025 – 1 January 2026
Website: https://christmas.orchardroad.org/
