Christmas in Singapore 2026: Orchard Road Lights, Festive Tours and New Year's Eve
When to see the Orchard Road Christmas lights in 2026 (17 Nov to 3 Jan), the best ways to enjoy Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve in Singapore, and festive tours with a licensed guide.
From mid-November, Singapore turns into a Christmas city. Orchard Road is lit up from end to end, Marina Bay and the Gardens sparkle at night, and the year ends with fireworks over the bay. Here is when and where to see it all, and the easiest ways to enjoy it with a licensed local guide.
When are the Orchard Road Christmas lights on in 2026?
Christmas on A Great Street, the Orchard Road light-up, runs from 17 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. There are two Christmas villages (at Ngee Ann City and Shaw House), a projection show at Hilton Singapore Orchard, live music along the street and a giant Merli in a Santa hat on top of Shaw House. On Christmas Eve (Thursday 24 December), Orchard Road holds a street party from 8pm to just after midnight, between Paterson Road and Bideford Road, with performances, DJs and food trucks. Roads there are closed that night, so plan your car pickup away from the party area.
The easiest ways to see the Christmas lights
- By private car: our Christmas Lights Night Tour by Car picks you up at your hotel and drives you along the Orchard Road light-up, with a stop to walk under the main display, then Marina Bay by night and Gardens by the Bay (Christmas Wonderland tickets at your own cost). S$288 per car for up to 4 guests (S$304 on 24, 25 and 31 December).
- On foot: the Orchard Road Christmas Lights Walk is a 2.5-hour walk under the lights with a licensed guide, from S$62 per adult.
- Marina Bay and the Gardens: the Marina Bay Christmas Night Walk and Gardens shows you the bay, the light shows and the Supertrees at night, from S$81 per adult.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Christmas Day (25 December) is a public holiday in Singapore. Shops in the city and on Orchard Road stay open, and churches hold services on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.
- Christmas Eve Heritage Walk: Churches and CHIJMES: the old churches of the Civic District and the chapel at CHIJMES, lit up for Christmas Eve. From S$73 per adult.
- Christmas Day Private City Tour by Car: the city highlights on Christmas Day in your own car with a driver-guide, S$278 per car for up to 4 guests (24 to 26 December).
Festive food
December is a great month to eat your way through Singapore's hawker centres, which UNESCO lists as part of the world's cultural heritage. The Festive Hawker Food Trail: Maxwell to Lau Pa Sat takes you to the famous stalls of Chinatown and the city with a local guide, from S$129 per adult.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Singapore welcomes the new year with fireworks over Marina Bay at midnight. Crowds are huge, roads around the bay close in the evening and taxis are hard to find after midnight.
- New Year's Eve Countdown: Dinner, Fireworks and a Car Home: 6pm to 1am. Your guide picks you up at your hotel, takes you to dinner (at your own cost), walks you to a planned viewing spot for the midnight fireworks away from the closed areas, and brings you back to your hotel. S$528 per car.
- New Year's Day Round-Island Tour by Car: start the year with the whole island by car, S$548 per car, 8 hours.
- New Year's Day Heritage Walk: Chinatown and Little India: a quiet morning walk through two of Singapore's oldest neighbourhoods, from S$112 per adult.
In Singapore on a cruise in December?
The Christmas Cruise Shore Excursion with Orchard Road Lights meets you in the cruise terminal arrival hall, shows you Marina Bay, Chinatown and the Orchard Road Christmas lights, and brings you back to your ship in good time. S$428 per car for up to 4 guests.
Tips for Christmas in Singapore
- Book early: 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January are the busiest days of the year for guides and cars.
- December is the rainy season, with showers on many days. Bring a small umbrella.
- 25 December and 1 January are public holidays: most shops and restaurants are open, but book restaurants for Christmas dinner and New Year's Eve well ahead.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before every tour.
See all our festive tours on one page: Christmas & New Year tours in Singapore. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp at +65 8053 9618.
Ugkstour is run by UGKS Limousine Pte Ltd, a licensed Singapore travel agent (TA03758N). All our guides hold a Singapore Tourist Guide licence.