Every year it's the same plan. We'll take the kids and grandparents to see the Christmas lights, it'll be lovely. Then you spend 40 minutes circling Orchard Road looking for parking, Ah Ma's knees give up by Ngee Ann City, and someone has to walk back for the car.
Singapore's light-ups really are worth seeing, though. Here's what's on this year, an easy route that links the three best spots in one evening, and how to do it without anyone having to drive.
What's on this Christmas
- Orchard Road light-up: 17 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, along the 3.1 km stretch from Tanglin Road to Dhoby Ghaut. The lights are on from 6.30pm to midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve they stay on until 6am.
- Great Christmas Village: carnival games and kids' rides at Ngee Ann City from 13 November and Shaw House from 20 November, both until 3 January. The Santa House has snowfall shows every night, which the little ones will talk about for days.
- Hilton Singapore Orchard projection show: a 100-metre Christmas show on the side of the building, from 7pm to 10pm daily.
- Spectra at Marina Bay Sands: the free light and water show, at 8pm and 9pm, with an extra show at 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay: 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, from 6.30pm to 11pm at the Supertree Grove and The Meadow. Last admission is 10.15pm. You'll need tickets, so check the event website for prices.
An easy evening route
This works for most families, and you can trim it to suit. Start early, because little ones and grandparents usually run out of steam before the lights do.
6pm: leave home
Your driver picks everyone up at your door, so nobody has to rush down to the carpark or squeeze into two cars.
6.45pm: Orchard Road
Get dropped near Ngee Ann City. Let the kids loose at the Great Christmas Village, then catch the projection show at the Hilton, a short walk up the road. Stay for the snowfall at the Santa House if you can. It's listed at 8pm and 9pm.
8.15pm: drive the whole stretch
This is the part grandparents love. Orchard Road runs one way, so your driver can loop back to the Tanglin end and take you under the lights in air-conditioned comfort, with everyone taking photos from their seats. Traffic moves slowly in December, which for once works in your favour.
9pm: Spectra at Marina Bay Sands
It's a short drive from Orchard to the waterfront for the 9pm show. It's free, it lasts about 15 minutes, and you don't need to book.
9.30pm: Christmas Wonderland (from 27 November)
Gardens by the Bay is just next door. Have your tickets ready and plan on about an hour. Your driver will be waiting when you're done, and everyone can fall asleep on the way home.
Short on time, or travelling with young kids?
Skip the Gardens. Leave home at 7pm, spend an hour at Orchard Road, catch the 9pm Spectra and you can be home by about 10pm. That's a 3-hour booking.
Why book a van by the hour
With an hourly charter, the van and driver stay with you all evening. You can stop as many times as you like, and nobody has to look for parking or pay for it. ERP and car park charges are already in the price.
The whole family also stays together. Here's what the 5-hour route above costs, nett:
- 7-seater maxi cab: S$50 an hour, so S$250
- 9-seater maxi cab: S$55 an hour, so S$275
- 13-seater minibus: S$60 an hour, so S$300
- Toyota Alphard or Vellfire: S$70 an hour, so S$350
That's about S$23 a head if 13 of you share the minibus. The 3-hour route starts from S$150 in the 7-seater. Not sure which one fits your group? Our maxi cab capacity guide will help.
A few things worth knowing
- Avoid Christmas Eve if you can. Orchard Road is closed to traffic between Paterson Junction and Bideford Junction from 6pm on 24 December to 2am on 25 December, for the street party. It's a great night out, but it's no good for the drive-through.
- Go on a weeknight if you can. Weekends in December get very crowded.
- Try to finish by 11pm. A midnight surcharge applies from 11pm to 6.30am. It's S$10 for the maxi cabs and S$15 for the Alphard or Vellfire.
- Book early. December evenings fill up, so give us as much notice as you can, and at least a day.
- Bring your own child seat if you use one. We don't provide them, but your driver will help you fit it.
Show times and ticket details can change over the festive period, so have a quick look at the Orchard Road and Marina Bay Sands websites before you go.
Ready to plan your evening? Book online or WhatsApp us your date and how many people are coming, and we'll sort out the rest. Merry Christmas!
