By Cheryl Lim

STREETS in the Orchard and Marina Bay areas will be glowing with Christmas lights one week earlier than usual this year.

The annual Christmas light-up, which is in its 25th year, will be switched on by President S R Nathan on Saturday.

It was switched on last year on Nov 15. It has been brought forward so that delegates of the week-long Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting, which starts on Sunday, will have the chance to enjoy it, a Singapore Tourism Board (STB) spokesman said.

Orchard Road, Singapore's main shopping street, will be decked out in Christmas symbols, such as snowmen, Santa Claus and reindeers clothed in the latest fashion trends.

The Marina Bay area will sport motifs  reminiscent of its seaside location, including bejewelled clams and waves.
This will be the first time since 2006 that the light-up uses a different theme for each location.

"This year, there are two themes because the light-ups are driven by the business associations of each precinct."

"This is also part of an overall strategy to engage and empower stakeholders," the STB spokesman said.

The associations driving the light-up of the two precincts are the Orchard Road Business Association and Baywatch
Association.

"This is a key event on Singapore's tourism calendar... Many tourists from all over the world come to Singapore during this annual year-end season to join us for the festivities," said the spokesman.

More than six million people, both tourists and Singapore residents, visited the Christmas In The Tropics light-up last year.

This was an increase from the year before, which registered 120,000 fewer people.

Ms Elim Chew, president of streetwear retailer 77th Street, which has at least four branches in the Orchard shopping belt, said: "It's good that it's starting earlier this year.

"The light-up improves the spirit and atmosphere of the place, uplifts people's moods, and puts them in the mood for giving."

One shopper who is excited about the Christmas light-up is Ms Wendy Lim, an administrative executive who visits the Orchard Road area at least once before Christmas every year.

She said: "I will always do my Christmas shopping in Orchard Road."

"I expect this year's light-up to be more fabulous, after the opening of glitzy malls such as Orchard Central."

cheryll@sph.com.sg

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