Orchard Road Christmas light-up on Nov 14

SINGAPORE - Orchard Road will be transformed into a magical world of glistening ornaments and delightful set pieces that includes a 4-metre-high box of Christmas delights, the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) said in a press release on Thursday (Nov 12).

The annual Orchard Road Christmas Light-up this Saturday (Nov 14) will be officiated by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, Hitachi Asia Ltd and MasterCard, the Christmas lights will be displayed from Nov 14 to Jan 3 next year.

"We are delighted to welcome the festive spirit to Orchard Road again this year," said ORBA Chairman Mark Shaw.

According to the ORBA, this year's creative concept is produced by local artiste Dick Lee and designer Yang De Rong. Visitors can look forward to celebrating the festive season in an atmosphere of merriment along the Orchard Road shopping belt.

ORBA has also announced that they will continue their annual partnership with the National Council of Social Service to organise the Light Up Ceremony, which will mark the start of Community Chest's year-end charity drive.

130 student volunteers from Republic Polytechnic will distribute multi-coloured light sticks to members of the public on the night of the light-up. ORBA will also pledge $1 to Community Chest for every light stick given out.

ORBA added that visitors to Orchard Road can expect a variety of Christmas-themed activities and performances during the festive period.

Christmas-themed activities

Visitors to Orchard Road will be able to enjoy performances by Celebrate Christmas in Singapore (CCIS) nightly from 7 to 10pm from Dec 18 to 23 in front of ION Orchard and Wisma Atria.

Carollers and musicians from various schools and institutions will also perform at Paragon and orchardgateway on Nov 14. The full schedule of the performances is as follows:

Best Dressed Building Contest 2015

Christmas on Orchard Road is never complete without the visual feast of the buildings decked out in the spirit of the season.

The Best Dressed Building Contest takes place from Nov 20 to Dec 5.

Buildings along Orchard Road will be jousting for the Voters' Choice Award as well as the Judges' Choice Award.

The public can vote for their favourite building on the OneOrchard mobile app. Voters for the winner of the Voters' Choice Award stand a chance at being one of 15 lucky voters to win up to $200 worth of shopping vouchers each in a lucky draw.

The participating buildings are:

1. Forum The Shopping Mall

2. ION Orchard

3. Mandarin Gallery

4. orchardgateway

5. Paragon

6. Tanglin Mall

7. TANGS at Tang Plaza

8. Wheelock Place

Christmas Rewards with MasterCard

Starting from Nov 14, those who charge a minimum of $300 to a MasterCard card at participating Orchard Road shopping malls can receive a $30 shopping voucher.

Vouchers can be redeemed with a maximum of five same-day receipts at the same mall.

The promotion is valid while stocks last.

The participating shopping malls are:

1. 313 @ somerset

2. Forum The Shopping Mall

3. Mandarin Gallery

4. Ngee Ann City / Takashimaya Shopping Centre

5. Orchard Central 6. orchardgateway

7. Palais Renaissance

8. Paragon

9. Plaza Singapura

10. Scotts Square

11. TANGS at Tang Plaza

12. The Centrepoint

Pedestrian Night on Orchard Road - First Saturday of December

There will also be special performances for Dec's edition of Pedestrian Night on Orchard Road.

The street will be filled with Christmas performances and carolling by various interest groups, and activities for kids including balloon sculpting and face-painting.

Orchard Road will also welcome its very own Santa Claus to usher in the festivities.

The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. Christmas Experience

Shoppers can look forward to The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. Christmas Experience at a special pop-up store located on Urban Green Room 7 from Dec 4 to 20.

Savour tea-infused mocktails brewed exclusively for Christmas on A Great Street, inspired by the unique features of Orchard Road, amid an outdoor modern setting.

For those wanting more, The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. has launched their new retail concept at TANGS at Tang Plaza Basement 1, with their full range of products made available.

#OrchardRdXmas

Visitors to Orchard Road are encouraged to use the hashtag, #OrchardRdXmas, as they capture their moments of joy beneath the glitzy set pieces and glittering bells specially created for this year's celebrations.

sjching@sph.com.sg