Wild countdown

Wild countdown

Looking to usher in the new year with either a crowd of 20,000 or only a loved one? There is a countdown event to suit you.

To make the last night of this year memorable, glide-splash at an ice-skating foam party, bust your moves on the dance floor or watch performances by Singapore's Stefanie Sun and Kit Chan, Malaysia's Siti Nurhaliza and K-pop group BigBang at MediaCorp's Celebrate SG50 countdown at The Float @ Marina Bay.

You could also boogie to dance tunes by local and international DJs at the Sentosa Siloso Beach Party, which promises "new elements, together with favourites such as fireworks and a beach front", says organiser Sentosa Leisure Management's events director Jimmy Wong.

Bumping with the crowd not your thing? Fret not as there are options for a more intimate affair.

If it is a low-key celebration you are after, bars, restaurants, and other food and beverage joints are offering festive deals.

Fine-dining restaurants The White Rabbit and Catalunya are offering festive dinner menus, and you can either chill at the bar or hit the in-house dance floor after your meal.

"Somehow, a more intimate event feels more apt," says Mr Wee Teng Wen, co-founder of The Lo & Behold Group which runs The White Rabbit, of hanging out with loved ones to sing (metaphorically) Auld Lang Syne.

There are also the quirky and offbeat - attend an emotional cleansing ritual at cafe-bar Going OM or count down with The Philharmonic Orchestra at its new year's eve concert.

Music teacher Tan Mei Ling, 25, attended the 2013 concert - the gig is now in its fourth year - and will go for this year's too.

She says: "For those who do not want to squeeze with the outdoor countdown crowd nor watch the countdown party on TV, the cosy setting of a concert hall is the place to attend the last concert of the year and the first of next year."

gurveenk@sph.com.sg

melk@sph.com.sg

SENTOSA SILOSO BEACH PARTY 2014

What: Head down to Siloso Beach for a dusk-till-dawn celebration across a few locations along the strip - Azzura, Mambo Beach Club, Wave House Sentosa, Coastes, Bikini Bar and Sand Bar. Now in its eighth year, about 20,000 partygoers are expected at this beach shindig.

At the main stage, Swiss DJ-producer Mike Candys and Singapore's own Tinc and Funky T will spin trance, electrohouse and progressive house tunes. You can chill by the poolside with DJs Ollie'des, Jensen and Jenni-F, or get wild at a foam party with your friends.

Where: Sentosa Siloso Beach

When: 6pm to 6am

Price: $58 a ticket until Dec 25, after which it costs $68 a ticket (includes one drink). Group package at $300 for six tickets, VIP tickets at $98 (includes three drinks, priority queue and entry to VIP lounge)

Info: Go to www.silosobeachparty.com; minimum age of 18

Community bashes

What: Homebodies need not venture far from their neighbourhoods, with 50 community countdown parties set to take place on Dec 31. From stilt-walkers and LED-light shows at the Pasir Ris-Punggol Countdown To SG50, to balloon sculpting and Spanish dance performances at Ang Mo Kio and Sengkang West, there is a New Year's Eve party happening in your backyard.

Where: Various indoor and outdoor venues islandwide

When: From 5.30pm till late

Price: To be announced

Info: Go to www.pa.gov.sg

Foam party on ice

What: The Rink opens its Olympic-sized ice skating rink for a party, in which skaters glide to the latest pop hits while speckles of foam are dispensed. The first 200 skaters receive a Valore Dome 3000mAh powerbank. Minimum age for entry is four years old.

Where: The Rink at JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1

When: 9.45pm to 12.45am

Admission: $28 (includes skate boots rental)

Info: Go to www.therink.sg

The Philharmonic Orchestra presents New Year's Eve Gala Concert 2015

What: The orchestra will perform eight classical pieces, including John Williams' score for the film Schindler's List (1993), before counting down the final minutes to midnight with the epic climax from the fourth movement of Ottorino Respighi's Pines Of Rome.

Balloons and confetti will be released as the clock strikes 12, and both the orchestra and audience will cap the evening by singing Auld Lang Syne.

Where: The School of the Arts Concert Hall, 1 Zubir Said Drive

When: 10pm to 12.05am

Price: $37 or a pair of tickets for $60

Info: Call 6348-5555 or go to sistic.com.sg

Reawakening @ Going OM

What: If you had a less than stellar year and want a blank slate in 2015, chill cafe- bar Going OM is offering an emotional cleanse. Patrons can go with an unwanted item, which will be burnt as a symbol of releasing undesirable thoughts or memories, in exchange for a small crystal. Or renew the energy of an item you value by taking it there for a Tibetan singing bowl ritual. Buskers Fairuz Rahim and Ridhwan will perform.

Where: Going OM, 63 Haji Lane

When: 9.30pm to 1.30am

Price: Free to take part in the activities. The cafe sells food and drinks such as wedges ($8), kimchi pizza ($15), brownie ($7), Americano ($4), and red/white wine from $12 a glass.

Info: Call 6396-3592 or go to www.going-om.com.sg

Celebration Cabin

What: Curl up with five of your nearest and dearest in a cable car to welcome the new year 100m above sea level. Set off from Mount Faber towards Sentosa and get a bird's eye view of the fireworks during the 1½-hour ride. Included with your cabin is a bottle of champagne and a bottle of wine, a cold cut platter, as well as party packs with masks, party poppers and whistles.

Where: Faber Peak Singapore, 109 Mount Faber Road

When: 10.45pm to 12.30am

Price: $488++ a cabin (maximum six pax)

Info: Call 6377-9688 or go to www.faberpeak singapore.com; only 30 cabins are available

Old World Glamour at The Black Swan

What: New year's eve celebrations at restaurantbar The Black Swan will be an intimate affair. Tuck into a New Year's Eve set dinner featuring truffle en croute (wrapped in pastry) and panseared black cod. Those who want to continue the celebrations can adjourn upstairs to The Powder Room bar for drinks or hit the dancefloor.

Where: 19 Cecil Street

When: Dinner from 5pm till late, party from 9pm till late

Price: $128++ (first seating), $148++ (second seating), no entry charge for party

Info: Call/SMS 9721-0536

Countdown to 2015 at Catalunya

What: Head down to Spanish restaurant-bar Catalunya at The Fullerton Pavilion for a dazzling view of gunpowder popping overhead at Marina Bay. Enjoy a seven-course New Year's Eve tasting menu, with small dishes such as Carabinero red prawn and lamb shoulder with mushrooms. After dinner, the restaurant is transformed into a dancefloor, with the resident DJ spinning the latest hits. Escape to the roof-top for a more subdued scene.

Where: The Fullerton Pavilion, 82 Collyer Quay

When: 7pm till late

Price: $488++ for dinner with free entry to party, $98 for party entry charge, $128 at the door charge (both tickets include one glass of champagne)

Info: Call 6534-0886 or e-mail reservation@catalunya.sg; no minimum age limit for dinner, but those under 18 will be asked to leave the premises after the fireworks, when the partying begins.

MARINA BAY SINGAPORE COUNTDOWN 2015

What: Anchoring the countdown activities around the bay is the official countdown presented by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay. About 25,000 red-and-white "wishing spheres" will be set afloat in Marina Bay, bearing the hopes and aspirations of Singaporeans. To celebrate the start of the country's golden jubilee, there will be an eight-minute fireworks display choreographed to a score composed by Singapore's Julian Wong and Riduan Zalani. A special segment will feature close to 400 drummers performing at the lower boardwalk in front of Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza.

Where: Various locations around Marina Bay

Price: Free

Info: www.marinabaycountdown.sg

MEDIACORP PRESENTS: CELEBRATE SG50

What: Marking the start of 2015 and Singapore's 50th year of independence, this seven-hour extravaganza features the best of local pop culture in the past half-century. More than 60 artists, including Stefanie Sun (right), Dick Lee, Kit Chan, Rahimah Rahim, indie band The Sam Willows and Singapore Idol winner Sezairi Sezali will perform. Watch out for Korean boy band Big Bang (left) and Malaysian songbird Siti Nurhaliza. This party gives you unrestricted view of the fireworks at midnight.

Where: The Float @ Marina Bay

When: 7.30pm till late (dance party starts at 1.30am)

Price: $128 tickets sold out, $28 and $68 from Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to www.sistic.com.sg)

Info: tv.xinmsnent.mediacorp.sg/celebratesg50/index.html

CELEBRATE WITH THE WORLD

What: Dance the night away with seven hours of non-stop entertainment. From noon, a flea market and carnival activities set the mood for night-time revelry. From 6.30pm, enjoy electronic dance music sets from Germany's DJ Ronski Speed and Thailand's DJ Lisa Bluestar, and Singapore model-DJ Nicole Chen. The line-up includes singer-songwriter Nic Lee from pop-rock group Mi Lu Bing, rapper- host Sheikh Haikel and a capella group Juz B (above).

Where: The Promontory@ Marina Bay

When: From 6.30pm (Carnival from noon to 1am)

Price: $10 (includes one drink and $5 Fish & Co voucher), $50 (includes five tickets, five drinks and $50 Fish & Co voucher). VIP table package at $388 (five tickets, one bottle of Reyka vodka, 20 cans of Dester beer, a mixer and $100 Fish & Co voucher)

Info: Go to www.celebratewiththeworld.com; no minimum age, but only those aged 18 and above are allowed to buy alcoholic drinks

THE FANTASY COUNTDOWN: ZOUK NYE 2014

What: Party at Zouk this year to high-energy dance anthems by Dutch progressive house DJ Quintino in the club's sci-fi-meets fantasy bash. He will be supported by Zouk resident DJ Hong. Gear up for an epic countdown with confetti.

Where: Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim Street

When: From 10pm

Price: $40 at the door (includes two standard drinks); minimum entry age is 18 years

Info: www.zoukclub.com


This article was first published on December 5, 2014.
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