Orchard Road Christmas light-up ‘on track’ for higher visitorship this year, possibly from more tourists
STB has projected international visitor arrivals to hit 17 million to 18.5 million in 2025
[SINGAPORE] This year’s Orchard Road Christmas light-up is “on track” to draw more visitors than last year, which could come from more tourists, said Orchard Road Business Association chairman Mark Shaw.
The 2024 edition drew 5.8 million visitors, exceeding 2023’s turnout of 4.1 million visitors and on a par with pre-pandemic levels. Locals typically comprise 70 per cent of visitors every year, with tourists forming the rest.
“Apart from our local contingent who are very strong supporters (of the event), whether we get a bump or not depends on the tourism arrivals,” noted Shaw.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has projected international visitor arrivals to hit 17 million to 18.5 million in 2025 – up from 16.5 million the year before.
Shaw was speaking at a media conference on Wednesday (Oct 29) to unveil this year’s Christmas on a Great Street 2025 light-up and festivities.
The event will take place from Nov 8 to Jan 1, 2026, with the Christmas decorations to be decked across a 3.1 km stretch of Orchard Road from Tanglin to Dhoby Ghaut.
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When asked for his outlook on Singapore’s retail sector, Shaw replied: “Obviously, there are external factors affecting Singaporeans’ spending, but the strong Singapore dollar makes it easier for them to spend at home as well.”
For Singaporeans who shop for foreign brands overseas, prices are comparable locally, he said, adding that the cost of travel has also “gone up a lot”.
Shaw pointed out that Singapore’s retail sales have increased this year, with spending shifting towards luxury goods and food and beverage (F&B).
Retail sales in August outperformed forecasts, rising 5.2 per cent year on year – up from July’s 4.6 per cent growth – according to the latest data from the Department of Statistics.
New Christmas market
To commemorate SG60, this year’s Christmas on a Great Street light-up will incorporate the SG60 logo and STB’s Merli, the Merlion mascot.
As part of the line-up of festivities, there will be two revamped Great Christmas Villages: one at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, and the other at Shaw House Urban Plaza.
One new highlight is a European-inspired Christmas market with more than 10 F&B and retail booths, located at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. There will also be a bar by home-grown craft beer brand Sunbird Brewing Company, live stage performances and a lounge area on the upper level.
“Christmas markets have been very successful overseas, so we thought it’d be a great idea to try it out in Singapore,” said Shaw.
The two Great Christmas Villages will also feature carnival games, rides, photo booths and retail points by home-grown edutainment kids park brand Kiztopia. Both villages drew more than 1.1 million visitors in 2024.
Other returning attractions include the Great Christmas Eve Street Party – which attracted almost 300,000 revellers in 2024 – and the 14-m-tall Mastercard Christmas tree, which will be accompanied by snowfall shows at 8 pm and 9 pm nightly.
An outdoor 3D multimedia show will also be projected on the facade of Hilton Singapore Orchard, while speakers perched on 44 lamp posts along Orchard Road will play festive music.
Six hotels along Orchard Road will offer Christmas on a Great Street stay packages for both locals and tourists. In addition, tourists may enjoy F&B discounts and shopping rewards at seven participating restaurants, shopping malls and departmental stores across the prime shopping belt.
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