The most magical time of the year is near and yes, we are talking about Christmas! Who doesn’t love the season of giving and sharing? And… we are excited to share that Christmas Wonderland is back again for the third year!

Entrance to Christmas Wonderland is no longer free this year, though. Admission tickets are going at S$4 from 02 to 04 December 2016, S$6 from 09 to 15 December 2016 and S$8 from 16 December to 01 January 2017. Starting from 28 October 2016, you can purchase your tickets online. Complimentary entry is given for up to 3 children under 0.9 metres with each paying adult.

Happening from 02 December 2016 to 01 January 2017, it is scheduled to open daily from 3.30pm to 11pm. Here’s what you can expect from Christmas Wonderland 2016 At Gardens By The Bay.

#1 DOUBLE THE SIZE, DOUBLE THE FUN

The event space has expanded to twice the size in order to cater for more attractions such as carnival games and rides at Christmas Wonderland, comprising a total of 57,000 square metres of land.

Not only that, even the Snow Playground at the Ice Palace will also be doubling up in size!

#2 THE MAGNIFICENT SPALLIERA CASTEL DEL MONTE

Under the 19.7m tall Spalliera Castel del Monte is where visitors can experience periodic “snowfalls” during the daily Blizzard Times at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. This is where you will be able to take your Instagram picture of the year with the largest Luminarie built in Southeast Asia.

Also, you should not miss out on the stunning Luminarie Sculptures of Light which are designed based on the 17th and 18th century Baroque architecture. A huge amount of effort is required to build these magnificent sculptures of light which took more than a month to complete. The sculptures are made by hand using white wood from the south of Italy.

#3 LOTS OF FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES

Head down to the Ice Palace which will include an ice skating rink (S$18 for 45 minutes), 25 metres long ice slide (S$4 per person) and a snow playground (tickets start from S$12).

In addition, a collaboration with Hi-5 this year will see the young at heart screaming with joy! Step into the Hi-5 Funtastic House where your young ones will be entertained with a bouncy castle and they can show off their best dance moves to Hi-5 songs.

Hi-5 Style It Up is where kids can dress up in Hi-5 costumes for the camera, get a temporary tattoo and bring home gifts such as a polaroid picture and balloon as souvenirs!

Be sure to pre-book sessions for these activities here before heading over to avoid disappointments.

Christmas Wonderland will be introducing bumper cars this year! If you are bringing your little ones, there are mini Ferris wheel and motorised Bug Car rides for them. You can also expect the usual carnival games stalls such as “Fishy Fishy” and “Ring Toss”.

Separate tokens are to be purchased for the rides and game stalls.

#4 MEET SANTA CLAUS IN HIS COTTAGE

Christmas is not Christmas without Santa Claus! If you want to meet Santa, walk through the Magical Forest and you will find him awaiting your arrival in his cottage. Remember to take lots of pictures!

Photos Credit: Gardens by the Bay

#5 A FESTIVE MARKET AND AN IMMERSIVE DINING EXPERIENCE IN A GLASS HOUSE

You will be spoilt for choice with the endless dining options you can find at the 27 food and craft outlets in the Festive Market!

Otherwise, enjoy a wonderful festive spread from Harry’s which will take place in a two-storey Glass House where you can admire the view of the Spalliera Castel del Monte, giant Supertrees of Gardens by the Bay and the Festive Market.

Just looking at the lineup of activities is enough to get us all hyped up for Christmas Wonderland 2016. With activities suitable for all ages, we are sure you will have a lovely time with your loved ones!

Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay – Singapore’s biggest yuletide fair - is probably the most talked about attraction in Singapore this Christmas.

Christmas Wonderland is for everyone – young and old, lovers and friends. The Garden lights up in full glory when night falls, and it is a picturesque sight that is nothing short of stunning. It is little wonder everyone is putting this on their Christmas to-do list.

It runs from 27 November 2015 to 03 January 2016, and is open from 4pm to midnight daily. If you are planning a trip, here is a simple guide on What To Expect At Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay.

THE PARKING SITUATION IS CRAZY

Set off earlier, because chances are, you are gonna be stuck in a queue – a queue to turn in to the car park, and a “queue” to park your vehicle. We joined the long line of cars at about 7pm, and only got an unofficial lot at 7:45pm.

There are various car park and entrances, but we suggest turning in to the Meadow car park because it is a relatively shorter walk to the rides and carnival games area. There is also a “designated area” for unofficial parking – if you know what we mean.

Of course, the main entrance sees the longest queue, so those with more patience can turn in from that entrance.

WEAR LIGHTER CLOTHES

Singapore doesn’t have the kindest humidity level; we all know that, yes? Even more so at Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay, where the human density is high and being less than one arm’s length apart from another human means it is going to be even hotter.

Go dressed in lightweight apparels and fuss-free clothes. Breathable sportswear works best, as with a pair of good walking shoes. You are gonna walk a lot, so ditch them heels. It may be a Christmas Wonderland but we ain’t gonna survive with furry capes and high heeled boots.

Skirts and dresses aren’t advised unless you do not mind the “exposure” when you take the rides and fool around on the Trickart set (we will talk about this in a bit).

DO NOT BRING BIG BAGS

This is not a rule, but it is always easier to move around with minimal baggage, yes?

And when it is going to be so crowded, all you want is to simply enjoy the night without having to worry that someone might stick their hands into your bag through your blind spots.

ADMISSION TO CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

is free. Yay!

But rides and games are payable – optional, of course. Strolling around the beautiful compound is still free, so is snapping a thousand and one photos.

PREPARE (LOTS OF) CASH

While admission is free, you should still be prepped with cash on hand – for the rides, for the games, for the food, for candy floss, for souvenirs…

The rides and carnival games are payable via tokens, and generic tokens are sold at various token booths across the compound. To give you a gauge, a go on the big slide costs S$8 per person, and a carousel ride is S$10 per person. Yes, that is why you need lots of cash.

CARNIVAL GAMES

Expect many booths of carnival games that are suitable for both young and old. They are mostly kids-friendly, but of course, the help of an adult may increase your chances of winning that Minion/ Toy Story stuffed toy.

We tried most of them, and let’s just say there is a reason why we could easily count the number of visitors who walked away with prizes with a pair of hands.

LUMINARIE

Light sculptures after light sculptures, these architectural gems are handmade in Italy and can be spotted throughout the Garden.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

The 20.3-metre wide Ice Palace is a highlight of the Christmas Wonderland, and it features both a Snow Playground and an Ice Skating Rink.

Open from 4pm to 11pm daily, it costs S$12 for a 30-minute session at the Snow Playground (inclusive of boots) and S$14 for a 45-minute session at the Ice Skating Rink (inclusive of skates). The admissions are payable via tokens only, so get your tokens ready (buy them at the Token Booth) before you queue up!

You should bring your own socks and gloves, though. Otherwise, they can be purchased at the booth.

FOR THE YOUNG ONES

The kids will have a ball of a time with the many rides that are favourites at typical European Christmas fairs.

The vintage Carousel is the most gorgeous, and makes a perfect backdrop for photos! Hop on for a ride at S$10 per ride per person.

There is also a big slide that is 14 metres tall. Toddlers are not advised to take the ride unless it is with the company of an adult. It costs S$8 per ride per person.

Kids will also love the Magic Swing – a safe ride with harness and the accompaniment of the evening breeze. It costs S$8 per ride per child.

And something for the whole family is a ride on the Christmas Train, where you will be taken for a spin around the Garden to admire the festive lights alongside all the other happy souls onboard. It costs S$6 per ride per person.

Do note that for all the above, the payment mode is via tokens and the tokens have to be exchanged at the Token Booth prior to the ride.

FOOD AT CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND – YOU CAN GO WITHOUT DINNER

Lots of dining options are available at the Garden, including food trucks, pop-up restaurants and a food court.

Some names include Harry’s, Waterfall Ristorante Italiano by Shangri-La Hotel Singapore and Culina.

PICNIC, MAYBE?

But of course, you are more than welcome to pack your own basket and have a picnic on the many grass patches and corners at Gardens By The Bay. That is quite some unadulterated fun you can enjoy under the Christmas lights with your loved ones!

TRICKART

Have fun with the original 3D optical mirror-illusion at the TrickArt corner and create a portrait that is one of its kind! This is probably the only time you get to “sit on Marina Bay Sands”, and go on a Sleigh Ride. *cues Christmas carols*

PHOTO BOOTH

Otherwise, there are regular photo booths that you can have fun at and get some photos taken. They are at S$5 per session.

Have fun at Christmas Wonderland at Gardens By The Bay. Merry Christmas and have a happy new year!