Orchard Road is set to shine brighter than ever this year, as Christmas on A Great Street 2025 rolls out a celebration that feels tailor-made for families—and especially meaningful as Singapore marks its SG60 milestone.

From 8th November, the entire 3.1-kilometre stretch from Tanglin to Dhoby Ghaut will glow with soft gold, rose gold and silvery white lights that wrap the precinct like a sparkling gift to the nation. As Mr Mark Shaw, Chairman of ORBA, shared, “This year’s Christmas Light-Up is especially meaningful as it commemorates SG60, celebrating six decades of Singapore’s remarkable journey of nation-building and development. Orchard Road has developed in tandem with our nation.”

The Light-Up itself is a sight families will not want to miss. With Merli and the SG60 logo woven into wreaths, ribbons and gleaming displays, Orchard Road takes on an enchanting quality after sunset. Children will dart excitedly toward whimsical touches like the reindeer-led trishaw, a giant festive wreath, a miniature main arch featuring Merli, and even a Christmas take on the beloved Toa Payoh Dragon Playground. Music in the Air drifts from 44 lamp posts, scoring each walk with festive tunes, while a sweeping 100-metre projection on Hilton Singapore Orchard paints the night sky with colour.

But for families, one of the biggest reasons to head down this year is the expanded Kiztopia Christmas Carnival, easily the most joyful corner of the entire celebration. Nestled right at the heart of the newly revamped Great Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, it feels like it was designed with pure childhood wonder in mind—bright lights, whimsical rides, music in the air and the kind of high-energy fun that makes kids forget bedtime exists.

The moment families step in, children are often drawn straight to the six-seater Holiday Carousel, spinning gently beneath strings of twinkling bulbs. It’s ideal for little ones taking their very first carnival ride and irresistible for parents capturing photos of their kids waving from colourfully painted reindeers. Just nearby, laughter spills from Raby & Tiger’s Christmas Bounce, Kiztopia’s giant inflatable dome where kids slide, climb and bounce across soft, padded zones while parents enjoy a moment’s breather.

A few steps away, the Turbo Twisters offer a different kind of thrill. These LED-lit ride-ons create the feeling of gliding through a neon racetrack as glowing wheels whirl across the ground. Slightly older kids zip around with delighted squeals, tracing fast loops in a rainbow glow. And for families with younger children, the Mini Train Ride at the second Village at Shaw House is always a hit, its tiny carriages chugging past festive displays and waving mascots.

Older children and tweens flock to the carnival games—mini bowling, throw-a-hoop, beanbag tosses, can-knockdowns and ring tosses—each booth offering that satisfying jolt of pride when a prize is won. Plushies and festive-themed trinkets quickly become treasured trophies carried through the rest of the night. Kiztopia mascots make frequent appearances too, posing for photos and sometimes sparking spontaneous dance sessions when the music crescendos. The hours pass almost unnoticed, and that, in many ways, is Kiztopia’s magic.

At the heart of the Village sits the cosy Hitachi Santa House, complete with a nostalgic fireplace backdrop made for family portraits. Around it, the Christmas Market is a feast of flavours: Dulcet & Studio’s log cakes and tarts, Ministry of Spud’s hearty baked potatoes, Pastry Department’s chocolate bombs, The Dessert Kartel’s tiramisu and baby pancakes, and Rollney’s warm kürtősh pastries with soft serve from its 24-hour robotic vending machines.

Parents can unwind with a gingerbread-inspired Amber Ale from Sunbird Brewing Company, while adventurous eaters explore wraps, skewers, pastas and loaded fries from The Food Kartel and Kebabs Faktory. With handmade ornaments from Cute and Funny, the Miniso Merlion Exclusive Mickey Collection, and matcha bakes from Sugar Cha Cha x To: You, it’s easy to pick up souvenirs and stocking stuffers along the way.

A short stroll takes families to the second Great Christmas Village at Shaw House Urban Plaza, bursting with more rides and cheer. Younger children hop onto Rudolph’s Express, zip around in Jolly Cruiser parent-and-child vehicles, bounce on Kiztopia Jingle Jump trampolines and test their luck at claw machines and carnival games. With two Villages running at once—and over 1.1 million visitors last year—this year’s festivities feel especially vibrant.

And, of course, no Orchard Road Christmas is complete without the towering 14-metre Mastercard Christmas Tree. Its twice-nightly snowfall shows at 8pm and 9pm continue to be one of the season’s most heartwarming rituals—children catching snowflakes in the tropics while parents film and laugh beside them. Mastercard’s festive shopping promotions sweeten the season further. As Mastercard’s Deborah Heng said, “Holiday shopping today goes beyond the purchase – it is about creating those moments of joy and connection.”

The celebrations culminate in the Great Christmas Eve Street Party, when the road turns car-free and transforms into a massive open-air celebration filled with live music, food trucks, roving mascots and a roaring countdown. Mr Shaw calls it “a must-attend event — our major year-end outdoor celebration of both Christmas and the SG60 spirit.”

Yet beyond the sparkle, the heart of Christmas on A Great Street remains in giving. Co-organised with Community Chest, the Light-Up raises funds for over 300 social service programmes. ORBA is also hosting Christmas Village outings for seniors and open-top bus tours for healthcare and migrant workers. Sustainability remains a priority too, with decorations repurposed for new events and a continued partnership with Mastercard to support tree restoration efforts worldwide.

With shimmering arches, lively villages, snowfall shows, nostalgic childhood icons and the boundless energy of the Kiztopia Carnival, Christmas on A Great Street 2025 promises to be the kind of celebration families return to again and again. As STB’s Ashlynn Loo beautifully summed it up, “We invite all locals and visitors from around the world to immerse themselves in the festivities… and create lasting memories with us.” And for families strolling Orchard Road hand in hand, eyes lifted to the glow, there will be no shortage of memories waiting to be made.

Explore Christmas On A Great Street 2025 throughout Orchard Road. More information available here