At a Glance
Compared to this destination's peak season NYE week (Dec 28–Jan 2) is the biggest hotel spike of the year. Christmas week is also busy. Mid-December weekdays remain reasonable.
Singapore in December — Travel Guide
#Weather & Climate
December is Singapore's wettest month of the year — the Northeast Monsoon is at full force.
Daytime highs of 28–31°C, nights around 24–26°C, humidity often above 90%, and rainfall around 300mm across 18 wet days. Storms can be heavy and sustained — afternoon and evening downpours are typical. The trade-off is that December is also the city's most visually spectacular and atmospheric month: Orchard Road's Christmas Light Up runs at full force, Gardens by the Bay's Christmas Wonderland opens, and the Marina Bay Countdown on December 31 is one of Asia's biggest NYE events.
December is peak season — accommodation rates jump sharply, particularly in Marina Bay.
#Getting Around
Changi Airport (SIN) to City Hall on the East-West MRT, S$2.50, 30 minutes.
Grab/taxi to Marina Bay S$25–45.
The MRT and bus network is essential in December's heavy rain — sheltered MRT stations and underground passages connect most CBD destinations.
NYE crowd density around Marina Bay is extreme on December 31 — book accommodation within walking distance of City Hall, Bayfront, or Esplanade MRT.
#Top Activities
Solo travellers — Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay is a multi-week immersive light installation with European Christmas market stalls, light tunnels, and a giant Spalliera (the world's tallest walk-through floral arch). Tickets typically S$5 for evening entry.
ZoukOut — Singapore's largest electronic music beach festival — sometimes runs in mid-December at Sentosa's Siloso Beach (status varies year to year).
Couples — December is Singapore's most romantic month if you book ahead.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at Burnt Ends, Candlenut, Odette, Les Amis, Jaan, and the Mandarin Oriental sell out a month in advance.
NYE rooftop dinners with Marina Bay fireworks views at CÉ LA VI, LAVO, 1-Altitude, and Smoke & Mirrors are bucket-list — and book up two months ahead.
Walking the Orchard Road Christmas Light Up after dinner is a guaranteed memorable evening.
Families — Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay is a family essential.
Universal Studios Singapore is at peak December crowds — go midweek or before December 18.
S.E.A. Aquarium and Adventure Cove on Sentosa.
Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari, and Bird Paradise in Mandai.
Snow City in Jurong runs themed Christmas programming.
Groups — December is the year's biggest party month.
Marina Bay Countdown on NYE — Singapore's official New Year fireworks display over Marina Bay — is free to watch from the promenade and one of Asia's biggest NYE events.
Zouk, Marquee, CÉ LA VI, and LAVO run massive NYE programmes with international DJs. Book December 31 tickets a month ahead.
#Food & Dining
Christmas tasting menus dominate December's restaurant calendar — every fine-dining venue runs a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menu. Hotels (Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Ritz-Carlton, Fullerton, Capella) sell out their Christmas Day buffets a month in advance.
Christmas log cakes (bûche de Noël) from Bakerzin, Awfully Chocolate, and the major hotel pastry shops are pre-ordered through December.
NYE menus are equally over-subscribed — book by mid-November.
Year-round Singapore essentials: chicken rice at Tian Tian Maxwell, chilli crab at Jumbo or Long Beach, bak kut teh at Founder, laksa at 328 Katong, and the full hawker rotation.
Tekka Centre in Little India.
#Nightlife
December is Singapore's biggest party month.
Zouk runs sold-out programmes through Christmas week and into NYE.
Marquee at Marina Bay Sands, CÉ LA VI, LAVO, 1-Altitude, Smoke & Mirrors, and Mr Stork all sell out their NYE rooftops.
Atlas, 28 HongKong Street, Native, Manhattan Bar, Jigger & Pony, and Operation Dagger continue to anchor the year-round cocktail scene.
ZoukOut at Sentosa's Siloso Beach is the biggest electronic music beach festival of the year (when it runs).
#Shopping
Christmas Light Up on Orchard Road is at full intensity through all of December.
ION Orchard, Paragon, Ngee Ann City, Mandarin Gallery, Takashimaya, VivoCity, and Suntec City all run elaborate themed installations and tree displays.
Boxing Day sales (December 26) and year-end clearance push major discounts on luxury brands.
GST refunds at Changi Airport for foreign-passport purchases over S$100.
Bugis Street Market is cheaper.
Haji Lane indie boutiques.
#Culture & Etiquette
- Christmas in Singapore — non-religious Christmas decoration is universal regardless of religion.
- NYE crowd density is extreme around Marina Bay — keep belongings secured.
- MRT eating ban is enforced (S$500 fine).
- No tipping — service charge is built into bills.
- Umbrella etiquette — fold and shake at entrances.
#Essential Local Phrases
| Phrase | Local | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Merry Christmas | Selamat Hari Krismas | Malay |
| Happy New Year | Selamat Tahun Baru / Xin Nian Kuai Le | Malay / Mandarin |
| Thank you | Terima kasih / Xie xie | Malay / Mandarin |
| Delicious | Shiok | Singlish |
| Cheers | Yam seng | Cantonese |
| It's raining | Hujan | Malay |
#Packing List
- Light cotton / linen
- Sturdy compact umbrella — December is the wettest month
- Lightweight waterproof jacket or rain shell
- Closed shoes that handle wet pavements
- One formal-ish outfit for Christmas dinners and NYE rooftop bars (no shorts/flip-flops)
- Sunscreen — sun is still strong on clear days
- Reusable water bottle
- Light jumper for mall air-conditioning
- Plastic bag for wet umbrella in your bag
#Backup Plans
December's heavy rain means daily indoor backup.
Marina Bay Sands Shoppes, ArtScience Museum, ION Orchard, VivoCity, Suntec City, and Jewel Changi are sprawling indoor complexes.
Gardens by the Bay's Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are climate-controlled — and Christmas Wonderland on the lawn is partially sheltered.
National Gallery Singapore, Asian Civilisations Museum, and Peranakan Museum are excellent.
#Budget & Costs
December is Singapore's most expensive month alongside September's F1 weekend.
Budget: S$80–120/day.
Mid-range: S$160–240/day.
Comfortable: S$280–460/day.
Luxury Marina Bay: S$700–1,500/day with sharp peaks across Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and NYE — Marina Bay Sands suite rates can exceed S$3,000/night for December 31.
Hawker meal S$5–10, restaurant meal S$15–30 casual, MRT S$1–3, taxi Changi S$25–45, Universal Studios S$83, Christmas Wonderland evening ticket S$5, NYE rooftop dinners with fireworks views S$200–500+ per person, Marquee/Zouk NYE tickets S$120–250.
#Safety & Health
December's main risks: lightning (Singapore has more strikes per square kilometre than almost anywhere on earth — take shelter indoors during storms), slippery surfaces at MRT stations and malls (be cautious), NYE crowd density at Marina Bay (extreme — keep belongings close, watch for pickpockets in dense crowds), and dengue (use repellent). Tap water is excellent. Healthcare is world-class but expensive — travel insurance recommended.
Emergency: 999 (police), 995 (ambulance/fire).
Drug laws are extreme — trafficking carries the death penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Christmas like in Singapore?
Singapore goes all-out for Christmas despite being multi-faith — Orchard Road's Christmas Light Up is one of Asia's most extravagant displays, Gardens by the Bay hosts Christmas Wonderland with European-style markets and ice rinks, every shopping mall installs giant trees, and hotels run Christmas afternoon teas, brunches, and dinners. December 25 is a public holiday.
How wet is December in Singapore?
December is Singapore's wettest month — about 287mm of rainfall across 19 wet days. Heavy afternoon and evening thunderstorms are nearly daily. The lightning displays over Marina Bay can be genuinely spectacular. Bring a compact umbrella and plan flexibility into your itinerary; Singapore's covered walkways and MRT mean you can stay dry between activities.
What is the Marina Bay Countdown for NYE?
Marina Bay Countdown is Singapore's main NYE event — fireworks launch from barges across the bay at midnight, with viewing along the Marina Bay Sands promenade, Esplanade Park, and Gardens by the Bay. Free to attend but it gets packed with 250,000+ people. Hotel rooftop bars (1-Altitude, CÉ LA VI, Lantern at Fullerton Bay) are the upscale alternative and book 3–4 months ahead.
Is ZoukOut still happening in December?
ZoukOut, Asia's biggest beach dance festival, has historically run on Sentosa's Siloso Beach in early December. Recent editions have moved formats — check zoukout.com for the current year's status. When it runs, it's a 2-day, 28,000-person beach party with international DJ headliners (past: Skrillex, Calvin Harris, David Guetta).