Enjoy a “snowy” Christmas at this European-style festive market in Queenstown
By
Gemma Koh
, 4 December 2023
Over two weekends in December, there will be a Christmas market complete with "snow" at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Its compound will be lit up every evening in December. Photo from a previous year. All photos courtesy of Church of the Good Shepherd.
“Snow” will be falling this December at a magical European-style Christmas market in heart of Queenstown.
From dusk on December 8, 9 and 10 and December 15, 16 and 17 (Fridays to Sundays), Church of the Good Shepherd (COGS) at Dundee Road will be beautifully illuminated with twinkling lights – a warm, open invitation for all to come in.
The market will be held over two weekends: December 8, 9, 10 and December 15, 16, 17, 2023 (Fridays to Sundays). Photo from a previous year.
Children delight in falling “snow” that falls at regular intervals on market days.
Over these two weekends in December, its grounds will be transformed into a Christmas market complete with stalls, Christmas carols, regular “snow fall” – and for the young ones, bouncy castles and mechanical animal rides.
MP of Queenstown, Mr Eric Chua (in green), guest of honour, checking out the market stalls last year with COGS Priest-in-Charge, Rev Dr Jonathan Wong.
The market is in its fourth edition. The first was in 2016, when two members from the church hit on the idea of the market as a way to show love to their neighbours and those living elsewhere in Singapore.
All are welcome to Christmas in Queenstown. Come with your human and furry friends.
“There was no better time than Christmas to do this,” said Moses Lim, who has been spearheading the event, Christmas in Queenstown, since its inception.
Lighting up in the ‘hood
The two men Googled the Christmas market in Strasbourg, France, for inspiration. The Priest-in-Charge of the church gave them the green light to proceed with the project.
“Inspired by the Christmas markets in Europe, we lit up the compound and set up stalls selling food and gifts. We also brought in family-friendly activities like snow foam, bouncy castles and rides,” said Moses.
This year, Christmas in Queenstown will have almost 40 stalls selling food, gifts, board games, manicures and more. Photo from 2022.
Queenstown has a population of more than 100,000 people, and Church of the Good Shepherd sits in the heart of flats and condos that have sprung up in recent years.
Lighting up the night: Church of the Good Shepherd sits in the heart of flats and condos in Queenstown, which has a population of more than 100,000. This is the fourth time the church is hosting Christmas in Queenstown.
A handful of the stalls gently open conversations about the Christian faith for those who may be keen to find out more.
Roses – the women’s group at COGS – will have a stall selling Christmas wreaths. Those interested can join their weekly floral arrangement classes at a later date.
A highlight of the market are the Christmas carols at 8pm.
The Spot Collective will perform classical Christmas favourites this year on December 8, 9 and 10. The team is made up of professional opera singers and teachers, and a group of students with special needs. Two other bands will perform carols in different styles on the other market days.
There will be evergreen favourites as well as others that tell of Jesus’ birth. Christmas is a symbolic celebration of His birth.
Peace on earth
The organisers of the market also hope to give all the opportunity to soak in the peace of the season.
Moses Lim and his family at a photo booth at last year’s edition of the market.
Pearl Yeo, who took her sister-in-law and her niece and nephew to last year’s market said: “Instead of running around and fidgeting, the two children were attentive during the Christmas concert. I was so amazed.
“Their mother, Yuanyuan, felt very peaceful even though she could not understand English.”
Pearl’s brother, Lewis, 50, who has cancer, was resting at home at that time.
Six days later at a Christmas Eve musical at another church, Lewis and Yuanyuan invited Jesus into their lives.
When the brand new Christians were looking for a church, Pearl suggested the Church of the Good Shepherd, where Yuanyuan and the children had felt so comfortable at the Christmas event.
Lewis said: “When I stepped into the church, I felt like I was coming home. The people welcomed us so warmly, we did not feel like strangers.”
Lewis, Yuanyuan and their children, Wei Jie (left) and Yu Yi, now attend the Church of the Good Shepherd, after going to Christmas in Queenstown last year. The children are now 4 and 7 years old.
Lewis and family now attend the bi-lingual service at COGS.
(Check back soon for Lewis’ story on how he was brought back from the brink of death).
Christmas in Queenstown
Dates: December 8, 9, 10 and December 15, 16, 17, 2023 (Fridays to Sundays). The church will be lit up every evening in the month of December.
Hours: 5pm – 10pm
Carolling times: 8pm, for about an hour
December 8, 9 and 10: The Spot Collective comprises classical opera singers and a string ensemble that includes neuro-divergent musicians.
December 15 and 16: WindWorkz The Big Band is a 20-piece jazz band.
December 17: Dansen John & Friends is a pop band for the young and young at heart.
Venue: Church of the Good Shepherd, 2 Dundee Road, Singapore 149454
(Nearest MRT: Queenstown EW19)
Cost: Entry is free
About the market: Close to 40 stalls will be selling food, gifts and memorabilia. Some of the stalls will only be present at one of the two weekends. Snow foam will fall for 15 minutes at regular intervals at two areas in the compound (bring a towel and change of clothes for the children).
