A “heroes” Christmas party for the young and young at heart.
A flashmob telling the Nativity story.
A European-style Christmas market complete with falling “snow”.
Church compounds covered in twinkling lights and Christmas church services, some featuring carols by candlelight.
Queenstown is set to be a major hub of Christmas festivities in Singapore, with churches in the district uniting to host December-long celebrations. All are welcome to soak in the glow of love, peace, warmth and joy this season.
Instagrammable opportunities abound at the Christmas light-ups at at least five churches and 10 landmarks in Queenstown. All photos of Christmas lights were taken at Church of our Good Shepherd in previous years, unless otherwise stated.
In the month of December, each participating church will light up its compound and host a signature event: A Christmas market, funfair or concert. A few have already turned on their Christmas lights starting mid-November.
This collective effort is known as Christmas in Queenstown (CIQ). This name was first coined by the Church of the Good Shepherd for its annual European-style Christmas market.
“The myriad offerings give visitors multiple opportunities and diverse experiences of Christmas celebrations,” says CIQ 2024 organiser Moses Lim. Activities range from an annual Christmas market (pictured) at one church to a Chinese musical at another.
Street performances will kick off the combined lighting ceremony outside Queensway Shopping Centre on Saturday, November 30.
Queenstown Grassroots Organisations will be joining forces with participating churches in the official light up of Christmas in Queenstown by Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Eric Chua. Mr Chua is also Adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations (Queenstown).
MP of Queenstown, Mr Eric Chua with Windworkz The Big Band and organisers at Christmas in Queenstown 2023.
The collaborative effort by the churches reflects this year’s Christmas theme: “Love your neighbour as you love yourself”.
“This year’s focus is on fostering a kampong spirit, a sense of neighbourliness and community,” said Moses Lim from Church of the Good Shepherd (COGS) who is spearheading the combined church efforts, along with church mate Nicholas Lee who oversees the creative aspects.
The two men have led the organisation of the Christmas market at COGS since its inception in 2016, supported by a team of volunteers.
Nicholas Lee paints his daughter’s face at the Christmas market.
“The myriad offerings give visitors multiple opportunities and diverse experiences of Christmas celebrations,” said Moses.
In the spirit of giving, certain events are designed to benefit the work of charities close to their heart.
The following are highlights of Christmas 2024 in Queenstown. (See listing at the end for full list of programmes, light-up details, church websites and addresses.)
Wednesday 20 November – Friday 22 November, 8pm – 9.30pm, Church of Our Saviour
曙 光 (shu guang, meaning “Dawn”) is a Chinese musical that tells the story of a wealthy man, Luke, who leads an opulent lifestyle until one event brings him crashing down. Desperate, Luke clings to whatever hope he can.
Watch his story unfold through a talented cast that includes a singer who has performed at Madison Square Gardens in New York City. A choir will also sing familiar favourites including 夜来香 (Ye Lai Xiang) and new songs that have been specially written for this musical. Dancers will grace the stage, accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra.
The musical is a collaboration between a number of Chinese churches. Watch an excerpt here. [to add link]
$15 per ticket; get them from sg.bookmyshow.com/e/DAWN2024 (there is a $1 booking fee per ticket)
Saturday 30 November, 5.30 – 7.30pm, entrance of Queensway Shopping Centre
Christmas lights at five churches and several landmarks in Queenstown will be officially switched on simultaneously and projected on the giant LED screen outside the shopping centre.
Queenstown Grassroots Organisations – who are lighting up seven landmarks in the area – will be joining forces with the churches for this ceremony, officiated by the MP of Queenstown, Mr Eric Chua.
Street performances tell the reason for the season in a fresh, modern ways.
The Nativity tale – the story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Baby Jesus – will be told by a flashmob of about 10 “mobsters” mingling with the crowd, backed up by singers.
There will also be performances by buskers and a small brass band. And yes, there will be carollers singing in English and Mandarin.
December 6, 7, 8 and 13, 14, 15 (Fridays to Sundays), 5pm – 10pm, Church of the Good Shepherd
Music performances at 8pm on market days
Since 2016, this European-style Christmas market with a tall Christmas tree, “snowfall” at regular intervals, and wooden stalls selling gifts, crafts and more has been a magnet for visitors from all corners of the island.
This year, look out for one section that evokes the feeling of being in a marketplace in Bethlehem, the little town where Baby Jesus was born.
The Christmas market welcomes furry four-legged friends, and will feature three pet stalls: Zenergy (pet clothes and treats), Wildflower + Willow (pet portraits), Bossipaws (dimsum for pets).
The market includes vendors from within the Queenstown community, like Etilu Handpainted Decors & Gifts. Another, Aurora Flora Preservation that sells personalised keepsakes with pressed flowers says: “The Christmas market aligns perfectly with the festive spirit of giving and preserving memories.”
The market is a great place to pick up unique and meaningful gifts for loved ones and friends – many go towards supporting the work of social enterprises.
Buying a Christmas wreath is more special when you get to DIY them – with the help of volunteers from O Holly Night from the church.
Social enterprise based in nearby Mei Ling Street, Inner Child Creations, will be selling their most popular item – supermarket trolley tokens – among other offerings. “We engage seniors from Lions Befrienders through providing micro jobs where they assemble and pack the trolley tokens that have been 3D printed, and label the packaging,” said a spokesperson.
Meaningful buys from this market include upcycled unisex sling bags, with proceeds going to Singapore Christian Home – the only nursing home on this island with a ward for medically-fragile children and young persons.
The sling bags made to benefit Singapore Christian Home were upcycled from leftover materials donated by Bodynits, an athleisure brand, and crafted by artisans from disadvantaged backgrounds employed by social enterprise Re-store.
At the booth of Singapore Christian Home (13 to 15 December), market-goers can pose for photos with Cosplaying hobbyists, Pause for a Cause, whose mission is to raise funds for charity. Photo from Pause for a Cause Facebook, of an event benefiting another organisation.
Hot gift ideas include a calendar and postcards of local plants illustrated by Christian botanical artist Emily Seck of Studio Seck.
Other faith-based gifts include handmade crafts from “HAN”dy Craft; gifts for children and their families with original illustrations by Lil Big Blessings; and a locally-designed book on the meaning of Christmas from ToddLearn.Play.
There will also be a prayer booth for those who wish for free prayers.
Snow foam will fall for 15 minutes at regular intervals (bring a towel and change of clothes for the children).
Food stalls will be run by S17 Community Kitchen, a social enterprise from nearby Lengkok Bahru that hires unemployed residents and mentors F&B incubation ventures. Don’t miss the dry laksa, satay, Thai and Peranakan food. S17 is part of The Saturday Movement, a charity started by restauranteur Raymond Khoo, that befriends and cares for more than 500 needy elderly in Singapore.
Friday 6 to Sunday 8 December, 8pm: Peformance by The Spot Collective, an inclusive group comprising classical opera singers and a string ensemble that includes neuro-divergent musicians.
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December, 8pm: Performance by WindWorkz The Big Band, a 20-piece jazz band.
Entry to the market is free. Some stalls will only be present at one of the two weekends; check Christmas in Queenstown on Facebook, Instagram or MyQueenstown.sg for details.
Friday 13 December – Sunday 15 December, 5.30 – 8pm, Church of the Good Shepherd (Old Sanctuary)
The young, young at heart and their parents are welcome to this party where they will be given a mission card to collect stickers on completion of activities at various game stations, and a goodie bag. Participants who fill their passports stand a chance to win prizes.
Each game station will revolve around a different hero (or heroine). Through fun activities like an obstacle course, brain games and crafts, participants uncover special attributes – like strength, righteousness, big-heartedness, and power to rule over a huge kingdom – of specific heroes.
At the end, a mini-drama shows how all these attributes point to the greatest Hero of all – Jesus Christ, Who is the reason why Christians celebrate Christmas.
Afterwards, participants may adjourn to play in the falling “snow” outside.
Like or follow Singapore Christian Home’s Facebook or Instagram pages and you can take photos with costumed superheroes.
Free entry. The party will run at regular intervals, as part of the European-style Christmas market (above); see Christmas in Queenstown Facebook, Instagram or MyQueenstown.sg for details.
Christmas lights: 1 – 31 December, from dusk
Church compounds below, marked with an asterisk (*) will be lit up in the evenings for most of December
Christmas services, Sunday 22 December, various timings
Do confirm timings at the respective church websites, which will also have information on additional services for different language and age groups over the Christmas period.
Church of Our Saviour*
130 Margaret Dr, Singapore 149300
8.30am (English), 10.45am (English), 2pm (Chinese)
Church of the Good Shepherd*
2 Dundee Road, Singapore 149454
9am (Chinese), 11am (English), 11am (bilingual)
Faith Methodist Church*
400 Commonwealth Drive, Singapore 149604
8am (English), 9am (English), 11.15am (English), 7.30pm (Carols by Candlelight)
Map of churches in Queenstown.
Grace Assembly of God (Tanglin)*
355 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247960
8.45am(English), 11am (English), 11am (Chinese)
Queenstown Baptist Church*
495 Margaret Dr, Singapore 149305
9am (Chinese), 10am (English)
Shekinah Assembly of God (2 locations)
a) Singapore Raffles Music College (in Fragrance Empire Building)
456 Alexandra Rd, Singapore 119962
10am (English)
b) Queensway Shopping Centre*, 1 Queensway, #03-09/10, Singapore 149053
Check church website
3.16 Church
Service will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd
2 Dundee Road, Singapore 149454
4.30pm (English)
Christmas lights in Queenstown can also be enjoyed at:
If you would like to know more about Jesus, click here to find a church near you.
Click here to join our Telegram family for more similar stories.
RELATED STORIES:
It took 3 near-death experiences before “a new Johnny Lim” was born at the age of 69
