December 24, 01:55 PM 
514 Chai Chee Lane 03-16, Singapore 469029 The movie theatres aren’t the only place to go paktor this festive season. Here are some date ideas which will leave you with the perfect moment to pucker up under the mistletoe. If it doesn’t exist, just bring your own to create your own romantic atmosphere. Pocket feeling empty after gift exchanges? We got you covered too.
Arts & Heritage
1. Museum Hopping during Open House Day (25 Dec, 10am-6pm)
Spend this Christmas walking down memory lane and appreciating the tranquility of the galleries with special Christmas programmes to follow.
Take a leisurely walk or short bus ride to visit these neighbouring museums:
National Museum of Singapore
Singapore Philatelic Museum
The Peranakan Museum
Singapore Art Museum
You can find the museums Google Maps here.
If you prefer to stay put in one museum, patronize the elegant fusion of neo-classical and modernist architecture that is the National Museum. Hanging above its link bridge is Contours of a Rich Manoeuvre, a kinetic artwork consisting of a row of swinging red chandeliers. The glowing light trails paint images of red dragons. So Asian!
Caroling sessions: 11.30am, 2pm, 3.30pm (30 minutes) @ Rotunda (Level 1)
More Information here:
https://www.nhb.gov.sg/NHBPortal/What'sOn/Admission/OpenHouseDays
2. Christmas Movie Screening @ National Museum of Singapore (27 Dec, 8pm)
Catch It's a Wonderful Life, a Christmas film that was nominated for five Academy Awards at the Gallery Theatre (Basement). It is based on a man’s journey to self-discovery and the intricate reality of emotions he experienced.
More information here:
http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/NMSPortal/
3. Musical Performances @ Esplanade(23–25 Dec)
Jingles all the way.
24 Dec
The Vocal Consort: 6.15 – 6.45pm, 7.15 – 7.45pm, 8.15 – 8.45pm @ Concourse
Babes Conde & Friends: 7.30 – 8.15pm, 8.45 – 9.30pm, 10 – 10.45pm @ Outdoor Theatre
25 Dec
PhilBrass: 6.15 – 6.45pm, 7.15 – 7.45pm, 8.15 – 8.45pm @ Concourse
Take Two: 7.30 – 8.15pm, 8.45 – 9.30pm, 10 – 10.45pm @ Outdoor Theatre
Chill & Lounge
4. Live Band Performances
Chill with drinks and tunes performed live by local talents and request for a song dedication for your special someone.
Wala Wala Café Bar
Nearest MRT Station: Holland Village
31 Lorong Mambong Holland Village
Singapore 277689
Tel: +65 6462 4288
The resonating acoustics might make chatting difficult during performance time but you will be all ears anyway. Wala Wala has Christmas promotional prices for their drinks. More information here.
Timbre @ Gillman
Nearest MRT Station: Labrador Park
9A Lock Road, Gillman Barracks
Singapore 108926
Tel: +65 6694 4201 (Call after 5pm)
Great place to chill after an afternoon visiting the art galleries of Gillman Barracks (suggested to visit on Christmas eve as they are closed on public holidays). It serves complimentary tapas when you order drinks between 4pm to 6pm from Monday to Thursday.
5. Hidden Cocktail Bar @ 28 Hong Kong Street
Crowned Best International Cocktail Bar, it is also one of the most coveted. From outside it looks like this:
On the inside…
The extensive cocktail menu covers the classics and also new creations by their very own mixologists. Don’t forget to try out the Truffled Mac & Cheese Balls ($12), those are heaven on earth! A stone throw away from the bustling heart of nightlife – Clarke Quay, lounge away from rowdy partygoers.
Leisure
6. Foam Party on Ice @ The Rink (24 Dec, 9.45pm–12.45am)
2 Jurong East Central 1
Level 3, JCube
Singapore 609731
http://www.therink.sg/happenings/events
Experience the closest winter experience on Christmas Eve while skating hand-in-hand with your significant other while grooving to the latest hits. Look out for Santa and his friends in the rink at selected times throughout the day too.
7. Winter Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay (29 Nov–1st Jan, 7pm-midnight)
Take a romantic leisure evening walk around the Gardens while enjoying the cool year end breeze and be bedazzled by the sparkling light sculptures and the grand Spalliera. There will also be a music and light performance, Garden Rhapsody at the SuperTree Grove (17 November 2014 to 1 January 2015, 7.45 – 8pm & 8.45 – 9pm).
Picturesque Night Views
8. City Skyline View @ 1-Altitude
Amongst the skybars and restaurants in Singapore, it is the highest – 282m above sea level with a 360 panoramic view. Be wowed by the city landscape and glittering night-lights.
9. Hilltop View @ Mount Faber/Henderson Waves
Price: $39/couple for 1-round trip (7pm onwards) [Night Riders Package which includes snacks and soft drinks too!]
http://www.faberpeaksingapore.com/
If you fancy a breathing-taking view away from the bustle of the crowd in town, this is also a great recluse. Drive up the hill or take a cable car from the 15th floor of Harbourfront Tower 2 to enjoy the sights of the Southern Harbour and Sentosa Island.
Snap a photo with the 120-year-old Bell of Happiness.
Drop by the Henderson Waves where it is aptly lit for mistletoe smooching.
The Great Outdoors
10. Suburban View @ Pandan Reservoir
Great for Westies. Check out the Fishing & Viewing Deck to enjoy the beauty of our heartlands. You can also do water sports such as sailing, canoeing and rowing.
11. Beauty of Nature @ Punggol Waterway Park
Trade a view of the coastline to one surrounded by fauna and flora as you discover the beauty of Punggol. Bicycle rentals are available for those who want to explore the whole area and even venture down to Old Punggol Road.
Refer to this guide to exploring the Punggol area:
http://blog.sqkii.com/2014/07/02/a-healthy-lifestyle-for-less-than-30/
12. Secret Beach @ Tuas
A 300m walk from along Tuas South Ave 4. Search for a mostly treeless field and travel between lalang grass towards the casuarina trees in the distance. Discover the clean and untouched little beach facing Jurong Island.
13. Secret Beach 2 @ Lazarus Islands
Another hidden gem of a beach of your dreams with sparkling turquoise waters is found on this island. It is alongside Singapore's Southern Islands. You may access it directly by chartering a private yacht. For more cost effective transport, catch a ferry to St John’s Island from the pier and turn left from the Island’s jetty to walk into Lazarus. Bring your own picnic basket, as there are no dining amenities there.
Refer to the ferry schedule here:
http://www.islandcruise.com.sg
Wine & Dine
14. Themed Cafes & Restaurants @ Portsdown Road
Seemingly ulu, this stretch of road is sprinkled with themed Western restaurants and cafes with the coziest dining ambience.
For Italian Food:
Ristorante Pietrasanta
5B Portsdown Road
#01-03
Singapore 139311
Tel: +65 6479 9521
http://www.ristorante-pietrasanta.com/
For the feel of the Wild Wild West:
Chuckwagon BBQ & Grill
7 Portsdown Road
Singapore 139298
Retro mix of Western and Tze Char Style food:
Café Colbar
9A Whitchurch Road, Wessex Estate
Singapore 138839
15. Colonial Bungalows @ Rochester Park
Nearest MRT Station: Bouna Vista
While the estate is surrounded by lush greenery, it is far from being a park. Housed by revamped colonial bungalows, this dining haven is exceptionally romantic under the stars. It offers a range of cuisines with restaurants, bars and cafés for your pick. Striking resemblance to the concept of Dempsey Hill? Yes, but we’re diggin’ it!
Known for its ambience:
One Rochester
1 Rochester Park
Singapore 139212
Tel.: 6773 0070
16. Shophouse Charm & Speakeasy Bar @ Keong Saik Road
Formerly a red-light district, this stretch of shophouses now house exquisite restaurants, pubs and boutique hotels.
The Study
49 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089153
Tel.: +65 6221 8338
Expect a cozy and homely feel at this British cuisine bistro. After the sumptuous meal, head on to its mysterious weekly updated password-only bar partner – The Library. Its exterior looks like a barber parlour:
Upon furnishing the right password, a section of the bookshelves opens to reveal a secret chamber of mirrors which leads to the bar. Now where can you get the password? Off The Study's Facebook Page or their staff.
Happy holidays everyone! Have a great new year as well :)
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