Coffee, chocolate & carnival fun: We sent our colleagues, who’re enthusiasts of all three, to experience a holiday extravaganza

As the holiday season approaches, I find myself brimming with excitement for the comforting traditions that make this time of the year so special.

The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, cosy evenings spent sipping hot chocolate, and the indulgence of warm baked treats all create a joyful atmosphere.

So, when the chance to visit “A Carnival of Festive Cheer at CapitaLand Malls" arose, I simply couldn’t resist.

Carnival of Cheer

The Carnival of Cheer will run at Plaza Singapura from Nov. 6 till Nov. 17, before moving to Bugis+ from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1.

With twinkling lights and Christmas colours adorning the venues, the atmosphere will be perfect for a myriad of holiday activities.

You can look forward to exciting coffee-tasting events, hands-on workshops where you can craft your own blends, and a lively array of games and prizes, all enhanced by beautiful decorations that capture the spirit of the season.

Coffee Tasting Experiences

At the heart of this celebration are the “Brew-tiful Bars”, which are immersive coffee-tasting booths that invite visitors to discover the rich offerings of Nestlé's signature coffee products.

I was excited to visit the Nespresso Coffee Creations Corner at Plaza Singapura to enjoy a range of coffee styles from an Espresso, a milky Latte to a Long Black.

One of the best parts?

I could customise my beverages with delightful add-ins like chocolate, vanilla, and toffee nut syrups, turning each drink into a personal holiday delight.

Other delectable creations include Nespresso’s Rich Chocolate Cappuccinos, Toffee Nut Twist, and Festive Vanilla Latte.

This experience will be available daily from Nov. 6 to 17, from 10am to 8pm.

As the festivities shift to Bugis+, coffee fans can explore an enticing new array of Festive Concoctions, including favourites like the creamy Nescafé Affogato, Nescafé Caramel Swirl Latte, and Nescafé Dolce Gusto KitKat Hot Cocoa.

The Nescafé and Nescafé Dolce Gusto Brew-tiful Bars will welcome visitors from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1, with hours running Monday to Thursday from 2pm to 5pm, and Friday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Coffee Workshops at Bugis+

For those eager to deepen their appreciation for coffee, I highly recommend the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Coffee Workshops at Bugis+.

Running from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1, these workshops are led by expert baristas who guide participants through the fascinating art and history of coffee.

I learned how to create stunning latte art and crafted delightful seasonal drinks like the Popcorn Caramel Macchiato, Yuzu Sparkling Americano, and Layered Chocolate Matcha with Caramel Drizzle.

Joining was simple; upon keying in the reward code <CHEER> on the CapitaStar app, I received an eligibility eVoucher for the workshop which informed me to spend a minimum of S$50 before I could secure my spot.

After having made the qualifying spend of S$50, I then received a separate eVoucher which contained a link to the registration form.

Workshops are scheduled on weekdays from 7pm to 8pm and on weekends from 3pm to 4pm, offering a perfect opportunity to elevate your barista skills.

Nestlé-Themed Carnival Games

What’s a carnival without some fun?

This holiday celebration features a fantastic mix of coffee and chocolate-themed games that everyone can enjoy.

I kicked off the fun with the KitKat Break Toss, a game where I aimed bean bags at iconic KitKat Chocolate Bars.

Each successful throw earned me tasty rewards like the limited edition KitKat Santa and KitKat Chunky Milk bars, adding a delicious layer of excitement to the game.

Next, I tried my hand at the Nescafé Ring Toss, aiming to land rings on the iconic Nescafé red mugs for a chance to win exclusive collectable mugs and sleek umbrellas.

For something quirky, I couldn’t resist giving Nespresso Plinko a try.

I dropped a disc down a vibrant Plinko board and watched it bounce towards surprise gifts—anything from a complimentary festive coffee concoction (Gourmet Almond Croissant Latte or the Iced Roasted Sesame Delight) on the spot* to a S$10 or even S$20 Nespresso voucher.

*The complimentary drink is only redeemable at the Nespresso boutique in Raffles City Singapore.

To join these carnival activities, I simply downloaded the CapitaStar app and signed up as a member.

After registering, I entered the reward code <CHEER> to receive complimentary eVouchers for all the fun.

Finally, if you enjoy guessing games, don’t miss the Nescafé Dolce Gusto: Guess the Number of Capsule challenge.

Estimate how many Nescafé Dolce Gusto capsules you see in the container, and if your guess is spot on, you could win a stylish Nescafé Dolce Gusto - Genio S White Basic Coffee Machine.

All you have to do is follow @CapitaLandMallsSG and @dolcegustosg on Instagram, like this post, and comment with your guess and location—such as "100 capsules, Plaza Singapura."

Don’t forget to tag a friend and invite them to try their luck too.

The giveaway ends on Dec. 1, 2024, at 11:59pm, with three winners selected from each location.

The carnival is also a fantastic place for photo opportunities.

At the heart of the celebration was the Kaleidoscope of Wonder, featuring a dazzling Christmas-themed kaleidoscope display.

Snap and share your most brew-tiful moments for a chance to win S$50 eCapitaVoucher. The contest ends on Dec. 31, 2024, at 11:59pm.

Exclusive Holiday Shopping

What’s more, holiday shoppers should definitely check out Nestlé’s pop-up stores at various CapitaLand malls for limited-edition products, open from Nov. 6 to Dec. 29.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto pop-ups:

• Bugis Junction: Nov. 6 to 17
• Junction 8: Nov. 11 to Dec. 1
• SingPost Centre: Dec. 2 to 31
• Bukit Panjang Plaza: Dec. 16 to 29

Nespresso pop-ups:

• Sengkang Grand Mall: Nov. 18 to Dec. 8

These pop-ups feature seasonal treats perfect for gifting, including the KitKat Christmas Santa Gift Set, Nescafé Dolce Gusto KitKat Hot Cocoa Pods, Starbucks Toffee Nut Latte by Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Nespresso Almond Croissant and more limited-edition festive coffees.

With so many delightful coffee and chocolate offerings at CapitaLand malls, this Christmas season promises warmth, joy, and delicious moments to share with loved ones.

This sponsored article has made this writer thrilled to embrace the holiday spirit and the festive treats awaiting at CapitaLand’s seasonal celebrations.

Top images via Mothership and CapitaLand.