Elegant artistic blooms are the main attractions for Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up 2021.
End November is approaching and with that, ‘tis the season to … light up Orchard Road for Christmas.
Yup, the annual year-end festive light-up started last weekend, and is set to last till Jan 2, 2022. In preparation since early October, the theme this time round is also that of festive blooms. Not just traditional red and gold poinsettias but golden Christmas roses as well.
It’s lovely and with a rich dash of traditional floral classiness. At quieter stretches, such as that nearer to Tanglin Road, a certain elegant ambience suffuses the air too. Which fills you with a fuzzy feeling then reminds you that everywhere from the pavements to the malls, to the department stores, are kinda, deserted.
…
Wait, I don’t want to go into that for a festive post. Not yet, anyway. Without further ado, here are the pictures I took on Monday.
For this post, I’m reverting to my oldest festive post format too, i.e., a “walkthrough.” Specifically, I started my evening near the heart of the flowery illuminations at Orchard Gateway. Over the next hour, I slowly made my way “up” to Tanglin Mall.
Christmas in Bloom: 2021 Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up
Again, I started my walk at the Somerset MRT Station area. The sky was also still bright when I reached, so I had to be careful which photo mode to use on my D7500.
Speaking of “newspaper coverage,” there was a section in The Straits Times about expecting fewer visitors at this year’s “Christmas on a Great Street,” and hoping shoppers would still visit Orchard Road to patronise the shops there.
We all know why lower human traffic is anticipated, so I wouldn’t go into that. All I can say is, I visited on Monday and it was sleepy indoors and outdoors. More outlets have also relocated, or closed down.
I don’t know what can or should be done about this. But with it being Christmas and all, let me make the wish that Singapore can soon find a sustainable solution, be it living with Covid-19 or digitalisation, or reimagining the whole retail economy.
These are monumental tasks, but well, it’s half a century since humans stepped onto the moon. (And found neither Chang-e nor Transformers)
I’m sure we can find a way.
More Festive Illuminations
Giant Festive Outdoor Projection at Mandarin Orchard
Done with Tanglin Mall, I got onto a bus and made my way back to the Ngee Ann City traffic junction, where the star of this year’s Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up is.
I.E., the huge, HUGE, Christmas outdoor projection at Mandarin Orchard.
In a nutshell, it’s awesome. Rather commercialized since it’s sponsored by Tudor but nonetheless still splendid, beginning with how clear and bright the animations are.
And then there are the speakers all about the pavements, cheerfully broadcasting classic Christmas songs to complement the mood.
It’s a lovely conclusion to my evening. With reference to what I wrote earlier, perhaps, also an example of “finding new ways.”
As in, the devoted can still conceptualise ways to enliven a light-up that has been happening for decades?
I’m sure Singapore can likewise find a way to make next Christmas just as beautiful, and better.
Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up 2021 is ongoing till Jan 2, 2022. There’s also the chance to virtually visit the illumination. Check the official page for details!
Orchard Road Christmas Light-Up 2022
Read my other Festive Celebrations in Singapore posts.
