This week, eat Nordic-Asian cuisine, enjoy a theme park Christmas, visit the bird park and shop for local products
DO
Bird watching
Jurong Bird Park
Join Jurong Bird Park in its last hurrah before it relocates to Mandai next year and rebrands itself as Bird Paradise under the Mandai Wildlife Reserve group. The park will offer $10 admission for residents, so as many as possible can visit before the final day of operations on Jan 3.
Activities will shift into high gear before the final chapter of this national icon draws to a close. Visitors can enjoy rides and games with the Celebration Caw-nival, held at Penguin Coast and Birdz of Play and try their hand at Roll-a-Ball and Hit-a-Target. The young at heart can enjoy a spin on the Tea Cup Carousel or soar like a bird on the Soaring Swing.
They can also walk down memory lane at Flamingo Lodge, which has been transformed into Kampung Jurong, replete with traditional hawker dishes served from 1970s-style pushcarts to commemorate the park’s opening era.
Families can also uncover the deep-rooted heritage of Singapore’s oldest wildlife park with seasoned guides on a Nostalgic Signature Tour around Jurong Bird Park and learn about its charming old architecture. Hear stories from our seasoned guides and get up close with the birds through feeding sessions at African Treetops and Waterfall Aviary.
See also: The story of America: Award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton comes to town
For tours and ticketing information, visit www.birdpark.com.sg/closing.
Christmas magic
Universal Studios Singapore
See also: Weekout (Dec 11): Janice Wong, Butcher’s Block, Cat Bite Club, 39+ Art Space
What could be more festive than celebrating Christmas at Universal Studios Singapore? From now till Jan 2, the theme park transforms into Santa’s Spectacular Circus, complete with a merry parade; extraordinary live circus acts, acrobatics, meet and greets, themed photo booths and exciting rides.
Watch the night light up in New York with Santa’s Circus Extravaganza. A grand yuletide performance awaits with floats, magical moments and an eclectic ensemble of more than 40 performers led by Ringmaster Santa as they make their way to Santa’s Big Top. Illumination’s Minions, DreamWorks Animation’s Po, Tigress, Poppy, Branch and Guy Diamond, and other fan-favourite characters are joining in on the fun. The parade culminates in a spectacular show with thrilling acts from all over the North Pole and a magnificent snowfall.
Throughout the day, guests can look forward to multiple live shows and meet and greets with Santa and his talented ensemble of festive performers, such as Santa’s Starlets, Polly The Polar Bear Princess, The Christmas Ribbon Extraordinaire by Ruby, or the Festive Flame Lighter of Farrah. There will also be circus superstars such as a Unicyclist Elf, Peppermint Plate Spinner, and stilt-walking Toy Soldier who will show off their moves throughout the day.
There is also plenty of opportunity to take selfies with the park’s beloved characters like the Minions from the Despicable Me movie series, Branch and Guy Diamond from Trolls, Po and Tigress from Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and Princess Fiona from the Shrek franchise, and Sesame Street’s Elmo, Big Bird and Grover.
Tickets are $78 for children and $98 for adults from www.rwsentosa.com/universal-christmas.
BUY
Gift ideas from local designers
Design Orchard
For more lifestyle, arts and fashion trends, click here for Options Section
If you have not done your Christmas shopping yet, head down to Design Orchard’s festive pop-up offering a carousel of unique and exciting gifting ideas. Now open till Jan 4, A Christmas Extravaganza, brought to you by the Singapore Fashion Council, features a curated selection of homegrown labels spanning a wide range of apparel brands, fragrances, food, pet accessories and little trinkets.
As part of the store’s activities, there will be a Santa’s Workshop where one can personalise a Christmas hamper from a choice of tea blends from 3 Thirty Tea, skincare from Fawn Labs, watch straps from Cranky Cats, candles by Pristine Aroma x Au Naturel, and monogram scarves by Queenmark.
EAT
Nordic-Asian gastronomy
Dusk Restaurant & Bar
A two-time guest judge on MasterChef Denmark, chef Henrik Jyrk takes up residency at Dusk Restaurant and Bar at Mount Faber Peak from Dec 12 to Mar 31, serving a special Nordic menu with an Asian twist.
A prominent figure in Copenhagen’s culinary scene, the Danish chef has worked in world-renowned restaurants such as The Paul in Copenhagen and three-Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn and won multiple notable cooking competitions in Denmark. This event is his first overseas culinary showcase and an exclusive opportunity to experience his unique brand of Nordic-Asian cuisine just in time for the holidays. As part of his collaboration with Mount Faber Leisure Group, Jyrk has crafted festive menus for Dusk Restaurant and Bar and Cable Car Sky Dining.
From Dec 12 to Mar 31, diners can look forward to a four-course Nordic-Asian menu ($108++ per person) and savour the tender Makrel, a tender fish soaked in the deep savouriness of clam dashi, and aromatic Andesteg (roasted duck breast) decorated with Danish cherries and drizzled with Indonesian spices.
From Dec 12 to 30, experience Nordic dining in the skies with a four-course Cable Car Sky Dining menu ($144++ per person) where gourmands dine in the privacy of their cable car 100m above sea level. Savour exquisite dishes like Koldrøget laks — layers of artisanal smoked salmon slices served atop horseradish and toasted butter rye bread — and the juicy Andeconfitering; a sous-vide duck leg confit served with ribbons of crunch red cabbage and port sauce.
For more information or reservations, visit www.mountfaberleisure.com/festive-dining-at-mount-faber-peak or call 6361 0088.
