Media Room

To cap off a year of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the sixth and final instalment of the National Parks Board (NParks) SG50 Concert Series in the Park, themed “A Lovely Christmas” is co-organised with Gardens by the Bay and will be held at The Meadow at Gardens by the Bay on 19 December 2015 at 6pm. Be serenaded by local talents including The Sam Willows, Tosh Zhang, Wang Weiliang, Tay Kewei, MICappella, Sebastian Tan aka Broadway Beng, and other artistes.

Besides Christmas songs, the stellar line-up of artistes will perform both original songs and popular covers by the likes of Taylor Swift, Maroon 5, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Journey and Hebe from S.H.E. Audiences can look out for Broadway Beng’s medley of Christmas hits with a local twist, specially produced for this concert. With many exciting performances lined up, the evening at Gardens by the Bay promises the creation of new shared memories and experiences.

This is the sixth in a series of six free outdoor concerts organised by the NParks at various parks as part of the SG50 celebrations. The concert will be hosted by a mystery celebrity host. The list of performances for NParks SG50 Concert Series in the Park – Gardens by the Bay can be found in the Annex.

Members of the public can also visit Singapore’s biggest yuletide fair, Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay, featuring dazzling Italian Luminarie light sculptures, a European-style Festive Market, and the “Christmas Toyland” floral display in the Flower Dome. Access to Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay is free, while admission charges to the Flower Dome apply.

NParks and Gardens by the Bay will be giving out limited Christmas picnic baskets for the concert through a Facebook contest. Members of the public are welcome to participate in the Facebook contest from now until 14 December 2015 by tagging three friends or family members they wish to bring along to the concert, and share a message on how they would spend Christmas in any of the public parks. Ten winners will be able to redeem the Christmas picnic basket at the concert on 19 December.  More details at https://www.facebook.com/nparksbuzz.

For more information on the concert, please SMS <CP702GB> to 77275 to receive updates leading up to the event or visit www.nparks.gov.sg/sg50.

Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay, Singapore’s largest yuletide fair, held its official opening this evening. Guest-of-Honour Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), lit up the Spalliera – the tallest light sculpture at 20 metres high – and kick started the festivities including a special ‘Blizzard Time’ treat for the guests.

Jointly organised by Blue Sky Events and Gardens by the Bay, Christmas Wonderland returns to Singapore for its second year with expanded fair grounds - nearly doubled in size at 35,000 square metres - a wider variety of engaging activities for everyone, as well as cool options to celebrate Christmas in the tropics. The fair welcomes local and international visitors from today till 3 January 2016.

Visitors can embark on an experiential journey through four main areas – the resplendent display 56 Luminarie light sculptures from Italy which begin at the Golden Garden and extend throughout the festival site; the European-style Festive Market and Spiegeltent offering an array of exquisite festive food and gift options at the Supertree Grove; The Fairground filled with traditional carnival games and rides near The Meadow; and the brand new Christmas Toyland floral display in the Flower Dome.

Kids will delight in special ‘Blizzard Time’ and ‘Fun With Bubbles’ sessions, as well as the new Ice Palace which hosts a Snow Playground and an Ice Skating Rink.

Visitors can also look forward to regular choral sessions at the stunning Cassa Armonica, theatrical performances and parades.

Please refer to the factsheet and annexes for more details of the various attractions.

Access to Christmas Wonderland is free, while admission charges for the Flower Dome apply. For more information on the festival and the full entertainment lineup, visit www.christmaswonderland.sg.

For Miss Gowri d/o Subramanian, a visit to Gardens by the Bay for her pre-wedding photo shoot turned out to be so much more. The 25-year-old became the 20-millionth visitor of the Gardens since it opened three years ago.

In celebration of this milestone, Miss Gowri was invited back to Gardens by the Bay today to launch the new “Christmas Toyland” floral display in the Flower Dome with Guest of Honour, Minister for National Development Mr Lawrence Wong.

Together, they dropped two balls into a labyrinth, which triggered the light-up of an 11-metre-tall Christmas Pyramid in the centre of the floral display. As “Christmas Toyland” came to life, two ballerinas started to dance at the base of the pyramid, symbolising the performances that will be held for the very first time in the flower field this festive season.

Miss Gowri said, “It’s actually my first visit to Gardens by the Bay, so it was a lovely surprise that I turned out to be the 20-millionth visitor. It’s definitely unexpected, but it made my pre-wedding photo shoot an even more memorable experience.”

“Christmas Toyland” is the latest of the ever-changing floral displays in the Flower Dome – one aspect of the Gardens that is perennially popular with visitors. Coupled with a slew of creative programming happening throughout the year, Gardens by the Bay breaks the mould of traditional gardens by positioning itself as a horticultural-themed attraction.

Growing Visitorship of Gardens by the Bay

With 6.4 million visitors in 2014 – and a projected 8 million this year – Gardens by the Bay’s visitorship has surpassed that of renowned traditional gardens.

Its visitor numbers now puts it in the league of international themed attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland (7.5 million visitors), Everland in South Korea (7.38 million visitors), Universal Studios Hollywood (6.82 million visitors), Europa Park in Germany (5.0 million visitors), and Sea World in Florida (4.68 million visitors). [Source: “Top 25 Amusement/Theme Parks Worldwide” list in the 2014 Theme and Museum Index Global Attractions and Attendance Report^[1]]

To top it off, a number of recent international awards have also planted the Gardens firmly on the world map as an iconic destination. These awards include:

• Tripadvisor Singapore’s Most Reviewed Attraction in Singapore 2014
• AsiaOne People’s Choice Awards 2014 Top 3 Best Attraction
• TTG Travel Awards 2015 for Best Theme Attraction
• Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards 2015 for Best Attraction in Asia Pacific
• International Garden Tourism Award 2016 Person of the Year presented to CEO Dr Kiat W. Tan for creating partnerships between gardens and tourism
• National Day Award 2015 Distinguished Service Order Medal presented to Dr Tan for his significant contributions to the greening of Singapore
• Singapore Design Golden Jubilee Award presented to Dr Tan in 2015 for his contributions in shaping the landscape in Singapore
• The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew International Medal presented to Dr Tan in 2015 for significant contributions to science and conservation

Gardens by the Bay’s CEO Dr Tan said, “Welcoming 20 million visitors in a relatively short span of time is something that we are proud of, and a validation of the work we have put in to make Gardens by the Bay a ‘People’s Garden’. The Gardens is not just for nature lovers, but a place for one and all.”

Please refer to the Appendix for more details on the “Christmas Toyland” floral display and a schedule of performances taking place in the Flower Dome as part of the “Christmas Wonderland@Gardens by the Bay” year-end festivities.

^[1]http://www.aecom.com/What+We+Do/Economics/Theme+Index+Report

• Visitors can look forward to an experiential fair that has doubled its size, with returning crowd favourites, new attractions and an expanded entertainment line-up
• New partners AIA Singapore and Singapore Tourism Board

Singapore’s biggest yuletide fair, Christmas Wonderland, returns to Gardens by the Bay from 28 November 2015 to 3 January 2016. The fair will showcase more Italian Luminarie light sculptures, an expanded event ground, a European-style Festive Market, traditional rides and games, and a comprehensive repertoire of new attractions and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

Riding high on a successful inaugural year in 2014, this year’s Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay will be nearly doubled in size at 35,000 square metres. Visitors can embark on an experiential journey through four main areas – the spellbinding Luminaries which begin at the Golden Garden and extend throughout the festival site; the Festive Market at the Supertree Grove; The Fairground near The Meadow; and the Christmas Toyland floral display in the Flower Dome.

Jointly organised by Blue Sky Events and Gardens by the Bay, Christmas Wonderland announced new partners this year – AIA Singapore and the Singapore Tourism Board.

Ms Sarah Martin, Director of Blue Sky Events, said, “We introduced Christmas Wonderland in 2014 to create a new tradition to celebrate the festive season with a spectacular sensory experience right here in Singapore. The response blew our expectations away with over 900,000 visitors attending the inaugural event. This year, we have brought back crowd favourites and introduced a lot more activities for visitors to indulge, play and be merry in.”

Ms Peggy Chong, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Gardens by the Bay, said, “Following the success of last year’s festival, the Gardens will transform once again into a Christmas Wonderland this holidays. Adding to that, it will play host to the capstone of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, The Future of Us exhibition. With a suite of events and programmes for everyone, we hope Gardens by the Bay will become the place to be this festive season.”

Ms Ho Lee Yen, Chief Marketing Officer of AIA Singapore, said, "AIA Singapore is delighted to create real moments of joy for our customers this festive season. More than 1 in 2 Singaporeans said their work demands ate into their family time more than they liked. The partnership with Christmas Wonderland is a continuation of our efforts to encourage families in Singapore to lead active and healthier lifestyles, and spend quality time with their loved ones. Fair highlights, such as the AIA TrickArt, will offer families more reasons to have fun together this festive period and kick-start 2016 on a positive note.” 

Commenting on the fair, Ms Carrie Kwik, Executive Director, Arts, Entertainment and Integrated Resorts of Singapore Tourism Board said, “I am delighted to see the return of Christmas Wonderland to complement our celebrations at year-end, traditionally a popular period for many of our visitors. With a successful run last year at the iconic Gardens by the Bay, this event had won the hearts of both locals and visitors alike, and I am sure it will continue to spread its festive magic for our Jubilee year.”

Kaleidoscopic Festive Treats

Lending a festive air to the Gardens, visitors will be greeted by a resplendent display of Luminarie light sculptures, a returning crowd favourite, from the moment they step into the grounds. Handmade by Italian craftsmen using white-wood from the south of Italy, these picturesque masterpieces feature an all-new architectural design reminiscent of the medieval period. 56 enchanting sculptures – the tallest towering over 20 metres – will nestle amidst the greenery within the Supertree Grove, Dragonfly Bridge and Flower Dome.

Visitors can also soak in the enchanting atmosphere and enjoy performances that will be held regularly. These include choral sessions at the stunning Cassa Armonica gazebo, theatrical performances and parades.

A brand-new Christmas Toyland floral display will be showcased at the Flower Dome. This year, toys reign supreme amidst yuletide floral favourites like the poinsettia, Christmas rose, winter heather and holly. The centerpiece of Christmas Toyland – an 11-metre-tall Christmas Pyramid decked with toys – will tower over the enchanting floral display. In addition, this multi-tiered traditional German wooden carousel will transform into a ‘live’ stage, hosting a series of festive performances for the very first time in the Flower Field.

Please refer to Annex 1 for more details of the exciting visual attractions and entertainment line-up.

Believe in the Christmas Magic of Play

Based on feedback, Christmas Wonderland has curated a series of new attractions for visitors.

The Fairground offers a delightful array of traditional carnival rides for the first time in Singapore. They include the Helter Skelter – the tallest slide in Singapore, a vintage style carousel and a trackless train. Apart from rides, visitors can also pit their skills at game stalls such as Extreme Basketball, Can Smash and Roll-a-ball. Prizes include memorabilia from Disney and Warner Bros.

An entirely different experience awaits at the Ice Palace over at the Supertree Grove, which offers a cool and refreshing wintry Christmas in the tropics. Visitors can make snow angels, build their very own Olaf at the Snow Playground or choose to unleash their inner Michelle Kwan and glide on ice at the Ice Skating Rink.

Visitors will also be able to hop onto the Swinging Chairs and enjoy the rush of air on their faces while they take in the panoramic sights of the festival grounds.

Please refer to Annex 2 for charges pertaining to The Fairground, the Ice Palace and the Swinging Chairs carnival ride.

In addition, visitors can experience ‘snow’ in Singapore during Blizzard Time at the Spalliera, the largest Luminarie light sculpture, or have Fun With Bubbles at The Fairground.

Feast, Shop and Have a Merry Christmas

Complete the festive experience with a feast for the senses and partake in a spot of Christmas shopping along the way too. The fair will see the charming European-style Festive Market make its comeback at the Supertree Grove with more to indulge in. Featuring traditional wooden huts specially brought in from the United Kingdom, visitors can enjoy a greater selection of international cuisine and wines from renowned food and beverage operators such as Brewerkz, Sebastian, Café Iguana, Shabestan, The Diner by the Travelling C.O.W. and Paul’s. Apart from festive nibbles, the market will also offer a wide variety of Christmas gifts, including new craft items. More details of the participating vendors will be available in the coming weeks.

Blending festive cheer with carnival tradition, the ornate Spiegeltent, a spectacular rare fairground attraction, returns with a one-of-a-kind dining experience where visitors can indulge in a specially curated festive menu as well as a weekend brunch experience by Singapore’s most well-established bar and dining chain Harry’s. Dishes on the menu include Harry’s Merry Wings, Cajun Spice-rubbed Turkey, Smoked Duck Breast with Marmalade Glaze, Rudolph’s Gingerbread and Raspberry Sundae. The century-old travelling ‘mirror tent’ from the Netherlands is made up of 1,000 pieces of brocade draperies, stained glass, wood and intricate artwork.  

Please refer to Annex 3 for more details of the Festive Market and the Spiegeltent.

Access to the Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay is free for the public, while admission charges for the Flower Dome apply.

Please refer to Annex 4 for a site map of the event grounds. For more information on the festival and its programme line-up, visit www.christmaswonderland.sg.

As early as this December, visitors to Gardens by the Bay can look forward to hopping on board the first fully-operational self-driving vehicle in Asia during a two-week trial that is open to members of the public.

The product of collaboration between Gardens by the Bay and ST Engineering, the Auto Rider is scheduled for public trial in December 2015 and targeted for full-scale deployment in mid-2016. The project is co-funded by the Ministry of National Development and National Research Foundation, with technical advice from A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I²R).

Each vehicle has a capacity of 10 people, comprising seats for six passengers and standing room for four passengers or one wheelchair. As the Auto Rider is fully enclosed and air-conditioned, passengers will be able to get around the Gardens in comfort and convenience, come rain or shine. It will strengthen connectivity within the Gardens and enhance mobility for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

During the public trial in December 2015, two Auto Riders will ply a 1.5km-long loop in the Gardens. The vehicles will operate for two hours a day from 4pm to 6pm, with eight 15-minute slots available for visitors to register, free-of-charge, on a first-come-first-served basis. For the duration of the trial, there will be a trained staff stationed in each vehicle to guide passengers as well as gather insights on commuter behavior, passenger feedback, and the performance of the vehicle.

Following the public trial, the vehicles will undergo further tests and refinement, before being deployed in the Gardens. The eventual route and specific mode of operation will be finalised based on the assessment of results from the public trial and vehicle tests.

Permanent Secretary for Transport Mr Pang Kin Keong, who is Chairman of the Committee for Autonomous Road Transport in Singapore (CARTS), said, “We are excited to witness the very progressive step Gardens by the Bay is taking to enhance its visitor experience and improve productivity. We look forward to more organisations following in its footsteps to tap self-driving technology to transform their operations.”

CEO of Gardens by the Bay Dr Kiat W. Tan said, “Having the Gardens accessible to all is critical in making Gardens by the Bay a place where people from all walks of life can come to enjoy. The Auto Rider will strengthen our people-mover system by enhancing connectivity within the Gardens and providing visitors with an alternative mode of getting around. As the first of its kind in the region, it demonstrates the potential of mobility concepts enabled by self-driving technology, and represents a leap forward for Gardens by the Bay which strives to be at the forefront of sustainability with innovative technologies and practices.”

Please see Annex A and Annex B for features of the Auto Rider and details of public trial.

Singapore’s biggest yuletide fair, Christmas Wonderland, returns to Gardens by the Bay with more dazzling Italian Luminarie light sculptures, a European-style Festive Market, and a brand-new Christmas Toyland floral display in the Flower Dome.
 

Christmas in a whole new light

28 November 2015 to 3 January 2016

Lending a festive air to the Gardens, the picturesque Luminarie light sculptures, handmade using white-wood from the south of Italy, will nestle amidst the greenery within the Golden Garden, Supertree Grove, Dragonfly Bridge and Flower Dome.

In the heart of the Supertree Grove, a majestic 24-metre-wide Spalliera will frame the Cassa Armonica gazebo, providing a stunning and enchanting backdrop. The hugely popular Blizzard Time will also return this year to dazzle the young and old, as they revel in the joy of experiencing ‘snow’ in Singapore.
 

European-style Festive Market

28 November to 27 December 2015

The charming European-style Festive Market, similar to those in Cologne, London and Paris, returns to the Supertree Grove. Featuring wooden huts and specially-built restaurant units, visitors will be able to shop for one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts and enjoy the wide range of international cuisine and wines from renowned food and beverage operators.

An ornate Spiegeltent, a century-old travelling ‘mirror tent’ from the Netherlands, will continue to set stage in the Gardens. Made of 1,000 pieces of wood, canvas, exquisitely decorated mirrors and stained glass, the enchanting tent promises a visual treat for visitors.
 

Christmas Toyland floral display

21 November 2015 to 5 January 2016, 9am to 9pm daily, conservatory charges apply

A brand-new Christmas Toyland floral display blooms in the coolness of the Flower Dome. This year, toys reign supreme amidst yuletide floral favourites like the poinsettia, Christmas rose, winter heather and holly.

Towering over the enchanting floral display is the centerpiece of Christmas Toyland – an 11-metre-tall Christmas Pyramid decked with toys. This multi-tiered traditional German wooden carousel will transform into a ‘live’ stage, hosting a series of festive performances for the very first time in the Flower Field.
 

Access to the Christmas Wonderland @ Gardens by the Bay is complimentary to the public, while admission charges into the Flower Dome apply.

Enter the moon gate, and feel yourself transported to a crisp Mid-Autumn day in a traditional Chinese garden, where more than 10,000 Chrysanthemums in a myriad of colours are in full bloom.

Chrysanthemums, a symbolic feature in traditional Chinese art to depict the autumn season, is the theme of Gardens by the Bay’s latest floral display, “Celebration of Chrysanthemums” (满园菊花香). It will run from September 24 to November 10 at the Flower Dome.

There will be more than 40 varieties of Chrysanthemums on display, including unique Spider Chrysanthemums that have been specially brought in to Singapore for the first time. As visitors stroll through the garden, they can take in the sight of graceful bonsai trees that are more than 100 years old, and maple trees with leaves in the rich colours of fall.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival Children’s Promotion, kids aged 12 years old and below who show up with a lantern at the ticketing counter from September 25 to October 4, between 5pm and 9pm, can redeem a free ticket to enter the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest on the same day.

Under the SG50 Seniors Special, local senior citizens aged 60 and above can enter the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest for free, while accompanying caregivers enjoy 50 per cent off tickets. The SG50 Seniors Special is on until December 31.

“Celebration of Chrysanthemums” is part of “Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay 2015” (滨海花园庆中秋), which runs from September 25 to October 4. Visitors will get to enjoy lanterns in the theme of flora and fauna, nightly cultural performances and a Food Street.

This year’s Mid-Autumn celebrations are organised by Gardens by the Bay in partnership with the Chinese Media Group of Singapore Press Holdings, National Arts Council and People’s Association.

The 50 goat-shaped lanterns are in commemoration of Singapore’s 50th year of independence, and symbolic of the goat being this year’s Chinese zodiac sign. The Lantern Painting Competition is organised in partnership with the People’s Association and sponsored by Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple.

The lanterns will be displayed at the Supertree Grove during Mid-Autumn Festival @ Gardens by the Bay 2015. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Mr Chan Chun Sing will give out prizes to the best-decorated lanterns at a ceremony at the Gardens on September 27.

This year’s Mid-Autumn celebrations are organised by Gardens by the Bay in partnership with the Chinese Media Group of Singapore Press Holdings, National Arts Council and People’s Association.

Here are the highlights of the Mid-Autumn festivities at Gardens by the Bay.

MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL @ GARDENS BY THE BAY 2015
Date: 25 September to 4 October
Time: 7pm to 11pm
Details: Free for the public

Spectacular Lantern Sets
Seventeen different lantern sets, comprising 300 lanterns in total, will be on display at various locations. These lanterns include:

• Floating lanterns, such as a majestic sea palace and dragon boats, at the Dragonfly Lake
• Magnificent dinosaurs up to 25m long at the Supertree Grove
• Flowers and baobab trees
• Animals, such as lions, tigers, jaguars, elephants, giraffes and zebras
  

Cultural Performances
“Celebrating 50 Mid-Autumns” (秋艺满园： 共度50秋) is the theme of this year’s cultural performances, which are organised in partnership with the National Arts Council.

Visitors can look forward to free nightly shows at the Supertree Grove put up by local music and cultural arts groups such as the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Dance Theatre, Nam Hwa Opera and Dicapella Dizi Ensemble. Malay dance group Azpirasi and Indian classical dance group Apsaras Arts will add a multicultural element to the performances.

Lantern-decorating Competition
In commemoration of Singapore’s 50th year, a competition organised in partnership with the People’s Association and sponsored by Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple will see participants decorate 50 goat-shaped lanterns. The goat is this year’s Chinese zodiac sign. These participants will be at Gardens by the Bay on September 19 and 20 to decorate their lanterns on site. Their works will be displayed at the Supertree Grove during the festival.
 

Food Street
Visitors can enjoy a variety of food choices from more than 30 stalls at the Supertree Grove, offering everything from local mainstays like kueh tutu,muah chee and vadai, to new favourites like fried Oreos and kebabs.

“CELEBRATION OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS” FLORAL DISPLAY
Date: 24 September to 10 November
Time: 9am to 9pm
Details: Admission charges to the Flower Dome apply

Chrysanthemum blooms take centre stage in the Flower Dome, as Gardens by the Bay takes visitors on a journey to the Far East. Long admired for its beauty, the Chrysanthemum is a symbolic feature in traditional Chinese art to depict the autumn season. Marvel at unusual varieties such as Spider Chrysanthemums and Disbud Chrysanthemums first cultivated in ancient China and Japan.

As visitors stroll through the scenic landscape dotted with Chinese lanterns and a teahouse, they can appreciate the special displays of Chrysanthemum that have been meticulously trained to produce multiple large blooms on a single plant.

Displayed prominently in the Gardens, at the intersection between the cooled conservatoires and the Supertree Grove, the seven-metre-wide Floral Clock draws inspiration from the signature characteristics of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak collection and fuses traditional and contemporary landscaping elements in its design. Featuring tropical plants with coloured foliage and flowers, its plant palette will be refreshed regularly for the public to enjoy. (Please refer to the Appendix for more details of the Floral Clock.)

“We thank Audemars Piguet for this wonderful addition to Gardens by the Bay on the occasion of Singapore’s Golden Jubilee,” said Dr Kiat W. Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay. “For those of us who were fortunate enough to have experienced the floral clocks of the past in Singapore, this floral timepiece will be all the more special. We can now relive and create new memories here at the Gardens as we celebrate with the nation.”

Mr Oliviero Bottinelli, Member of the Board of Directors, Audemars Piguet Holding SA, said “We have been searching for purposeful means of dedicating a unique part of Audemars Piguet back to the nation on this joyous occasion. With the Audemars Piguet Foundation’s commitment to worldwide forest conservation and environmental protection, the Floral Clock was a natural gift to Singapore on its 50th year of independence that we are thrilled to unveil along with Gardens by the Bay.”

Here is the line-up of the SG50 activities at Gardens by the Bay:

“Singapore Stories” Floral Display

Be wowed by a floral interpretation of 10 local legends – Tanjong Pagar, Redhill, Sisters’ Island, Bukit Timah, Pulau Ubin, Kusu Island, Sang Nila Utama, Radin Mas, the Merlion, and the Singapore Stone – designed by award-winning Singaporean landscape architect Damian Tang.

Taking place in the Flower Dome, the beauty of more than 8,000 orchids and plants in a plethora of colours is juxtaposed against intricately-carved wooden sculptures and structures, such as the tornado the Merlion battles against that is made up of banyan tree roots stacked up to 10 metres.

As they view the floral display, visitors can also take a walk down memory lane with scenes from the past that pay tribute to the unsung heroes who helped build Singapore.

Date: 31 July – 13 September 2015
 

“Garden Rhapsody” – SG50 edition

For the first time, laser imagery will be used on the Supertrees in the SG50 edition of the nightly “Garden Rhapsody”. The Supertrees will light up with accompanying music composed and arranged by Bang Wenfu, and vocals by Singapore’s most prominent and popular musicians Robert Fernando, Rani Singam, Benjamin Kheng of The Sam Willows, iNCH, Nathan Hartono, and Singapore’s future generation of musicians, Lou Peixin, Miin Tong, and Glory Ngim.

Held at the Supertree Grove, the SG50 edition of the Garden Rhapsody is free for all to enjoy.

Date: 6 August – 10 August 2015 (with laser imagery)
 

Ticketing Promotions

Visitors to Gardens by the Bay can enjoy the following ticketing promotions:

1. Local residents enjoy 50% off tickets to Conservatories during the Jubilee Weekend from 7 August to 10 August.
2. Local senior citizens (60 years old and above) enjoy free admission to both Conservatories when they visit anytime between now and 31 August 2015. One accompanying caregiver can enjoy 50% off the ticket to both Conservatories as well.
3. For tourists, one child enjoys free admission with every two Adult Standard Double Conservatories tickets purchased when they visit anytime between now and 31 December 2015. Guests have to print out the offer from Singapore Tourism Board’s Golden Jubilee page in order to enjoy the promotion.

Fringe Activities

Gardens by the Bay is also an excellent vantage point to catch the spectacular fireworks and aerial displays performed by the Republic of Singapore Air Force on 9 August during the National Day Parade.

Other celebratory programmes to look out for include the “Mass Dance for SG50” set to well-loved Singapore tunes on 8 August, and a jazz concert held in collaboration with the Royal Thai Embassy to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Thailand-Singapore Diplomatic Relations. The “Sabai by the Bay” concert will feature the famous Thai saxophonist, Koh Mr Saxman, and his band The Sound of Siam.

Members of the public can log on to www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/singaporestories to find out more.

Please see Appendix I and Appendix II for detailed descriptions of the Jubilee Weekend activities and highlights.

As Gardens by the Bay celebrates its third anniversary today, it moves yet closer to its vision of being a People’s Garden with the expansion of its Gift of Gardens initiative.

Gift of Gardens started in December 2012 as a community partnership and outreach initiative, where Gardens by the Bay works with individual and corporate donors to fund visits by charities. Since its launch, the initiative has enabled more than 3,600 beneficiaries to enjoy the Gardens on complimentary group visits.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts, Gardens by the Bay has taken a further step to provide complimentary admission to its award-winning cooled conservatories – the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. The Gardens has worked with the Ministry of Social and Family Development, National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and Ministry of Health to reach out to all voluntary welfare organisations providing direct social services to beneficiaries, as well as to holders of the ComCare Long Term Assistance Scheme (also known as Public Assistance Scheme) card and Developmental Disability Registry card. In addition, minders and caregivers who accompany the beneficiaries will enjoy a 50 per cent discount on admission tickets.

Gardens by the Bay will continue to solicit sponsorship, which can be used to fund other aspects of organising group visits, such as manpower and logistics, if needed.

Dr Kiat W. Tan, CEO of Gardens by the Bay, said, “Our hope is that Gardens by the Bay will become a place that everyone has the opportunity to visit – a People’s Garden accessible to all. Last year, we had 6.3 million visitors, with half of this number being local residents. The Gift of Gardens is an example of how the Gardens is constantly reaching out to Singaporeans from all walks of life.”

Today, a group of 20 beneficiaries from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) Employment Development Centre in Woodlands were the first to enjoy the expanded Gift of Gardens initiative. These beneficiaries were taken on a special tour of the Flower Dome with Minister for National Development Mr Khaw Boon Wan.

Mr Keh Eng Song, Chief Executive Officer of MINDS, said, “We welcome this timely gift to persons with special needs, as we celebrate SG50 this year, and as we work towards forging an inclusive society. Gardens by the Bay is an ideal destination for our beneficiaries to enjoy nature and flora from countries around the world, which they may not have the opportunity to visit otherwise.”

Mr Sim Gim Guan, CEO of NCSS, said, “The expanded Gift of Gardens programme opens up opportunities for more beneficiaries – children, youth, seniors and persons with disabilities – and their caregivers to enjoy an award-winning destination. This is also helpful for our member voluntary welfare organisations that run programmes, social outings and activities promoting healthy and meaningful interactions for their beneficiaries. We are taking a step forward to grow as a more inclusive society.”

The 12-year-old tree, an Australian native, is planted in the World of Plants section at Gardens by the Bay, among younger specimens of the same species. The Illawarra Flame Tree is the most commonly cultivated species of Brachychiton due to its spectacular scarlet flowers. Other species in the genus have attractive flowers, but their colours are more muted compared to the scarlet flowers of the Illawarra Flame Tree.

“The Illawarra Flame Tree is dear to my heart because I grew up with one in my garden, and, every time I see one, it reminds me of the many happy childhood memories I shared with my late father,” said Psarianos, whose donation will support the maintenance of the tree and the operations of the Gardens. He added, “I am deeply honoured to literally and symbolically set down roots in Singapore and be able to contribute in some way to this place which I have come to love and call home.”

At a ceremony formalising the adoption this morning, Mr. Psarianos was joined by his 78-year-old mother who, for the first time in 62 years, travelled out of Australia to share in this special occasion.

Ms. Peggy Chong, Deputy CEO of Gardens by the Bay, said, “We were delighted when Andrew approached us with the idea of adopting a tree as a symbolic gesture to solidify his bond with Singapore. Tributes like these are especially heartening because they reflect a growing affinity between residents and the Gardens, and express a desire to co-create a true People’s Garden that all can enjoy.”

In conjunction with Tulipmania, local senior citizens enjoy 50% off weekday admission tickets to the cooled conservatories (terms and conditions apply). Visitors can also look forward to thematic programmes, including a tulip floral arrangement workshop in celebration of Mother’s Day, as well as contests and giveaways by official airline partner KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Details of Tulipmania are available at www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/tulipmania.

Gardens by the Bay entered the Singapore Book of Records for the first time today with a mega lion dance that saw 50 lions participating in the “Largest Mass Lion Dance Cai Qing Performance” Singapore has ever seen.

Lion dance performers from award-winning troupe Tian Eng and Dragon Dance Centre ushered in the Year of the Goat at the Gardens’ Supertree Grove by forming the auspicious words ”兴", "旺” and “发” – symbolising “Happiness”, “Prosperity” and “Wealth” – with slices of mandarin oranges.

‘Cai qing’, or the act of ‘picking the green’, is the highlight of the traditional Chinese lion dance, where performers use vegetables or mandarin oranges to form auspicious greetings, as a way to usher in good luck and prosperity for the new year.

Joining in the celebrations this evening was Dr. Kiat W. Tan, Chief Executive Officer for Gardens by the Bay, who received the certificate issued by officials from the Singapore Book of Records. The following Saturday, 28 February 2015, will see Gardens by the Bay attempt to set another record for the “Largest Mass Stilt-Walking Parade” involving 50 stilt-walkers.

The two events are part of Gardens by the Bay’s Lunar New Year celebrations, “Spring Surprise”, which runs from 21 February to 1 March 2015. Visitors will also be able to try their hand at oriental crafts, such as Chinese knots, paper cutting and calligraphy, and meet the God of Fortune mascots, “福禄寿喜”.