Having experienced Christmas at Universal Studios Singapore in previous years, we were glad to check out this year’s (2017) version of Universal Studios Singapore (USS)’s A Universal Christmas. Besides a 15 metres tall Christmas Tree House at the Hollywood area, you can also look forward to an interactive Santa’s workshop (which is an improved version of last year’s Santa’s workshop). There are also exuberant musical performances throughout the day and multimedia light shows and a spectacular fireworks display at night. We also checked out the SEA Aquarium with its interesting Merry Fishmas theme.

In this blog post, I will share with you what you can expect and some tips to ensure you have the best Christmas experience at both Universal Studios Singapore and SEA Aquarium with a 2D1N staycation.

Day 1 – Universal Studios Singapore – Universal Christmas Fun

There are 4 key Christmas events at USS Universal Christmas this year:

• Santa’s Workshop (starts at 12 noon til 8pm)
• Santa’s Snowy Sleigh Ride (first parade at 12 noon and every 2 hours til 8pm)
• Oscar’s Grouchmas Show (1.30pm, 4pm, 6.30pm, 8pm)
• Search for a Christmas Star (7.30pm and 8.45pm)

As these events start at or after 12 noon, you can check out some of the exciting rides when Universal Studios Singapore opens at 10am.

Also, you can get some photo opportunities with your favorite characters e.g. the Minions, Transformer Autobots, Sesame Street characters throughout the day. Check the Universal Studios Singapore event listings for the latest timings.

Santa’s Workshop

Expect long queues for the Santa’s workshop as visitors are brought into the workshop in groups and have an immersive interactive experience at each of the mini-workshops. Go early if you can – we were there at 12 noon and the queue was not long – just 4-5 families.

         

In the Santa’s workshop, you will take on the role of an elf-in-training as you complete a series of tasks to fill your certificate with ‘F’s. ‘F’ in the Santa’s workshop is not considered as a bad grade, it actually stands for:

• Finding an object
• Following instructions
• Finishing the job
• Having fun
• Festive feasting

I will not spoil the surprise for you – experience the workshop for yourself. If you have kids, they will love this interactive experience as fulfilling all the tasks and getting all the ‘F’s will allow you to have a photo opportunity with Santa Claus. Don’t worry, you will definitely get your ‘F’s – you can’t fail this workshop 🙂

The queue for Santa’s Workshop starts at Vine Street, next to Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase.

Santa’s Snowy Sleigh Ride (Live Parade ending at Hollywood Lagoon)

Everyday starting from 12 noon and every 2 hours until 8pm, you can welcome Santa Claus and his entourage comprising elves and reindeer as they parade down the streets of New York. The parade ends in front of the 15 metres tall Santa’s Christmas Tree House at Hollywood Lagoon and you will have a photo opportunity with Santa Claus and his elves.

Oscar’s Grouchmas (Live Performance at Pantages Hollywood Theater)

If you are a fan of Sesame Street characters, then you can catch them in action performing original musical numbers and kid-friendly Rock n’ Roll renditions of all-time favourites like Jingle Bells, Oscar’s Grouchmas. Expect lots of fun towards the end with “snow” (confetti) and streamers. Don’t worry about the long queue outside Pantages Hollywood Theater – there are always seats available in the big theater – however do note that child booster seats are limited. Show timings (subject to change): 1pm, 4pm, 6:30pm, 8:30pm

Search for a Christmas Star at World of Stars (Evening Show at New York Public Library)

In the evening at 7.30pm, you can witness a flying Airy Fairy swishing her magical wand to light up the streets of New York. This sets the stage for Search for a Christmas Star, a talent competition in search of well, a Christmas star. The Search for a Christmas Star (2 shows daily at 7.30pm and 8.45pm at the New York Public Library) is a music and dance extravaganza featuring aerial acrobatics, special effects, snowfall and state-of-the-art projection mapping. Again, for the kids and young at heart, there will be lots of confetti snow a perfect way to end a long day at USS Universal Christmas experience.

Day 2 – SEA Aquarium – Merry Fishmas

Santa Introduces Five New Friends

The theme for SEA Aquarium is Merry Fishmas! There is a game (called Santa Introduces Five New Friends) for all visitors to the SEA Aquarium – collect your card from SEA Aquarium staff at the entrance of Shark Seas Habitat and use it to locate fishes in the aquarium. Get a stamp on your card at the designated stamping stations and if you find all the fishes (5 of them), you can pick up your prize at the Ocean Dome.

There are also designated coloring stations at the Open Ocean Habitat area where your kids can fold origami and do coloring of fishes. Perfect way to take a break after a long day at the aquarium.

Crazy Elves Underwater Show

Also as you make your way to the Ocean Dome area, catch the Crazy Elves Underwater Show at the magnificent Open Ocean Habitat, as Scuba Santa and Elves dive amongst sharks, manta rays and hundreds of schooling fish. This show is at 3.30pm daily and there is an additional show at 1.45pm from now til 1 Jan.

Image credit: seaa.rwsentosablog.com/merry-fishmas-2017

If you missed the Crazy Elves Underwater Show, you can also catch the Elves in action as they dive into the various habitats to feed the fishy residents! Catch them in action at these locations and times:
Coral Garden Habitant – 12pm daily
Shipwreck Habitant – 2pm daily
Open Ocean Habitant – 4pm daily

Meet Mai, Sam, Santa and Elf

There are also meet and greet opportunities with Mai the manta ray and the new Sam the hammerhead shark mascots. They are all decked out in their Christmas outfits and will join Santa and Elf for a merry photo-taking session.

Mai with Santa & Elf: 2.15pm daily @ Ocean Dome
Sam with Santa & Elf: 3.45pm daily @ Ocean Dome

There are many other activities at the SEA Aquarium during this Merry Fishmas celebrations so do check with SEA Aquarium staff for the latest performance and meet and greet timings. Besides these Christmas events, you can of course check out the wonderful displays of fishes and marine animals in SEA Aquarium.