How To Celebrate New Year's Eve in Singapore

There is nothing more breathtaking than a bird’s eye view of the city at night. Live the high life and usher in the new year 282 metres above sea level at the 1-Altitude Rooftop Gallery & Bar, where you can treat yourself to a generous 360 degree view of Singapore’s skyline while you look back on the year, cocktail in hand. If you should bar-hop, make sure not to miss the fireworks and head to nearby rooftop bars like Ce La Vi at the top of Marina Bay Sands, Lantern at Fullerton Bay Hotel or Skyline Club & Lounge, located at level 45 of the Singapore Land Tower.

For some, seeing the fireworks on New Year’s Eve is more than an Instagram picture. It signifies a fresh start and new beginnings. With the firework display happening at Marina Bay, there is no better excuse for a cosy picnic under the stars with your friends and secure a good spot to catch a view of the fireworks for free at popular spots like the Marina Barrage or Mount Faber. Not sure what food to prepare? Organise a pot luck and get everyone to chip in. If you run out of vino, however, there are always wine delivery services like BottlesXO.

Kick off the new year with a spectacular firework showcase at one of Singapore’s biggest countdown parties, Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2018! Packed with various activities from a giant carnival, art markets, a visual projection showcase and, of course, a grand fireworks showcase at the stroke of midnight, this is definitely the countdown event not to be missed. The event is free for all to attend and extends from the Waterfront Promenade all the way to the Esplanade and The Float.

If the term ‘staycation’ seems foreign to you, it is a Singaporean slang for locals who spend a night at a hotel and treat it like a vacation, without ever leaving the country. For a country that has some of the best hotels that Asia has to offer, it isn’t hard to understand why staycations are popular here. So go ahead and surprise your partner with an unforgettable and opulent New Year’s Eve experience. Better yet, request for a room with the best view of the fireworks. Hotels like the Marina Bay Sands, The Ritz-Carlton, and Mandarin Oriental offer some of the best views of the city. But if you are looking to unwind, head to the many luxury resorts like the tranquil Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa.

If the thought of crowded streets, loud music and party stringers gives you the shudders, then staying in for New Year’s Eve might just be the best option for you. Besides skipping the hassle of fighting with the crowds, staying in allows you to have deeper conversations with the people that matter and bond over good wine and a savoury roast. If you have a good friend or co-worker who lives in the city and has a killer view of the skyline from his or her apartment’s balcony, better get into his or her good books, quick.

While the entire city is whisked away to Marina Bay and popular hotspots on New Year’s Eve, a different crowd seizes the opportunity to head out and do some shopping (in peace). If fireworks and New Year festivities aren’t your cup of tea, head down to 24-hour malls like Mustaffa Centre and the newly opened DON DON DONKI for a fun night out instead. While the former is a local favourite for having possibly everything you need under one roof – from clothes, food, produce and even medical supplies – the latter is a concept mall that stocks Japanese products at bargain prices. If starting the year right means saving on groceries, then you have come to the right place.

This article was originally written by Prianka Gosh and has since been updated.