End the year with a bang at one of these countdown events. By Gurveen Kaur & Estelle Low
MARINA BAY SINGAPORE COUNTDOWN 2017
The fireworks display from last year’s Marina Bay Singapore Countdown. PHOTO: BRYAN VAN DER BEEK
Leave your car at home and take part in the street festivities spread out in the Marina Bay area.
Shop at the Marina Bay Waterfront Bazaar where you can find artisanal items and bites.
From 8pm on Monday, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore will also project colourful 3D displays on its facade. The five-minute animation will take place hourly each night till Dec 31.
On New Year’s Eve, leave enough time to get to your favourite spot to watch the highlight event – an eight-minute spectacular fireworks display above the water at Marina Bay at the stroke of midnight.
A new lights, lasers and flames show will be added to the mix.
This year, the celebrations extend into the Civic District.
St Andrew’s Road and Connaught Drive will be closed to vehicles from 4pm on New Year’s Eve until 2am the next day.
There will be an arts market in Connaught Drive and activities such as an outdoor concert, movie screenings and sunset yoga session at Empress Lawn and Esplanade Park.
From 9pm to midnight, there will be a fitness countdown party by the Health Promotion Board in St Andrew’s Road. Participants can work off calories in zumba or K-pop cardio dance workouts.
Where: Various locations around Marina Bay and Civic District
When: From 3pm till late
Admission: Free. Some activities require prior registration.
Info: www.marinabaycountdown.sg
DANCE IN THE PARK – A POP-TASTIC COUNTDOWN TO 2017
This countdown features smash hits from pop singer Katy Perry. Photo: Resorts World Sentosa
Enjoy a fun-filled concert experience which includes a tribute act performing smash hits of pop singer Katy Perry plus a spectacular fireworks display.
Also expect to see New York-style street pop acts like juggling cube, fire twirler, stilt walkers and LED Glow Poi.
Like previous editions, the Hollywood Lagoon stage will blaze with shimmering confetti and colourful pyrotechnics during the exhilarating countdown moment at the stroke of midnight.
The celebration will be hosted by Gold 90.5 DJ Jamie Yeo and actor Jonny Lee with music by DJ Tinc. Rides will be open till late.
Where: Universal Studios Singapore
When: 9pm till late
Admission: $55 (includes access to rides, attractions and entertainment from 5pm onwards)
Info: www.rwsentosa.com/ussnye
CELEBRATE 2017: COUNT DOWN WITH THE STARS
Party into 2017 with your favourite home-grown celebrities at Mediacorp’s annual year-end street party, which will be televised live from 11pm to 12.15am on Channel 5.
Highlights this year are collaborative performances between Taufik Batisah and DJ duo Rave Republic, and Mandopop singer Tay Kewei and alternative band The Facade.
Other acts include host and entertainer Najip Ali, singer-songwriter Gentle Bones and rapper Shigga Shay. Fans of TV stars such as Elvin Ng, Felicia Chin and Chen Tianwen will get to snap selfies with their idols too.
The countdown will culminate with a fireworks display and the party will continue past midnight with Rave Republic at the decks.
Where: Suntec Plaza (next to the Fountain of Wealth), Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard
When: 7.30pm till late
Admission: Free
Info: toggle.sg/celebrate2017
(Also read: 7 Skincare Habits to Start in The New Year)
ROCK ON!
Spend New Year’s Eve with Grammy winner Alicia Keys, American rock band Hoobastank and Taiwanese multi-hyphenate Rainie Yang at star-studded countdown party Rock On! 2017 at The Float @ Marina Bay.
The stellar line-up of 12 international and home-grown acts includes Taiwanese crooner Eric Chou, Malaysian singer-songwriter Penny Tai and rock band Shirlyn & The UnXpected.
Each act will take the stage for at least 20 minutes in the eight-hour extravaganza.
Where: The Float @ Marina Bay
When: 5pm to 1am
Admission: $48 to $218 from ApacTix (www.apactix.com) and all SingPost outlets (excludes booking fee)
Info: www.facebook.com/imclivegroup
SILENT DISCO ASIA NYE 2016/17
Revellers enjoying a silent disco party. PHOTO: SILENT DISCO ASIA
Dance to your own beat at this year-end shindig, where party-goers put on a pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones and pick from three channels playing disco, house or rock tunes.
The organisers are keeping mum on what to expect moments before the countdown, but there will be lots of glitter.
Where: Kult Kafe, 11 Upper Wilkie Road
When: 8pm to 1am
Admission: Early-bird price of $35 on a first-come-first-served basis. Otherwise it is $45 (includes one drink)
Info: www.facebook.com/silentdiscoasia
SILOSO BEACH PARTY
Last year’s edition of the Siloso Beach Party. PHOTO: SENTOSA
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of this iconic beach rave, Dutch DJ and producer Quintino will headline the party.
A rising name in the international dance music scene, he will be joined by Singapore’s DJ Kaylova and the Philippines’ Kat DJ.
Where: Siloso Beach, Sentosa
When: 6pm to 6am
Admission: Standard ticket is $55 till Monday, $67 till Dec 31 before 4pm or $77 at the door. Includes one drink
Info: www.sentosa.com.sg/silosobeachparty
HILLTOP COUNTDOWN
Celebrate new year’s eve onboard a cable car at Faber Peak Singapore. PHOTO: FABER PEAK SINGAPORE
Escape the crowds and welcome the new year 100m above sea level at Faber Peak Singapore.
Fireworks will be set off at midnight and you can book a 11/2-hour package for up to six passengers in a cable car called the Celebration Cabin.
The package includes two bottles of Laurent-Perrier champagne, a dessert platter and party packs.
Only 30 cabins are available.
Where: Faber Peak Singapore, 109 Mount Faber Road
When: 6pm till 1am. Operating hours for the Mount Faber Line of the Singapore Cable Car will be extended to 1am (last boarding at 12.30am)
Admission: $488++ a cabin (up to six passengers)
Info: Call 6377-9688 or go to www.faberpeaksingapore.com to book; only 30 cabins are available
POOLSIDE COUNTDOWN PARTY 2017
For an intimate celebration, gather some friends for this poolside countdown party that overlooks the South China Sea.
Groove to the top dance hits by a guest DJ, and enjoy live performances by lead singer Anastasia Francis and her band.
You can also write new year resolutions on illuminated balloons and toss them into the pool.
Where: Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
When: 9.30pm to 2am
Admission: $88++ (free-flow French-inspired mocktails) or $248++ (free-flow champagne, wines and beer), limited tables available on first-come-first-served basis.
Info: www.sofitel-singapore-sentosa.com
(Also read: The Sure Way to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions!)
CE LA VI MASK & MIRRORS COUNTDOWN PARTY
Put on your favourite mask for this masquerade-themed party in Ce La Vi’s club lounge on New Year’s Eve.
The club’s rooftop is also a prime spot to view the countdown fireworks at the Marina Bay Area.
Where: SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands, Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue
When: 9pm till late
Admission: $148 (pre-sale) or $198 (at the door), includes one glass of champagne
Info: sg.celavi.com
COMMUNITY BASHES
The People’s Association’s (PA) grassroots organisations are holding more than 200 New Year’s Eve celebrations islandwide.
Rub shoulders with local celebrities such as Tosh Zhang and Kelly Poon at Nee Soon South’s bash which will take place at the open field opposite Khatib MRT station.
Or catch martial arts and dance performances at the Boon Lay Countdown 2017 at the hard court beside Block 215 Boon Lay Place.
Where: Various locations islandwide
When: Various timings
Admission: Mostly free, though interested attendees are encouraged to check with organisers
Info: www.pa.gov.sg
AFTER DARK NEW YEAR’S COUNTDOWN PARTY
After almost a year of closure, Kilo Lounge is back in a spanking new space at Tanjong Pagar.
The countdown party will feature beats spun by house music DJ-producer Betoko.
Where: 21 Tanjong Pagar Road
When: 9pm till late
Admission: $100 entry (includes free-flow beer, house wines, house spirits and champagne from 9pm to midnight) and $50 for entry after midnight
Info: www.facebook.com/kilolounge
HAJI LANE NYE STREET PARTY
Let your hair down at a street bash in hipster enclave Haji Lane.
The DJ will be spinning a mix of 1990s R&B, funk, hip-hop and reggae beats.
Where: Haji Lane, next to Mexican restaurant Piedra Negra at 241 Beach Road
When: 7pm to 1am
Admission: Free
Info: www.facebook.com/events/325282414537933/
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 23, 2016, with the headline ‘Lights, fireworks, action’.
