Christmas On A Great Street 2026: Orchard Road Group Guide

Christmas On A Great Street is Singapore's year-end light-up along Orchard Road, organised every year by the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA). Arches and canopies of lights stretch along about 3 km of the shopping belt, with Christmas villages, a giant tree and a Christmas Eve street party. This guide is for travel agents, tour operators and group organisers planning Singapore in November and December 2026.

Christmas On A Great Street 2026: dates

The 2026 dates are to be confirmed. As of 15 October 2026, ORBA had not announced the 2026 edition, and its festival website still showed the 2025 programme. The 2025 edition was announced at the end of October 2025.

For reference, the 2025 edition ran from Saturday 8 November 2025 to Thursday 1 January 2026 ([ORBA festival site](https://christmas.orchardroad.org/)). The light-up traditionally runs from November to New Year's Day, with the Great Christmas Eve Street Party on 24 December. We will update this guide when ORBA publishes the 2026 programme.

What to expect

• The light-up: arches, canopies and installations from the Tanglin end of Orchard Road to Dhoby Ghaut, lit every evening.
• Christmas villages: in 2025 there were two Great Christmas Villages, with a market, rides, games and a large Christmas tree. Locations and themes change each year.
• Christmas Eve street party: part of Orchard Road closes to traffic for music, entertainment and celebrations into Christmas Day.
• Malls: each mall decorates its own frontage, and many run festive markets, light shows and promotions.
• Partner offers: ORBA's festival site has listed hotel deals and tourist privileges in past editions; check the 2026 site when it launches.

Best times and viewpoints

• Weekday evenings are far quieter than Fridays, Saturdays and the days just before Christmas.
• Dusk is the best time for photos, as the lights come on against the evening sky.
• Walk the length from Dhoby Ghaut or Somerset towards Orchard and Tanglin for the full sequence of lights, or see it from an evening coach tour for a group that should not walk far.
• Rain: December falls in the northeast monsoon season, with frequent showers. The malls and underpasses along Orchard Road give cover.

Planning a group for Christmas On A Great Street 2026

Lead times

• Hotels: December is a peak month in Singapore, with year-end holidays and events. Orchard Road hotels fill early for the weeks before Christmas and New Year, so hold rooms now for any December group.
• Restaurants and venues: group dinners on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve need early reservations, often with set menus and deposits.
• Dates: until ORBA confirms the 2026 programme, avoid promising a specific village, show or theme.

Logistics

• Coaches: stopping is restricted along Orchard Road. Agree drop-off and pick-up points in advance, such as a hotel driveway or a mall's coach bay, and allow for slow evening traffic.
• MRT: Orchard, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut stations serve the light-up. Avoid Orchard station at weekend peak times with a large group.
• Christmas Eve: with part of Orchard Road closed for the street party, plan transport around the closure and keep the group together in the crowds.
• Meeting points: give the group a fixed meeting point and time; crowds on weekends and on Christmas Eve are dense.
• Weather plan: have an indoor alternative ready for heavy rain.

A sample group evening on Orchard Road

• Early evening: coach drop-off at the Dhoby Ghaut end, then a short walk as the lights come on.
• Dinner: a reserved restaurant or private room in one of the malls or hotels along the route.
• After dinner: free time in a Christmas village or for shopping, with a fixed meeting time.
• Return: coach pick-up at an agreed point away from the busiest junctions.

For corporate and incentive groups

The light-up makes an easy evening event for a year-end incentive or a conference in Singapore: a dinner on or near Orchard Road, a guided walk through the lights, and free time for shopping. Venues for private year-end events book early, so confirm them with the hotels at the same time.

Shopping and tax refunds

Orchard Road is Singapore's main shopping street, and for many groups shopping is part of the evening. Visitors can claim a GST refund under Singapore's Tourist Refund Scheme on eligible purchases at participating retailers; brief clients to keep receipts and passports with them and to claim at the airport before departure.

Other year-end highlights

Singapore's year-end season runs beyond Orchard Road: festive displays at the major attractions, Christmas markets, and the New Year's Eve countdown and fireworks at Marina Bay, one of the busiest nights of the year in the city. A group in Singapore on 31 December needs a viewing plan and transport arranged well in advance.

Ideas for a festive Singapore programme

Combine an evening on Orchard Road with Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay and the Singapore River, or add Malaysia for a two-country holiday programme. See our Singapore destination guide, and the Southeast Asia festival calendar 2027 for next year's events.

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Photo Credit: Koh Lye Huat

Frequently asked questions

When is Christmas On A Great Street 2026?

The 2026 dates are to be confirmed by the Orchard Road Business Association. The light-up traditionally runs from November to 1 January; the 2025 edition ran from 8 November 2025 to 1 January 2026.

Is there a Christmas Eve street party on Orchard Road?

The Great Christmas Eve Street Party has been held on 24 December in recent years, with part of Orchard Road closed to traffic. The 2026 details are to be confirmed.

Which MRT station is best for the Orchard Road lights?

Dhoby Ghaut and Somerset are good starting points for walking the light-up; Orchard station is the busiest at peak times.

Is the Orchard Road light-up free?

Yes, viewing the lights along Orchard Road is free.

How long does it take to walk the light-up?

The light-up covers about 3 km. Walking it end to end at an easy pace with photo stops takes around an hour, longer in weekend crowds. Many groups walk one section and see the rest by coach.

What is the weather like in Singapore in December?

Warm and humid, in the northeast monsoon season, with frequent showers. Plan indoor alternatives and keep the evening flexible.

When should a group book hotels for December in Singapore?

As early as possible. December is a peak month, and Orchard Road hotels fill early for the weeks around Christmas and New Year.