13 WEEKS OF NON-STOP CELEBRATIONS FOR VISITORS TO SINGAPORE

No Better Time to Live It Up in Singapore

Singapore is gearing up for 13 weeks of parties and events from November to February as part of the annual Celebration Singapore extravaganza.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) offices across the world are spreading the message to their international markets that there is no better time to visit the Republic, nor a better way to celebrate the year-end than with the high-energy programme being planned.

A country that never sleeps and which ticks with clockwork efficiency, Singapore promises visitors of all ages great value-for-money holidays that are nothing short of superb.

As Celebration Singapore enters its fifth year, its success is marked by a growing awareness among international travellers of something Singaporeans have long known ) that November, through Christmas and New Year, right up to mid-February is a great time to be in Singapore because the entire island-nation is celebrating the holiday season.

Chief Executive of the STB, Mr Yeo Khee Leng said that Singapore was well known for its year-round calendar of events and festivities, but the turn of the year was always extra special.

"The holiday season really comes to life. You can feel the cheerfulness and spirit of celebration on the streets, in the shops, at hotels and restaurants and at events and attractions," he said. "We look forward to welcoming visitors to join us in what must be the world's longest and most diverse festive season."

Those planning a trip this holiday season will want to take note of the line-up of activities in Singapore. There are 13 weeks of celebrations that bring together all the best Singapore has to offer in a non-stop extravaganza of culture, food, arts and entertainment.

A SAMPLING OF THE 13-WEEK CELEBRATION SINGAPORE LINE-UP

Week 1: November 12 - 18, 2000

The celebration starts with the Straits Times Million Dollar Duck Race 2000. Watch 100,000 yellow rubber ducks race down the Singapore River on 12 November. Organised in support of charity, thousands of 'adopted' ducks will bob their way down the river on 12 November with the aim of being first to the finish line to win their adopted parents the coveted first prize of S$1 million.

Hot on the heels of the Duck Race, Singapore's famous Orchard Road transforms with thousands of fairy lights and festivities as the Christmas Light Up, sponsored by Hitachi, begins on November 17. Witness the friendly competition between malls to outshine each other with their Christmas decorations to win the coveted title of Best Decorated Building and be sure to visit Orchard Road Park to catch admire the spectacular 70-foot tall Prudential Millennium Tree!

Week 2: November 19 - 25, 2000

This week, The Singapore River Buskers Festival takes centrestage. From November 18-26, magicians, jugglers, mime artistes, acrobats, puppeteers and outlandish musicians from the UK, Germany, Canada, USA and Australia will form a cast of players whose stage will be the banks of the Singapore River in Clarke Quay, Riverside Point and Robertson Quay.

Week 3: November 26 - December 2, 2000

The Hari Raya Light Up will see the streets of Geylang converted into a festive village to mark this Muslim celebration. Don't miss the pasar malams, or night markets. Everyone comes out at night to eat, to buy traditional arts, crafts and clothes, and to socialise.

Then put your stamina to the test as Singapore's internationally acclaimed dance club, Zouk, moves to Sentosa's Siloso Beach for a 13-hour non-stop outdoor dance festival. With four musical themes the hottest local and international DJs to set the beat, Zouk Out ) A Dance Music Festival is the place to be for a hopping good time on 2 December.

Week 4: December 3 - 9, 2000

For a celebration of a completely different kind, Singapore stops on December 8 to mark the birthday of everyone's favourite canine ) the ever-loveable Snoopy, created by the late Charles Schulz. Bring your children along to Snoopy's Birthday Celebration Show at Singapore Expo to see the characters from Peanuts come to life and join in the largest Peanuts carnival / exhibition in the world.

Week 5: December 10 - 16, 2000

Feast your eyes on the best in South East Asian art at the ASEAN Art Awards 2000. From November 17 until the end of the year, the Singapore Art Museum will play host to an impressive array of works, from traditional oils to mixed media. Then journey back through Asian history with a short trip across the road to the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Week 6: December 17 - 23, 2000

Christmas in Singapore takes on a traditional turn with Amahl & The Night Visitors from December 18-22. Held at the beautiful CHIJMES Hall, this classic musical will warm your heart with its story of a young shepherd boy's meeting with three kings on their star-guided journey to Bethlehem.

Week 7: December 24 - 30, 2000

No holiday season is complete without some last-minute Christmas shopping and feasting. This is your chance to take advantage of the Celebration Singapore-VISA promotion which offers discounts and other privileges to over 50 attractions, retail outlets and restaurants when you charge purchases to your VISA card between 12 November to 10 February.

Week 8: December 31, 2000 - January 6, 2001

Where else in the world do you get to enjoy two New Year celebrations in one week? Only in Singapore ) where the Gregorian and Lunar New Years are celebrated with equal enthusiasm and energy. On December 31, count down to the new Gregorian year at Suntec City ) home of the world's largest fountain ) and at Sentosa. Then, get ready for the Chinatown Light Up on January 6 in the lead up to the Lunar New Year on January 24.

Week 9: January 7 - 13 , 2001

Join in the shopping frenzy in Chinatown's boisterous street bazaars, and watch the annual bargain rush as families stock up for the lunar New Year celebrations. High on the shopping list are Mandarin oranges ) symbols of good luck and prosperity. Have your fortune read, sample local delicacies, and most important of all, buy a red outfit to welcome in the New Year.

Week 10: January 14 - 20, 2001

Head down to the Singapore River Hong Bao which kicks-off on January 19. You will find games, food, and entertainment, along with traditional opera and stories of gods and monsters. Enjoy a junk boat cruise along the historic Singapore River to complete the experience.

Week 11: January 21- 27, 2001

Wind down from the party season at any of Singapore's day spas. Give your skin a new lease on life with a mud wrap or papaya scrub, and recharge with a deep tissue shiatsu massage.

Or take a trip into prehistoric times and come face-to-face with Dinosaurs Alive! The strange spike-tailed Stegosaurus and the famous T-Rex are just part of a massive display of over 40 life-size animatronic dinosaurs that will be invading the Singapore Science Centre from November 3 to February 28.

Week 12: January 29 - February 3, 2001

Catch the circus while it's in town! Not just any circus, but The Taipan Circus . Taipan's all-human cast of acrobats, trapeze artists, jugglers, rope dancers and clowns will captivate you with their amazing costumes and breathtaking stunts that run the gamut from time-tested to avant-garde.

Week 13: February 4 - 10, 2001

Celebration Singapore culminates in a dazzling array of colours and culture along Orchard Road in the annual Chingay Parade on February 9 and 10. Artistes from all over the world join in this mardi-gras that has a distinctly Asian feel. Be out early to claim a good spot along the Parade route from City Hall to Suntec City, but be careful ) you may just be get caught up in the moment and be dragged into the parade!