SINGAPORE, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- To usher in the New Year, Singapore's Marina Bay and the Civic District will see an extravaganza of events and activities, featuring colorful light projection shows on the facades of key landmarks around Marina Bay, a multi-sensory fireworks musical, a food truck fest and pop-up lifestyle festival, among others.
The festivities will be marked by a 30-second teaser fireworks display, before culminating in the finale, a spectacular seven-minute countdown fireworks display set against Singapore's iconic city skyline that can be viewed from around the bay at midnight.
On Thursday, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) announced Marina Bay's line-up of year-end events titled Celebrate in the City, which will conclude on a high note with the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2019.
One highlight is the Build a Dream Light Projection shows that will be featured on the facades of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, ArtScience Museum and The Merlion, starting from December 26.
These projections are adapted from artworks created by students and beneficiaries of local schools and welfare organizations, such as Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN), Metta Welfare Association (Metta), AWWA, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS), and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).
These whimsical artworks portray the world seen through the eyes of these youths, as well as their aspirations for the future.
In partnership with the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, this Build a Dream initiative is a collective effort to support the less fortunate in fulfilling their dreams and personal development.
URA's director of place management Jason Chen said this new social element was a "meaningful exercise".
"We want the community to gather, reflect and see how collectively, they can help the less fortunate among us to realize their dreams and aspirations," he said.
Over at The Float @ Marina Bay, the audience can be wowed by a multisensory fireworks musical titled Star Island Singapore Countdown Edition by Avex, Japan's top entertainment group. It is the first time the Star Island show is presented outside of Japan.
Ticket-holders will be treated to action-packed performances by Taiko drummers, dancers, fire performers, which is synchronized to a combination of dazzling fireworks, pyrotechnics, lights and 3D surround sound.
Kenji Kohashi, creative director of Star Island, said he is "really proud" to make this international debut at such an iconic New Year's Eve countdown event.
"We know that many Singaporeans love fireworks and we promise to redefine that experience with an immersive entertainment show, powered by the latest technology and captivating theatrics. This will be a night to remember for everyone."
At The Promontory, the public can catch live performances by local acts Taufik Batisah, Gentle Bones, Joanna Dong, as part of Mediacorp's Let's Celebrate 2019 countdown concert.
They can also try out an array of local favorites at the Food Truck Fest at the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, featuring a gathering of food trucks, caravans and kombi vans.
Thrill-seekers can choose from over 50 exciting rides and games from Europe and around the world at the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival at the Bayfront Event Space, which returns for the second year.
Meanwhile, Car-Free New Year's Eve (NYE) will transform the Civic District area into a bustling activity hub.
For instance, The Incubator at Esplanade Park will feature LOOP, a pop-up lifestyle festival featuring a local craft bazaar selling products by local craft makers and wellness experiences that promote awareness about sustainability. Some highlights include a pop-up bar offering curated local craft beers, while visitors can inscribe their wishes for the environment on local discarded wood pieces that will be assembled into a Community Tree to be displayed at Esplanade Park.
There will also be a bazaar selling an eclectic mix of hand-made goods, ladies' apparel, and innovative toys for children. Families with young children can also enjoy bouncy castles, attend outdoor movie screenings and live band performances, or play giant board games.
On December 31, art lovers can also get free admission to the Minimalism: Space. Light. Object exhibition at the National Gallery Singapore.
The expected turnout for the countdown could range between 400,000 to 500,000, said Chen.
