On 23 November 2013, Orchard Road was transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland of twinkling stars and sparkling diamonds. Themed “Christmas on a Great Street”, this year marked the 23rd time that the Hitachi Group has been bringing Christmas cheer to visitors as a main sponsor for this signature festive light-up.

At the switch-on ceremony held at Shaw House Urban Plaza, Mr Kiyoaki Iigaya, Chief Executive for Asia, Hitachi, Ltd., represented the Hitachi Group Companies in Singapore to present a cheque of S$220,000 to the Community Chest, the fund-raising arm of the National Council of Social Services. These funds sustain 228 social service programmes that help children, support people with disabilities, care for the elderly and bring families together. Mr Yukio Toyoshima, Managing Director of Hitachi Asia Ltd., received a token of appreciation from Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam on behalf of the Hitachi Group of Companies in Singapore.

The highlight of the night took place when Mr Iigaya initiated the light-up with President Tony Tan. Instantly, the 2.2km stretch from Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura was decked out in a magnificent display of wintry tones, as resplendent diamonds and interactive stars bring to the forefront the elegant beauty of Christmastime. A magnificent Gateway at the Scotts / Paterson junction of Orchard Road opens into a sparkling fairy tale world – glittery diamonds cascading gently from the trees, enchanting hues of blue and gentle swirls of dreamy white arching above the busy streets.

Visitors can enjoy the Christmas lights daily till 5 January 2014, 6.30pm to 12 midnight (Sundays – Thursdays), 6.30pm to 2am (Fridays and Saturdays) and 6.30pm to 6.30am (Christmas and New Year’s Eve).