On 15 November 2014, Orchard Road was transformed into a brilliant display of colourful stars and dazzling lights. Themed “Christmas on a Great Street”, this year marked the 24th 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$250,000 to the Community Chest, the fund-raising arm of the National Council of Social Services. This year in particular, the Care & Share@SG50 movement, which is held in conjunction with the nation’s golden jubilee celebration, will see all donations matched dollar-for-dollar by the Government. Through this movement, Hitachi hopes to increase its impact in this season of giving and sharing and reach out to a greater number of beneficiaries. These funds sustain over 220 social service programmes that help children, support people with disabilities, care for the elderly and bring families together. Mr. Iigaya, on behalf of the Hitachi Group of Companies in Singapore, also received a token of appreciation from Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

The highlight of the night took place when President Tony Tan activated the light-up mechanism on stage. Instantly, the 2.88km road stretching from Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura was decked out in a magnificent display of Christmas magic, as multi-coloured stars lit up the entire street. The colourful display not only brought out the festive mood, but also resonated with the joy of the nation as we join in the celebrations leading to SG50.

Visitors can enjoy the Christmas lights daily till 1 January 2015, 6.30pm to 12 midnight (Sundays – Thursdays), 6.30pm to 2am (Fridays and Saturdays) and 6.30pm to 6 am (Christmas and New Year’s Eve).