It truly is the most wonderful time of the year, and airports around the world are creating Christmas cheer with various exclusive promotions and festive initiatives, ranging from drone shows and ice skating to charitable campaigns.
Hello Kitty & Friends Show at Changi Airport
This Christmas, Hello Kitty & Friends have arrived at Changi Airport to delight travellers and airport visitors every weekend during the holiday season.
Changi Airport has prepared some kawaii awesomeness this festive season as Hello Kitty & Friends land at Changi Airport to greet their fans. Comprising eight characters, the popular Sanrio friends – Hello Kitty, Dear Daniel, Cinnamoroll, Gudetama, Little Twin Stars (Kiki and Lala), My Melody and Pompompurin – will be delighting travellers and airport visitors in person every weekend during the holiday season.
Changi Airport kicked off the Christmas celebrations with its first indoor show at Terminal 3. Forty drones lit up the dimmed sky, forming various shapes such as a snowflake and a Christmas tree. Extending the magical moment, eight Hello Kitty & Friends broke into a song and dance in the specially-designed Mystical Garden to the delight of cheering fans.
Jayson Goh, Managing Director Airport Operations Management, Changi Airport Group, said: “With many fans looking forward to the annual year-end festive celebrations at Changi, we wanted to create something unforgettable for them. Having 40 drones perform in an indoor setting was challenging, but we are really happy to be able to bring the Changi festive experience to a new high with this interplay between art and technology.”
Up until 5 January 2018, fans will be treated to daily drones and light and snow shows at the Mystical Garden, which features Sanrio characters amid a gazebo and a treehouse, topped with the Hello Kitty’s signature ribbon. On weekends, travellers and airport visitors will also have the chance to cuddle up to their favourite Sanrio characters for unforgettable photo opportunities.
Additionally, Changi Airport has organised games and activities for travellers at the check-in area at T3 Departure Hall throughout the holiday season. At the Tree House Catcher, a human controller can direct a human crane suspended in mid-air to pick up a gift from the gift pool, with the top prize being a 1m tall Sanrio character plush toy. Visitors can also collect water balloons at the Yoyo Tsuri Fountain, and redeem their prizes at the mini ferris wheel. In addition, Sanrio fans can have some fun with Sanrio-themed face painting or decorate tote bags with stamps featuring their favourite Sanrio characters.
Meanwhile, eight limited edition Sanrio character plush toys are up for grabs exclusively at Changi Airport. Featuring Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel, as well as Cinnamoroll, Gudetama, Little Twin Stars (Kiki and Lala), My Melody and Pompompurin, each of these toys can be purchased for S$8.90 with a minimum spend at Changi Airport. In addition, JCB cardholders can receive an additional plush toy for free. Changi Rewards members can redeem the full set of the plush toys with an accumulated spend.
For a unique memento, check out the set of specially designed postage stamps featuring Hello Kitty and Friends in Changi’s Mystical Garden. Showcasing all eight characters, the stamp folder, which comes with a free Sanrio-themed lanyard is also available for purchase at the airport.
For more information on the activities, visit www.changiairport.com/mysticalgarden.
Ice skating at Munich Airport
For the 19th consecutive year, the space between the terminals at Munich Airport has been turned into a winter wonderland. Visitors can stroll between more than 40 stands that offer seasonal foods and refreshments, local handicrafts and unique gift ideas. The highlight of the market is the 600sqm ice rink.
This year’s edition of the ever-popular Christmas Market is now open in the Munich Airport Center Forum (MAC). For the 19th consecutive year, the space between the terminals has been turned into a winter wonderland. Visitors can stroll between more than 40 stands that offer seasonal foods and refreshments, local handicrafts and unique gift ideas. The highlight of the market is the 600sqm ice rink, where visitors can lace on skates or test their skills at Eisstockschiessen – Bavaria’s traditional broom-free version of curling. Skating is free of charge and rental skates are available for a nominal fee.
The entertainment includes a stage programme featuring a variety of local acts. On Saturday, November 25th, visitors of the airport will have a chance to design and make their very own advent calendar with expert help. At the same time, children can also find a creative outlet in a wreath-making workshop. From Tuesdays to Sundays starting at 6pm, musical performers take to the stage to liven up the festivities. Meanwhile, at 6pm on Thursdays, a rinkside DJ will create a disco atmosphere for the skaters with the latest hits and old favourites.
A highlight every Wednesday is the special programme for the little ones: Starting at 4pm they can see enchanting fairy tale performances and magic shows.
The market is open daily from 11am to 9pm until 30 December, and on Fridays and Saturdays the food and refreshment stands are open later than usual till 10 pm. On Christmas Eve the Christmas and Winter Market will close its doors at 5pm. More information on the Christmas Market is available at https://www.munich-airport.com/2017-christmas-and-winter-market-til-december-30th-2736169.
Winter Wonderland at Vienna Airport
This year at Vienna Airport everything is operating under the motto “Winter Wonderland”, with a romantic mistletoe kiss station, a festive tinsel photo wall as well as stalls for Christmas punch and confectionery.
Vienna Airport has launched its Christmas season activities with the opening of the Christmas market in Terminal 1. This year at the airport everything is operating under the motto “Winter Wonderland”, with a romantic mistletoe kiss station, a festive tinsel photo wall as well as stalls for Christmas punch and confectionery. Furthermore, a unique winter design created by Austrian artists adorns the walls, the gift paper and the gift carrier bags at the free gift wrapping station. Donations made at the gift wrapping service are for the benefit of the “Hilfe>Armut” charitable initiative of Caritas Austria. The Vienna Airport Christmas market is open every day from 10am to 4:30pm until 24 December 2017.
Festive decorations as well as a modern-winterly design pervades the terminals. Cookies and regional Christmas biscuits, Christmas punch and Austrian souvenirs can be obtained at the Christmas market in Terminal 1. Against the backdrop of a festive tinsel photo wall, visitors and travellers can take the first pre-Christmas photos. Mistletoe, the lucky charm and bringer of kisses during Advent, ensures a romantic touch. A further highlight is the sparkling Christmas tree decorated with more than a thousand Swarovski ornaments which is located in the Plaza.
Christmas gifts at Budapest Airport
The promotion takes place at a special pop-up installation at SkyCourt, where passengers can get a free gift depending on the value of their purchase.
Budapest Airport has prepared a special promotion this year for the festive season which will run until 23 December from 9am to 7pm at BUD Airport Terminal. The promotion takes place at a special pop-up installation at SkyCourt, where passengers can get a free gift depending on the value of their purchase. Those who purchase an item for €40 or higher can choose a special Christmas tree ornament with a unique design of a famous city: New York, London, Paris, Budapest, Beijing.
Additionally, hostesses at the airport provide gift wrapping services for free on items purchased at the terminal. Special offers are also available from stores such as Playersroom, Tech2Go, Living Toys, Budapest and Music, Gold Elements, Gratiae, Twinset, Heinemann Accessories, Heinemann Duty Free, Café Ritazza, Wings Bar, Memories of Hungary, Neo és Camden Food Co.
Meanwhile, passengers can also enjoy live concerts by famous Hungarian singers every Friday.
