This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on December 5, 2019

Resorts World Genting (RWG) is throwing the greatest festive season party in Malaysia. Until Jan 1, “It’s All Happening at Genting Winter Wonderland” where the resort comes alive with bright lights and warm glows — showering guests with the splendour of Christmas, and many exciting events.

The merriment can be relished under the stars and cool breezy weather or indoors. For a comprehensive outdoor experience, just follow the Goh-Tong Walk trail which meanders through 11 different locations from SkyAtrium at SkyAvenue to the Hill Top Grocer, Arena of Stars, Metro Park, Metro City, Park Avenue Lounge, Zouk Atrium, Pavilion, GohTong Jaya Baru, SkySymphony and Medan Selera.

SkyAtrium, SkyAvenue

A Nutcracker Wonderland is a majestic golden organ and a choir of heavenly angels will serenade you at the SkyAtrium. Here, you may take pictures with Santa Claus and sing along to Christmas carols performed by Broadway Academy at the following times: Choir: 2pm, 4.30pm, 5.40pm; Santa Claus, elf and choir: 5.40pm; string and brass: 12.30pm, 3pm.

Hill Top Walk bazaar

The Hill Top Walk has been transformed into a Christmas Winter Wonderland Bazaar inspired by Charles Dickens’ White Christmas where you may purchase your Christmas goodies. It opens from 10am to 10pm.

SkySymphony, Time Square stage

The SkySymphony stage features a rotating carousel filled with golden presents and cheerful Nutcracker figurines. The Snowball Express by Genting Studios will take viewers on an enchanted ride to the North Pole featuring music from The Nutcracker. Winch balls, a total of 1,001, will synchronise with the story. A grand sparkling three-storey tall Christmas tree will rise towards the end of the show followed by pop-up dance shows. Time: 10am, 12am, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, 10pm and midnight.

SkyAvenue Parade

The parade from SkySymphony is dubbed The Snowball Express Parade which features six of Genting’s Highland Heroes characters and six Christmas costumed dancers. The parade will start at 3.10pm from now until Dec 29.

Allie’s Courtyard, SkyAvenue

Allie’s Courtyard promises a fun playground where a wide range of games are available — including making crazy poses at the Be A Pin Up booth, strapping into a harness to collect plushies at the Tabby Giant Claw Machine, and others. Allie’s Courtyard Christmas Carnival Games will be open to all guests who purchase theme park save combo tickets or have dined at Ed’s Diner or at Medan Selera. The playground opens from 10am to 10pm daily.

Metro Park

There are two Christmas shows in the evening at the outdoor Metro Park starting at 7.30pm and 10pm. Not to be missed is a 30-minute spectacular Christmas performance with Santa Claus, ice skaters, the Broadway Choir Group, The Voice of Independent Brass Ensemble & Strings and the Christmas quartet from New York. For Instagrammable opportunities, a gift-wrapped London double-decker bus is parked next to the nearby European Christmas Market. The Metro Park opening hours are 12pm to 11pm from Mondays to Thursdays, 12pm to 12am from Fridays to Sundays, 12pm to 12am on Dec 24, and noon to 1am on Dec 31.

Skating

Guests can don on their skates when the Metro Park rink is open to the public twice a day at 5.30pm and 8.30pm. The weekday admission rate is priced at RM30 with weekends at RM35. The price is inclusive of socks and gloves. On the eve of public holidays and public holidays, tickets are priced at RM50.

Movies and water shows

Popular Christmas movies such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Christmas Carol, to name a few, will be featured throughout the month along with special water shows that includes Power of Love and I Believe. Live Premier League matches will be shown on the big screens every Friday and Saturday.

Food galore

Munch delicious treats from 10 food trucks at the Gazebo Garden at the Metro Park. Among the food trucks are Il Lago which serves Italian food, with fish and chips from Harry Ramsden.

Train to Busan Horror House

Fans of the award-winning movie can now get a frightful experience at the Train to Busan Horror House. There is also an adrenalin 360 virtual reality (VR) game that will see one in a shoot-out with enemies. The horror house and 360 VR game are available from noon to 10pm.

Genting year end sale

The Genting Year End Sale 2019 is set to take place at both the SkyAvenue mall and Genting Highlands Premium Outlet. Enjoy flash deals as high as 70% off at the Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park. Opening hours are from 10am to 10pm on Dec 12 for members, and from Dec 13 to Dec 15 for the public.

Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park

Enjoy 16 rides at Skytropolis with unlimited passes at RM60 for a day or a two-day unlimited ride pass at RM78. There are combo packages with other activities such as Snow World, Big Top, Senikome Peng Heng (arts and culture) and The Void. Asia’s first hyperreality experience, The Void is now showing Avengers: Damage Control (limited time only), Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, Ralph Breaks VR and Nicodemus. The Void opens from 10am to 10pm.

Indulge in delicious Yuletide treats

Christmas pastries

The Bakery will roll out a delectable array of Christmas goodies at both bakeries located at Genting Grand and The Junction Cafe at the First World Hotel. There will be Christmas treats such as cookies, stollen, traditional fruit cakes and chocolate Christmas lollies.

Christmas high tea, buffets and sit-down dinners

The Park Avenue Lounge has a Christmas high tea promotion from Dec 16 to Jan 2. The decadent spread — available from noon to 7pm — will feature pecan tart, English fruit cake, spiced cheesecake, chocolate pralines, and freshly baked scones among others to choose from.

For a Christmas eve or Christmas dinner, consider Park Avenue Lounge’s six-course Western dinner of salmon pastrami, poached pear salad, butternut squash soup, black cherry roasted chicken, truffle scalloped potatoes, haricot vert lyonnaise, and panettone pudding. Diners may choose a pairing with a bottle of Hermanos Lurton, or a bottle of Drappier Carte D’Or champagne.

Coffee Terrace

If a buffet is your selection, the place to be on Christmas Eve would be the Coffee Terrace at Genting Grand hotel. The restaurant has a lavish spread with seafood on ice and a salad counter heaving with choice greens. At the carving station, indulge in whole turkey and stuffing, beef Wellington, roasted stuffed lamb shoulder, and a stunning Western selection which includes charbroiled beef and lamb shoulder slices. There are also the Asian, Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese counters for further indulgence. The same buffet spread is also available for Christmas Day dinner.

L’TITUDE

L’TITUDE, located in the Genting Club, is offering six-course Western set Christmas Eve and Christmas day dinner. The set is priced at RM288 per person which includes a scallop and bacon appetiser, cioppino seafood stew, smoked duck, sous vide turkey, and a dessert of coffee espuma, vanilla ice cream and sponge cake.