Get ready for 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 this year-end holiday season.

Kicking-off the celebrations back in November was a first-in-Changi indoor drone show at Terminal 3 (T3), the largest of its kind in Singapore by far. Forty drones lit up the dimmed ‘sky’ like fireflies, forming various shapes such as a snowflake and a Christmas tree to wow the audience. Extending the magical moment, eight Hello Kitty and Friends broke into a song and dance in the specially-designed Mystical Garden to the delight of cheering fans. The characters bobbed along with the music while cameras flashed, bringing the atmosphere in the terminal to sizzling heights.

Mr Jayson Goh, Managing Director for Airport Operations Management at 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.”

Earlier in the day, an EVA Air aircraft in specially decked out livery featuring Sanrio characters had docked at Changi Airport. Invited guests got an opportunity to visit the aircraft, where Sanrio-themed in-flight meals and amenities were showcased.

Special treats for everyone

From 18 November 2017 to 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 during the meet and greet sessions.

Japanese-style fun and games for all

Over at the event space at the T3 Departure Hall Check-in Row 11, specially curated games and activities await travellers and visitors 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 1-metre tall Sanrio character plush toy. Visitors can also ‘fish’ for 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 at T3 Basement 2, kids can play to their hearts’ content at a new Sanrio-themed children’s playground, a first in any airport in Southeast Asia. For more photo opportunities, visitors can check out the four-metre tall Hello Kitty topiary at T2’s Departure Hall.

Exclusive Sanrio characters collectibles

In conjunction with the year-end gifting season, eight limited-edition Sanriocharacter 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 receive an additional plush toy for free, as JCB International Co. Ltd is the Official Payment Partner for Changi’s Mystical Garden with Sanrio characters. 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 available for purchase at S$21.80 at Changi Airport and the Philatelic Store@GPO.

For more information on the activities and terms and conditions, please visit www.changiairport.com/mysticalgarden