La Promenade’s Christmas Street, where the tropics turn winter once a year

Daily (second right), Sim (second left) and others posing for a photo beneath the falling 'snow' at La Promenade's Christmas Street on Nov 28. 2025.

By Marlynda Meraw

KUCHING, Nov 28: A soft cheer ripples through the crowd as Christmas awakens: one Norfolk pine at a time, each tree blooming with light along La Promenade’s famed boulevard.

Moments later, when the first flakes of machine-made snow drifted down, children squealed, adults laughed, and for a little while, the Kuching-Samarahan stretch felt like a place touched by Christmas magic.

Children and adults alike revel in the snowfall, their smiles mirroring the festive magic along Christmas Street on Nov 28. 2025.

HSL’s annual La Promenade Christmas Street returns from this evening, drawing families, friends, photographers and festive-seekers from all walks of life. Many arrived early, lining the walkway beneath the towering pines, eager to witness the lighting ceremony that has become one of the area’s most-loved year-end traditions.

“It’s a joyous time of year, and we love lighting up our real Christmas trees for the occasion,” said Hock Seng Lee’s (HSL) marcom lead, Abraham Tiong, shortly before the lights were switched on.

The tradition began in 2021, and the event has grown in scale and imagination ever since.

Between the first and second year, HSL installed brighter and more energy efficient lights. In the fourth year of the event, colourful lights were added.

This year, HSL has more than doubled the event’s budget, returning to classic warm lights that bathe the boulevard in a golden glow.

New snowfall machines added a gentle, wintry touch, while a custom-designed circuit relay created a synchronised light show that danced up and down the tree-lined street.

Towering Norfolk pines glow like something out of a fairytale, their lights wrapping the night in Christmas magic.

An aerial view of the Norfolk pines illuminating the La Promenade boulevard.

Senior building operations officer Clinton Jawa, visibly proud of the technical team’s handiwork, said the fourth edition was the most ambitious yet.

“We are also experimenting with a light show. A member of our technical crew designed the circuit relay. It’s very exciting,” he said.

The ceremony was officiated by Kota Samarahan Municipal Council deputy chairman Daily Joseph, accompanied by councillor Dato Sim Kiang Chiok.

“On behalf of Samarahan council and the people of Kuching, we truly thank HSL for this Christmas Street,” Daily said, “It’s one of the highlights of the year, and I commend HSL for its emphasis on quality community events.”

As the countdown ended and the boulevard lit up in full, families tilted their heads upward to watch the trees shimmer.

Children danced with gap-toothed grins, reaching out to catch the falling “snow”, twirling beneath the lights as though the tropics had momentarily turned into a northern winter.

Parents snapped photos, families posed beneath the arches of pines, and elders smiled quietly at the joyful chaos of it all.

From above, the illuminated Norfolk pines line the La Promenade boulevard in a stunning ribbon of light.

For many, it was a simple, shared moment, but one that felt like Christmas distilled into light, sound and community.

Every Friday to Sunday until Christmas, visitors can enjoy the free “Let It Snow” performance from 8pm to 8.30pm.

Carolling sessions, featuring singers from Gereja Methodist Iban Kuching and Samarahan Grace Methodist Church, will take place on December 12 and 20 from 8.30pm onwards.

Adding to the festivities is the Promenade Christmas Market, open every weekend with food, crafts, gifts and family-friendly stalls, turning the area into a lively evening destination.

Poster for the La Promenade Christmas Market.

This year also marks the return of the popular “Captured at La Promenade” content campaign, now expanded to include a Reels category with its own prizes. Participant are allowed to submit as many photos or reels as they like.

Posted for the “Captured at La Promenade” content campaign.

La Promenade Mall and HSL Tower sit at the heart of a 200-acre township; a “township within a park” master planned around green spaces; lakes and a boulevard lined with nearly 1,800 Norfolk pines.

During Christmas, this tree-lined stretch becomes one of Kuching’s most photographed spots.

Over the years, La Promenade has also become known for community-driven events such as the HSL Samarahan Marathon, and its popular Oktoberfest, part of the What About Kuching! (WAK) event calendar.

But on this night, the Christmas spirit took centre stage.

As the final snowfall settled and families started drifting home, many paused for one last look at the glowing trees; tall, warm and steady in the night. A reminder, perhaps, that sometimes all a community needs is a little light and a shared moment to feel connected again. — DayakDaily