artLIVE – For Christmas 2024, Global Fountain, a popular hangout for families and young people in Saigon, is all set to host a special celebration called Merry Brew Festi.
The Christmas festival, co-organized by Bella Ciao and The Global City, brings a real pine forest to the heart of the city for the very first time, alongside a wide array of free entertainment and artistic activities throughout six festive days. Merry Brew Festi promises to be an unmissable destination for both Saigon residents and visitors alike.
Merry Brew Festi takes place from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, running for six consecutive days from December 20 to 25 at Global Fountain, the new downtown of The Global City (Do Xuan Hop Street, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City).
This unique festival blends the joy of discovering and savoring traditional brews with the cozy spirit of Christmas. Visitors can enjoy a variety of exciting activities such as workshops, food tastings, live music, and outdoor cinema across themed zones including Holy Night, Holy Forest, Holy Light, and Holy Life.
Adding a meaningful touch to the celebration, the event also brings warmth to Christmas Eve with 100 gift sets for underprivileged children in Tan Phu Ward, Thu Duc, through the Draw Your Dream project.
Holy Forest – A real pine forest appears in the heart of the city for the first time
This Christmas in Saigon will be more magical than ever with the debut of a real pine forest at Merry Brew Festi. Over 300 fir and pine trees, sourced from Denmark, Bao Loc, and Da Lat (Vietnam), come together to create a lush natural landscape, rich with the fresh scent of resin and a true European holiday ambiance. For the first time, city dwellers can immerse themselves in a nature-inspired Christmas setting—without having to travel far.
At the heart of the pine forest lies an art exhibition featuring five sculptures and fourteen unique Catholic statues crafted from bronze and stainless steel, marking a new milestone in the artistic journey of sculptor Dinh Duy Ton. Every detail, every carved line tells the story of the first Christmas, creating a mystical and deeply emotional atmosphere. The soft melodies of Christmas carols add warmth and romance to this enchanting festive space.
Holy Light – Check in and win gifts with the giant glowing gift box
One of the standout highlights at this year’s Merry Brew Festi is the check-in zone featuring massive glowing gift boxes. These striking installations are inspired by the iconic architecture of churches across Vietnam, evoking the spirit of Christmas and cherished cultural memories.
In addition to admiring the illuminated art installations, visitors can take part in a fun guessing game to identify the churches represented—an engaging way to explore the beauty of architecture and discover unique cultural features from different regions of Vietnam. Guests can also snap check-in photos at this spot to receive special gifts from the event.
Holy Night – Enjoy outdoor cinema and sacred music nights
Each evening, the camBeat stage lights up with festive energy through Christmas Night music performances by bands like Rosie Band, and Black Lemon Band, and dynamic dance showcases by Kallus and Joker Kids Dance Studio.
On December 24 and 25, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, camBeat transforms into an open-air cinema, offering families a cozy space to enjoy educational and engaging science films in the magical atmosphere of Christmas.
This special outdoor cinema experience is a collaborative project by artLIVE, the Goethe-Institut Ho Chi Minh City, the Science Film Festival Vietnam, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. It brings science-themed environmental films to the big screen, free for all visitors of Merry Brew Festi to enjoy.
At Merry Brew Festi, you’ll be serenaded by the gentle harmonies of the Lumen Choir in two special performances on December 20 (from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM) and December 22 (from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM) at the camBeat stage.
Amid the dazzling festive atmosphere, the 60-member choir will take you on a musical journey steeped in the spirit of Christmas, featuring classic hymns beautifully intertwined with modern melodies arranged with care and sophistication.
A warm Christmas with 100 gift sets for underprivileged children in An Phu Ward
At Merry Brew Festi, the spirit of Christmas became warmer and more meaningful as 100 heartfelt gift sets were given to children in difficult circumstances. This deeply humanistic community initiative was carried out by the Draw Your Dream charity project in collaboration with An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, with the aim of spreading joy and compassion to young hearts.
More than just material gifts, this meaningful gesture helped spread the spirit of love and giving, strengthen community bonds, and offer encouragement to the children—helping them overcome challenges and move forward with hope.
Merry Brew Festi and the endless Revéillon Nights
Merry Brew Festi delivers an unforgettable outdoor food and drink experience at the chewDot zone and festive bar area. A true haven for food lovers, chewDot brings together a vibrant lineup of popular F&B brands including Acecook, Luave, Bamsk8, Hi Chill, Red Door, Café des Copains, Lachita, Huy Ruby Fried Chicken, Bliss Gelato, and more.
Whether you’re craving a hearty meal, looking for a cozy corner to unwind, or simply want to soak in the festive spirit, chewDot is the perfect place to gather, sharing stories over warm cups of coffee or raising a toast to a peaceful and joyful Christmas season.
At the same time, a variety of engaging activities let visitors fully embrace the festive spirit through creative and hands-on workshops, such as crafting handmade ceramic décor inspired by Christmas themes, blending fragrances to create personalized perfumes, or mixing essential oils for home scents at booths like Cái Tiệm Gốm and DaHee.
With its memorable experiences, captivating exhibitions, and heartfelt activities, Merry Brew Festi is more than just a festival, it’s a celebration of togetherness. It’s a space for families to bond, for love and joy to be shared, and for all of us to welcome the holiday season in the most meaningful and magical way. In that festive atmosphere, friendship, love, and cheerful moments seem to linger in time, turning this Christmas into a lasting memory.
Photos: artLIVE
