Once again Singapore is celebrating our National Day on 9 August, and let’s find out what are the celebrations in store for us!
Singapore turns 59 this year!
And the celebrations are in order. Of course, the grandest of them will be the National Day Parade (NDP) on 9 August, the annual rousing show of 27,000-strong exuberance by Singaporeans and residents alike at the Padang with the theme “Together, As One United People”.
NDP FIREWORKS
A perennial crowd favourite is the fireworks display. Besides the main event that will be showcased during NDP, there are several more during the National Education and NDP Preview shows, happening on 6, 13, 20, 27 July and 3 August.
Didn’t snag the tickets but don’t want to miss out on the grand NDP fireworks? You can still catch them for free at these places around 8.10pm to 8.30pm on 9 August:
- Marina Bay – Waterfront Promenade @ Esplanade, Esplanade roof terrace, Merlion Park, Esplanade Bridge, Jubilee Bridge, The Helix
- Benjamin Sheares Bridge
- Marina Barrage
- Gardens by the Bay
- Bay East Garden
- Buildings – Millenia Walk rooftop, Marina Square rooftop, Hill Street Centre carpark
MORE CELEBRATIONS
Besides NDP, if you are raring to join in the celebratory mood, there are more exciting activities and events celebrating Singapore’s independence around the island.
NTUC x NDP Bay Celebrations
This inaugural celebration is jointly organised by NDP Exco, NTUC, and NTUC Youth to support the dreams and aspirations of youths as our next generation of leaders with the theme “Celebrate SG Youth”. Attendees can look forward to fireworks, stage performances and NDP live telecast, and have front-row view of the Total Defence’s 40th anniversary (TD40) Dynamic Defence Display involving the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF), and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), featuring simulated scenarios of threats on all fronts.
When: 3 & 9 August 2024
Where: The Promontory @ Marina Bay
Cost: Free (ticketed – tickets fully given out)
Heartland Celebrations
To bring the festivities closer to residents, the ticketed Heartland Celebrations, co-organised by People’s Association, will be at five towns featuring community group performances on stage, static displays of SAF, SPF, and SCDF vehicles, fireworks, carnival, and family activities. Ticket holders can also get a free NDP pack too.
When: 10 August 2024, 4pm to 9pm
Where: – Bishan (central), themed “Unity in Diversity”
– Punggol (north-east), themed “One North East”
– Yishun (north-west), themed “Moving Forward, Cherishing Our Past”
– Paya Lebar (south-east), themed “Lights Up, Power Up”
– Buona Vista (south-west), themed “Hearts ToGather”
Cost: Free (ticketed – ticketing is on first come, first serve, maximum two tickets per person)
There are also fireworks in the five towns on 10 August at:
- Bishan, open field opposite Bishan Circle Line MRT
- Punggol, open field next to Waterway Point
- Yishun, open field next to FutsalArena @ Yishun
- Paya Lebar, open field next to Paya Lebar Quarter 1
- Buona Vista, open field next to Buona Vista MRT
Fly Our Flag and Island Flypast
Look into the sky on National Day from 5.45pm to 6.30pm for a glimpse of our National Flag on two routes. The Flag on each route will be hosted on a CH-47F heavy lift helicopter and escorted by two AH-64D Apache attack helicopters. The western route includes Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Jurong, and West Coast; and the eastern route covers Seletar, Sengkang, Punggol, Pasir Ris, Bedok, and East Coast.
To add more aerial prowess, six F-16 fighter jets will also fly in delta formation over Clementi, Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Woodlands, Toa Payoh, Seletar, Punggol and Bendemeer about 6pm to 6.30pm on 9 August.
Last but not least, let’s all display our National Flag! From 1 July to 30 September, all Singaporeans are encouraged to display the Flag at buildings and residences for a show of visual unity celebrating National Day.
Here’s wishing all Singaporeans and residents a very happy National Day!
MAJULAH SINGAPURA!
