Singapore National Day (9 August) is approaching again – and this year we’re spoilt for choice with the variety of things to do! In other good news, fireworks will light up the sky in five different heartland locations – which means you don’t have to fight for a good spot at Marina Bay for a view of them! From a run-down of National Day Parade 2023 and where to watch the fireworks for free, to special cuisine offerings and National Day-themed leisure activities, we’ve got you covered.
#1 Watch this year’s national day parade!
National Day Parade 2023 takes place at the Padang, with around 27,000 people expected to join the festivities. You can watch it on T.V or hang around the area! Be sure to catch the Red Lions parachute team at 6.10pm. Another must-see is the total defence parade with floats, and also police and military equipment like tanks, fire engines and police cars. The tanks are pretty impressive!
The State-Flag Fly-Past and Salute to the Nation is another highlight for National Day Parade 2023. In commemoration of the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) 55th anniversary, there’ll be an enhanced Aerial Display this year. Spot the State Flag carried by the Chinook Helicopter with a pair of Apache helicopters, and catch a spectacular view of the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport with 6 F-16D and 3 F-15SG fighter aircrafts, from 5.40pm to 6.10pm. The State-Flag Fly-Past takes place at 6.50pm.
National Day Parade 2023 is titled “Building our Shared Future As One”. It includes four live acts with 43 artistes and 2400 performers interwoven with three thought-provoking films, so it’s a visual feast! True to the theme of the celebration, the films tell the stories of 19 Singaporeans with different aspirations, each one giving back to society in their own ways. You might just be inspired to chase your own dreams in their footsteps.
#2 Take the National Day Quiz
In celebration of Singapore’s 58th anniversary, Singapore Discovery Centre is offering the chance to win free tickets to the National Day Parade (NDP)! Simply comment on the contest post with answers to the quiz and tag three friends. Make sure to also like and share the post on your page, and follow SDC on Facebook and Instagram. You’ll be in with a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Preview Show on 29 July or the official 9 August National Day Parade 2023!
Feel like taking up the challenge? Head over to SDC official website for details.
#3 Try National Day food specials
Renowned restaurant Din Tai Fung is on board for National Day! It’s brought back crowd-favourite Steamed Chilli Crab and Pork Xiao Long Bao for a limited time for Singapore’s 58th birthday. Drawing inspiration from the local food icon Chilli Crab, the bold and spicy flavour is infused into their handmade xiao long bao for the ultimate treat. Better yet, these broth-filled dumplings are 40% bigger than regular xiao long baos!
The dish is available till 31 August (while servings last) – it’s $11.50 for four pieces.
#4 View the Marina Bay fireworks for free
This year’s dazzling fireworks display will take place on 9 August, between 8.10pm and 8.25pm.
Looking for where to watch the fireworks at Marina Bay without splurging at a restaurant? Here are some options. Given their proximity to the show, the Helix Bridge, Benjamin Sheares Bridge, the Esplanade, the Marina Bay Sands boardwalk and the Merlion Park are hotspots for free viewing. Another prime location is One Fullerton as it faces the NDP show directly. This gives you a close-to “front row” experience. The flip side is that these spots tend to get really crowded – so it pays to be an early bird!
Another recommended location to catch the fireworks is the Marina Bay Promontory. It’s a place where you can enjoy a picnic while taking in views of MBS, the fireworks display and the whole CBD area in its glory. Marina Barrage is also a good picnic spot, with the rooftop garden an excellent place from which to admire the skyline and the fireworks.
Don’t mind being a bit further away to avoid the crowd? Faber Peak is a great vantage point for enjoying the show while leaving the hordes behind. The Bay East Garden at Gardens by the Bay doesn’t have the best accessibility but once you’re there and set up, you can sit back in the natural surroundings and wait for the show to begin.
#5 Watch National Day fireworks in the heartlands
Prefer to watch fireworks in the cosiness of your home or neighbourhood? You’ll be able to admire the displays at these places:
- Central Singapore: Toa Payoh Stadium
- North East: Our Tampines Hub
- North West: Woodlands Stadium
- South West: Jurong West Stadium
- South East: Bedok Stadium
The fireworks will shoot off at the same time as the Marina Bay displays, so make sure to head out on time for the show!
#6 Enjoy activities with kids
Fireworks are great fun, but if you’re also looking for some meaningful National Day-themed activities to engage your kids’ curiosity, head to the National Museum. The exhibition “Semangat yang Baru: Forging a New Singapore Spirit” is an educational and enjoyable experience for families. Featuring stories about Singapore’s nation-building years from the 1950s to 1970s, it allows kids the opportunity to recite speeches, raise the Singapore flag and even design their own national flag. Also, look out for the Special Family Captions that designate where parents can participate too! Note: Interactive bus services are also available from heartlands areas to the exhibition, with additional storytelling on board.
#7 Watch some local shows
A day off on National Day is great for binge-watching your favourite shows. Here are some top ones recommended by our readers and staff! Or, to fit the theme of the day, why not check out some Singaporean series and films on Netflix. We recommend classics such as I Not Stupid, Ah Boys To Men and Growing Up.
#8 Work on your fitness on National Day!
If you’re feeling active, you can enjoy a National Day community workout organised by Impact@Hong Lim Green. The 45-minute functional fitness session is followed by yoga and is suited for any fitness level. Limited slots are available, so be sure to sign up here!
#9 Watch a Gardens by the Bay x Mediacorp Concert
For the first time in four years, Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp have partnered to create an extravagant National Day concert on 5 August at The Meadow. Over a space of three football fields, the free concert commemorates Singapore’s 58th birthday with performances from multicultural local talents.
Hosted by Vernetta Lopez and Fauzie Laily, this year’s line-up includes Kit Chan and her timeless National Day song “Home”, singer Mavis Hee and her heartfelt ballads, traditional musical performances by various Mediacorp artistes and more! Interested? See details here.
#10 Take part in National Day Heartland Festivals
Why keep the fun to just National Day? There are “GetActive!” Singapore Heartland Festivals happening all over the island on the weekend before the parade. Expect themed performances, activities and exhibitions that celebrate the Singapore spirit. Catch the festivals at these heartland locations from 4pm to 9pm:
- Central Singapore: Toa Payoh Stadium – 5 and 6 August
- North East: Our Tampines Hub – 6 August
- North West: Woodlands Stadium – 5 and 6 August
- South West: Jurong West Stadium – 5 and 6 August
- South East: Bedok Stadium – 5 and 6 August
Interested? Find ticketing information here.
#11 Bask in a month-long celebration at Downtown East!
Endearing characters Ang Ku Kueh Girl, Otah & Friends and Xiao Pang Ge Ge come together to celebrate National Day in style at Downtown East. Created by homegrown artist Wang Shijia and local companies Lucid Entertainment and MCC International, the characters are well-known icons in Singapore pop culture today.
The month-long celebration comprises activities suited for the whole family, including sing-along sessions and opportunities to snap photos with adorable mascots! Brace yourself for a special drive-in flick on 19 August, where the local hit film The King of Musang King will be screened.
#12 Try out the first-ever National Day Digital Play Pack
Experience National Day differently this year with unprecedented virtual games, as IMDA rolls out the NDP digital play pack for the first time. This mobile application uses Augmented Reality (AR) to bring joy to the whole family with three key features.
The “Creating as One” sticker and filter feature allows you to play “dress up” in iconic civil defence uniforms, “redesign” iconic locations and take adorable selfies with August the Merlion. The “Growing Up as One” segment takes you on a trip down memory lane to historical sites such as the old Paya Lebar airport and Big Splash. Finally, you can enjoy exclusive content for the parade with “NDP as One”, offering immersive 360-degree videos, AR fireworks and other NDP highlights to watch in the comfort of home.
Check out more things to do in Singapore, or read one of these handy roundups:
