Get patriotic with our guide to great eats, thirst-quenching drinks, and the best deals as we count down to National Day in Singapore.
Preparations are underway at the Padang and the Promontory @ Marina Bay for the upcoming celebrations! The theme for National Day 2024? Together, As One United People. If you don’t have a parade ticket, don’t worry. We’ve scouted the best things to do in Singapore this National Day (all while playing National Day songs to set the mood).
Guide to National Day 2024 in Singapore
1. What to expect on 9 August: Main parade and show segment
We’re excited for this year’s parade! The theme, “Together, As One United People”, is all about our nation’s success and resilience, reflecting the spirit of inclusivity, community, and trust. To get the ball rolling, students from the Ministry of Education, local artistes, and our favourite parachute team, the Red Lions will be performing for the pre-parade segment.
The parade and company segment is titled “United We Stand”, and sees the return of crowd-favourite performances like the choir music video, flag flypast, gun salute, and more. For the first time ever, you can look forward to the Total Defence Dynamic Defence Display. Finally, the show segment tells a story of the collective strength of Singaporeans and the diversity that unites and defines our society.
2. Fireworks and NDP activities that are just a stone’s throw away
With the National Day parade prep in full swing, expect to spot the magnificent fireworks displays even earlier! Jot down these dates: 27 July, 3 August, and of course, 9 August. The showcase should start around 8pm; check out our guide for the best places to catch the fireworks.
Before the big day, join in on the #GivesAsOneSG campaign where you can give back to the community through volunteer engagements. Or gather ’round for the #TogetherAsOneSG campaign where celebrations start early. And for the Singaporeans who won’t be in the country, feel free to celebrate with the Singapore@Home campaign.
Not intending to hang around the Padang and jostle with the crowd? Don’t worry, because the fun is coming to you! The fun continues even after National Day as the Heartland Celebrations start on 10 August with displays of military vehicles, more fireworks, performances, and activities for the whole family. Be sure to grab your NDP pack too!
Celebrations at the Heartlands, multiple locations
3. Majulah Fiesta 2024: Singapore’s National Day extravaganza
Get ready to paint the town red (and white!) because Majulah Fiesta 2024 is taking over the Singapore Sports Hub from 9 to 11 August. This year, the party doesn’t just stop at the parade—it’s a full-on, three-day celebration of everything that makes our Little Red Dot shine.
Expect thrilling games, sports competitions, and a whole lot of fun activities that’ll get everyone moving. On 9 August, visit the OCBC Square exciting performances and activities. And swing by on 10 August for an amazing showcase of local talents with performances by MICappella, Ben Hum, The Island Voices and more.
Looking for some retail therapy? Swing by the AL!VE Artisans Market, where homegrown artisans will showcase their best crafts—perfect for snagging some unique, Singapore-inspired goodies.
Majulah Fiesta 2024, Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore 397718
4. Party it up at Marquee
Nothing says national pride than lighting up the night with some of the most talented homegrown musicians at one of the hottest clubs in Singapore. Once the excitement has settled from the parade and fireworks, put on your party best to Marquee where local artistes Alyph, Shigga Shay, and Yung Raja will be headlining the programme for the night. Expect trailblazing hip-hop, rap, and uniquely local blends of music.
National Day at Marquee, 9 August, B1-67, Marina Bay Sands Singapore, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972
5. Take to the beach for sunny celebrations
The long weekend is best spent lounging away on a day bed, burying your feet in the sand, and diving into the sea! Tanjong Beach Club is bringing the National Day edition of beachside festivities with Tanjong Wave. Party like it’s 1965 with beats spun by local DJ Nicolette, and regional talents Ouissam and Mr Ho. Cool off with beers from Brewlander or cocktails by Aperol. Think your aim is good? Try your hand at beer pong before going back to lazing in your daybed.
Tanjong Beach Club presents Tanjong Wave, 9 August, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Singapore 098942
6. There’s tons to do at City Square Mall!
Fun stuff is happening all month long at City Square Mall, and you won’t wanna miss out on it. It starts with the Green Market happening from 26 July to 4 August. After grabbing a coffee from D-No Coffee and Tea, browse handmade crochet flower bouquets from Crochet Sg or grab new threads from Saleable, a Thailand-based clothing brand. For the foodies, swing by from 8 to 11 August for the National Day Food Fair and the Durian Party under the stars where you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat durian buffet!
City Square Mall celebrates National Day, 26 July to 25 August, 180 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208539
7. Lepak at the museum
National Day at the National Museum? It has a nice ring to it. A ton of fun awaits at the National Museum of Singapore when 9 August rolls around. Bring the kids along to the outdoor and inflatable playgrounds featuring iconic HDB playground designs. There are light-up installations to check out, an all-day scavenger hunt, and craft workshops galore. And when the sun sets, enjoy a picnic under the stars with a live outdoor screening of the parade at the museum’s front lawn.
National Day celebrations at the National Museum, 9 August, 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
8. Combine national pride and Olympic excitement
A series of special events are set to take place at lifestyle destinations Capitol Singapore and Chijmes in the coming weeks! The Civic District will come to life, fuelled by the Singapore spirit. Put your memory to the test with a National Day sing-a-long with Voices of Singapore. Claim a series of extra special Singapore Heritage Series Kopitiam building block set, catch local artist PuffingMuffin doing live illustrations, or settle in for live screenings of the National Day parade and the Olympics games.
Celebrating Singapore at Capitol Singapore and Chijmes, 26 July – 11 August, 13 Stamford Road, Singapore 178905; 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996
9. Sip on drinks inspired by Singapore icons
Ever wondered what the Artscience Museum or the Esplanade would taste like? Now you can find out if you pay a visit to beloved bars around the city. Hit up Atlas, Analogue, Employees Only, Elephant Room, Nutmeg & Clove, Sago House, Stay Gold Flamingo, and Writer’s Bar for their renditions of monuments around Singapore. You can thank Bombay Sapphire’s latest campaign, “Saw This Made This” for these funky creations, showcasing Singapore’s spectacular infrastructure, bartenders, and the city’s visual arts talents.
Bombay Sapphire Saw This Made This, until the end of September, multiple locations around Singapore
10. Spend your long weekend at Cosford Container Park
National Day festivities are abundant at the newest and hippest container park in Singapore. To showcase its patriotic pride, Cosford Container Park has transformed itself with classic red and white decor, colourful decorations, banners, and Singapore flags. Vendors will be serving up limited time National Day specials, including chilli crab lobster, laksa chicken burgers, rendang pizza, fried carrot cake tarts and more! Sink your teeth into these treats while vibing out to live music performances.
Cosford Container Park, 30 Cosford Road, Singapore 499550
11. A National Day concert for the ages
Back for its sixth edition, this year’s Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert is one with several firsts. Happening on 4 August, it marks the first ever official “live” performance of this year’s NDP song Not Alone by Benjamin Kheng. Be ready for a line-up of local artistes, family-friendly games, and a killer fireworks display. Admission is free for all, so bring your friends and family down for an evening of fun-filled activities.
Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert, 4 August, The Meadow, 31 Marina Park, Singapore 019191
12. Experience an alternate reality
We all know what a typical National Day celebration looks like. You see a sea of red and white heading towards the parade, watch for the Red Lions, and wait for the epic fireworks to start. But have you ever wondered what an alternative celebration looks like? This satirical play happening until 27 July serves as a unique love letter for our complicated feelings towards Singapore. It’ll make you laugh, think, and talk about this place we call home.
National Day Charade, until 27 July, Level 4, Wild Rice, Funan, 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore
13. Catch the annual Singapore Symphony National Day concert
A celebration is made even better with music, and we’d take to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO) annual National Day concert to put us in the right mood for the patriotic festivities. It pays tribute to our musical forefathers and showcases composers of today, combining both legacy and the future.
Temasek Foundation x SSO National Day Concert, 11 August, Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
14. Get a mental health boost
Geneco’s latest initiative “Here, Sunrise x Sunset” is all about putting the focus on mental wellness and fostering positive changes. There’s a critical need to raise awareness about mental wellness, thus came this holistic collaboration with multiple local brands and representatives.
Harnessing the transformative power of music, local award-winning singer-songwriter Sherman Zhuo has released a new song titled “Endless Shine”. It seeks to resonate with the youth and inspired positive change. NParks joins in on the serenity with 14 therapeutic gardens scattered around Singapore, providing spaces for relaxation.
Last but not least, Geneco will be hosting a pop-up installation at Bugis Junction from 29 July to 4 August. Check out the curated sound tube installations, lyrics, and melodies which’ll have you forgetting about the hustle and bustle of every day life.
Geneco’s “Here, Sunrise x Sunset” initiative, multiple locations
15. Check out the Istana Open House
This just in: the Istana Open House is back for its National Day edition! Expect guided tours that will be held at the Istana’s main building and the enhanced Japanese garden every 45 minutes with food trucks and merchandise booths for you to browse! There were even limited edition Istana and President’s Challenge souvenirs up for grabs. For anyone looking to grow your collection of Singapore paraphernalia, you know where to go.
Istana Open House, 28 July, Orchard Road, Singapore 238823
Celebrate with all the fun activities for National Day 2024!