Celebrate Singapore’s 53rd Birthday: Top National Day Events & Where to Watch the Fireworks

It’s that time of the year again, mama! Don your best red and white outfit and party like it’s 1965 – National Day is almost here!

Celebrate what it means to be a Singaporean (and if you’re not Singaporean, simply celebrate all the reasons you love our Little Red Dot!) this 9 August in true red-and-white fashion!

The Basics

Here at Sassy Mama we love catching the National Day Parade every year and this year is no different. If you haven’t got tickets to the previews or the actual show, tune in to any of the Mediacorp channels (Channel 5, Okto, Suria, Channel 8, Vasantham Central and Channel News Asia) from 5:20pm to catch all the action. Following previous years where drones have been used to fly through fireworks as they happen, we can’t wait to see the fireworks ‘up close’! Check out some behind-the-scenes footage here.

Besides getting psyched for the parade, all kinds of awesome National Day events and promos are already being rolled out, mama! Now that we’ve listed out all the quirky National Day eats in town, there’s still plenty to see and do with the kiddos, and don’t get us started on all the super-fun kid-friendly activities all over the island. Plus, we list out all the best spots to catch the fireworks for free. Check them out below!

Events

National Day Open House at the National Museum
Come dressed in your best red-and-white outfit and head to the museum for a day of fun programmes! Inspired by Singapore’s icons including exhibitions about Singapore’s history and culture, live music performances, and a showcase of the 15 Shorts film initiative. Enjoy interactive family-friendly highlights which include a colouring competition, scavenger hunt and craft activities featuring popular national icons, and then round off the celebrations with a live telecast of the National Day Parade at the Glass Atrium and The Salon!

When: Thursday, 9 August 2018, 10am – 8.30pm
Where: National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
How much: Free!

Gardens by the Bay Celebrates National Day
Surround yourself with stunning orchids at Gardens by the Bay this National Day! There’ll be an array of Peranakan-themed programmes, plus fun activities on National Day itself for all ages! Start your morning with yoga in the gardens, catch a film at the Pop Up Cinema, or relive your PE class memories with the ActiveSG Athletics try-outs!

When: Now till 22 August 2018
Where: Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome, Supertree Grove and Cannonball Room
How much: Free! Entry fees into the domes apply.

#WhatMakesSG by National Geographic
Following a photo contest that drew over 7,000 photo entries, #WhatMakesSG is the product of a collaboration between the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and National Geographic. It celebrates what drives Singapore’s progress, showcasing the top photo entries that truly share the Singapore story. Head down to any of the locations where this roving exhibition will be held to explore the many perspectives of what makes our little red dot, plus see through the lens of renowned National Geographic Photographer, Mike Yamashita! You’ll also get to redeem a complimentary copy of the Special Singapore Edition National Geographic Magazine featuring an interview with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Don’t miss the 60-minute National Geographic documentary, City of the Future: Singapore, which will air from 18 August 2018 at 8pm, on National Geographic Channel, via StarHub TV channel 411 or SingTel TV channel 201.

When: Various dates
Where: All locations available here!
How much: Free!

Sports Hub National Day Fiesta
Get into the Singapore spirit in Kallang with free activities such as cardio-fusion workouts, music performances by local talents, bouncy castles, workshops and more while you enjoy a live telecast of the National Day Parade! Get your mats out for a family picnic and let the kiddos run wild with flag-making activities, badge-making workshops, and storytelling sessions. Mamas and dads can check out the local curators’ bazaar and even try out Parkour, RED-X Games and e-sports activities! There will also be free guided tours around the Sports Hub, so get ready for a day of fun!

When: Thursday, 9 August 2018, 12pm – 9pm
Where: OCBC Square, Singapore Sports Hub, 1 Stadium Drive, Singapore 397629
How much: Free Admission! All activities are FREE for the public.

Singapore Symphony Orchestra National Day Concert
Relive all the local National Day classics at SSO’s all-Singaporean programme featuring six homegrown composers! You’ll quickly recognise Dick Lee’s Home, and other Singapore songs like Munnaeru Vaalibaa performed by the orchestra with chorus.

When: Saturday, 11 August 2018, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
How much: Tickets from $15

Viva Singapore 2018 at Super Loco Customs House
Everyone’s favourite contemporary Mexican restaurant Super Loco Customs House is throwing a Viva Singapore party with free-flow food and drinks, a special National Day cocktail, and a front-row seat to the fireworks show! Munch away on yummy canapés and tacos while you wait for the jets to fly past and knock back a Miss Joaquim cocktail, made with homemade coconut jelly, chia seeds, vanilla-infused agave with Mount Gay dark rum and Cointreau. And of course, it’s not a Super Loco party without a piñata! Look forward to a giant durian-shaped piñata to be smashed at the end of the night! Did we also mention kids under 7 enter free?

When: Thursday, 9 August 2018, 5pm till late
Where: Super Loco Customs House, 70 Collyer Quay, #01-04, Singapore 049323
How much:  $120 nett/adult, $60 nett/child between 7–11 years old (excluding booking fees), kids under 7 enter free!

The Summerhouse Marketplace: National Day Edition
Celebrate all things Singaporean at The Summerhouse Marketplace. Loosen your purse strings and support the works of local entrepreneurs and artists. If you fancy a little tinkering, get your creative juices going at an art Jamming session or work those green fingers and build yourself a terrarium! Shop from the coolest local vendors like WANT Skincare, Meliponini Honey, Antea Social (artisan teas), The Grateful Dog (all natural dog food) and more!

When: Sunday, 5 August 2018, 10am – 5pm
Where: The Summerhouse, 3 Park Lane, Singapore 798387
How much: Free!

TWILIGHT: Flea & Feast “Proudly Local”
Head down to the indoor bazaar which will house over 100 local vendors selling popular street food, clothes, accessories and handmade crafts! There’ll be over 50 F&B vendors at the event, so it’s time to get your makan on! The entire event venue will be decked with iconic props and decorations that reflect popular local icons, great for snapping some pics. Another first for the event will be SG KIDS STOP, where kids under 12 will be selling kids-related products like clothes, toys and snacks! Throughout the weekend you’ll also get to enjoy performances by buskers and movie screenings of popular local films.

When: Friday, 3 August 2018 – Sunday, 5 August 2018, 10am – 10pm
Where: Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre (Halls 401 & 402)
How much: Free!

National Day at Singapore Philatelic Museum
Head to the Singapore Philatelic Museum for a day of fun programmes! Take part in quizzes, play dress up, meet a guide dog and even play with gigantic bubbles. The best part? Free admission for all!

When: Thursday, 9 August 2018, 10am – 7pm
Where: Singapore Philatelic Museum, 23-B Coleman Street, Singapore 179807
How much: Free!

Fireworks

Top spots to catch the fireworks for free!

Waterfront promenade at Bay East Garden, Gardens By The Bay
The waterfront promenade at Bay East Garden, connects East Coast Park to the Barrage, and lucky for us, has plenty of spots on its 2km stretch from which to view the fireworks over Marina Bay. The garden is open 24 hours and there are no admission charges, so go early, bring some nibbles and sit back to enjoy the spectacle!
Where: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Access via: Bayfront MRT Station and follow the underground linkway. Expect crowds in the MRT (grab a rentable cycle to avoid the masses). Car Parking at Gardens By the bay

Esplanade
Esplanade and its wide avenues are some of the best places to see spectacular fireworks with the stunning backdrop of Singapore’s skyline.
Where: 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
Access via: MRT City Hall and Esplanade 

Marina Barrage
Grab a spot at Marina Barrage, where you can see the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands.
Where: 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018951
Access via: Marina Bay MRT Station, then SBS bus number 400 from Marina Bay Financial Centre. Car Parking at Gardens By the bay

Marina Promontory, Merlion Park
Where: Located at at One Fullerton, near the Central Business District
Access via: MRT from Raffles Place Park at One Fullerton
This is where all the major action is – the downside being everyone knows it and it will be sardine-style crowded! Go early to get the best seats at One Fullerton, Jubilee Bridge around Merlion Park.

The Lawn @ Marina Bay
This patch of grass in the heart of the central business district makes a laid-back spot for firework watching – you won’t see the lower level fireworks displays from here but you can catch the parade on giant LED screens.
Where: 11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018940
Access via: Downtown MRT Station