Here's where we'll be celebrating with the kids on Singapore's special day – at all the fun family-friendly National Day events!
Party poppers at the ready! National Day is almost here, and there are plenty of events to celebrate the nation’s big bday, with no shortage of kid-friendly picks. Without further ado, here’s all the fun for families this National Day 2023…
Family-friendly National Day 2023 events in Singapore
1. Join in the National Day fun in the Heartlands
If you do plan to head out, NDP @ Heartlands will happen at five carnival locations on the first weekend of August. You can also join in the festivities at various heartland locations. The GetActive! Singapore Heartland Festivals will feature carnival games, kid-friendly activities and more. These festivals will be held across the island during the National Day weekend. You can also apply for e-tickets to the Heartland celebrations. Get them via this link or head to Safra Clubs to pick them up in person. These NDP programmes and activities will include live stage performances, sports try-outs, family fun activities and kampung games.
When: 9 August 2023
Where: Various locations
2. Watch the National Day Parade on TV!
The parade is one of the highlights of the annual National Day festivities! This year’s parade is back at its traditional venue, the Padang, after two years. The Padang, which means ‘field’ in Malay, occupies a special place in Singapore’s history, being the venue of the inauguration of Singapore’s first president and the traditional site for National Day parades. Didn’t get a ticket? Don’t worry – gather the fam in front of the television and catch the live telecast of the National Day Parade.
This year’s festivities will feature a new Total Defence Parade, showcasing the six pillars of Total Defence using floats, machinery used by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Home Team, and multimedia elements. There will also be the Red Lions, the state flag flypast, the presidential gun salute, and an enhanced aerial display to commemorate the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s 55th anniversary. There will also be a Digital and Intelligence Service’s guard-of-honour marching contingent that’s new to the NDP. No tickets, no problem! Plus, you don’t have to jostle with the crowd to catch a glimpse of the fireworks.
When: 9 August 2023, telecast expected to start at 5 pm
Where: All free-to-air channels (Mediacorp Channel 5, Channel 8, Suria, and Vasantham Central)
3. Catch the RSAF Flypast
As part of the Fly Our Flag part of the enhanced aerial show, the state flag will be flown on two routes around the island. Look out for the state flag carried by the Chinook helicopter with a pair of Apache helicopters, and especially for the RSAF55 celebrations; families will get a view of the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport with 6 F-16D and 3 F-15SG fighter aircraft. Be sure to get ear muffs for the young ones, though!
4. Celebrate at Downtown East!
Celebrate National Day in style at Downtown East as beloved local characters such as Ang Ku Kueh Girl, Otah & Friends and Xiao Pang Ge Ge come together and take the spotlight to showcase the nation’s vibrant zeal and diverse cultural tapestry. Kiddos are bound to delight in fun activities like meet and greet with the character mascots, as well as weekend-only singalong sessions and more lined up for the whole family, and snap picture-perfect memories with the cute characters!
When: 1 – 31 August 2023
Where: Downtown East, 1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599
5. Celebrate the day with fireworks viewing at Pororo Park
Looking for an event that’s all kid-friendly? Check out the celebration at the newly-revamped Pororo Park Singapore happening on National Day itself. You and your kiddos will be treated to an exclusive outdoor private viewing terrace, an unrivalled vantage point to witness the breathtaking fireworks display. Plus, kiddos can dive into a world of exhilarating adventures at Pororo Park with a meet and greet with Pororo and Friends, attend shows, catch a live stream of the parade and more! Get a ticket to this unforgettable evening of thrills and enchantment now!
When: 9 August 2023, 6 pm – 9 pm
Where: Pororo Park Singapore, Raffles Blvd, Marina Square, Singapore 039594
6. Learn about Singapore’s history at this kid-friendly exhibition
Don’t get us started on the amazing kid-friendly museums and exhibits in Singapore, but here’s one that will give you and the kiddos a deeper appreciation of this little nation’s amazing progress in the last 50 years. Semangat yang Baru or Forging a New Singapore Spirit, taking inspiration from Singapore’s national anthem, is an exhibition capturing the courage and dynamism of its early years, when the leaders and people of Singapore rallied together to build our fledgling nation between the 1950s and 1970s. You can look forward to kid-friendly activities such as a hands-on simulation of a flag-raising ceremony and more. Discover these features and many more while being led on tour by virtual guides at the exhibition! Scan your tokens at multimedia kiosks situated throughout the exhibition to complete questions and quizzes related to independent Singapore’s history.
When: now till 13 November 2023
Where: National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897
7. Join the fun activities at the Polliwogs
Get in on some serious fun at The Polliwogs with some special National Day events! On National Day, the first five kids get to enjoy free entry to the indoor playground! All the little one needs to do is come decked out in the national colours and sing a chorus from any National Day song – make sure to learn them. Plus, join in a STEM workshop where kiddos can create their own confetti popper and other magical experiments.
When: 9 August 2023
Where: VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #03-12, Singapore 098585
8. Join the Majulah Fiesta festivities at Singapore Sports Hub!
Join the party while keeping fit at Singapore Sports Hub! Come 9 August, you and the kiddos can look forward to a full day of activities and entertainment. Highlights include a live screening of the National Day Parade, a display of the National Flag on the National Stadium roof and fantastic fireworks. Check out all the cool sports and family-centric events from now until 9 August 2023.
When: 9 August 2023
Where: Various events, info here.
9. Have a National Day feast
This National Day, skip the cooking and the dishes altogether and take the fam out to dine on some National Day-exclusive dishes. Whether you’re into dim sum or you’re a big fan of chilli crab, we’ve got you covered!
Past events:
1. Head over to a FairPrice Block Party
Fairprice Block parties happening in some heartland areas are promising oodles of themed fun for the kiddos. The parties will be hosted by FPG’s FairPrice on Wheels truck, where residents and visitors can look forward to specially curated carnival-like game booths – don’t miss on the Claw Challenge! – and complimentary F&B stalls showcasing FPG’s own brands and Made in Singapore brand products, as well as a kacang puteh and refreshment corner. Shoppers who purchase above $10 at the truck will also receive a limited edition FPG 50th Anniversary tote bag.
When: 5 August 2023, 12 pm – 2 pm & 5 pm – 7 pm
Where: Blk 424A Pavilion at Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 Singapore 560423 and Blk 442 (covered plaza) Jurong West Ave 1 Singapore 640442
2. Sing along with SingNation
Sing your hearts out with this year’s outdoor choir for National Day at Capitol Singapore’s Outdoor Plaza! The choir will take place on Saturday, 5 August 2023, 6 – 7 pm. Adding to the excitement, local band, The Passerby, will captivate the audience with live renditions of national songs and beloved local hits.
When: 5 August 2023
Where: Capitol Singapore, 13 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178905
3. Join our wholesome weekend of fun at Forum The Shopping Mall
We’re celebrating Singapore’s National Day with everything we love about it – from culturally-themed art and craft to nostalgic childhood games and more. Join our celebratory weekend at Forum The Shopping Mall! Join us at HoneyKids Presents: National Day Fam Jam as we celebrate this occasion with wholesome family fun and everything we love about Singapore!
When: 5 – 6 August 2023, 11 am – 4 pm
Where: Basement One Atrium, Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884
4. Attend the Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert
We love Gardens by the Bay, so this concert happening in the lead-up to National Day is on our list! Celebrate SG58 with exhilarating performances, an assortment of fun-filled carnival activities, and a vibrant display of fireworks to illuminate the night sky of The Meadow.
When: 5 August 2023, from 4.30 pm onwards
Where: The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay
Happy National Day, Singapore!
