Here's where we'll be celebrating with the kids on Singapore's special day – at all the fun family-friendly National Day 2024 activities and events!
Party poppers and Singapore flags at the ready! The National Day rehearsals have commenced, and there are plenty of National Day activities and events to celebrate the nation’s 59th National Day, with no shortage of kid-friendly picks. These events are happening around the National Day period (9 August) so make sure to mark each event in your calendar! Without further ado, here’s all the fun for families this National Day 2024!
Family-friendly National Day 2024 activities & events in Singapore
1. National Day 2024 @ The Padang & Promontory Marina Bay
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 and is also happening at another venue. 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. Besides the main festivities and parade at the Padang, there will also be various National Day activities at the Promontory, such as the coordinated warfighting demonstration. Look forward to favorites like the Red Lions, the State Flag flypast, the Presidential Gun Salute, and some cool new stuff! Experience the debut of the Total Defence 40 Dynamic Defence Display, featuring air, land, and sea action, showing how everyone works together to protect our country. And for the first time, watch the Onward March as parade teams march right into the crowd, making you feel part of the action! This year, there’s also the NDP @ Promontory celebration with live performances and awesome fringe events.
Didn’t get a ticket? Don’t worry – gather the family in front of the television and catch the live broadcast 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. There will also be a Digital and Intelligence Service’s guard-of-honour marching contingent 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: National Day Rehearsals and Previews are happening on 20 July, 27 July and 3 August. The National Day Parade will take place on 9 August 2024; telecast is expected to start at 5pm
Where: The Padang and Promontory @ Marina Bay, plus available to watch via all free-to-air channels (Mediacorp Channel 5, Channel 8, Suria and Vasantham Central)
2. Join in the National Day fun in the Heartlands
Even after the main event, National Day festivities continue in the heartlands! This year, on 10 August, five heartland locations, Bishan, Buona Vista, Paya Lebar Punggol and Yishun will host themed heartland celebrations featuring carnival games, family activities, live performances, and displays of SAF, SCDF, and SPF vehicles. Plus, fireworks will light up the night, and kiddos will love interactive activities with a local twist, perfect for family bonding. Wondering how to get in on the fun? Head to your nearest community club to collect tickets (up to two per person) on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll be given tickets to the event within your district, too. How convenient is that? Don’t forget to grab your NDP 2024 fun pack at these heartland celebrations, available while stocks last.
Here are more deets on the events:
- “Unity in Diversity” will take place at the Open Field Opposite Bishan Circle Line MRT Station (Exit D)
- “Heart ToGather” will take place at the Open Field next to Buona Vista MRT Station
- “One HOME” will take place at the Punggol Open Field beside Waterway Point
- “Moving Forward, Cherishing Our Past” will take place at the Open Field beside FutsalArena @ Yishun
- “Lights Up, Power Up” will take place at the Open Field next to Paya Lebar Quarter 1
When: 10 August 2024, 4pm to 9pm
Where: locations in Bishan, Buona Vista, Paya Lebar, Punggol and Yishun
3. RSAF Flypast
The beloved flypast is an adrenaline-pumping feature of all National Day festivities, and you don’t have to be at the parade to catch a glimpse of the majestic jets whizzing across the skies! You can see the state flag flypast and F-16 jets in various neighbourhoods during the NDP 2024 celebrations. The Fly Our Flag segment will feature two routes for the flypast of helicopters with the state flag:
- Western Route: Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Jurong, and West Coast.
- Eastern Route: Seletar, Sengkang, Punggol, Pasir Ris, Bedok, and East Coast.
Six F-16 jets will also fly over Clementi, Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Woodlands, Toa Payoh, Seletar, Punggol, and Bendemeer.
When: 9 August 2024, 5.45pm to 6.30pm
Where: Various locations across the island
4. Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert 2024
Get ready for an unforgettable celebration at the Gardens by The Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert, back for its sixth edition! Headlined by the incredible Olivia Ong and featuring homegrown stars like Benjamin Kheng, who sings the NDP 2024 theme song, this concert promises to be epic! The whole family can get in on an action-packed day with go-kart races, nostalgic carnival games, and amazing roving acts from stilt walkers and jugglers. Stay till the end to witness a stunning fireworks display lighting up the night sky against the iconic Supertree backdrop. We’ve saved the best news for the last: It’s FREE!
When: 4 August 2024, 4.30pm to 9.30pm (live concert will start at 7.30pm)
Where: The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay, 31 Marina Park, Singapore 019191
5. NTUC x NDP Bay Festival
NTUC is hosting its biggest event in over a decade for National Day 2024 at the Promontory @ Marina Bay! Join live musical performances, a live NDP 2024 broadcast, the state flag flypast, the Salute to the Nation bomb burst, the presidential gun salute sail-past, the Total Defence 40 high-speed chase, and a fireworks display. Enjoy a photo booth, interactive installations, and more. Plus, every attendee gets an NDP fun pack!
When: 3 and 9 August 2024, 3pm to 10pm
Where: Promontory @ Marina Bay
6. National Day Celebrations at One Punggol
Take part in celebrations at the One Punggol integrated community hub on 3 and 9 August. On 3 August, you and the family can enjoy a day of family-friendly activities, including stage performances, movie screenings, fitness workouts, and arts & crafts workshops. Kids will love the bouncy castles, arcade games, Candy House Bouncy, Rainbow Bear Ballpit, Flash Dash, and Basketball arcade games. Get creative with DIY Merlion plushies, paper puppet dragons, and more.
On 9 August, from 5pm, join in the fun-filled carnival activities and watch the National Day Parade live at Celebration Square. Look up at the sky to catch the State Flag Flypast by two RSAF Chinook helicopters, escorted by two RSAF Apache helicopters, around 5:45pm to 6:30pm. Don’t miss the six F-16 jets flypast from 6pm to 6:30pm. Sing along to familiar National Day songs performed by local busking group Voltera. Enjoy classics like “Home” and “Di Tanjong Katong” with your family and friends.
When: 3 and 9 August 2024
Where: One Punggol, 1 Punggol Drive, Singapore 828629
7. Sing your hearts out at SingNation! 2024
SingNation! 2024 is back for its fifth edition at Capitol Singapore Outdoor Plaza. It celebrates National Day with a fun-filled evening of community, music, and festivities for the whole family. Organised by Voices of Singapore and Capitol Singapore, the event will feature trivia games, heritage stories, and sing-alongs of beloved National Day Parade songs led by The Passerbys, Joyce Ang, and talented members from Voices of Singapore choirs. The evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display, making it a perfect celebration for everyone!
When: 3 August 2024, 7.15pm to 8.15pm; Fireworks display at 8.15pm
Where: Outdoor Plaza, Capitol Singapore, 13 Stamford Road, Singapore 178905
8. Catch the annual Singapore Symphony Orchestra National Concert
Since 2018, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s annual National Day Concert has honoured our musical forefathers and spotlighted today’s composers. Join us to celebrate our musical legacy and future!
When: 11 August 2024, 4pm
Where: Esplanade Concert Hall, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
9. NDP 2024 Celebrations at Marina Barrage
Join the NDP 2024 Celebrations at Marina Barrage on the day itself! Enjoy a live screening of NDP 2024 on the Green Roof and participate in exciting activities showcasing sustainability. Arrive by 5 pm for the best spots! Dive into the Sleuths of The Little Red Dot virtual game, uncovering Singapore’s icons while learning about sustainability, and explore the Sustainable Singapore Gallery with guided tours. The Pets and Plants Extravaganza offers pet showcases, plant talks, and a marketplace. Engage in hands-on workshops like creating upcycled coconut husk planters and playing interactive games. After the live screening, stay for “Murk”, a film revealing Singapore’s marine biodiversity. Celebrate National Day with fun and sustainability!
When: 9 August 2024, 12pm onwards
Where: Sustainable Singapore Gallery at Marina Barrage, 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018951
10. National Day Celebrations at the National Museum
Celebrate National Day at the National Museum on 9 August, from 9:30am to midnight, with free admission to galleries. Enjoy outdoor and inflatable playgrounds inspired by local HDB designs, drop-in crafts, intergenerational programs, and a scavenger hunt.
Activities include:
- National Day Scavenger Hunt: 10am – 5:30pm (Glass Atrium, Level 2)
- The Singapura Life by Sengkang Green Primary School: 9:30am – 4pm (Glass Atrium, Level 2)
- Design a Keychain: 10am – 5:30pm (Explore Room, Level 3)
- Letter Writing: 10am – 5:30pm (Get Curious Studio, Level 3)
- STAEDTLER Craft Activity: 9:30am – 5:30pm (Various locations)
- National Day Colouring Competition: 10am – 1pm (Gallery Theatre, Basement Level)
- Outdoor Sustainable Play: 9:30am – 11:30am (Front Lawn, Level 1)
- Inflatable Playgrounds: 10am – 5pm (Bus Bay, Level 2)
- Experience Reunion Intergenerational Tour: 9:30am – 11am (Reunion, Level 1)
- Community Art Mural Photo Booth: 10am – 5:30pm (Gallery Theatre Foyer, Basement Level)
- A Lighter Side of History: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: 2:30pm – 4:30pm (Gallery Theatre)
- Intergenerational Special: Wear (We’re) As One: 2:30pm – 5pm (Reunion, Level 1)
- Drum Performance: 5pm – 5:20pm (Front Lawn, Level 1)
- Writings on the Wall: 10am – 7pm (Glass Atrium, Level 2)
- Live Telecast of National Day Parade: 5:30pm – 8pm (Front Lawn, Level 1)
Visit Play: Date for a nostalgic toy exhibit and end the day with a picnic under the stars while watching the National Day Parade live on the museum’s front lawn. Before National Day, explore light-up installations evoking childhood memories outside the museum from 1 to 9 August, 7:30pm to 12am. Enjoy a special offer at Cafe Brera with a Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffin and coffee or tea for $9. Explore “Story of the Forest” at the Glass Rotunda, Level 2, available daily from 10am to 7pm until 13 October 2024, with free admission for Singapore citizens, permanent residents, and visitors aged six and below.
When: 9 August 2024, 9.30am to 12midnight
Where: National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
11. Celebrate National Day weekend at Cosford Container Park
Prepare for a fun-filled National Day at Singapore’s newest and coolest container park! Cosford Container Park is decked out in patriotic red and white, with colourful decorations, banners, and Singapore flags everywhere you look. The family can enjoy special National Day treats like chilli crab lobster, laksa chicken burgers, rendang pizza, and fried carrot cake tarts. Plus, there will be live music performances to keep everyone entertained. It’s the perfect place for a family outing, with delicious food and lively music to celebrate Singapore’s big day together!
When: Until 31 August 2024
Where: Cosford Container Park, 30 Cosford Road, Singapore 499550
12. Pickleball National Day Rally by Play! Pickle
Celebrate National Day on 9 August 2024 at Play! Pickle’s indoor courts at Red Quarters in Kallang. Pickleball is a fantastic game that unites people of all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re a seasoned racket sports veteran or a complete beginner, join us to experience the joy of pickleball in our indoor courts, rain or shine! Forget the speeches — the Pickleball Rally is all about camaraderie and fun. Learn the basics, improve your game, or hit some balls with professional coaches. Players as young as five are welcome, with no upper age limit! It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and learn new skills.
When: 9 August 2024, Session 1 at 9am to 10am and Session 2 at 10am to 11am
Where: Red Quarters, 26 Jln Benaan Kapal, Singapore 399629
13. Celebrate All Things Local @ Majulah Fiesta
From 9 to 11 August, celebrate National Day with a burst of local pride at Majulah Fiesta at the Singapore Sports Hub. It’s a fantastic lineup of free events that everyone will love! Start the celebrations on National Day with your loved ones by watching the National Day Parade broadcast live at OCBC Square and Stadium Roar. Keep your eyes on the sky for the exciting “Fly Our Flag” flypast at Stadium Roar, and end the night with a spectacular fireworks display at Stadium Riverside Walk! From 9 August and throughout the weekend, check out the AL!VE Artisans Market at the Visitors Centre. Discover amazing crafts and creations by local artisans perfect for family-friendly shopping. The fun continues on 10 August with the inaugural Majulah Music Hub! Enjoy fantastic performances by home-grown talents and local artistes like MICappella, Ben Hum, Kelvin Chen Wei Lian, Tay Kewei, The Island Voices, and Benjamin Kheng. It’s a musical treat for everyone in the family! Wrap up the weekend on 11 August with a healthy start at the Majulah Fiesta Fitness Party at OCBC Square. After your workout, head to Pets Play Day (Feathers Edition) and meet some adorable feathered friends. It’s the perfect way to end a fun-filled weekend! For more details and updates, check out the event website.
When: 9 to 11 August 2024
Where: Singapore Sports Hub, Stadium Boulevard Kallang, Singapore 271003
14. National Day celebrations at S.E.A. Aquarium
Celebrate National Day at the S.E.A. Aquarium with a unique underwater presentation of the Singapore flag at the Open Ocean Habitat, where expert divers will be surrounded by manta rays, schools of fish, and sharks. Enjoy an enriching Habitat Talk about the Open Ocean Habitat from 1.15pm to 1.25pm, followed by the National Day Underwater Flag Presentation at 1.30pm from 9 to 11 August, accompanied by National Day theme songs. At 3pm, snap photos with resident mascots like Sam the Shark and Manja the Manta Ray at the Ocean Dome. Additionally, the SG59 Food Bundle promotion includes one-day admission to the aquarium and a choice of dishes from Malaysia Food Street, such as slow-cooked beef cheek claypot rice with foie gras, “Ang Kar” prawns noodles tossed with homemade sambal chilli, or wok-fried pork trotters rice vermicelli with black truffle emulsion, available throughout August in celebration of National Day. Join us for an unforgettable National Day filled with marine marvels and delicious food!
When: The National Day Flag Presentation will be from 9 to 11 August 2024 at 1.30pm.
Where: S.E.A. Aquarium, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
15. Say BELLO! to the minions at USS!
The National Day weekend might be the best time to tote your minion-fiend to Mega Despicable Summer at Universal Studios Singapore, celebrating Illumination’s Despicable Me 4! Enjoy Minion mischief with Mega Minion’s inflatables, a flash mob, a new show, and meet-and-greets with new and fan-favourite characters.
When: From now to 11 August
Where: Universal Studios Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway, 098269
16. Celebrate the day at Pororo Park
Get ready for a National Day bash at Pororo Park Singapore! Head over for an evening of fun with carnival games, balloon sculpting, tattoos, a mascot parade, and more. You and the kiddos can watch the NDP 2024 live stream and enjoy a special fireworks display at Marina Square. Kiddos can look forward to the National Day Parade Aerial Display and fireworks at a designated private outdoor viewing area, the Pororo and Friends Show and Meet-and-Greet, balloon sculpting activities, Pororo and Friends Tattoos National Day, and carnival games. Every child will get a goody bag worth up to $100. Your all-time favourite ride, Pororo Express Train, and our other free play areas will be in operation! Tickets are on sale now!
When: 9 August 2024, 6pm to 9pm
Where: Pororo Park Singapore, Raffles Blvd, Marina Square, Singapore 039594
17. 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. Take your pick of fancy brunches, dim sum and other National Day-themed culinary delights and more.
18. Catch the fireworks at these vantage spots
Partake in the National Day festivities in style and comfort at these family-friendly spots where you can see the fireworks! We’re dishing out fabulous free spots and fab restaurants where you and the kiddos can sit back, dine, and catch the dazzling displays!
Recent National Day events you might have missed!
Istana Open House
Mark your calendar for a fun day at the National Day Istana Open House! Entry is free for Singapore citizens and permanent residents, while others pay just $20 for adults and $10 for kids (ages 4-12). Explore the lush Istana grounds with guided tours of the Nature and Main Building, including the beautiful Japanese Garden and Gun Terrace. Dive into engaging activities like sports and art projects, and enjoy exciting National Day-themed performances by talented students and community groups. Feast on delicious treats from food stalls and trucks, and don’t miss out on grabbing limited-edition Istana and President’s Challenge souvenirs. Best of all, everything from the entry fees and merchandise goes to support President’s Challenge beneficiaries. Come join the celebration and make unforgettable memories with your family!
When: 28 July 2024, 8.30am to 6pm
Where: The Istana, Orchard Road, Singapore 238823
Happy National Day, Singapore!
