Get ready for all the National Day fun with our guide to all things SG59!
National Day 2024, Singapore’s 59th National Day, is here! So what can you expect from the celebrations? Here’s everything you need to know!
First up: What is National Day?
National Day in Singapore is celebrated every year on 9 August, commemorating Singapore’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. The main event of the holiday is arguably the much-loved National Day Parade, as well as the address by the Prime Minister of Singapore and a fireworks celebration.
National Day 2024: What to expect
The SG59 theme
This year’s theme is “Together, As One United People”, encapsulating the essence of Singapore’s success and resilience. Whatever comes our way, we can rely on our diversity as a strength to overcome it. The theme also reflects the spirit of inclusivity, community, and trust that has enabled us to overcome and flourish in the last 59 years despite the challenges.
The National Day 2024 theme song
The NDP 2024 theme song, titled “Not Alone”, is written and composed by Benjamin Kheng. This year’s song pays homage to past NDP songs by incorporating familiar lyrics, evoking nostalgia, and rekindling the patriotic Singaporean spirit. The lyrics are written from a first-person perspective and make the listener feel melancholic, but later become more uplifting to foster a sense of belonging and instill feelings of a familial bond.
The celebration
On the day itself, you can catch familiar crowd favourites like the State Flag Flypast and the Presidential Gun Salute during the parade and ceremony at The Padang. Look out for the aerial display and the Total Defence Parade — a special segment featuring floats and assets from the SAF, SPF and SCDF. This year, celebrations continue in the heartlands at 5 different locations – make sure you swing by for some carnival fun, family activities, and a NDP pack while stocks last!
The fireworks
You can look forward to dazzling simultaneous fireworks displays at Promontory @ Marina Bay AND the heartlands on 9 August. There are also fireworks every Saturday as NDP rehearsals have commenced! Full dates here.
BONUS: All the National Day 2024 guides you need!
1. National Day family events
We’ve put together a list of all the fun family events this National Day 2024 right here!
2. 50+ things to do over the National Day weekend
To celebrate SG59, we’ve put together a list of 50+ awesome things to do with the kiddos here in sunny Singapore!
3. National Day crafts
What better time to grab the arts and crafts supplies or head into the kitchen than National Day? We’ve listed some fab ideas for National Day, from cool crafts to yummy recipes – all to try at home!
4. Red and white National Day clothing
Get everyone decked out in red and white! We’ve got a couple of spots around town (and online) for you to snag some cool threads for the little ones (and you)!
5. National Day feasts
We have scoured the island for some of the best National Day-inspired food for dining in, takeaway, and delivery, in case you don’t feel like cooking.
6. Quintessential Singaporean activities
From feasting on hawker food and going on a trishaw ride to spending a day out prawning or wandering through a local museum, there’s no better way to celebrate Singapore than by going on an adventure that really embraces Singapore culture – the fun and authentic experiences that capture the true culture of this fascinating place we call home!
7. 25 places to watch the fireworks
Aside from the main sites, we’ve compiled a list of free spots where you and the fam can check out for a good view of the spectacular firework display. Get your cameras ready and pick your favourite spot to hopefully avoid the crowd and get some stunning shots!
Here’s to a happy and exciting National Day this year!