NDP2025: Guide to National Day in Singapore

In the spirit of Singapore's 60th birthday celebration, this year's theme "Majulah Singapura" is a call for us all to celebrate Singapore's success while looking ahead with optimism and courage. Singapore's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality hold true – further captured in the five stars of the NDP logo. Adorably, "60" has been designed to look like "GO", to reflect both our milestone and momentum. 

A sucker for National Day theme songs? This year's is called "Here We Are", an inspiring anthem co-written by Charlie Lim and Chok Kerong, and performend by Charlie Lim, Kit Chan, and The Island Voices. Watch the music video here. 

NDP 2025 is segmented into seven sections. The pre-parade opens with (for the first time ever) a musical film set to the original song, "Makin' Our Way".

Then it's all about military pride, with the pre-parade featuring the inaugural Jump of Unity. For this, you'll get to witness the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Red Lions and the Republic of Singapore Navy's navy divers descend upon the Padang and Marina Bay, respectively. Other highlights include the Military Tattoo, the state flag flypast, the presidential ceremonial vehicle drive-past, and the mobile column.  

We jump into the show proper in the next four acts. Each act represents People, Aspirations, Unity, and Progress – a capsule of the Singapore story. This is the first time that NDP will take place across both the Padang and Marina Bay, so expect lots of cool, synchronised lights, sounds, and movements. Also, look out for local artistes like The TENG Ensemble, Dick Lee, Benjamin Kheng, and Jai Kishen. 

A good hangover from the Covid-19 pandemic days is that NDP celebrations now spill over to the heartlands. On August 10, you and your family can enjoy celebrations at the open fields beside these locations:

• Bishan Junction 8
• One Punggol
• FutsalArena @ Yishun
• Wisma Geylang Serai
• Bukit Combak ActiveSG Stadium

Each of the five districts will have a unique theme. Look forward to the mobile column of vehicles from the SAF and Home Team, the Red Lions descent into the Bishan heartlands site at 4pm, and the flypast of four F-16s fighters from 6pm to 6.30pm. There will also be plenty of carnival games to keep families entertained. You must pick up a ticket from your community centre (while stocks last) to enter the celebration sites. 

Catch NDP rehearsals, National Education (NE) shows, and previews for the public on these dates: 

• NDP Rehearsals: 21 and 28 June
• NE Shows: 5, 12 and 19 July
• NDP Previews: 26 July and 2 August 
• Actual NDP 2025: 9 August 

Ticket applications for previews and the actual NDP date have closed, but you can try to book hotel rooms close to the Padang if you're determined to get as close as you can to the fireworks and festivities.

The main star of the NDP is, undeniably, the prodigious pyrotechnics. This year, a spectacular fireworks display will take place at the Padang and Marina Bay during the final act – set off in sync with classic NDP songs like "Stand Up for Singapore" and "Count on Me Singapore". Here are the best vantage points around downtown Singapore to catch the fireworks display. 

Fireworks will also be set off at the aforementioned heartland locations on August 10. After the carnival games and live performances, stick around to catch the dazzling pyrotechnics at Bishan, Punggol, Yishun, Geylang Serai, and Bukit Gombak.

If you can't watch the National Day Parade at the Padang itself, then catch all the action, song and dance on your telly and social media platforms. The show will be broadcasted live on screens islandwide, showcasing the parade in full HD glory. Head to NDPeeps on Facebook and YouTube to tune in. 

This year, SG Enable and ARTDIS (Arts and Disability) Singapore worked with 41 artists, including 20 students from special needs schools, to design and create seven artworks for the NDP fun packs. Each unique piece represents the artists' reflections on Singapore's heritage, their shared experiences, and their vision for Singapore's future. 

On National Day, do remember to check the road closure advisory on ndp.gov.sg/advisories for information about streets to avoid while commuting. As can be expected, roads around the Padang such as St. Andrews Road, Esplanade Drive and Nicoll Highway will be affected by the parade proceedings, so take careful note if you're in the area to avoid any inconvenience.