10 best National Day events you shouldn’t miss in 2026

National Day weekend is quickly approaching, yay! Besides watching the National Day Parade on 9 Aug 2026, there are a bunch of events around our red dot celebrating our 61st birthday.

If you’re wondering what other events are there to heighten your patriotic mood, here are the best National Day events in Singapore in Aug 2026.

How I chose the best events to attend in celebration of National Day 2026

These are the 3 main criteria I used to decide which activities to recommend:

• Variety of interests — there is stuff for families or solos, with entertainment, food and leisure.
• Locations around prime spots — I picked out places which offer more than the best event itself, so you can stroll around before or after the event
• Activities suitable for budgets and ages of all kinds

This isn’t a ranked best-to-worst events list, but a collection of the most enjoyable events overall, in no particular order. Get your red and white clothes ready and head out to these best National Day events in Singapore to celebrate our 61st!

National Day Parade (9 Aug)

Celebrate this National Day with the National Day Parade 2026 on 9 Aug 2026. For the first time in a decade, this year’s National Day Parade will be held at the National Stadium at The Kallang. I know I’m gonna be stretching before the show begins so that I can do the best Kallang Wave possible (from wherever I’m watching the parade, as I didn’t snag any tickets). 

Due to some safety concerns and space constraints, the crowd favourite Red Lions will be excluded for this year’s National Day Parade. However, there are other new exciting aspects to NDP 2026 that I’m eagerly waiting for. One example is the indoor drone light show, with one of the largest indoor special effects to date, and it’s more than twice as large as past displays. Another aspect I’m excited for is the presidential gun salute, as it would be the first time the salute is done at Kallang Basin. 

1 Stadium Drive, National Stadium, Singapore 397629
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2. Catch the National Day fireworks (9 Aug)

Another highlight of the National Day Parade on 9 Aug 2026 would be the fireworks display. I’m looking forward to seeing the skies light up with colours and bold patterns, making a spectacular display. Luckily for me, this year’s fireworks display would be held around Kallang, in line with the parade’s location changing to the National Stadium. 

I personally like this location change cause I feel like there’s a lot of spots around Kallang to spot the fireworks, and I’ll pick one depending on my mood on 9 Aug 2026. From grassy picnic spots to lookout decks overlooking the Kallang Basin, I’ll be sure to watch the National Day fireworks with my family and friends. 

1 Stadium Drive, National Stadium, Singapore 397629
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3. National Day Parade 2026 Watch Party at Mandai Wildlife EAST (9 Aug)

If you’re like me and didn’t manage to secure tickets for the National Day Parade 2026, join me at Mandai Wildlife EAST, not for animals, but for a National Day Parade 2026 Watch Party on 9 Aug 2026 from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. This watch party is free for all, so grab all your friends and family and head down. If you have a Mandai Exclusive membership, remember to present your card at Guest Services Counter 1 in Mandai Wildlife East to get a complimentary goodie bag for even more festive fun! 

Before the watch party starts, I will also be exploring Mandai Wildlife EAST. I’ll be strolling along The Mandai Boardwalk, which is a free public 3.3 kilometre boardwalk where I can immerse myself in the beautiful views of the Upper Seletar Reservoir towards the Central Catchment Nature Reserve as well as spot our local flora and fauna. 

20 Mandai Lake Road, Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Singapore 729825
9 Aug 2026: 5.30pm – 8.30pm
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4. National Museum of Singapore Open House (8 – 9 Aug)

Celebrate Singapore’s 61st birthday at the National Museum of Singapore with their line-up of free and ticketed programmes as well as exhibitions. On 8 Aug 2026, the National Museum will also host its first-ever ‘Inclusive Family Day’ event, where there will be ticketed and free programmes to enjoy. I’ll be sure to enjoy all the performances and participate in as many activities as I can. Some highlights for me include their free Batik Drop-in Craft Station, where I can make and bring home a traditional craft of my own, as well as their community singing session, where we will all sing ‘Home’, in the spirit of National Day. 

On 9 Aug 2026, all exhibition galleries will have free admission, yay! I’m particularly excited to check out the Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time exhibition, as I would like to voyage through Singapore’s 700-year history with this exhibition and learn more about how our nation came to be, especially on its 61st birthday date. Do note that the magical companions experience will not be available on 9 Aug 2026, but the exhibition still has plenty more to offer.

93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
+65 6332 3659
Daily: 10am – 7pm
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5. SingNation! National community sing-along (8 Aug)

I’ll be channelling my inner Mariah Carey at SingNation! National, which is an annual community sing-along by Voices of Singapore (VOS) and Perennial Holdings Private Limited during the 1st week of August. 

This year, SingNation! returns as SingNation! National on 8 Aug 2026, from 7pm to 8pm. For the first time ever, a 1-day choir will be present this year, coming together as one for both rehearsals and actual performances. On top of the choir, the event will feature all our favourite National Day songs for the community to sing along with, creating an unforgettable evening. 

13 Stamford Road, Capitol Singapore Outdoor Plaza, Singapore 178905
8 Aug 2026: 7pm – 8pm
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6. Light Together Bras Basah.Bugis 2026

I’ll be lighting up my mood and day by dropping by Light Together along the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct. This year’s theme is Myths and Legends, inspired by local folklore and traditional stories. Light Together Bras Basah.Bugis 2026 spans around 5 spots around the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct, Artsplace at Waterloo Centre, Reflection Pool at Bras Basah MRT Station, Stamford Place, Stamford Walkway and the National Museum of Singapore. 

However, the light installation at the National Museum of Singapore is only running from 1 to 12 Aug 2026, so I’ll definitely be hurrying down to catch it. 

Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct
1 Aug to 5 Sep 2026
Mon to Thu: 7.30pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 7.30pm – 12pm
Sun: 7.30pm – 11pm
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7. Singapore Oceanarium National Day celebrations (8 – 10 Aug)

Celebrate National Day underwater! Just kidding, celebrate this National Day with Singapore Oceanarium’s special National Day programme at the Open Ocean habitat from 8 to 10 Aug 2026. Singapore Oceanarium’s manta mascot will come out and meet all of us at 3pm, while also giving away National Flags. Afterwards, at 3.30pm, divers will carry out an exceptional underwater showcase. I can’t swim, so I’m really excited to see their exceptional underwater Singapore Flag presentation beneath the water in the Open Ocean habitat. There will also be accompanying National Day songs we all know and love, for even more vibes to the showcase. 

For an even more special 9 Aug 2026, there will be an exclusive 1-day showcase, ‘Singapore Heartbeat’, which is an interactive musical performance which will be held from 12.30pm and 2pm.

24 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, 098137
Daily: 10am – 8pm
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8. National Day 2026 celebrations at Changi Airport & Jewel

Do you know which airport in the world is the most decorated? It’s our beloved Singapore Changi Airport! Celebrate this National Day with their many events going on. Firstly, the iconic Jewel Rain Vortex will have our national flag projected onto it, transforming it into shades of red and white for the National Day Light & Music Showcase. This will run from 1 to 31 Aug 2026, and will feature ‘Home’ by Kit Chan as accompanying music. 

For even more fun on the National Day weekend, head to Terminal 3 Basement 2 (ST3PS), where I’ll be playing their trivia games and hopefully winning prizes to take home. There will also be music performances from local singers, Ben Hum on 8 Aug 2026 and Boon Hui Lu on 9 Aug 2026 to enjoy. But that’s not all! If you’re like me and still a child at heart, you’ll be excited to know that there will also be meet-and-greets from Minions on 8 Aug 2026 and My Little Pony mascots on 9 Aug 2026. Additionally, there will also be a National Day Parade 2026 livescreening, so sit back and relax.

Changi Airport Terminals 1 to 4 and Jewel Changi Airport
8 Aug 2026: 1pm – 2pm
9 Aug 2026: 4pm – 5.30pm
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9. Celebrate around The Kallang precinct (9 Aug)

What better way to celebrate than to be in close proximity to where the actual National Day Parade 2026 is happening? On 9 Aug 2026, there will be a plethora of National Day celebratory activities to take part in around The Kallang precinct. Firstly, I’ll be making a beeline for the ‘Go Beyond! Lighted Display’ located at Stadium Riverside Walk, where I’ll take some Instagrammable shots with the light installation. There is also the ‘Majulah Zone’, an interactive experience where I’ll learn about our pledge and commemorate it. ‘Majulah Zone’ will be open on 9 Aug 2026, from 4pm – 9.30pm.

Besides these, there will also be live performances for me to enjoy on 9 Aug 2026, from 4pm – 6pm at Kallang Wave Mall. There will also be buskers, DJs and our adorable NDP mascots, so I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for them as well. 

1 Stadium Drive, National Stadium #02-01, Singapore 397629
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10. Marina Barrage celebration by Sustainable Singapore (9 Aug)

Have a nice picnic at Marina Barrage to celebrate National Day! But that’s not all; Woven Together by Sustainable Singapore will be taking over Marina Barrage on 9 Aug 2026 from 9am – 9pm for a free day of festivities. I’m someone who likes arts and craft, so I’m most excited for the community macramé mural, where I’ll get to choose my own fabric and add a knot to the community mural, being a part of the shared piece of art throughout the day. In line with the theme of Woven Together, there will also be interactive tours throughout 5 gallery zones, highlighting Singapore’s fabric stories. After all that strolling, I’ll be sure to get some food from their food trucks to fill my tummy. 

There will also be a National Day Parade 2026 live screening, so I’ll also be sure to bring some foldable chairs or picnic mats for my own comfort while watching. 

8 Marina Gardens Dr, #01-03 Marina Barrage, Singapore 018951
+65 6514 5959
9 Aug 2026: 9am – 9pm
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How to choose National Day events in Singapore

Choose the National Day Parade, National Day fireworks or celebrations around The Kallang precinct if seeing the main celebrations is the priority, while the National Day Parade 2026 Watch Party at Mandai Wildlife EAST and National Day 2026 celebrations at Changi Airport & Jewel offers a practical alternative for those without parade tickets. The National Museum of Singapore Open House suits anyone interested in heritage and family activities, while SingNation! National community sing-along is a good fit for joining a shared community experience.

Pick Light Together Bras Basah.Bugis 2026 for an evening walk with light installations, Singapore Oceanarium National Day celebrations for themed entertainment, or Marina Barrage celebration by Sustainable Singapore for a relaxed picnic with craft activities and a live screening. Each option suits a different way to spend the National Day weekend.

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