9th August, Singapore’s National Day is a time for celebrating the birth of Singapore as an independent nation and the National Day Parade or NDP is one of the most looked forward to national events of the year.
National Day 2024 is Singapore’s 59th birthday and it is going to be a great one. Here’s a look at all you need to know about this year’s National Day and NDP.
What is Singapore’s National Day?
National Day is a time when Singaporeans come together to remember the country’s independence from Malaysia that came about in 1965, two years after it had joined the Federation in 1963.
While the separation from Malaysia was a tumultuous one, Singapore has since progressed on and developed into a country that many Singaporeans are proud to call home.
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Singapore’s National Day is a time to recall the sacrifices of those who have come before and to look ahead to the future.
The highlight of National Day is the National Day Parade, an evening spectacle featuring marching contingents on display and performances that reflect the energy of the nation.
National Day 2024: What to Expect
National Day 2024 Theme: Together As One United People
The theme for National Day Parade 2024 is Together As One United People. It highlights the collective strength of Singaporeans and underscores the importance of every citizen rallying together to share the future and uplift those around them.
The theme encapsulates the essence of the Nation’s success and resilience. While the road ahead is uncertain, our strength lies within our diversity. It reflects the spirit of Inclusivity, Community and Trust that has enabled us to overcome and flourish in the last 59 years despite the challenges.
National Day Parade 2024 Logo
The logo for National Day Parade 2024 features numbers 59 and letters SG embedded, fusing together symbolising Singapore’s 59 years of independence.
The five stars represent democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality – underscoring continuing efforts for a fair and inclusive society. The six ascending strokes are pillars of Total Defence as TD40 is commemorated this year.
National Day Song 2024
This year’s National Day song “Not Alone” is composed and performed by local artiste Benjamin Kheng. “Not Alone” pays homage to past NDP songs by incorporating familiar lyrics, evoking nostalgia, and rekindling Singaporeans’ connection to patriotic sentiments.
It adopts a first-person perspective and incorporates melancholic lyrics to validate Singaporeans’ feelings, while encouraging collective progress. The song’s progression into an uplifting second half aims to foster a sense of belonging among Singaporeans, transcending barriers and instilling a familial bond.
You can give it a listen below.
How do you feel about it? You can have your say and read what others are saying in the comments section of the YouTube video.
National Day Parade 2024 at the Padang
The National Day Parade 2024 on 9 August will be held at the Padang. It will be hosted by Joakim Gomez, Sonia Chew, Siti Khalijah and Ebi Shankara and feature six segments:
- Pre-parade
- Parade and Ceremony – United We Stand
- Total Defence 40 Dynamic Defence Display – Together We Keep Singapore Strong
- Show Chapter 1: Together We Achieve
- Show Chapter 2: We Embrace Our Diversity
- Show Chapter 3: We Uplift One Another
- Show Chapter 4: Our Future, We Create
You can also watch the live stream on the NDPeeps YouTube channel.
Pre-parade
The evening will combine music, movement and people. Six mascots will make their appearance: August the Merlion, Sharity Elephant, Singa the Courtesy Lion, Becky Bunny, Nila the Sporty Lion, and Captain Green. They will be paraded as inflatable floats, and feature an array of talents including gymnasts, swift skaters, dancers, marching band, and a choir.
Schools participating in this segment include Valour Primary School, Naval Base Secondary School, Queensway Secondary School, Seng Kang Secondary School and Yuying Secondary School.
The Red Lions will also be making their entry into Padang, jumping from C-130 transport aircraft to the Padang in the Military Free Fall segment.
United We Stand – Parade and Ceremony
A Military Tattoo comprising the band from the Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Military Police Command Silent Precision Drill Squad, other schools and organisations will take to the parade ground.
35 contingents involving more than 2,100 participants will be on parade during this segment. Marching contingents will include 24 contingents from the youth, social and economic groups. As part of the immersive 360-degree experience, spectators will witness Padang’s first Onward March with close-up engagement with marching participants.
To celebrate diversity and embrace unity, the Choir Music Video comprises choirs from nine schools, including seven special education schools.
Since it is TD40, the Volunteer Contingent, comprising volunteer soldiers from the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps and Home Team Volunteer Network, is making its comeback since 2019. There will also be a special TD40 Transformation as a tribute.
Other highlights and crowd favourites include the Presidential Gun Salute sail-past around the Marina Bay area, Presidential Ceremonial Vehicle drive-past, Feu-de-Joie, State Flag Flypast, and the ‘Salute-To-The-Nation’ bomb burst by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
Total Defence 40 Dynamic Defence Display
To commemorate of 40 years of Total Defence, there will be a series of aerial displays from two pairs of F-16s and two AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters in the Total Defence 40 Dynamic Defence Display (TD40 D3).
Two RSAF Surface-to-Air PYthon-5 and DERby (SPYDER) Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) system will also be partaking in this segment.
Look to the skies for two pairs of F-16s being scrambled to intercept suspicious aircraft
heading toward Singapore. The public can see the first pair flying across the Padang
symbolising how the F-16 protects our nation, while the second pair will fly in from
the rear of the National Gallery Singapore (NGS) and perform a vertical climb to
demonstrate the agility and capability of the fighter jet.
During the F-16 aerial display, two RSAF SPYDERs will enter the Padang’s show centre in support of the aerial activities. The SPYDERs will be featured in its deployed mode, showcasing its capabilities in defending our skies through the use of pyrotechnics to simulate a missile firing and neutralising of the air target.
The second aerial display will showcase an air-sea integrated operation with two AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters executing a target engagement manoeuvre over the Marina Bay and the Padang in support of the maritime operations.
Two CH-47SD/F Heavy Lift Helicopters, each escorted by two AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters, will carry the State Flag into the heartlands around Singapore.
From 5.45pm to 6.30pm, they will be flying our State Flag via two routes to bring the NDP festivities to Singaporeans in the heartlands. The Western Route will comprise locations such as Woodlands, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Jurong and West Coast. The Eastern Route will comprise locations such as Seletar, Sengkang, Punggol, Pasir Ris, Bedok and East Coast.
Six F-16s will conduct a flypast through the heartlands of Singapore. From around 6pm to 6.30pm, the flypast will greet Singaporeans at various locations around the island, such as Clementi, Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Woodlands, Toa Payoh, Seletar, Punggol and Bendemeer.
Participating Assets Include:
– CH-47SD/F Heavy Lift Helicopter
– AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopter
– F-16C/D Fighting Falcon
– Surface-to-Air PYthon-5 and DERby-Air Defence System
(SPYDER)
If you would like to find out more about the flypast around the island, read more about the islandwide flypast and the Fly Our Flag segments.
For your easy reference, we have attached a map above, but do get the details on this separate story on the islandwide flypast and the Fly Our Flag segments.
National Day Parade Show
The next segments of the National Day Parade 2024 is the show. This year’s show segment tells the stories of Our People by emphasising the nation’s collective strength, intricate diversity and unity that defines society through mass performances, familiar songs and emotive filmlets. Over 3,000 performers and 12 artistes will be featured.
Our favourite singalongs and mass performances will take place over four chapters.
There are four chapters in the National Day Parade Show.
Chapter 3: Together We Achieve
The Show segment begins with a tribute to the enduring spirit of our pioneers, celebrating the strength and resilience of Singaporeans, honouring the industrious spirit, and recognising the hard work and sacrifices of those who came before us.
Chapter 4: We Embrace Our Diversity
This is followed by a rousing chapter depicting our unity through our rich and diverse food heritage. Our harmonious and cohesive society was built by embracing each other as one united people. The vibrant performance will showcase famous dishes accompanied by a nostalgic soundtrack from the 60s and 70s.
Chapter 5: We Uplift One Another
The penultimate chapter reflects Singapore as a caring and compassionate society. The segment emphasises supporting those from disadvantaged backgrounds and showcases our community’s strength when we come together.
Chapter 6: Our Future, We Create
The final chapter concludes on a high as the country dreams of an even brighter future together. It envisions a Singapore where everyone can be their best selves. With a strong connection to the environment, incorporating biophilic elements to create a sustainable, resilient urban landscape, by respecting and valuing every job, a nation is built centred on our people’s aspirations and their connection to culture, heritage, and the environment.
Fireworks for the NDP Finale
Station yourself at the Marina Bay area for the stunning display of fireworks between 7.30 pm to 8.25 pm on 9 August.
Here are some recommended spots to get the best vantage point:
– Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck
– Gardens by the Bay’s Bay East Garden
– The Lawn at Marina Bay Financial Centre
– Faber Peak
– High Street Centre Carpark
– Marina Barrage
– The Promontory at Marina Bay
– Esplanade Roof Terrace
– Merlion Park, Esplanade Bridge, Jubilee Bridge
– Helix Bridge
– Funan Mall rooftop
Fireworks at Heartland Celebrations
A highlight of each year’s National Day Parade is the fireworks display. This year, choose to celebrate in the heartlands with static displays of SAF, SPF and SCDF assets, carnival activities, family activities, stage performances and fireworks!
This year, fireworks will go off at the Padang and five heartland sites around the island on 10 August. These heartland sites are:
- Yishun, open field next to Futsal Arena
- Punggol, open field next to Waterway Point
- Buona Vista, open field next to MRT station
- Bishan, open field opposite Bishan Circle Line MRT station
- Paya Lebar Quarter 1, open field
NDP Previews and National Education Shows
In addition to the National Day Parade on 9 August, here are some of the rehearsal dates leading up to the actual day.
NE Shows: 6, 13, 20 July 2024
NDP Previews: 27 July. 3 August 2024
NDP 2024: 9 Aug 2024
