National Day 2025 sees Singapore turn 60 on Saturday, August 9, with a new theme of ”Majulah Singapura”. In honour of the occasion, our little island nation comes alive with a range of thrilling things to do and festive events in the lead up to and on National Day 2025. From family gatherings over the weekend on August 9, to the annual light-up by National Museum this week ahead, and celebratory concerts…you can make incredible memories this year. Here’s 20 top picks of the best SG60 things to do on National Day 2025 in Singapore. Some extend until the end of August too!
1. Watch the iconic NDP parade at the Padang
The National Day Parade 2025 is the main event held at The Padang and Marina Bay on August 9. Join thousands of fellow Singaporeans at the parade with more than 3,000 participants, ceremony and total defence parade. It features live shows, Red Lions parachutes, State Flag Flypast, Presidential Gun Salute, and more—to celebrate Singaporean identity and resilience as a nation. The main event kicks off around 6.00pm with plenty of pre and post-parade activities throughout the day. Find out key information here.
📍The Padang, Singapore 179861
2. Celebrate at Singapore Navy Museum
On August 9, Singapore Navy Museum will host special National Day 2025 programmes. Visitors can customise DIY buttons with unique Singapore and Navy designs, collection exclusive Navy Museum tattoos, receive a free audio around tour, explore exhibits, and enjoy interactive kid-friendly games, to name a few things. Plus, there will be free shuttle bus services from EXPO MRT. Definitely, a top Singapore National Day 2025 event.
📍112 Tanah Merah Coast Rd, Singapore 498794
3. See stunning light art & enjoy themed events at National Museum
Until August 9, National Museum of Singapore brings a host of exciting events to mark Singapore’s 60th birthday. For instance, visitors can watch Singapore’s story unfold through a refreshed perspective at the crowd-favourite red and white National Day Light-Up in Canvas of Light: Our Nation’s Journey.
Additionally, there are new themed exhibitions such as Stories of Singapore: Building Our Heritage Brick by Brick to explore for free, as well as interactive experiences, children’s activities, and more. Meanwhile, a full day of vibrant programmes will be held across four floors on August 9—all for free. This includes a LIVE Parade broadcast on the museum’s Front Lawn from 5.30pm, singalongs, heritage hunts, themed crafts, and more.
📍93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897
4. Catch a free movie with family under the stars
Sentosa’s Movies By The Beach invites families with children to a FREE outdoor cinema on August 9 and 10 at Palawan Kidz City Roof Garden. It’s the perfect evening with a picnic far away from the crowds down at Marina Bay. Plus, families can watch Kung Fu Panda 3 and 4 together under the full moon. Definitely, a top thing to this weekend for National Day of Singapore.
📍Palawan Beach, Singapore
5. Soak up the fun at Majulah Fiesta 2025
Singapore Sports Hub is hosting dozens of family-friendly events until August 10, 2025. Majulah Fiesta 2025 offers a mix of activities including the AL!VE Artisans Market (August 8-10) for unique local crafts, Majulah Fiesta Fitness Party (August 8-10), a pet festival, live music, an official NDP live telecast on August 9, and the iconic fireworks over the Kallang Basin. Certainly, this festival is a vibrant place to celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday and avoid the crowds down by Marina Bay.
📍1 Stadium Dr, #02-01 National Stadium, Singapore 397629
6. Explore 700-years of Singapore’s history
Singapore Odyssea is a new immersive multimedia experience at National Museum of Singapore. Opening on August 8 at Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda, it has been unveiled as the museum’s SG60 gift to the nation. It invites guests on a time-travelling journey through 700 years of Singapore’s history, blending light, art, interactive storytelling, and technology. Particularly, the exhibition highlights Singapore’s connection to the ocean. Learn more.
📍93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897
7. Check out CapitaLand’s island-wide experiences
CapitaLand invites the public to rediscover what it means to be One Red Dot, United as One People. The shopping mall group celebrates Singapore’s 60th birthday with the Project Red Dot installation featuring 180 giant red spheres, alongside Singapore’s first-ever Presidential Pop-Up Library, themed exhibitions, and more. One highlight is Shorelines: The Merlion Through New Eyes running until August 24. It offers 60 unique Merlion sculptures to explore on selected dates at three venues.
8. Be captivated by an SG60 light & music show
Jewel Changi Airport is honouring Singapore’s 60th birthday with a National Day Light & Music Showcase. Be captivated by a nightly light and music show at Jewel Rain Vortex, featuring the beloved National Day classic Home—as a tribute to Singapore’s spirit. Wonderfully, it runs from August 2 to 31 so you have plenty of time to see it. Times are 8pm and 9pm daily with an additional show at 10pm from Friday to Sunday.
📍Jewel Rain Vortex, Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore
9. Relax to soothing sounds at Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s Concert
The seventh edition of the Symphony Orchestra National Day Concert by Temasek Foundation is happening on August 16 at 7.30pm. It will take place at Esplanade Concert Hall but it can be streamed live on YouTube. The audience will be treated to enchanting melodies by talented composers, musicians, and youth performers. Definitely, one of the best things to do in honour of National Day 2025 in Singapore for music lovers!
📍 Esplande Concert Hall, Singapore
10. Catch the 2025 fireworks display
We’ve seen the firework displays happening each weekend for the past few weeks. And now the real deal will take place on August 9 around 8.15pm after a showcase on August 2, alongside the national anthem. Singaporeans can see electrifying fireworks displays being set off from five different locations across the nation. Particularly, the best viewpoints are at Merlion Park, Marina Barrage, The Lawn, Esplanade, atop Marina Bay Sands, to name a few. Discover the best places to watch the fireworks on National Day here.
11. Scoop the best SG60 meal & drink deals
There’s no better way to celebrate National Day 2025 than indulging in all our favourite foods. There are a number of locally-inspired menus and drink promotions happening this month for National Day 2025. For example, there are nostalgic high teas, buffet offerings, themed dishes at Marina Bay Sands, and much more.
One highlight is LeVel33’s SG60 National Day Cacao Experience offering a one-night-only immersive free-roaming, 9-course dinner. It features local flavours mixed with cacao, craft beers, and more—alongside Janice Wong’s signature edible art installation, and cocktails on August 9, 2025.
12. Continue SG60 festivities in the Heartlands
On August 10, National Day Heartland festivities will take place across five community sites. This includes Central, North East, North West, South East, and South West. Running from 4pm to 9pm, visitors can expect free activities like themed performances, cool exhibitions, sports games, a drone show, carnival games, and more NDP fun. Definitely, one of the best things to do for families on National Day 2025 in Singapore.
13. Hop on a late night Singapore Flyer ride
The Singapore Flyer will operate night rides on August 9 and 10 until 12.30am. Afterwards, visitors can head down to the Street Eats Under the Stars at Waterfront Promenade running from August 6 to 10, 2025. The food festival features live shows, entertainment, and delicious local street food. Plus, it runs until 1am on August 9.
📍Waterfront Promenade, Singapore Flyer, Singapore
14. Go to the first concert at the new Ficus Lawn
The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) will be the first music act to perform at a special Music Oasis Concert on August 10, at the newly-reopened Ficus Lawn in the stunning lakeside of Chinese Gardens. Kicking off at 6pm, the free concert is part of the SG60 celebrations conducted by Lien Boon Hua. Audiences will be treated to National Day melodies and other tunes that reflect the rich multicultural heritage of Singapore.
📍70 Yuan Ching Rd, Singapore 619675
Other things to do for National Day 2025 in Singapore:
15. Celebrate SG60 at a cosy rooftop
Another way to celebrate National Day 2025 is to visit one of Singapore’s hottest rooftop venues. Excitingly, there are many rooftop events happening in the lead up to Singapore turning 60. Additionally, rooftop bars are the perfect vantage point to catch the fireworks and fly-past while enjoying meals in the sky. Save the list of the best rooftop venues in Singapore.
16. Step into Singapore’s future
Mark your calendars for the debut of SG60 Heart&Soul Experience on August 26 at Orchard Library. Running until December 31, the new exhibition takes guests on a journey into Singapore’s future—where generative AI meets immersive storytelling—bringing to life a personalised glimpse of what tomorrow could look like for the city-state. Definitely, a unique SG60 activity to do this August 2025 in Singapore.
📍Orchard Library, atria of Orchard Central and Orchardgateway, Singapore
17. Celebrate at a museum
Why not go museum-hopping in honour of Singapore’s 60th birthday? Wonderfully, there is a myriad of activities, that explore Singapore’s history and culture, popping up at galleries and museums around the island. And the best part is that most are FREE ENTRY on August 9, 2025.
18. Watch a movie under the stars
Films At The Fort is an iconic open-air cinema event running from August 21 until September 7. Catch award-winning movies with the best whisky cocktails and gourmet food in the historic amphitheater at Fort Canning Green. There will be 11 different movies broadcasted, from new releases to indie classics, and festival hits from the likes of Cannes. Learn more about Films At The Fort 2025.
📍Fort Canning Park, Singapore
19. Be the first in Asia to see Titanic: An Immersive Voyage
Fever Exhibition Hall is set to open the iconic Titanic: An Immersive Voyage–Through the Eyes of the Passengers from August 6. The highly interactive experience explores the Titanic’s journey before its tragic ending, using life-sized room recreations, more than 90 real artifacts, 3D projections, video animations, VR, and more. Certainly, an ideal educational and memorable outing for all the family over National Day 2025 weekend in Singapore. Find tickets. Otherwise, read more.
📍25 Scotts Road, Singapore, 228220
20. Have a picnic at Marina Barrage
Celebrate the weekend with your family, friends and dogs at the rooftop garden at Marina Barrage. Bring a picnic, practice kite-flying, take some instagrammable shots and you can even admire the fireworks there on August 9, 2025.
📍8 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018951
SG60 events you may have missed:
21. Singalong at Capitol’s free concert
Why not start your National Day celebrations early with the SingNation! event at Capitol Singapore’s Outdoor Plaza? On August 2, there will be a free one-hour performance to bring the community together to sing popular NDP songs, accompanied by mass choreography, interactive games, and more. It’s on from 7pm to 8pm and features local talent like Joyce Ang, Sean Food, VOS State Choirs, and others.
📍13 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178905
22. Go to a FREE concert at Gardens By The Bay
On August 3, Gardens By The Bay is set to host the iconic Mediacorp National Day Concert at The Meadow in Gardens By The Bay. The one hour and 30 minutes concert takes place from 7.30pm to 9pm, and will showcase a range of local musicians. Meanwhile, there’ll be a vibrant range of pre-concert festivities from 4.30pm. This includes carnival games, family fun, and a mesmerising fireworks display at night. Certainly, a superb activity to do with children and one of the best things to do this National Day 2025 in Singapore.
📍The Meadow, Gardens By The Bay
23. Enjoy SG60-themed activities at Istana Open House
Istana Open House is hosting its National Day Edition on August 3, from 8.30am to 6pm. Guests can enjoy a range of family-friendly SG60 activities and live shows. From exploring the historic grounds via rare behind-the-scenes tours to live shows, and more…you’ll be in your element. Admission is free for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and migrant workers families. Otherwise, there’s a standard entrance fee. Definitely, a unique cultural activity to do in the lead up to National Day 2025.
📍The Istana, Orchard Road, Singapore 238823
SEE MORE: The Best Shared Platters To Order In Singapore