7 Things to do on National Day Weekend
Everyone is looking forward to the long weekend on Aug 9! Although my family missed out on the National Day Parade tickets, and as the kids are not so keen waiting around for the National Day Fireworks, there is still Good news for everyone. The nation has got numerous family activities planned the National Day weekend. (Click for more FREE Family attractions, where there are discounts at the Zoo, Free Entry to Art Science Museum, and Adults and Seniors get 50% off their Buffet at Conrad Hotel)
Check out our list of family activities for the National Day weekend below:
1) The Fullerton Hotel
Even if you don’t have the money to spend the weekend in one of their luxurious room, the 128 year old Fullerton Hotel will come alive for a whole week, as there will be a video projected on its facade at night.
Titled “A Celebration of Our Heritage”, the music and video extravaganza, which uses the latest 3D animation and projection techniques, promises to tug at the heartstrings of local Singaporeans. The nightly, 8-minute spectacular will be the first and largest projection ever seen on a building in Singapore, promising to be a visual treat for its visitors. The project will also offer glimpses of key episodes in Singapore’s history over the past 50 years while encompassing elements that pay homage to our shared heritage of cultural and racial diversity.
- Nightly show from 1st to 9 August, as part of the SG50 Marina Bay light-up.
- Public can look forward to ‘live’ music performance, kachang Putih and “Potong Ice Cream” on the 7th and 8th August at One Fullerton
Show timings are as follows:
- 1 August (Saturday) 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm
- 2 August (Sunday) 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm
- 3 – 7 August (Monday to Friday) 8pm, 9pm, 10pm.
- 8 August (Saturday) 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm
- 9 August (Sunday) 8pm, 9p,. 10pm, 11pm
2) Carnival and Concert at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday with us at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, our very first UNESCO World Heritage Site! This free public concert is the 3rd instalment of NParks’ SG50 Concert Series in the Park and celebrate the rich heritage of the Gardens.
The 3 day festivities (7-9 August) begin with a carnival at 10am on 7 August, followed by a concert at 4pm featuring favourite local acts in a multicultural extravaganza, reminiscent of the “Aneka Ragam Ra’ayat” or “People’s Variety Concert” first held in the Gardens in 1959.
The concert line-up includes 53A, Rui En, John Molina, Olivia Ong, Taufik Batisah, Shabir and Corrinne May. Performances at the Bandstand begin at 7.45pm and movie screenings will begin at 8.30pm later in the evening. More details of the performances and activities on 8 and 9 August can be found at https://www.nparks.gov.sg/
3) Picnic at Marina Barrage
On 7 and 8 August 2015, FFL will be organising two SG50 picnics at Marina Barrage, in partnership with PUB. At the picnics, families will be able to enjoy nostalgic childhood games for Singaporeans to reminisce the good old days, performances by local artistes, as well as carnival stalls and games. The FFL Mobile Café will also be making its appearance at the SG50 picnics, serving complimentary food and beverages. Picnic baskets will be available for sale at the picnics and all proceeds will be donated to charity. To top it off, the Marina Barrage also offers a good vantage point to catch a spectacular aerial display by The Republic of Singapore Air Force Black Knights – Singapore’s very own aerobatics team – that will be performing for Singaporeans over the Jubilee Weekend!
Cost of event is FREE!
Register to stand a chance to receive an exclusive Families for Life funpack!
Event Highlights:
- Spectacular aerial display by The Republic of Singapore Air Force Black Knights at 12pm.
- Nostalgic childhood games for Singaporeans to reminisce the good old days
- Performances by Daphne Khoo (first day) , Tampines Buskers & “Home for Homes”
- Roving entertainment such as magician and caricaturists etc.
- Complimentary light snacks and beverages provided by our very own FFL Mobile Café
- Picnic baskets on sale for charity
To find out more and register, click at sg50 picnics.
Besides the Marina Barrage, there are picnics at these various venues as well.
4) FREE Admission to Museums such as the National Museum of Singapore
All Museums and Institutions under the National Heritage board will provide FREE Admission from Aug 7-10. Highlights include FREE screenings of classic movies such as the Sound of Music, and Doctor Zhivago at the National Museum of Singapore.
Other exhibitions highligts are the Great Peranakans, Fifty Remarkable Lives at the Peranakan Museum
Museums under National Heritage Board are:
- National Museum of Singapore
- Asian Civilizations Museum
- Peranakan Museum
- Singapore Philatelic Museum
- Reflections of Bukit Chandu
- Our Museum at Taman Jurong
To find out more visit the National Heritage Board
5) Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
Bring your kids to see the Esplanade Concert hall open house in a rare open house. Hosted by R. Chandran and Amy Cheng. In this 1 hour demonstration, guests will get to witness the technical crews showcasing the different acoustic settings of the hall, which can be adjusted to suit performances that range from a cappella to pipe organ solos.
Click Esplanade Concert hall Open House for more details.
Visitors to the Esplanade theatre can also view Art Installations, and enjoy more than 15 music,dance and art performances happening across the Esplanade during the long weekend. (Click Esplanade Theatre to find out more)
6) Singapore Sports Hub
Experience a Sing50 concert on August 7 with more than 70 artists and a 1000 strong choir performing songs from rap to jazz. Performances include Stefanie Sun, JJ Lin to Dick Lee.
On August 8-9, there will be a SG50 Carnival, featuring a performance by Jack and Rai, a free movie screening of Ah Boys to Men 3 and a Live Telecast of the National Day Parade.
There are special kids zone and activities for the family such as a Mass Zumba workout.
All Carnival Activities are FREE but Sing50 concert tickets are priced at $20.
To find out more, visit sing50concert.sg
7) Hotel Stays to Catch the Fireworks!
If you are tired of beating the crowds and just want to enjoy the Fireworks in a luxury Hotel with a great view of the Marina. Expedia.com.sg has jumped in and handpicked several hotels for Singaporeans to soak in the celebratory atmosphere, and enjoy a holiday without the hassle of leaving Singapore!
| Hotels | NDP Preview Weekend(31 July – 2 August)Average Nightly Rate (SGD) |
| Fairmont Singapore | $190 |
| Naumi Hotel | $229 |
| Pan Pacific Singapore | $272 |
| Raffles Singapore | $548 |
| Hotels | NDP Jubilee Weekend(7 – 10 August)Average Nightly Rate (SGD) |
| Fairmont Singapore | $274 |
| Pan Pacific Singapore | $339 |
| Naumi Hotel | $347 |
| Raffles Singapore | $1,106 |
The Padang/Marina Bay area will come alive with nostalgic vintage parades, NDP screenings, free admission to museums and many more exciting programmes. These hotels make it convenient for locals to join in the fun. With these amazing rates, grab your stay before the rooms are gone!
Part of the Pei-designed Raffles City complex, the 26-storey Fairmont Singapore is connected to shopping and convention centres. All 769 spacious guestrooms in the hotel feature a wonderful view of the Singapore skyline. Save 25% when booking with Expedia.com.sg. Prices start from $190 a night on average.
Naumi Hotel is a state-of-the-art boutique hotel set in the heart of the Singapore’s Central Business District. The 73-room hotel is a stone’s throw away from the Suntec Convention Centre, and a myriad of inner-city shopping centres. Save 20% on your hotel stay with advance purchase. Prices start from $229 a night on average.
Centrally located in the heart of Marina Bay, the hotel is just steps away from shopping, entertainment, and dining options. Book early and save 20% on your hotel stay. Prices start from $272 a night on average.
Established in 1887, Raffles Singapore is well known for its rich history, period architecture and décor, luxurious accommodation and fine cuisine. The colonial-era hotel has won numerous accolades over the years. Book a room and save 15% on dining options. Prices start from $548 a night on average.
Important Note
All hotel stays were researched in mid-July 2015 on Expedia.com.sg. Each search was specified for hotel stays from 31 July to 2 August, and 7 August to 10 August 2015. The room rates noted above are correct as of the publication date and are subjected to availability.
Click to discover more Family activities that are FREE or DISCOUNTED during August or NDP weekend