National Day in Singapore

Dates

History & significance

National Day marks Singapore’s independence on 9 August 1965, when it separated from Malaysia to become a sovereign republic. It is a fixed-date public holiday and the country’s most patriotic day, centred on the National Day Parade (NDP). When 9 August falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday in lieu.

How it’s observed in Singapore

The NDP — staged in different years at the Padang, the Marina Bay floating platform or the National Stadium — features a military and civil parade, a mobile column, RSAF aerial displays, a mass performance and an evening fireworks finale. Full-dress rehearsals ('NE shows') run on the preceding Saturdays, so fireworks and jet flypasts are visible across the city for two to three weekends before the day itself. Heartland celebrations and fireworks are also held at community sites, and homes and HDB blocks fly the national flag through the month.

What's open and what's closed

Offices, banks, schools and government services are closed; malls, restaurants and attractions stay open. Around the parade venue expect extensive road closures, bus diversions and closed car parks from morning to night — LTA and the Police issue a traffic advisory each year, and taking the MRT is strongly recommended for getting to and from the show and the fireworks.

Common questions