SG50 - 8 Ways Singaporeans Celebrate National Day

Singaporeans celebrate National Day on 9 August each year. On 1965, 9 August, Singapore was booted out of the Malaysian Confederation and was declared independent. Many years of serious national building followed.

In Australia, Australia Day (26 January) is normally celebrated with a BBQ. In the US, Independence Day (4 July) is celebrated with fireworks. Today, on Singapore's Golden Jubilee, Singaporeans celebrate in a myriad of ways. Here are the most common ones which most Singaporeans would do.

1. Hanging your Singapore Flag

(Source: Chef Devagi Senmugam)

Singaporeans are encouraged to hang the Singapore Flag outside their homes between 1 and 31 August each year in celebration of National Day. Flags are provided relatively cheaply from Residents Corners (RCs). In public housing flats, which the majority of Singaporeans live in, there are even flag holders built in for this purpose. 

2. National Day Celebrations in Schools

(Source: DAC)

National Day Observance Day in Schools is held normally on the weekday before National Day each year. Different schools so things slightly different. In common, there would be a school assembly where National Day theme songs will be sung. Most schools will also have a special flag raising ceremony with uniformed groups doing a small parade by marching in the Singapore and school flags. The music to the parade and flag raising is played by the school band. It is also not uncommon that students will be asked to dress in red tops and white bottoms on that day - the colour of the Singapore flag. Most students look forward to this day as there are no classes on this day and that school is held only for half the number of hours. This is also to give the numerous school students who will be involve in the big National Day Parade.


3. Getting National Day Parade Tickets

(Source: Facebook)

These days National Day Parade Tickets and done via an online draw. Getting the very limited number of tickets was a real lottery! But about a decade ago, getting tickets was a science - first come first serve! People had to queue to get tickets. In typical Singaporean "kaisu" (afraid to lose) fashion, many people queued overnight in the weather for tickets. Even till today, getting tickets are a major celebration. I'm sure you would have seen Facebook post on someone you know getting NDP tickets burst out in excitement!

4. Attending National Day Parade

(Source: CheekyMonkey)

The very lucky few will get to watch the National Day Parade (NDP) as part of the live audience. Tickets are very limited and now available through a balloting process. One of the biggest thing about getting to a live NDP is the infamous goody bag, packed by men in the armed forces. Since 1997, Primary 5 students get to attend the National Day Parade rehearsals as part of National Education school excursion. I got to attend a rehearsal with my family and it was a very memorable experience. I walked away from that experience with a sense of patriotism.


5. Watching National Day Parade on TV with Friends and Family
For the majority of us who can't get a ticket to watch live NDP, the televised live version is nearly as magical. Most of us would have a NDP dinner with friends or family at home, then crowd round the TV to watch the parade. Most of us will singalong at home when they play the theme songs. One thing good about watching at home is definitely not having to be under the weather, especially when it rains! Older generations would remember NDP 1968, when it rained cats and dogs on the parade. Both the audience and the parade were drenched at the end of the parade.


6. Watching the National Day Fireworks

(Source: Reuters)

National Day Parades culminate with a great firework displays which is visible for miles around the parade venue. Singaporeans camp out on spots to watch this display.


7. National Day Dinner

(PM LSL at National Day Dinner. Source: ST)

National Day Dinners are normally organised in various constituency groups. The local community come together in a celebratory meal. These are usually attended by the Minister of Parliament of the local constituency. Singaporeans overseas also celebrate in various Singapore Embassies or Singapore Clubs over a National Day Dinner. I hope to get to attend one this year in Sydney.


8. Watching National Day Rally

(PM LSL Source: ST)

The National Day Rally is a long annual address given by the Prime Minister of Singapore. The first National Day Rally was given by the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew in old National Theater. The Rally is an address to spell out key challenges for the country and future directions. This can be compared to the State of the Union Address in the United States given by the US President. The National Day Rally can be watched live on TV and is given in all 4 major languages - English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

Happy Golden Jubilee to all Singaporeans!

Related Posts
SG50 - A Brief History of Singapore National Day Parade (NDP)
SG50 - Thank You my dear ...  Bus driver
SG50 - National Day Theme Songs

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Links
Wikipedia, National Day Parade
Wikipedia, National Day Rally