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AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Guide to National Day in Singapore (2025): Best spots to watch fireworks, heartland celebrations and more, Lifestyle News
Besides coveted concert tickets, another event that's equally painful to get tickets for is the National Day Parade. Balloting is completely random and earlier this year, people were even sharing on social media how ridiculous their queue numbers were. But fear not, even if you haven't gotten tickets, there are still places to go and activities to participate in as the nation celebrates its 60th birthday, including the yearly fireworks extravaganza. Feeling patriotic? Hit play on this year's NDP theme song and read our guide to how you can join in the festivities. Main event: the National Day Parade (NDP) 2025 Themed Majulah Singapura, this year's National Day Parade promises to once again be a timeless display of military might and entertainment with performances and short films. Singapore turns 60 this year, and NDP 2025 promises the biggest National Day celebrations yet, with events happening across both the Padang and Marina Bay. 1. Record Parade & Ceremony This year's Parade & Ceremony will feature the largest-ever assembly of marching contingents, including the debut of the SAF Volunteer Corps and the SCDF in the Guard of Honour. Look forward to the President and Prime Minister's arrivals, the State Flag flypast, a rousing Feu De Joie, and a 21-gun salute by the bay. The SAF Band and student musicians will perform national favourites throughout the ceremony. 2. Mobile Column & Dynamic Displays The Mobile Column returns to the Padang, joined by a sail-past on the bay and dramatic aerial flypasts. Assets from the SAF, Home Team, and Maritime and Port Authority will be on show, celebrating Singapore's strength and resilience. 3. The Majulah Show NDP 2025's show unfolds across both the Padang and Promontory, with four themed acts: People & Diversity, Future & Aspirations, Resilience & Spirit, and Strength & Unity. Highlights include performances by Kit Chan, Charlie Lim, and a nationwide sing-along of Home, ending with fireworks over Marina Bay. New highlights The Jump of Unity brings SAF Red Lions and RSN divers to both main venues. Majulah Moment: All Singaporeans join in the pledge and anthem, signalled by SCDF's Public Warning System. This year's show includes mass participation from students, volunteers, and special needs performers. Whether you're at the Padang, Marina Bay, or tuning in from home, NDP 2025 is set to be a uniquely Singaporean celebration of unity and progress. Best heartland activities for National Day 2025 If you don't have tickets, there are still other opportunities to take part in the festivities. Head to the heartlands on Aug 10, 2025 for a range of activities across five locations. You can also catch fireworks at these locations if you don't want to battle with the crowds in the civic district on National Day itself. The heartland celebrations on Aug 10, 2025 include stage performances, military asset displays, carnival activities, and fireworks, so you won't feel like you missed out on being at the Padang on Aug 9. There will even be NDP Packs available! You can collect tickets at your nearest Community Club/Centre, with a maximum of two tickets per person. It's on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't wait! Check the official NDP website for more details on what's happening in the heartlands. Best hotels to watch NDP 2025 fireworks This year's National Day falls on a Friday, which means we get to enjoy a long weekend. In fact, this is the perfect opportunity to book a staycation in one of the nearby hotels and get a stellar view of the fireworks. The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore [embed] This renowned luxury hotel needs no introduction. Known for its opulent amenities and breathtaking views of the city skyline including unobstructed views of the Marina Bay waterfront, booking a room at the Ritz facing the waterfront will give you a bird's eye view of the fireworks. This SG60, celebrate the nation's birthday with a stay that honours Singapore's rich Peranakan heritage. The Ritz-Carlton's exclusive SG60 package comes with thoughtful touches that showcase local artistry and culture, plus extra treats for those born in special years. Package Highlights: In-room amenities: Handcrafted ceramic tile coaster by APSN (a local social service agency) Artisanal chocolate pralines inspired by Peranakan tiles Limited-edition chef lion plush toy For your stay: Daily breakfast for two Bottle of champagne Guaranteed late check-out (3pm) Guests who have the number '6' in their birth date will enjoy a complimentary upgrade to the next room category. For those born in 1965, the celebration gets even sweeter: a free upgrade to a higher-tier room awaits, making your SG60 stay even more memorable. The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is located at Marina Bay, at 7 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039799. Wyndham Singapore Hotel The understated hotel beside Funan in the heart of the Civic District guarantees a view of the Padang and fireworks. What's more, its close proximity to major attractions like the National Gallery, Boat Quay and City Hall means you're in the perfect location for lots of food and entertainment. Rooms are popular here, so the only options left for Aug 9, 2025 (two adults) are the Executive King Room and the Executive Twin Room, both of which start from $790 per night before any special member rates. The Wyndham Singapore Hotel is located at 5 Coleman St, Singapore 179805. ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay's SG60 Celebration Package is perfect for a memorable staycation or to host visiting family. Every room features a private balcony with stunning skyline or bay views. Package perks include: 10 per cent off Best Available Rates on all room types Daily buffet breakfast for two at Peppermint $60 nett dining credits per stay, usable at Peppermint, Peach Blossoms, Portman's Bar, or Skyline Bar Complimentary Wi-Fi and parking Free access to the gym, outdoor pool, and Wellness floor For Club Room and Suite guests: Complimentary Collection Club Lounge access, including: All-day refreshments (non-alcoholic) Daily breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails Pan Pacific DISCOVERY members enjoy an extra 10 per cent off plus exclusive rates start from $1,520/night for a Club Room and go up to $4,275/night for the ParkRoyal Collection Suites. Offer valid till Aug 31, 2025. The ParkRoyal Collection Marina Bay is located at Marina Square, 6 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039594. Marina Bay Sands The iconic hotel that has changed Singapore's skyline is an ideal spot for fireworks watching coupled with a staycation. The world-famous Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool is only available for hotel guests, so why not take the opportunity this year book a stay and take a dip? There's no National Day promotion at the time of writing, and the hotel is already fully booked for Aug 9 to catch NDP 2025. Book early here for NDP 2026! The Marina Bay Sands Hotel is located at 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956. Pan Pacific Singapore Renowned for its luxurious accommodations, impeccable service, and stunning city and harbour views, the iconic Pan Pacific is offering a Fireworks by the Bay 2025 package where you can choose from several tiers of rooms: Executive Marina Bay Room — comes with 24/7 complimentary access to Studio 26 Pacific Club Room — comes with access to Pacific Club Lounge, which offers champagne breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails and canapes Panoramic Suite — comes with access to Pacific Club Lounge, which offers champagne breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails and canapes Bookings also come with free breakfast for two adults, parking, and access to the gym and pool. This promotion is valid not just for National Day 2025, but also for Dec 31, 2025 to ring in the new year with New Year's Eve fireworks. The Pan Pacific Singapore is located at 7 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039595. JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach A blend of modern design and sophistication, JW Marriott offers guests a perfect balance of style, comfort, and convenience with its location in Beach Road. While the hotel is a popular one to watch NDP, there are still several rooms available with good views of the fireworks. Pries start from $639++ per night for a King Bed in a Guest Room from Aug 9 to 10, 2025 for two adults. You can also upgrade to $839/night to enjoy the Celebrate SG60: Stay and Wine with Janice Wong Chocolates package. This includes daily breakfast, a $60 in-room dining credit, and a curated chocolate and wine tasting by Janice Wong. Package also includes exclusive bon bons and wine pairing at Stags' Room, plus breakfast at Beach Road Kitchen for all guests booked. The JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach is located at 30 Beach Road, Singapore 189763. Best bars/restaurants to watch NDP 2025 fireworks For those who don't want to stay overnight, there are plenty of places in the city to kick back and relax with some food and drink while enjoying the light show. LeVeL33 View this post on Instagram A post shared by LeVeL33 (@level33_sg) Catch the National Day fireworks in style at LeVeL33's rooftop, where you'll enjoy unobstructed views of the celebrations and an epic food experience curated with Janice Wong. This SG60 National Day Cacao Experience ($328++ per guest) includes: What's on the menu: Live stations with local favourites, reimagined — think Laksa Spent Grain Pasta with grilled tiger prawns, Chocolate Aged Wagyu, spring rolls, and more Edible dessert installation and signature bon bons by Janice Wong Unlimited pours of craft beers, house wines, Prosecco, and the signature Cacao Sling cocktail If you want a front-row seat to the fireworks and aerial displays, plus gourmet treats you won't find anywhere else, this is the spot to book for Aug 9, 2025. LeVeL33 is located at 8 Marina Blvd, #33 – 01 Tower 1, Singapore 018981. 1-Arden Rooftop Bar [embed] Located on top of the bougie CapitaSpring building, 1-Arden is a trendy and vibrant rooftop destination offering stunning views of the iconic Marina Bay skyline. At 51 floors above ground, the bar makes for an ideal place for fireworks watching. This SG60, toast to Singapore's 60th birthday and 1-Group's 20th anniversary with a sky-high National Day celebration at 1-Arden. Enjoy front-row views of the fireworks and a vibrant rooftop party atmosphere on Aug 9, 2025. Choose your experience: Garden Area (Standing) $60++ per person (6pm–11pm) Partial fireworks view Includes two complimentary drinks (soft drinks, house spirits, or wine) Includes two maki rolls (Salted Egg & Satay) Upfront payment, non-refundable Table Reservation Minimum spend $100 nett per person (food & drinks included) Book ahead, payment required 1-Arden Rooftop Bar is located at 88 Market St, CapitaSpring, Singapore 048948. Lantern [embed] For a bougie night out, head to Lantern, the stylish rooftop bar on the 6th floor of The Fullerton Bay Hotel offers a stellar view of the Marina Bay waterfront. Their SG60-themed Let's Celebrate offer is running on Aug 2 and 9, 2025 from 5 to 9pm. Packages: Table for 4: $888++ (Veuve Clicquot champagne, house spirits, snack platter) Table for 6: $1,388++ (3 bottles of champagne, house spirits, snack platter) Cover charge: $138++/person (includes two drinks) Gather your friends and toast to SG60 with sky-high views, premium drinks, and a festive spread at one of the city's most spirited National Day hotspots. UPDATE: Aug 9, 2025 is fully booked! Lantern is located at 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326. One Fullerton The office and commercial building along the riverfront is home to various restaurants from which you can also catch the fireworks. Head to the level 2 restaurants which include the ever-popular PS Cafe, Riviera Forlino, Saint Pierre, and Shoukouwa. For the more budget conscious, there's MOS Burger and Starbucks on level 1. You may also wish to check out the popular Overeasy, known for its burgers and shakes in a classic American diner style. One Fullerton is located at 1 Fullerton Rd, Singapore 049213. Cé La Vi Located 57 floors high, the Marina Bay Sands SkyBar and club lounge is a no-brainer for where to catch the fireworks. What's cool is that you can also bring your kids along for the celebrations as their National Day event is family-friendly. On Aug 9, 2025, enjoy a one-night-only 4-course Modern Asian dinner ($168++ per person), thoughtfully curated to reflect Singapore's past, present, and future, and served with unbeatable skyline views. Event highlights: Date: Aug 9, 2025 Price: $168++ per guest (full prepayment required) Minimum age: 12+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult) No refunds for cancellations/amendments Cé La Vi is located at 1 Bayfront Avenue Marina Bay Sands, Hotel, Tower 3, 018971. Other fun free National Day 2025-related things to do Gardens by the Bay and Mediacorp National Day Concert 2025 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mediacorp (@mediacorp) Date: Aug 3, 2025, main concert from 7.30pm (doors open from 4.30pm) Head to The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay for a free National Day concert during which you'll catch the first official live performance of the National Day Concert 2025 theme song, Ties That Bloom, performed by Hady Mirza. You can also catch performances by local stars such as Olivia Ong, Jack & Rai, Taufik Batisah, Sezairi, Shabir and Yung Raja, and more. There's also a carnival and go-kart races! Collect NDP eCoupons If you haven't already, collect your NDP eCoupons to get a plethora of deals on food, beauty and wellness services, home appliances and other products from a wide range of merchants. Each page of an eCoupon will show you the exact discount you'll get and how to redeem the coupon. Spot the RSAF flypast Starting from from 5.30pm to 6.20pm on Aug 9, 2025, the RSAF will be flying 2 flypast routes that cover almost the whole island with the State Flag. It'll be carried by 2 CH-47 heavy lift helicopters, each escorted by two AH-64D Apache attack helicopters. There'll also be F-15SG fighters flying in delta formation, diamond formation, and an enhanced bomb burst manoeuvre. Do some good with #GiveAsOneSG Campaign There's no right or wrong time to do some good for others. The #GiveAsOneSG Campaign aims to promote volunteerism among Singaporeans and runs from now to Aug 10 in honour of SG60. Join fellow Singaporeans in 60 Days of Giving — volunteer or donate to causes from disability support to animal welfare. This collaboration between NDP 2025, NVPC, and partners like NCSS and Singapore Red Cross aims to build a kinder, more caring nation. Other tips to enjoy NDP 2025 For an enjoyable NDP, take note of the road closures and public transport disruptions on affected days so you don't find yourself caught out. SBS Transit and SMRT have also posted details about affected bus services on the July 15 preview day. You can also watch the NDP fireworks for free by going early to these spots: Helix Bridge, Gardens by the Bay, Merlion Park, Tanjong Rhu Promenade, National Stadium, Marina Square rooftop garden, and more! Want to stay at home and avoid the crowds? You'll still be able to catch the Parade on TV or NDPeeps' Facebook page. NDP 2025: What if you want a short getaway instead? While this year's National Day falls on a Saturday (no long weekend!) you can still give yourself a holiday by going on a short weekend getaway to a nearby spot, especially if you'd rather skip the dense crowds during the NDP weekend. Here are some ideas for a short vacay: Malaysia is always the closest and most easily available option for anything from food to massages and haircuts. Bintan and Batam are a ferry ride away. These spots are great for winding down and taking a chill pill, especially right after mid-year review season. If you want to hop on a short flight, Bangkok or other parts of Thailand might be the first location that comes to mind. There's also Koh Lanta, an underrated spot for tropical beach vibes and a destination dupe for Bali. Alternatively, you can also consider Vietnam, especially Northern locations like Hanoi and Sapa. July and August are the shoulder seasons for North Vietnam, when prices are lower and crowds are thinner! Don't forget to purchase travel insurance in case things go awry. We want you safe and protected this National Day weekend, wherever you're going to be. You could also score special gifts from our pool of $25,000 worth of rewards! Gifts include: Nintendo Switch 2 (worth $719.00) Sony XM6 Headphones ($649.00) Apple iPhone 16 Pro ($1,599.00) Apple iPad (11-inch) ($499.00) [[nid:720733]] This article was first published in MoneySmart .
Daily Mail
03-08-2025
- Daily Mail
This Lions tour was an SOS and they desperately need a revamp - from ending the media paranoia and stopping the one-nation domination to the four future stars who can take down the All Blacks, here's my blueprint for 2029: CHRIS FOY
Where do the Lions go from here? Home, in the first instance, to disperse and recharge, but then the hierarchy must review this Australia tour in forensic detail, to work out the future direction of travel, in every sense. They are adamant that all feedback will be welcomed and considered, so here, this column is offering a range of points, free of charge.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Colonel Charles Mercer, one of the last of the Chindits who fought the Japanese in Burma
Colonel Charles Mercer, who has died aged 105, took part in Operation Thursday, the codename of the second Chindit deep-penetration expedition into enemy-occupied Burma. In 1943 Mercer, then a second lieutenant, was posted to Nigeria. He joined 7th Battalion, Nigeria Regiment (7 NR), at Kaduna, about 600 miles north-east of Lagos, and commanded a platoon of 30 young Nigerian soldiers. They were Muslims from the north of the country, and with the tribal markings on their faces, many of them looked very fierce. Within the battalion there were officers who had been District Officers before the war; they were fluent in Hausa and gave regular lessons in the language. After six months' training, 7 NR sailed from Lagos to Bombay before moving to Central Provinces in India, where they trained to join Major General Orde Wingate's Chindit force. They lived in the open in all-weather conditions, practising ambushes, attacks, river crossings and silent movement, while carrying 70lb packs on their backs. A 1,000-mile train journey to Lalaghat airstrip in Assam, north-east India, followed. 7 NR, part of 77 Indian Infantry Brigade, was divided into two columns. On the night of April 6 1944 Mercer's platoon, part of 35 Column, took off from Lalaghat in a glider towed by a Douglas Dakota. It landed with the main force at Aberdeen, one of several fortified airstrips named after British cities or London streets. The Chindits were supplied by air and trained to strike Japanese road, rail and river systems deep behind the enemy lines. On April 13, Mercer's platoon led the Column's rifle company in an attack on Mawlu, a major rail link in central Burma. They came under small-arms and grenade-discharger fire from the Japanese, who were well dug in. The Nigerians attacked with fixed bayonets, shouting in their native tongues, and the battle continued from 1100 to 1500. 'They must have been a terrifying sight for the Japanese,' he remarked afterwards. On May 1, the Column established a large-scale road block south of Mawlu. This was held for three days and led to the killing of more than 40 of the enemy, the destruction of several lorries and the capture of some prisoners. They marched north and were involved in a series of determined attacks on Japanese garrisons. With the arrival of the monsoon, streams and ravines turned into torrents. Supplies of anti-malaria tablets sometimes failed and there were bouts of malaria and scrub typhus. Sometimes, those who became ill had to 'walk it off' or risk being left behind. By the time 7NR flew out from Myitkyina, Mercer was a major with four platoons under his command. He was Mentioned in Despatches 'in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma'. Recalling those years at war, he said: 'My most important memory is the wonderful comradeship that I enjoyed with my fellow Europeans, and particularly with the splendid Nigerians.' Charles Henry Mercer was born in Brighton, Sussex, on November 14 1919. He was educated at Collyer's School at Horsham in Sussex, and left aged 17 to work in a publishing company. On the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, he enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment. After attending OCTU at the Royal Military College, near Sandhurst, he received a Regular Army Emergency Commission in March 1943. He was already engaged, and, three months later he married Joan Rice, who was working for Saunders-Roe, the aircraft manufacturers, on the Isle of Wight. He had a 10-day 'wartime honeymoon' before he was posted to Nigeria. On its return to Nigeria, 7NR was disbanded and Mercer decided to go into the Royal Army Service Corps. He served in BAOR, in Cyprus during the EOKA insurgency and on the staff of the MoD. In 1974 he retired from the Army in the rank of colonel, and for the next 10 years he worked for Wandsworth Borough Council as an assistant director. He finally retired to a village in Surrey. Charles Mercer's wife, Joan, died in 1998 and he is survived by their son, Michael, who lives in Australia. Colonel Charles Mercer, born November 14 1919, died February 28 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
