Singapore National Day 2009 Tips:
What to Do When You Can't Get Tickets

I've been trying to get Singapore National Day tickets for the last 3 years, without any success. Well, this year I hope to have better luck!

But what can you do if you cannot get tickets? Well, fret not. This page is all about doing the next best thing - how to watch the march-past, fireworks and other fringe activities for Singapore National Day 2009.

On this page:

[National Day 2008 Videos]

[National Day 2009: Schedule & Tips]

[NDP Fireworks 2009: Where & When]

Singapore National Day 2008 Videos

Here are a few videos from 2008's National Day Parade. Enjoy...

Aerobatics by the RSAF's Black Knights - Elite F16s!

(Black Knights Aerobatics Video - NE Show in preparation for Singapore National Day 2008. Taken on 5 July 08)

Watch this awesome display by some of the Air Force's best pilots - the Black Knights.

They are exciting because they fly dangerously close to each other.

At some point, they seem to be diving towards the water, only to pull away in time.

The spectators went 'ooh' and 'aah'. I don't think the pilots' wives and mothers are quite as excited ;-)

UFOs Invade Marina Bay! What Will They Think of Next?

(Video taken on 5 July 08)

The organisers of Singapore National Day 2008 made clever use of the setting (water) and timing (twilight).

A very pretty sight. Helium-filled lanterns moved along by SAF assault boats.

I later found out that the green UFOs are called 'baybirds'!

The Most Spectacular Fireworks in the Singapore Calendar!

(Singapore National Day Fireworks. Video taken during the NE Show on 19 July 08)

Forget about all the others. Singapore National Day fireworks is the biggest, most spectacular of them all!

I was lucky enough to get an unhindered spot at the Merlion Park, by the water's edge.

Each burst of fireworks seemed so close that they'd land on me! But this spot is too near to the fireworks to take good photos.

Singapore National Day 2009 - Highlights

Schedule of Parades and Rehearsals:

NE Shows:
- NE Show 1 - Saturday, 11 July 2009
- NE Show 2 - Saturday, 18 July 2009
- NE Show 3 - Saturday, 25 July 2009
These are full dress rehearsals watched by Primary 5 students as part of their National Education programme.
Singapore National Day 2009 Preview Parade:
- Saturday, 1 August 2009

Singapore National Day Parade 2009:

Sunday, 9 August 2009
This year's Parade will start at 6pm.
(similar timing for the NE Shows and Preview Parade)

NDP 2009 - Timetable of Events (Approximate)

What you will be able to see from the Marina Bay Area

6.15pm: The Red Lions Descend (Parachutists)

6.45pm: Anti-terrorist Display (Apache helicopter ++)

7.15pm: Flypast (Helicopters + F16) & National Anthem

8.10pm: First burst of fireworks

8.20pm: Second burst of fireworks

The Floating Platform @ Marina Bay is the venue of the parade and show.

But the military contingents will also march through the City Hall area (a.k.a. the Padang at St Andrew's Road). So you may catch the action there even if you don't have tickets.

Singapore National Day 2009 Fireworks

I have verified the following with the National Day Parade hotline:

For NDP 2009, fireworks will be launched during:

1. all 3 NE Shows (11, 18, 25 July 09)

2. Preview Parade (1 Aug 09), and

3. Actual Parade (9 Aug 09)

On National Day (9 Aug 09), the fireworks will last longer than during the NE Shows and Preview.

The fireworks are expected to be launched near the Floating Platform @ Marina Bay at the end of the Parade/Show, around 8pm - 8.30pm.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
In the event of bad weather (or for health safety and other pertinent reasons), the NE Shows and Parades may be delayed, cut short or postponed. If this happens, the fireworks will be similarly affected.

Alternative date for Preview Parade: 2 Aug 09.

Alternative date for Actual Parade: 15 Aug 09.

Tips for Watching National Day Fireworks '09

How many shows are there?

(See the latest schedule in the green box above!)

I photo-shot the fireworks during all 3 NE Shows and the Preview last year. And they were as good as the actual day's fireworks.

What's the fireworks schedule like for Singapore National Day 2009 (and all the rehearsals)?

See the schedule above. Obviously, you'll need to turn up earlier.
Where to watch them?
- If you are keen just to watch the fireworks, head for the Merlion Park or One Fullerton area.
- If you want to photo-shoot the fireworks, these are the 3 best spots:
  - the Esplanade Bridge, if you want the Merlion in your pictures (need wide angle lens)
  - the open field beside Marina Boulevard (next to NTUC Centre)
  - the waterfront promenade outside the Esplanade Theatre, a convenient - and of course crowded - spot
  Do note that the main fireworks are launched from a barge on the water. So adjust your cameras accordingly.
Want to watch the fireworks in luxury?
- Hotels with panoramic views of the fireworks:
  - Swissotel Stamford Hotel (highly recommended)
  - Ritz Carlton Millenia
  - Mandarin Oriental
  - Fullerton Hotel
  Remember to book the harbour-facing rooms!
- Restaurants with the views
What if I cannot make it for the dates listed above?

Go down to Marina Bay again for the Singapore Fireworks Celebrations. Each evening, the fireworks usually go on for 15 minutes.

(I've confirmed with the organisers: there will not be any Fireworks Celebrations for 2009. ;-( Sob!)

(Shucks! Why am I revealing these secrets to the whole world? And make you my competitor for space during the fireworks? Do me a favour. I've scratched your back. Now, you scratch mine. Pls help me spread the word about this website. Tell them how great eTour Singapore is! ;-) )

So don't fret if you can't get tickets to the National Day Parade.

National Day Fireworks 2008 - A Photo Tour