If you didn’t manage to score tickets to this year’s National Day Parade like most of us, but still want to get in on the festivities, we’ve got your back. Held at the Padang, NDP 2019’s closing fireworks display will last for five minutes and will be set off from three locations, including the Singapore River (outside Asian Civilisations Museum) for the first time. The other two are the Padang (for low-level pyrotechnics) and the usual Marina Bay area.
This year’s fireworks marking Singapore’s 54th birthday and bicentennial year will also feature the longest barge in Marina Bay history, at a whopping 450 metres long!
If you’re not keen on going on the 9th itself, you can get a glimpse at the second preview show on Aug 3. Alternatively, you can book a table at one of these restaurants that offer great views. But if you’re willing to brave the crowds (make sure to head there very early to snag a spot), these prime spots around Marina Bay offer magnificent and FREE vantage points:
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Text: Elizabeth Liew
For a quieter experience, the Bay East Garden along the Kallang River offers one of the most picturesque views of the city skyline and a serene atmosphere surrounded by lush greenery to boot. Besides being accessible by car and bus (no 158), you can also cycle there as it’s part of the East Coast Park extension, which makes it a great place to end a fun day out with the family.
Where: Bay East Garden, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
A stone’s throw away from the bay area, the Marina Barrage’s spacious rooftop is perfect for unwinding and picnicking with your loved ones as you wait for the sky to be lit up with the dazzling display of fireworks.
Where: 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018951
The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) and Boat Quay area typically wouldn’t provide the best views of the fireworks. However, it’s been announced that some of this year’s fireworks will be set off from the Singapore River, right in front of the ACM. Bring along a picnic mat and sit back to enjoy the dazzling display! Here’s a sneak peek at what to expect:
Where: 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555
Moving closer to the heart of the action, the Promontory is a wide open space to the left of MBS that protrudes onto the waterfront, providing you with a grand view of the bay, while the Lawn sits further behind. Both are great picnic spots so be sure to bring along a mat or two!
Where: 11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018940
As it’s possibly the best spot to watch not just the fireworks, but other highlights like the aerial display and gun salute, the area around Singapore’s iconic creature is also one of the most crowded. Head there extra early to secure a spot on the steps!
Where: 1 Fullerton Road, Merlion Park, Singapore 049213
Connected to Merlion’s Park, these bridges also offer sweeping views of the bay and a clear vantage point for fireworks, so you can expect them to be packed with people.
Where: Right next to Merlion Park
The promenade in front of our iconic “durian” buildings provide 300 metres of open space with unhindered views of the sky. Tuck into local cuisine from the Gluttons Bay Hawker centre nearby as you wait for the show to begin.
Where: Esplanade Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981
And that’s not all – head upstairs to the landscaped rooftop terrace, where Orgo restaurant and bar is located, and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the festivities below and on the water.
Where: 4th floor of the Esplanade
Both bridges are located right next to the Floating Platform, so it’s probably the closest you will get to actually being there. However, they will get extremely crowded so be prepared to be standing most of the time.
Head to the public rooftop garden at the newly-revamped Funan Mall, which offers a great view of Marina Bay, and be one of the first to capture great photos of the fireworks at this vantage point. Plus, you can check out the urban farm while you’re there, and maybe grab a quick bite at one of the many restaurants in the mall.
Where: 107 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179105
This “secret” location is a great way to beat the crowds and still enjoy the fireworks. You don’t even need to drive there, simply go up to the 11th floor and enjoy (mostly) unobstructed views.
Where: Level 11, Shaw Tower Carpark, 100 Beach Road, Singapore 189702
Photo: My Bao Beis Blog
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