A slightly somber National Day Parade is to be expected this year as a result of our country’s continued battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, but it’ll also be more important than ever to commemorate Singapore’s independence as a nation. So don’t let your mood be dampened, and instead join in the celebrations at various venues and virtual events in Singapore. From digital revelries to a filmmaking competition, here’s how to spend your three-day weekend while observing the special occasion.
Celebrating the Majulah Spirit! at ACM
A wide array of National Day-themed activities await at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) this August, including a special musical performance, virtual self-guided trails of the ACM’s galleries, as well as the chance to have your e-portrait drawn by an illustrator. During this month, also expect to be able to learn about cross-cultural art, inspired by Singapore’s many cultures and faiths. Create your own calligram (find out what that means here), then showcase your artwork on social media and tag the museum on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
LumiNation 2020
To hear about lesser-known narratives which have shaped our country this National Day, look no further than The Arts House’s digital edition of LumiNation 2020. Happening from Aug 1-30, see the annual festival host digital talks and video projects under the new theme of The Migration Edition. Explore a nation fabricated by many different communities living on our shores, but also get to understand the global phenomenon of how migration is deeply connected to our sense of identity. There’s no better way to commemorate Singapore’s 55th birthday than with a trip down memory lane.
National Day Celebrations with the National Museum
This upcoming three-day weekend, head down to the National Museum with your loved ones to discover interesting facts about the gallery which has been an integral part of nation building. Not only will you be able to go on the National Museum Building Tour for Families on Aug 9 (pre-registration required), but also get to enjoy the National Day 2020 Facade Projection before sharing your hopes and well wishes for Singapore via the LED Wall on Level 1. And when you’re done with the festivities, tuck into a delicious selection of National Day dishes at their F&B outlet as they will be serving locally-inspired mains and beverages such as the Nasi Lemak Risotto and Lemongrass Pandan Cooler.
National Day Fiesta
The annual National Day Fiesta by The Singapore Sports Hub is back this weekend with a virtual twist, so join in the celebrations by tuning into a 55-min show broadcasted on the Singapore Sports Hub YouTube channel on Aug 9 at 1pm. Hosted by Ah Lian (aka local comedian, host and actress Michelle Chong), expect to bust a lung laughing at her hilarious jokes while you check out highlights such as a K-pop workout and a #PlankThatSong challenge. Don’t forget to try out brand new Instagram filters launched by the sports centre too, for interesting trivia and interactive games to play on the go.
Red Dot August
Celebrate our nation’s 55th birthday from the comforts of home thanks to Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay as the local arts venue is presenting a power-packed line-up of free online programmes featuring Singaporean artists and various art forms. With Red Dot August, not only will you be able to enjoy original works by local talents, also find a humble project named little red comma, that fuses literary arts with digital media to explore homegrown fiction and diverse literary voices. Plus, look forward to the digital debut of both Baybeats music festival and Coffee Morning & Afternoon Tea concert series. It doesn’t get better than this.
Project 2020
Try something different this National Day weekend and stand to win cash prizes for your creativity. Led by the Singapore Art Museum and its team of curators alongside Singapore filmmaker Royston Tan, Project 2020 is an open call for participants to document their idea of “Home in Singapore 2020” using their personal devices, through a three-minute short film produced in 48 hours. A total of 20 films will be selected for an online showcase, and each selected film will be awarded $1000. The competition runs short, from Aug 8-10, so just be sure to keep within the contest hours. More information available here.
#WePartyPurple: National Day Edition
Vegas-hailing MBS nightclub Marquee has been hosting virtual parties left and right as its physical venue remains shuttered, and this NDP weekend will be no exception. On Thursday night (Aug 6), live it up with resident and local DJs as Singapore’s largest club presents #WePartyPurple: National Day Edition. Hear from world-renowned Dutch-Filipino DJ Laidback Luke, singer Nat Ho in Los Angeles, artiste Kelly Pan in Taipei and more—all via live-streaming platforms Twitch and Facebook. Get excited folks; time to party well into the long weekend.
