Did not manage to get tickets to the National Day Parade? You can still celebrate Singapore’s 61st birthday with a giant outdoor NDP screening, colourful projection mapping, free collectibles and hands-on workshops at the National Museum of Singapore. From watching the parade with a picnic crowd to making an adorable Merlion bento, here are 8 things worth heading down for this National Day.
1. Watch The National Day Parade On A Giant Outdoor Screen
Grab a picnic blanket, pack your favourite snacks and catch the National Day Parade live on the National Museum’s giant outdoor screen. Instead of watching alone at home, gather your family and friends on the Front Lawn and soak up the performances, celebrations and National Day atmosphere with a lively crowd.
2. Watch The National Museum Light Up With Projection Mapping
The National Museum’s façade will transform into a giant animated canvas during Voyage of Icons, a free projection mapping spectacle celebrating Singapore’s folklore, heritage and cultural icons. Expect colourful illustrations and familiar fragments of Singapore’s stories dancing across the historic building. It is one of the most eye-catching free attractions to photograph after sunset this National Day.
Planning another night out? Read our full guide to Singapore Night Festival 2026.
3. Build A Satisfyingly Clicky Keycap Keychain
Mechanical keyboard fans will want to get their hands on this free National Day collectible. Assemble a tactile keycap keychain that produces a satisfying click whenever you press it.
It works as a bag charm, fidget toy and portable stress reliever rolled into one. Each participant receives two preset designs featuring “SG” and the National Museum’s dome, plus one additional design of their choice while stocks last.
4. Create An Adorable Merlion-Themed Bento
Turn Singapore’s iconic Merlion into an edible masterpiece during this hands-on bento-making workshop.
Experienced instructors will teach you simple food decoration techniques before you assemble an adorable Merlion-themed lunch using halal-certified ingredients. You will leave with a cute creation that is almost too pretty to eat.
Image adapted from National Museum of Singapore
5. Crack Museum Clues And Redeem A Special Enamel Pin
Turn your museum visit into a detective mission during SG: Decoded. Armed with your phone, you will roam the Museum, track down artefacts and solve clues revealing details about Singapore’s past, present and future.
Successfully complete the hunt and you can redeem a special enamel pin while stocks last. It is free, interactive and perfect for competitive friends looking for something different to do together.
6. Make A Candle Inspired By Singapore’s Historic Spice Trade
Step back to a time when ships carried fragrant spices through Singapore’s bustling trade routes. This hands-on workshop lets you experience that history through scent instead of simply reading about it.
Learn how to pair fragrance notes, blend aromas and pour your own candle under the guidance of Candle Collective Co. You will bring home a 200ml scented candle with an estimated burn time of around 40 hours.
Image adapted from National Museum of Singapore
7. Follow Sang Nila Utama On A Multisensory Adventure
Bring Singapore’s founding legend to life as children journey alongside Sang Nila Utama in this immersive storytelling experience.
Through live music, movement, touch and sound, young adventurers will travel from the beach where the prince’s journey began, brave the open sea and arrive at the shores of Temasek. Each participant will also receive a craft piece to take home.
Image from Erudite Stories
8. See Singapore Through The Eyes Of Migrant Workers
Discover a side of Singapore that many people rarely see through photographs captured by migrant workers who live and work here.
Our Favourite Haunts: Through the Lens of Migrant Workers features images selected from more than 100 submissions. The photographs range from warm scenes of friendship, community and belonging to more wistful and otherworldly interpretations of familiar places.
Visitors can also meet selected photographers on 2 and 9 August and hear the personal stories behind their photographs.
