7 buildings to light up in Bras Basah Bugis precinct to celebrate National Day

With National Day just around the corner, Singaporeans will be able to enjoy the vibrant arts and culture scene in the Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct this August.

As part of Singapore’s 56th birthday celebration, seven culturally and historically significant buildings in the BBB area will be illuminated in red and white light to resemble the colours of the National Flag.

These buildings include the Central Fire Station, Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, National Museum of Singapore, National Design Centre, Stamford Arts Centre, Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film, and The Cathay.

The BBB precinct light-up event, which will be held from Aug 1 to Aug 31 from 7.30pm to 12am by the National Heritage Board (NHB), hopes to inspire Singaporeans to represent the nation’s shared values and achievements.

Lighting three national monuments within the historically significant BBB district will serve to honour the contributions and progress of different communities towards nation-building over the decades. 

A symbol of Singapore’s transformation from our nation’s early volunteer firefighting squads into a modern-day civil defence force, the Central Fire Station is Singapore’s oldest existing fire station.

Built in 1843, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is Singapore’s oldest Catholic church. It is also the place of worship for Singapore’s first Catholic community.

Meanwhile, the National Museum of Singapore is the nation’s oldest museum. Established in the mid-1800s, the museum inspires visitors today with stories of Singapore and the world.

Other buildings that are part of Singapore’s cultural and design scene – such as the National Design Centre, Stamford Art Centre, Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film, and The Cathay – will also be involved in paying tribute to Singapore’s birthday.

Besides the light-up of historical sites in the BBB precinct, several landmarks in the Civic District will also be illuminated as part of the celebration.

These include the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, National Gallery Singapore, The Arts House, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, and Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall.

“We hope that the light-up of these historically and culturally significant buildings, along with our online activities, will uplift the spirits of Singaporeans, encourage Singaporeans to stay united and emerge from these times stronger, as we have always done in the past,” said Ms Chang Hwee Nee, Chief Executive Officer of NHB.

In addition to the National Day light-up, Singaporeans of all ages can participate in a variety of digital programmes to enjoy heritage and culture anytime and anywhere. These include a line-up of online performances, stories and interactive experiences.

One of the heritage games is the National Day Monumental Hunt, where gamers find hidden items at the Padang to win attractive prizes.

The Malay Heritage Centre’s ‘Rentak Warisan Bersama Sri Mahligai: National Day Special’ is also one of the highlights of the performances. 

With songs like Singapura Waktu Malam and Di Waktu Petang Di Geylang, the performers take you on a musical journey of Singapore’s transition from colony to independent nation.

Singaporeans can also discover more about what makes Singapore a unique country by learning about the personal stories and perspectives of Singaporeans from all walks of life.

With an exciting line-up of performances, games, and lights in commemoration of Singapore’s birthday, the celebrations are sure to be a blast for Singaporeans.