NDP 2024 and 2025 to take place at Padang; 2024 parade to see dynamic display celebrating 40th anniversary of Total Defence
Both Executive Committees have plans to extend celebrations beyond the Padang, to areas like Marina Bay and the Heartlands.
The National Day Parade (NDP) for both 2024 and 2025 will be held at the Padang, announced the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Friday (Sep 29).
The respective NDP Executive Committees (EXCO) also shared plans for both years’ parades and the intentions behind choosing the Padang as the location.
NDP 2024’s announced plans
To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Total Defence (TD40), NDP 2024 will see an inaugural TD40 Dynamic Defence Display with air-land components. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will collaborate for this display.
Chairman of the NDP 2024 EXCO, Brigadier-General (BG) Low Wilson, shared that the choice of holding NDP 2024 at the Padang will best allow for an “action-packed collaboration” among the three Forces.
Besides timeless crowd favourites like the Red Lions and aerial flypast, Singaporeans can also look forward to the extension of NDP festivities to the Marina Bay area. The route for the public will be released in the coming months leading up to NDP 2024.
The 2024 parade will be organised by the Guards Formation, who are infantry soldiers trained in helicopter operations and have historically carried out disaster relief efforts.
The 2024 NDP EXCO hopes for Singaporeans to “come together to remember our history, celebrate our achievements, and aspire to build a brighter future.”
NDP 2025’s announced plans
NDP 2025, which will celebrate Singapore’s 60th National Day, will comprise an integrated show at the Padang, live celebrations in and around the Marina Bay area as a satellite site, and Heartlands festivities.
It will be organised by the 3rd Singapore Division – an interdisciplinary arms unit that includes Infantry, Armour, Artillery and Combat Service Support among other specialisations.
According to the NDP 2025 EXCO, it will be held at the Padang to honour its historical significance to Singapore and its citizens.
BG Cai Dexian shared: “The first NDP was held [there] in 1966, and over the years, we’ve held NDP there to coincide with significant milestone celebrations, such as Singapore’s Golden Jubilee in 2015 and our Bicentennial in 2019.”
The Padang was also chosen as the site for the celebrations in order to “deliberately learn” from previous NDP events that have taken place there. Planning and announcement stages have begun early to establish synergy between the two EXCOs.
Additionally, they hope for an “inclusive and consultative” approach in gathering feedback from Singaporeans about the plans.
The plans for NDP 2025’s reach to Singaporeans are categorised into “three concentric rings”. Across the three rings, the NDP 2025 EXCO hopes to reach more than 250,000 people.
1. Innermost ring: Padang
At the Padang, the EXCO plans to put on an integrated show that combines traditional favourites. There will be a parade and ceremony, an aerial display, and fireworks with live performances.
A highlight of the NDP 2025 festivities at the Padang is the mobile column, which is a formal procession involving the drive-past of mobile vehicles.
Crowd-pleasers like the Red Lions and the aerial flypast will also occur at the Padang.
2. Second ring: Marina Bay
The areas in and around Marina Bay will act as satellite sites, where the mobile column and the marching contingents will be extended to.
The celebrations that will take place at the Marina Bay area will involve an aerial display, fireworks, and a 21-gun salute.
While the exact areas are still being decided, the NDP 2025 EXCO plans for camera coverage, which will be up on live broadcast.
The possible areas identified to be satellite sites are the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, The Promontory@Marina Bay, Marina Barrage, Gardens by the Bay, and the Merlion Park.
3. Outermost ring: the rest of Singapore
To reach out even further into Singapore’s communities, carnival-themed celebrations – including musical and dance performances – will take place throughout the heartlands.
Slices of the NDP, such as SAF platforms and personnel, will bring the NDP experience to Singaporeans all over the island.
The heartlands festivities are set to stretch through the 2024 National Day weekend.
More details pertaining to each Parade will be announced in due time by the respective EXCOs.
The permanent NS Square which will replace the Floating Platform is also expected to be ready by 2027.
