30 Best Spots to Catch the NDP Fireworks 2025

Singapore turns the big 6-0!

On August 9, 2025 we’ll come together again with our families, friends and neighbours to celebrate our homeland’s birthday.

This year feels extra special as we look back on 60 years of independence, and to mark this momentous milestone, the Singapore National Day Parade (NDP) will once again return to the historic Padang.

We love the songs, the colours, and the dances, but we certainly know what we love best about our National Day celebrations: the dazzling fireworks that illuminate the Marina Bay night sky.

We know all the usual haunts — families gathered on picnic mats around Marina Barrage, kids running around the Meadows of Gardens by the Bay, aunties and uncles “chope-ing” spots along the Merlion steps.

This is the one time in the year where we accept each other’s kiasu-ism, knowing we all just want to be a small part of the biggest birthday party in the country.

But sometimes you want a quieter moment with loved ones, somewhere scenic, with a more relaxed atmosphere and chill vibes. Or maybe you’re okay with admiring the fireworks from a distance, still finding comfort that we’re all under the same Singapore sky.

In this article, we’ve compiled 30 FREE places to be for an unforgettable NDP fireworks experience, from the most popular crowd pleasers to the best-kept secrets. Get ready to discover your new favourite spot for this year’s historic SG60 celebrations!

Note: We’ve compiled this list of vantage points based on geographical research, however, the situation may vary on the day itself.

Getting to the Marina Bay Area

Due to all the road closures around Marina Bay for the National Day Parade, the police have advised anyone travelling to the area to use public transport instead of driving. Since the road closures will also disrupt bus routes, the NDP Committee recommends taking the MRT to the following MRT stations: Raffles Place, Esplanade, Promenade, Bayfront, Marina Bay, or Downtown.

Tips for Fireworks Watching!

• Travel light with essential items only
• Bring enough water and stay hydrated
• Pack snacks and wet wipes
• Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk
• Bring a mat or small sitting cushion
• Arrive early to your preferred spot (especially for live streams)
• Plan for delays when using public transport
• Go with friends and family so you can have fun while waiting
• Consider bringing earplugs for little children
• Pack a portable power bank

30 Best Fireworks Viewing Spots:

Best Picnic Spots 🧺

Cosy but Crowded

For those of us who love catching the fireworks from open-air, grassy spaces, here are the best places where you can spread out picnic mats, let the kids run around, and settle in comfortably for hours without worrying about finding seats or standing for a long time. It’s cosy, communal, but also crowded — you’ll probably have to come hours before to secure a good view.

Image

Best Bridge Views 🌉

Elevated but Exposed

The Helix Bridge, or DNA Bridge as we affectionately call it, is one of the most popular vantage points that offers a dramatic elevated view of the Marina Bay fireworks. With unobstructed sightlines and front-row access to that Instagram-worthy backdrop of the Singapore skyline, you can be sure many will jostle for a spot on that bridge.

Two other just as worthy bridges are the Jubilee Bridge and Bayfront Bridge which flank our beloved Durian, aka the Esplanade. With walking paths, there’s space for you to camp out and wait for the fireworks display without getting in the way of traffic. However, these vantage spots come with their own set of challenges — the constant stream of vehicles passing behind you means dealing with exhaust fumes and traffic noise throughout the evening, they’re quite a walk from the nearest MRT stations, and you’re essentially stuck there for hours with no shade, no place to sit, and zero options if you need to use the restroom or grab a bite.

Image

Best Waterfront Locations 🌊

Prime Views with Prime Crowds

Gathering around the Marina Bay area seems like a no-brainer — they’re arguably the best front-row seats to the live fireworks action, with unobstructed views directly across the water. These spots have a number of things working to their advantage: They’re easily accessible from multiple MRT stations, have plenty of nearby amenities like restaurants and restrooms, and offer pretty decent spaces for sitting, either on a mat or a small portable stool.

However, these prime locations are also victims of their own success — everyone will have the same idea, so expect massive crowds, having to do an early stake-out, shoulder-to-shoulder conditions, and the possibility that someone will inevitably block your view. If bringing kids, make sure to go with enough adults to keep an eye on them and take them to the restroom when needed, without losing your spot.

Image

Image

Best Hidden Stations 🌳

Peace and Quiet with Trade-offs

If what you’re seeking is some refreshing escape from the National Day crowds, then these locations provide unique perspectives of the NDP fireworks, plus some extra space to breathe and have actual conversations. Downside, hidden spots are often hidden for a reason — you may have to put up with partially restricted views thanks to structural or natural obstacles. You might also be trading in that electric atmosphere of being in a big group of enthusiastic onlookers for a quieter, less exciting experience.  

Image

Best Distant Displays 🔍

Festivities from Afar

For a completely different National Day experience, head further away from the centre of the action and slip into a more relaxed atmosphere. These locations are perfect for families who want to avoid the chaos while combining the fireworks display with a leisurely evening stroll.

It’s quieter and calmer, but it also means the fireworks are smaller, less impressive – like seeing tiny sparkles on the horizon. You’ll also be losing out on that uniquely Singaporean experience of being part of the collective national energy right where it’s all happening.

Best Community Celebrations 🥳

Fireworks with Family & Friends

The festivities don’t just stop around the Bay, but extend islandwide with the NDP Heartland Celebrations on August 10, 2025. Citizens can stream to the five community sites at Bishan, Punggol, Yishun, Gelang Serai and Bukit Gombak to experience part of our nation’s birthday party.

The Mobile Column will traverse our neighbourhood routes, and for the first time, stop at designated pit stops for residents to snap photos with the convoys.

The National Day Parade encores take place from 4pm on Sunday, with the skydiving Red Lions making their descent (in Bishan), and from 6pm, the F-16s flying in formation across our island. And of course, the highlight of every NDP party, the fireworks show to cap it all off.

Even if you didn’t manage to score tickets to the National Day celebrations in the heartlands, you can still catch the fireworks in the area. If it’s your neighbourhood it’s happening in, make sure you check out the local vantage points you know so well! (And share this info with friends too lah, don’t so like that!)

Best Bay Fireworks Locations: Paid 💳

Many of these places also offer fantastic access to breathtaking SG National Day fireworks views, but will all cost more than a chunk of loose change, and are mostly fully booked by now. But it’s still worth checking them out; who knows, you could stumble onto a lucky opportunity that’s meant for you!