Singapore celebrated its 61st birthday on 9 August 2026, with the National Day Parade (NDP) returning to the National Stadium again for the first time in 10 years.
NDP 2026 was centred around the theme “Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond” – with Majulah Singapura capturing the Singapore Spirit and the nation’s ambitions to move forward, while Go Beyond emphasised the call for Singaporeans to show care and concern for one another and the wider community.
More than 42,000 spectators filled the National Stadium for the live show compared to a capacity of about 27,000 for an NDP held at the Padang.
The return to the National Stadium provided an expanded canvas for breathtaking performances. The stage setup was designed in the shape of an arrowhead, with a 7-metre-tall LED performance tower near the arrowhead serving as a 360-degree stage for artistes. At the centre were five mobile cubes that changed their projections and movements to complement the story and mood of each Chapter. The cuboids were also linked to the stage lifts, allowing seamless transitions between performances. One such highlight was Jasmine Sokko’s aerial appearance from the cuboids during Chapter 5 of the show.
The special effects and lighting presentation was also expanded to twice the scale of previous NDPs while being adapted to the constraints of an indoor venue. The spectacle featured low-smoke indoor fireworks, coloured flames, and the largest-ever deployment of 1,654 moving lights and 54 lasers. Another highlight was the 300-drone light show in Chapter 5, a challenging feat coordinated by land systems engineers from the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). Capping off the visual spectacle were recyclable LED wristbands that integrated the audience into the show, transforming the stadium into a breathing canvas of light.
The Parade & Ceremony aimed to champion inclusivity and feature Singaporeans from all walks of life. A total of 32 contingents took part, comprising 26 civilian contingents with 1,271 participants – the largest number of civilian participants in more than a decade. Among them was the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) contingent, comprising 20 participants and representing the most diverse Persons with Disabilities (PwD) contingent to date. The mainstay State Flag flypast and Presidential Gun Salute were conducted over the Kallang Basin, bringing the NDP experience closer to the public in the Kallang precinct.
The night show spanned five Chapters, tracing the nation’s maritime past, reminiscing about cultural icons from the post-independence period, and inspiring the nation to go beyond together towards a future where anything is possible. A total of 36 artistes, including 24 new faces to NDP, and more than 2,600 performers brought the show to life.
For the first time, three original tracks instead of one theme song defined NDP 2026. Giants by Iman Fandi, Sparkle by Gareth Fernandez and Dru Chen, and You’ll Be Okay by Jasmine Sokko catered to different musical tastes and were featured at different Chapters to convey the appropriate mood and complement the narrative.
The MAphotoSG team brings you to the heart of the action. Enjoy our curated selection of photos, and once again, Happy Birthday, Singapore!
01. Spectators stream into The Kallang, home of the National Stadium, decked in red and white to show their love for the nation on the big day.02. The stage is set for NDP 2026, as Singaporeans return to the iconic National Stadium for the first time in 10 years.03. NDP 2026 is hosted by Xixi Lim, Joakim Gomez, Udaya Soundari, Hafidz Rahman, and Gurmit Singh.04. With a capacity of 42,000 per show, more Singaporeans are able to experience NDP first-hand this year.05. No NDP is complete without the enthusiastic motivators from TOUCH Community Services.06. With the audience energised, the motivators proceed with another pre-show tradition: the introduction of the NDP Funpacks.07. Ushers from the Heartware Network help guide spectators to their seats beofre the show starts.08. Apart from engaging the crowd and leading choreographies, the motivators also sculpt balloons and customise photo frames to create unique memories for audiences of all ages.09. Putting on the NDP tattoos.10. Singapore champion indoor skydiver Kai Minejima-Lee makes an entrance from the spectator stands for the Go-Live flag relay.11. Athletes from Team Singapore and the Singapore Sports School continue the flag relay around the stadium.12. Kite racer Max Maeder leads the national athletes to the centre stage for the final baton of the relay, while coloured flames are set off to celebrate the nation’s relentless spirit and its collective drive to carry Singapore’s future forward.13. The Parade and Ceremony (P&C) march-in is led by the Colours Party, comprising 36 Regimental Colours accompanied by 36 Colour Escorts.14. At the heart of the P&C are the four State Colours, each incorporating the design of the State Flag with the crest of one of the Services: the Singapore Army, RSN, RSAF and DIS.15. Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) MWO Low Kay Kee, distinctively recognisable by his pace stick, oversees the procession from the show centre.16. NDP 2026 comprises six Guard of Honour (GOH) contingents, each comprising 72 participants and led by a Contingent Commander and a Second-in-Command.17. The Singapore Army’s GOH contingent is represented by the 1st Commando Battalion.18. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong waves to the crowd upon his arrival at NDP 2026.19. A view of the parade with the civilian contingent forming the NDP 2026 theme, GO BEYOND.20. A Drum Major from the Singapore National Cadet Corps Command Band salutes during the National Anthem.21. The State Flag flypast, comprising a CH-47 and two AH-64Ds in an arrowhead formation, makes an appearance through the stadium’s western opening as the final lines of the National Anthem are sung.22. The traditional Presidential Gun Salute is conducted at the Kallang Basin for the first time, with the 21 rounds timed to accord the highest honour and coincide with the President’s inspection of the GOH contingent.23. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam inspects the Guard of Honour contingents. 24. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) GOH contingent executes the “Feu de Joie”, or Fire of Joy salute.25. The Colours and GOH contingents march in neat rows as they funnel towards the President for review.26. ME6 Caleb Chia, Parade Commander for NDP 2026, leads the parade during the march-out.27. Concluding the P&C segment (Chapter 1) is the Onward March, as the civilian contingents join the spectators while making their exit through the aisles.28. The night show begins with Chapter 2 – Go Beyond the Ordinary, featuring a parade of 18 colourful floats that shine a light on Singapore’s everyday heroes.29. Shamimah Mujtaba, Founder of the Singapore Literature Book Club (left), and Daniel Yap, Founder of Fridge Restock Community SG (right), appear on a thematic float honouring individuals who provide essential support to the community.30. Chapter 2 transitions into a musical skit, with the audience invited to join in a singalong and cheer with their thunder sticks.31. The Shiok Sistas, featuring, from left, Jalyn Han, Annetha Ayyavoo, Jackie Pereira and Alin Mosbit, perform the Singapore Town–Tapau Medley.32. A team of 13 NSFs behind the viral mascots, makes an appearance to represent Singapore’s landmarks and campaigns over the years.33. Performers from local educational institutions lead the audience in the GetActive! Singapore Workout: Dance of the Nation (DOTN), featuring a remix of NDP songs.34. Chapter 3 – Go Beyond Our Size begins as Asnida Daud makes a mystical appearance to perform Aok Diko, a song she wrote in the Orang Laut dialect.35. Asnida’s song brings the audience back in time, tracing the history of indigenous coastal communities such as the Orang Laut, which have shaped Singapore’s story and identity since as early as the 14th century.36. Golden hues set a grand and reflective mood for the Aok Diko performance.37. Larger-than-life puppets of the native mouse-deer appear alongside the performers, representing local folklore and biodiversity.38. Larger-than-life puppets of the native tapir appear alongside the performers, representing local folklore and biodiversity.39.Mesmerising puppets of dugongs and sea turtles, along with trading ships, glide through the stadium, which has been transformed into an aquatic realm.40. Performers from Soka Gakkai Singapore accompany the procession with graceful movements likened to waves, complementing the maritime atmosphere.41. A puppet of the needlefish makes an appearance. It is a shallow-water species often found near mangrove systems in calm waters throughout Southeast Asia.42. Sushma Soma performs a Karnatik ode to Singapore in the maritime-themed segment.43. Puppets of the sea turtle. Two species are recorded in Singapore: the Green Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle, with only the latter observed to nest on local shores.44. Massive puppets of the dugong. The dugong is a critically endangered marine mammal that feeds on seagrass and was once mainly sighted off the Johor Straits.45. Rizman Putra from the musical duo NADA brings a refreshing remix of Singapore’s vintage music .46. Asnida Daud rejoins the performers for Song for Singapore.47. Sushma Soma and NADA unite on stage for a collaborative rendition of Song for Singapore, marking the final segment of Chapter 3.48. Chapter 4 – Go Beyond Time explores the role of television in influencing culture and connecting generations of Singaporeans since the 1960s.49. Music and Drama Company (MDC) dancers enter stage centre in an MGS5 EV.50. With the television throwback reaching the 2000s, Gurmit Singh reprises his role as Phua Chu Kang, complete with the character’s signature yellow boots.51. The appearance of Phua Chu Kang brought cheers from the stadium, with many audience members familiar with Mediacorp’s longest-running English sitcom.52. Najip Ali, an adored entertainer and producer, makes a fiery entrance to perform Ren-tak Oonik.53. The little joys and wonders of television are pieced together with the help of more than 300 performers from the People’s Association.54. Performers dressed in fashion and outfits reminiscent of television shows from different eras.55. Cabin crew from Singapore Airlines, dressed in the iconic sarong kebaya, also pay tribute to the sights and symbols that have defined the nation since independence.56. As the “time machine” reaches the present era, the celebration reaches its climax with colourful flames filling the stadium, one of many indoor special effects unique to this year’s show.57. Chapter 5 – Go Beyond Our Limits immediately transports audiences into the future with an electrifying laser show.58. Music artist Jasmine Sokko emerges from one of five aerial cubes suspended 30 metres above the stadium.59. Three hundred drones sparkles in synchronisation with Jasmine Sokko’s aerial ballet.60. Jasmine Sokko performs her NDP single You’ll Be Okay, one of three theme songs for NDP 2026.61. The use of music and technology in this segment aims to inspire a future shaped by creativity and the courage to venture into the unknown.62. Audience LED wristbands also flash in sync with the laser and drone show, creating an immersive and unforgettable visual spectacle.63. Jasmine Sokko is accompanied by aerialists Amanda He and Megan Lau for the performance.64. Han Oh performs his original composition, titled “Zero G-Roll” on a five-string electric violin with an electronic pulse. 65. MDC and MOE dancers set the mood for the concluding segment of Chapter 5.66. Singer-songwriter Sky Shen leads the track March On With Me, which embodies the inclusive and united spirit of Singapore.67. Chapter 6 – Go Beyond, Together unites the entire stadium for a roaring finale.68. Iman Fandi gives an uplifting performance of her NDP 2026 theme song, Giants.69. Accompanying the song, 61 coaches and athletes take the stage to mark Singapore’s 61st birthday.70. The appearance of the athletes also resonates with the show’s theme, embodying the nation’s drive to go beyond, together.71. Athletes from Team Singapore and the Singapore Sports School are in high spirits for the show’s finale.72. Members of the audience pass along 61 giant balls as they descend down the stadium.73. The reciting of the National Pledge during the Majulah Moment carries extra significance this year, as it marks the 60th anniversary of its creation.74. More than 2,600 performers from the evening’s show gather to sing the National Anthem.75. The stadium comes to a standstill as the National Anthem is sung, with loud and united voices reverberating throughout.76. Soldiers salute the flag as the National Anthem is sung, with fireworks set off in the background.77. Fireworks, both indoors and outdoors, continue in view as spectators wave the flags in unison.78. NDP 2026 fireworks as viewed from the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark.79. The Kallang Basin offering the best seats in the house for the NDP 2026 fireworks.80. Members of the audience party to a remix of NDP tunes by DJ LENERD as the credits roll.81. Ushers from the Heartware Network working tirelessly to guide the audience for a smooth exit after the show.82. Waving goodbye to spectators.83. Reminding spectators to recycle and to tidy up the stadium before leaving84. The quiet ceremonial lowering of the National Flag and the Presidential Standard signals the end of the parade.85. Participants gather for a group photo to celebrate a successful NDP 2026.86. Performers are in high spirits after concluding months of hard work.87. The stage is filled with a celebratory atmosphere as participants come together to wish each other a job well done.88. Performers from Soka Gakkai and MOE schools pose for a group photo.89. Performers from Soka Gakkai and the MDC pose for a group photo.90. Participants from Chapter 3 gather for a group photo.91. Soka Gakkai performers with Singapore Airlines cabin crew.92. MOE performers form a train as they celebrate a successful NDP 2026.
