National Day Parade 2025 – Majulah Singapura

Hanson Seah

IN FOCUS | 60 IMAGES

Singapore celebrated its diamond jubilee (SG60) with the National Day Parade (NDP) held at the Padang on 9 August 2025. The theme for 2025—“Majulah Singapura”—is a familiar phrase from the National Anthem that has united generations of Singaporeans in building the nation to what it is today. The theme is also a representation of the indispensable strengths of trust, inclusivity and shared values that have, and will continue to, guide Singaporeans toward greater achievements as a nation.

Overview of NDP 2025

This year’s NDP logo features a unique design with a dual meaning, “60” and “GO”, a rallying call for Singaporeans to move forward as one, embodying the spirit of the theme, “Majulah Singapura”.

The highly anticipated NDP, one of the biggest events in the Singapore calendar, took place at the Padang for the third consecutive year. The NDP is orchestrated into two major segments: the ceremonial segment before sunset, and a song-and-dance show as the night falls. This year’s NDP, directed by filmmaker Boo Junfeng, featured over 39 artistes and 3,000 performers, including crowd-favourites such as Kit Chan and Dick Lee. The show, consisting of four main acts—People, Aspirations, Unity, and Progress—presented a forward-looking narrative that inspired Singaporeans to move onward together.

NDP 2025 also presented an expanded canvas, with festivities extended to the Marina Bay area. In addition to live telecasts of the parade at multiple locations, members of the public in the vicinity had front-row seats to several exciting segments leading up to and during the show: the Uncasing of Colours outside Marina Square, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) naval divers’ descent during the inaugural Jump of Unity, the sail-past during the Maritime Segment of the Mobile Column, Benjamin Kheng’s duet performance of “Not Alone” from a mobile floating stage at Marina Bay, and dazzling light projections at the Fullerton Hotel and UOB Plaza One—the latter achieving three Guinness World Records with its 280-metre projection.

Singaporeans in the heartlands also caught glimpses of the celebrations with the fly-our-flag segment on 9 August. On 10 August, five sites across Singapore hosted Celebrate@Heartlands events, with lively carnivals, a Mobile Column static display, a Red Lions appearance (at Bishan), a Fighter Island Flypast, and fireworks to cap off the SG60 festivities.

Pre-Parade: Makin’ Our Way

With the GO-LIVE cue, the pre-parade segment of NDP 2025 opened on a high note with a musical film directed by local singer-songwriter Benjamin Kheng. The video featured an original NDP song “Makin’ Our Way”, transporting audiences from their homes and Marina Bay to the Padang, and transitioned seamlessly into live music and dance performances at the Padang.

The highlight was the arrival and introduction of the show’s hosts, Joakim Gomez, Sonia Chew, Ebi Shankara, and Siti Khalijah, on an open-top bus, welcomed enthusiastically by 59 dancers from ITE and 100 TOUCH performers and motivators. William Xavier, also known as Mr X, reprised his role as the “Voice of NDP” as the emcee for the evening.

Following the introduction, the inaugural Jump of Unity saw the Red Lions and RSN’s Naval Divers making their descent into the Padang and Marina Bay respectively, to the signature loud cheers from the audience.

The pre-parade segment culminated with “Our Singapore Wish”, a touching moment where Singaporeans from all walks of life shared aspirations for themselves and their community. Audience members were encouraged to retrieve placards from their NDP Packs, pen their wishes, and raise them collectively during the video montage. The moment was accompanied by a performance by the Combined Schools Band, The TENG Ensemble and Noemie.

Parade & Ceremony (P&C): Our Precision, Our Purpose

Led by Parade Commander LTC Firdaus Ghazali and Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) MWO Lim Jie Hui, the Parade & Ceremony (P&C) segment at NDP 2025 featured 40 marching contingents—marking the largest number at the Padang since 1990. It included several firsts: the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) sent a full contingent in honour of its 10th anniversary, and the SCDF fielded its own Guard of Honour (GOH) contingent for the very first time.

The Parade also included 18 civilian contingents from various social and economic groups into a total of over 2,100 individuals, reflecting all walks of life and a powerful display of national strength and spirit.

Dignitaries in attendance included senior parliamentary secretaries, mayors, ministers of state, senior ministers of state, cabinet ministers, deputy prime ministers, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, former presidents Dr Tony Tan and Mdm Halimah Yacob, and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

With SG60 being a milestone celebration, NDP 2025 saw the attendance of foreign dignitaries, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail, and Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Zahid Hamidi, who is representing Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Upon the arrival of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, a live choir of 127 voices from Greendale Secondary School and Voices of Singapore performed “The Road Ahead”, backed by a powerful 100-piece Combined Band featuring musicians from the SAF, SPF, and Uniformed Youth Organisations. Portions of the performance taking place on island stage brought harmonious tunes to the audience, capturing a shared spirit of hope.

The P&C segment’s highlight was the arrival of Reviewing Officer, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, which was followed with the majestic State Flag flypast as the National Anthem was sung, and the spectacular “Salute to the Nation” aerial display. The president then inspected the GOH contingent as the 21-Gun Presidential Gun Salute—highest military honour conferred— was timed precisely to fire from four 25-pounder Howitzer guns onboard the Mobility 3rd Generation (M3G) rafts at the Bay area. After embarking on the ceremonial Land Rover for a drive-past of the Padang grounds, the President returned to the podium to receive “Feu De Joie” salute, concluding the P&C proceedings.

Mobile Column: Our Strength, Our People, Our Future

The Mobile Column, returning to the Padang for the first time since 2019, unfolded in four segments: Defending Our Nation, Our Strength in Action, Securing Our Singapore, From Generation to Generation. It also featured the first-ever fully integrated display for the NDP Mobile Column, bringing 170 assets and over 800 participants to showcase the multi-domain operational capabilities of Singapore’s defence and security forces.

Highlights included multiple assets making their NDP debut:

  • From the Singapore Army: Hunter Recovery Vehicle (HRV), Hunter Armoured Engineer Vehicle (HTAEV), Hunter Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge (HT-AVLB), Mobility Support System (MSS), VELOCE 15 (V15), TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar (WLR), Mobile Cellular Detachment (MCD), Agilis Light Utility Vehicle (LUV)
  • From the Republic of Singapore Navy: Maritime Security Unmanned Surface Vessel, Combatant Craft Underwater (CCM)
  • From the Singapore Police Force: Tactical Strike Vehicle (TSV)
  • From the Singapore Civil Defence Force: 2nd Generation Medical Support Vehicle (MSV)

In appreciation of the veterans’ invaluable contributions to Singapore, the final segment of the mobile column was led by Lt Col Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) (NS) Alex Chan Kwok Hoh, 35, who was accompanied by his 10-year-old son Jinghoi on the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank. Also in the column were veterans who had served on RSS Panglima—RSN’s first vessel—those who were part of the security team for Mrs Benjamin Sheares, and first-responders to the Hotel New World collapse.

Act One: Our People, Our Diversity

Act One celebrated the vibrant tapestry of Singapore’s diverse society through music, dance, colourful costumes and dazzling fireworks.

As the sun set, Act One opened with the unveiling of the 360-degree mobile centre-stage. Gracing the opening act was the NDP 2025 theme song, “Here We Are”, written and composed by Charlie Lim and Chok Kerong, and performed by Kit Chan and Charlie Lim. The duet paid tribute to the people and spirit of Singapore, and just as the lyrics describes, a reflection on the shared journey, and an aspiration for Singapore to move onward as one.

Ramli Sarip followed with a powerful spoken rendition of the National Anthem, accompanied by Tosh Zhang, Shye, and Pallavi. Ramli’s recitation invited Singaporeans to reflect on their roots and the enduring spirit of the nation.

Act One then burst into a vibrant musical extravaganza, featuring 400 performers from Republic Polytechnic, and 70 performers from Martial House. This segment celebrated Singapore’s multi-ethnicity and diversity, portraying in traditional and modern form, through remix of songs “Dondang”, “Munnaeru Vaalibaa”, “麻雀衔竹枝”, “Jinkli Nona”, and “Singapore Cowboy”, before coming together to form a collective destiny with all artistes singing along to “What Do You See”.

Featured artistes included Ramli Sarip, Tosh Zhang, Pallavi, Shye, Abang Sapau, Tay Kewei, Yung Raja, Zadon, Lynnette Seah, Churen Li, and Electrico.

Act Two: Our Future, Our Aspirations

Act Two embraced a reflective mood, with the visual aesthetic from the specially programmed LED audience armbands evoking a starry night, creating a dreamy atmosphere that encouraged reflection and aspiration.

108 performers from Greendale Secondary, 25 performers from the Voices of Singapore and 16 performers from Pathlight Singapore positioned at the island stages formed a choir to start off the original NDP song “I Will Walk With You”, written, composed and performed by Linying.

Concurrently, 608 performers from SOKA Gakkai Singapore, along with eight dancers from Diverse Abilities Dance Collective of Maya Dance Theatre moved gracefully beneath the 360-degree centre-stage, holding light sticks that signified the individual hopes and dreams of Singaporeans.

Eight unique floats —four on land at the Padang, four on water at the Bay— were designed by talented artists with disabilities, representing unique and vibrant artistic expressions of their visions of the future, while also being powerful symbols of inclusivity and creativity. The parade of the floats was synchronised and complemented by stunning projections on UOB Plaza One, transforming Marina Bay into a beautiful and comforting canvas.

Following, rising talent Heema Izzati, who was performing solo for the first time at NDP, delivered a heartfelt rendition of Charlie Lim’s original composition “Room at the Table”. Initially conceived for NDP 2018, the song was only completed in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Charlie finished the piece as an intimate call for kindness and inclusion.

Act Three: Our Resilience, Our Spirit

Act Three centred on resilience through family bonds and the community spirit, acknowledging the efforts of generations who have paved the way for Singapore. It invited Singaporeans to shift their focus to the power of community.

National icon Dick Lee made a grand entrance in a helium-filled balloon, singing “We Will Get There”. At the same time, giant inflatable balls were passed amongst the audience, a visual reminder that with unity and support, Singaporeans are able to use the collective strength to rise to the challenge, to get there.

As part of NDP 2025’s expanded canvas, a cross-venue performance of the NDP 2024 theme song “Not Alone” took place with beloved national songstress Rahimah Rahim taking the 360-degree centre stage, while singer and the song’s composer Benjamin Kheng, joined in for the duet onboard a mobile floating stage in the Marina Bay, along with 12 dancers from the Music and Drama Company. Performers brought in coloured cloth which cascaded from multiple sections in the audience stands and rose towards the centre-stage, symbolising the individual threads coming together to form the fabric of the diverse communities in the nation.

Overall, Act Three was supported by 401 performers from the People’s Association, transitioning to a warmer tone in contrast to Act Two, to symbolise the warmth of the community and draw intergenerational linkages across the two performances of NDP theme songs which are 22 years apart.

Act Four: Our Unity, Our Strength

Reaching the climax of the show, Act Four embodied the NDP 2025 theme “Majulah Singapura” and celebrated the enduring spirit of togetherness that binds Singaporeans as one.

This Act brought together 398 performers from the Ministry of Education, 57 performers from SMU Samba Masala, 15 performers from MINDS, 17 performers from the Extraordinary People, 30 dancers from the STNY Brothers, and 59 performers from ITE.

The act started with an electrifying drum solo by Jai Kishen, then passing the baton to percussionists from the SMU Samba Masala at the island stages, followed by drummers from MINDS at Marina Bay Sands, and drummers from the Extraordinary People at the NTUC Centre. Dave Tan then took over from the Padang with a solo electric guitar segment before kicking off a unique take on the NDP 2021 theme song “The Road Ahead”. Performers from ITE, Anderson Serangoon Junior College, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, Chung Cheng High School (Yishun) and Fuhua Secondary School occupied the Padang grounds for a mass dance, cheered by thunderous clapping from the audience with cheering sticks.

With excitement reaching the peak, the act culminated with a finale sing-along segment to crowd-favourite NDP songs. Music icon Kit Chan emerged from the centre-stage to serenade the audience with her NDP 1998 Theme song “Home“, which brought tears to some.

Finale: Majulah Moment

All performers from preceding acts joined up on the show grounds to continue the sing-along of “Stand Up For Singapore”, “One People, One Nation”, “Where I Belong”, “We are Singapore”and “Count on Me”. At the same time, a stunning fireworks display lit up the Padang and Marina Bay, with pontoons spelling out “60” as a special commemoration to SG60.

The night ended with the audience rising up for the Majulah Moment— a recitation of the pledge and National Anthem.

As the MAphotoSG team celebrates another milestone in Singapore’s independence, we bring you the highlights of a show where Singaporeans from all walks of life came together, dedicating countless hours to perfect a celebration worthy of the nation.

Once again…Happy Birthday Singapore and Majulah Singapura!

Photo Gallery

01. NDP TOUCH motivators engaging the crowd.
02. The GO-LIVE sequence commences in a festive mood, with the arrival of emcees on an open-top bus.
03. NDP 2025 hosts (from left): Siti Khalijah, Joakim Gomez, Sonia Chew, and Ebi Shankara.
04. A young member of the audience cheering with the “thunder sticks”.
05. The placard provided in the funpack allowed the audience and motivators to express their creativity by penning down their hopes and dreams—for themselves and for the nation.
06. An RSN Naval Diver descends past the first-quarter moon during the inaugural Jump of Unity.
07. RSN Naval Divers parade around the bay area, showing appreciation for the crowd’s cheers.
08. The SAF Red Lions demonstrate their precision as they approach the tight confines of the Padang during the inaugural Jump of Unity.
09. A Red Lion waves to the roaring audience, who are always excited for this segment of the pre-parade show.
10. The P&C segment commences with a precision drill to the tune of “The Road Ahead” by a 100-piece combined band comprising the SAF, SPF, and Uniformed Youth Organisations.
11. The Uncasing of the SAF Colours takes place at Marina Square, bringing this traditional ceremony to more Singaporeans.
12. The Colour Party marches ahead of the Guard-of-Honour contingent, making their way from Marina Square to the Padang.
13. LTC Firdaus Ghazali, Parade Commander of NDP 2025.
14. MWO Lim Jie Hui, the Parade Regimental Sergeant Major, calls for the parade to march in.
15. The P&C features 40 marching contingents, including those from the SAF, Home Team, Volunteer Corps, Youth Uniform Groups, and various social and economic groups.
16. Tay Kewei and Pallavi lead a medley of familiar tunes such as “Singapura” and “Chan Mali Chan.”
17. A member of the audience watches intently, holding the Singapore flag.
18. Performers from Greendale Secondary School and the Voices of Singapore perform “The Road Ahead.”
19. The SCDF fields its first-ever Guard-of-Honour contingent in NDP 2025.
20. Regimental Colours, totalling 36, on full display at the centre of the parade square.
21. Foreign dignitaries in attendance (second row, from left): Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail.
22. A soldier salutes the state flag flypast as the National Anthem is played.
23. Soldiers wearing a specially designed SAF60 patch for the occasion.
24. Six RSAF F-15SGs roar overhead the Sands SkyPark for the “Salute to the Nation” aerial display.
25. Trailing the F-15SGs are four F-16s in a diamond formation, signifying the nation’s diamond jubilee.
26. The 21-Gun Presidential Gun Salute is conducted on an M3G raft afloat in the bay near Merlion Park.
27. President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam inspects the Guard-of-Honour contingent.
28. The Guard-of-Honour contingent fires the SAR-21 for the Feu-de-Joie.
29. The parade marches out, passing the President for review.
30. Members of the Guard-of-Honour contingent congratulate each other for their hard work at the end of the P&C segment.
31. The “Onward March” allows close interaction between SAF contingents and the audience.
32. SCDF’s Rapid Response Fire Vessel, White Swordfish, is hoisted at Marina Barrage to transfer it from the Singapore Strait to Marina Bay for the mobile column.
33. RSN’s Maritime Security Unmanned Surface Vessel, making its NDP debut, sails past the Merlion.
34. Leopard 2SG battle tanks from the Singapore Army trundle down the Padang, leading the mobile column.
35. Father and son duo leads the final Leopard 2SG column.
36. Veterans cheered on by the audience as they are honoured for their service to the nation.
37. Music icon Kit Chan and singer-songwriter Charlie Lim kicks off Act One with NDP 2025 theme song, “Here We Are.”
38. Singapore rock legend Ramli Sarip follows with a powerful spoken rendition of the National Anthem, accompanied by Abang Sapau.
39. A young performer waves a flag with gusto, as multi-ethnic dances are performed in the background.
40. Pianist Churen Li ends her solo segment with a graceful pose.
41. Guitarist Addy Rasidi takes the spotlight as he caps off the vibrant musical showcase in Act One.
42. All performing artistes in Act One gather on the 360-degree stage for a united performance of “What Do You See.”
43. Light bulbs carried by the Soka Gakkai performers create a dreamy atmosphere for Act Two.
44. Floats designed by talented artists with disabilities parade across the Padang.
45. Linying delivers a motivational performance of “I Will Walk With.”
46. Heema Izzati performs a heartfelt rendition of “Room at the Table.”
47. Stunning projections light up UOB Plaza One, choreographed with artwork that complements the mood of Act Two.
48. National icon Dick Lee makes a grand entrance in a helium-filled balloon.
49. Dick Lee sings “We Will Get There,” the 2002 NDP theme song.
50. Giant inflatable balls are passed around the audience.
51. Rahimah Rahim takes the 360-degree centre stage for a performance of “Not Alone.”
52. At the same time, the song’s composer Benjamin Kheng joins in for a duet on a mobile floating stage in Marina Bay, with dancers from the Music and Drama Company.
53. Jai Kishen kick-starts Act Four with an electrifying drum solo on an elevated island stage.
54. A unique cover of “The Road Ahead” ignites a fiery atmosphere as NDP 2025 reaches its climax.
55. Music icon Kit Chan emerges from centre stage to serenade the audience with her NDP 1998 theme song, “Home.”
56. The Fullerton Hotel is illuminated with a projection of the Singapore flag.
57. The eagerly anticipated fireworks are set off for the finale.
58. All performers gather at the show grounds for a sing-along of favourite NDP songs.
59. NDP 2025 concludes with the “Majulah Moment” — the reciting of the pledge and the singing of the National Anthem.
60. Fireworks light up the Singapore skyline, a beautiful sight for the SG60 celebrations.

Bonus Pictures – Behind the Scenes

Performers from MOE institutions pose for a post-show photo, with a fitting background illuminated by audience LED wristbands.
A performer from Soka Gakkai cheers as fireworks are set off for the finale.
Performers from Act One pose for a group photo in front of the decked-out façade of the National Gallery.
Show hosts Sonia Chew and Joakim Gomez with pianist Churen Li.
TOUCH motivators eager to take selfies with show host Ebi Shankara.
Performers from Chung Cheng High School take away precious memories from NDP 2025.
Performers from SMU Samba Masala pose for a photo.
Performers from Act Two pose for a group photo.
Performers from Act Two pose for a group photo.
TOUCH motivators take a selfie after the crowd has dispersed for the day.
Celebrating the conclusion of months of hard work across the NE shows, preview, and the actual day.
Volunteers from Heartware work tirelessly after the show, greeting and ushering spectators along exit routes.
Delighted to cap off another successful NDP show.

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