How To Prep For An NDP Viewing Party
This (long) National Day weekend, you can sleep in, hop onto a plane to somewhere or just show your love for the Lion City (or, TBH, the National Day Parade fireworks and aerial performances) in these ways.
1. Hold a NDP-viewing party at home
Singapore is so small that you can actually catch a glimpse of the fireworks action from many HDB estates all over the island – from Toa Payoh to Beach Road.
If you are throwing a NDP-viewing party at home, set a theme. A red-and-white dress code is easy enough for most to follow but also expected and boring. Try a “bicentennial” theme: dress up as historic figures, play SG trivia games and give out goodie bags with national-pride prizes from homegrown design brands like WhenIwasfour and Thelittledromstore.
And, of course, what’s a National Day house party without the right food?
Pezzo Pizza, which already serves up very localicious flavours like Hainanese chicken rice pizza, has launched its Alamak! Rendang pizza for Nationa Day. Round up the spread with Starbucks’ Laksa Croissant Bowl and, for your hipster friends, its Hainanese Chicken Rice Quinoa Salad. Then quench their thirst with the Starbucks Shiok-ah-ccino, a vanilla cream Frappuccino that is said to be inspired by the ice cream sandwiches you get from roadside carts here (we’re not getting the idea behind this one though).
2. Book a staycation at a nearby hotel
How do you go on “holiday” and still be in Singapore? Answer: have a staycation. And do one with a view at hotels like Pan Pacific, Andaz Singapore, Ritz-Carlton, Marina Bay Sands and Fullerton Bay Hotel. You won’t get to see the parade in its entirety, only the fireworks at the end of it. But that’s OK because there’s always the live telecast on TV. And since hotel room rates in that area will be as sky-high as the fireworks, think economies of scale and jio your family and friends over.
3. Dine at a restaurant with a view
Eating is our number one passion in Singapore. So what better way to celebrate Singapore’s birthday than with a meal? Some restaurants where you can catch the NDP fireworks and even aerial performances include Zafferano at Ocean Financial Centre, Aura at National Gallery Singapore and Caffe Fernet at Customs House (most of its Alfresco Promenade tables have already been booked through a pre-ticketing system). But be prepared to walk from the nearest MRT station because roads in these areas will be closed to traffic. So leave the heels and polyester shirts at home.
4. Catch the fireworks for free
Too broke or niao to pay for a dining place or a hotel room? We won’t judge. Chope your free-to-view standing spot at these vantage points: Bay East Garden at Gardens by the Bay, Helix Bridge, Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade and the Merlion Park. Only problem is 82,435 other people will have the same idea as you.
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