HERITAGESG PRESENTS EXPANDED NATIONAL DAY EXPERIENCE IN BRAS BASAH.BUGIS TO CELEBRATE SINGAPORE’S 60TH BIRTHDAY
Celebrate National Day in the historic Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB) precinct this SG60! HeritageSG (HSG), a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board, brings heritage to life through thoughtful, curated experiences to mark Singapore’s 60th birthday. The annual National Day Activations (NDAV) return for a special edition that extends beyond illuminating historic landmarks in the precinct. This year, visitors can expect a more immersive experience, with iconic monuments and hidden spaces across the precinct transformed into captivating zones with dynamic lights and digital experiences. Designed to spark imagination and bring communities together in celebration of the nation’s birthday, the 2025 NDAV will run from 1 August to 6 September 2025.
This year’s theme, Celebrating Our Island, is a vibrant tribute to Singapore’s rich heritage of food, flora, fauna, place, and culture. In parallel with the theme of this year’s Singapore Night Festival (SNF), Island Nights, the NDAV will cast a spotlight on Sungei Beras Bassa, the historic river that once nourished the nutmeg plantations in the precinct and gave it its name – meaning “wet rice” in Malay – from the tradition of drying rice along its banks.
Join us on a memorable journey through BBB’s storied past and present, and celebrate Singapore’s unique identity. Explore seven light activations that weave through the heart of the precinct. Familiar landmarks such as the National Museum of Singapore (1 – 9 August), Reflection Pool @ Bras Basah MRT Station, Fortune Centre’s digital billboard, Stamford Walkway, St Joseph’s Church, Ten Square’s digital billboard and The Cathay will become gateways to new experiences.
📅 1 Aug – 6 Sep 2025
🕙 7.30pm – 12mn (Fridays and Saturdays)
🕙 7.30pm – 11pm (Sundays to Thursdays)
📍 Various locations in Bras Basah.Bugis precinct
National Day Activations (NDAV)
1. Canvas of Light: Our Nation’s Journey
📍 National Museum of Singapore
📅 1 – 9 Aug 2025
🕙 Daily, 7.30pm – 12mn
Canvas of Light: Our Nation’s Journey
Our popular light projection show returns to illuminate the façade of the museum! Through a mesmerising dance of light and colour, watch Singapore’s remarkable journey unfold across our historic building.
2. Lepak by the River
📍 Reflection Pool @ Bras Basah MRT Station
Lepak by the River
Tune in to the rhythm of slow island living and gentle flows of the water above Reflection Pool @ Bras Basah MRT Station – a modern-day oasis inspired by the historic Sungei Beras Bassa. This fountain-like space reimagines the rivers and coasts where communities once gathered to rest, connect, and reflect. Whether you’re looking to relax, chat with friends or just enjoy the calming sound of water, this is your invitation to pause and enjoy the simple pleasures of urban life.
3. A River Reborn
📍 Stamford Walkway
A River Reborn
This transformed walkway captures the spirit of Sungei Beras Bassa, a river that once ran through the precinct, bringing Singapore’s flora and fauna to life. Inspired by the calm spots where communities once gathered to rest, reflect, and connect, the installation invites you to slow down and immerse yourself in a space where history flows beneath your feet. Step into the precinct’s memory – a simple path turned into a sensory journey through time.
4. Songs of Nutmeg Trees
📍 St. Joseph’s Church
Songs of Nutmeg Trees
Experience a luminous tribute to the various plantations that once thrived along the banks of Sungei Beras Bassa. This light projection delicately casts the silhouettes of nutmeg trees onto the church façade, echoing a time when these fragrant groves lined Victoria Street – where the river once flowed, nourishing the land and its legacy. Through shifting visuals and playful lights, this piece evokes a time when these fragrant trees shaped the area’s landscape and economy.
Can you catch that warm, fragrant hint of nutmeg in the air?
5. Fortune Food Paradise
📍 Fortune Centre
Fortune Food Paradise by NAFA students from the Diploma in Illustration Design with Animation, Genevieve Tay Zi Qing, Ryan Xinwei Tan, Yu Shihui, Haguisan Samantha Rose Bonavente, Tanya, Low Jun Xi Sherman, Jad Zheng Li S/o Zaiphizat Putra, Ng Shi Min
A special SG60 collaboration between Bras Basah.Bugis and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) Faculty of Art & Design.
Discover the emotional power of food and memory through two animated short films created by NAFA students. Titled Fortune Food Paradise, the work celebrates Singapore’s food culture and Fortune Centre’s role as a food paradise in the BBB precinct.
The first animation journeys into childhood days, where local dishes evoke heartfelt moments shared with loved ones. The second video explores how these comforting flavours evolve into modern fusion creations – new food experiences that continue to bring loved ones together.
6. Paradise of Play
📍 Ten Square
Paradise of Play by students from LASALLE’s BA (Hons) Animation Art programme, Averil Jodie Koh, Kim Jinsol, Nah Yee Chern, Leow May Gwen Veronica and Yu Jia Le Melody
A special SG60 collaboration between Bras Basah.Bugis, Ten Square and LASALLE College of the Arts students from the Puttnam School of Film & Animation.
Two anamorphic animations created by LASALLE students light up the Ten Square Digital Billboard, celebrating local youth culture. Titled Paradise of Play, the work pays homage to the vibrant Selegie Youth Scene, a hotspot of youth energy and surrounded by arts institutions.
Watch as playful mascots explore the vibrant Selegie Youth Scene, from café hopping to claw machine fun! It spotlights how heritage and creativity are often intertwined in Bras Basah.Bugis – a creative district shaped by play, innovation, collaboration and culture.
7. Island of Stars
📍 The Cathay
Island of Stars
The Cathay is an iconic building that stood as a beacon of modernity with a blend of historical charm. Inspired by The Cathay Gallery on Level 2, this activation of lights honours the rich cinematic legacy with a treasure trove of insights into the beginnings of film and movies in Singapore. Think floating film stars, retro cinema vibes, and stories from Singapore’s golden age of film, all in one spot!
🎉🇸🇬 SINGAPORE NATIONAL DAY 2025 – SG60 🇸🇬🎉
Image: Pixabay
Singapore turns 60 this year, and it’s time to celebrate in style! From family-friendly activities to special SG60 events happening across the island, there’s something for everyone this National Day weekend. So, dress in red and white, gather your loved ones, and soak in the festive spirit!
Don’t miss out on these SG60 promotions specially curated for the occasion.
🎆 Didn’t manage to score NDP tickets at the Padang? No worries! You can still catch the action, rehearsals, and fireworks at various locations around Singapore. Check out the best viewing spots, dates, and timings here:
👉 National Day Parade Timings & Where to Catch NDP Fireworks
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