The last firework lit the sky, marking the end of the 48th National Day Parade.

During the three-and-a-half hour celebrations on Friday, 26,000 spectators were treated to a display of defence hardware, aerial flypass, and a variety show with plenty of song and dance.

The pre-parade also had a carnival feel, and parade-goers got their faces painted and had balloons sculpted for them.

About 6,000 participants took part in this year's NDP, including familiar personalities like Moses Lim and Koh Chieng Mun, who performed as their characters from the popular sitcom Under One Roof. For the first time, Team Singapore athletes like table-tennis star Feng Tianwei, and captain of LionsXII Shahril Ishak were also part of the performance.

But the crowds were disappointed that the Red Lions daredevil stunts were cancelled - the first time in decades - due to low cloud cover.

This year's NDP theme song, One Singapore, was heavily criticised by netizens, when it was first launched last month.

But spectators shrugged off the negative comments as they sang and danced along with 68 members from the Sing-a-Nation choir.

Keeping in line with this year's theme of Many Stories...One Singapore, this year's show was also slightly longer than usual. The NDP show committee said that this was to reflect the "many extraordinary stories about everyday Singaporeans".

Madam Jocelyn Teo, 43, who was at the parade with her family, said that she felt proud watching the parade. "I tried to participate before, but dropped out halfway, because it was too tiring. So I know how much effort went into putting this together. I'm really proud of the Singaporeans who put the parade together."