SINGAPORE - With National Day falling on a Friday and the Hari Raya Haji holidays extending to next Monday, Singapore will have a long weekend.
While some people have booked getaways, those who are not going overseas over the four-day break will find plenty of interesting activities and events - with free admission - for the whole family at home.
Here are eight of The Sunday Times' picks.
1. HERITAGE HURRAY!
WHERE: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Road
WHEN: Aug 9 and 10, 10am to 5pm
INFO: Go to sysnmh.org.sg
Arts and crafts, heritage and shopping - Heritage Hurray! has it all.
Check out a community art market featuring products from local and overseas artisans, and join storytelling sessions of local stories supported by the Speak Good English Movement and the Speak Mandarin Campaign.
There are also several free arts and crafts workshops on both days - from toy painting and miniature clay sculpting to doodling and soap crafting demonstration.
Since it's our nation's birthday, why not immerse in local history? Sign up for the Balestier Heritage Trail ($5, includes an ondeh-ondeh making workshop and lunch), which takes you through landmarks like the Maha Sasanaramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple.
2. NDP OPEN HOUSE AT INDIAN HERITAGE CENTRE
WHERE: Indian Heritage Centre,5 Campbell Lane
WHEN: Aug 9 and 10, 10am to 4pm
The Indian Heritage Centre is working with local students to facilitate activities over the long weekend.
Kids and adults can design their own NDP-themed badge with students from River Valley High School, while students from ITE College West will help engage participants in traditional Indian games such as Paramapatham (snakes and ladders) and Bambaram (spinning tops).
There will also be free guided tours through the centre's permanent galleries for those hoping to understand the history of the Indian community and their contributions to Singapore's nation-building.
Those confident in their knowledge can also attempt a heritage quiz.
3. NATIONAL DAY SPECIAL: YOUTH INVASION BY RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
WHERE: Malay Heritage Centre, 85 Sultan Gate
WHEN: Aug 9, 10am to 3.30pm
Students from River Valley High School have designed a series of activities for families to enjoy on National Day , which will also help participants gain a richer understanding of Malay culture.
Families can make their own wayang kulit (shadow puppets) and put on their own show , learn more about the traditional Malay instrument gendang and even attempt to recreate it using everyday products.
There will also be a spice trading card game available to play and an educational mix-and-match activity on traditional Malay attire.
When they have completed the activities, visitors stand a chance to redeem this year's NDP funpack.
4. NATIONAL DAY CONCERT: OUR SG, OUR CELEBRATION
WHERE: The Meadow, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive
WHEN: Aug 10 and 11, 4 to 9.30pm
INFO: Go to gardensbythebay.com.sg
Belt out your favourite local tunes with some of Singapore's most beloved and established singers and entertainers as well as up-and-coming young talents in this two-day concert.
Singer Kit Chan, who sang the 1998 NDP song Home, will perform on the first day, together with musicians Dick Lee, Rahimah Rahim and Roy Li.
The second day will feature electronic music singer-songwriter Jasmine Sokko, as well as Aisyah Aziz and Gen Neo. Comedians Kumar and Fakkah Fuzz will also perform.
Kid-friendly fringe activitis include a bouncy castle and craft workshops, complete with generous giveaways.
5. SPORTS HUB NATIONAL DAY FIESTA
WHERE: OCBC Square, Singapore Sports Hub (Stadium Walk)
WHEN: Aug 9, 10am to 9pm
INFO: Register at sportshub.com.sg/NDFiesta
Stand up and get moving for Singapore with Sports Hub's all-day event of exercise, games and fun.
Those up for a serious workout can have a go at the Red-X Challenge, where participants aim to finish 200 repetitions of every station - to mark Singapore's Bicentennial.
The Ohana games ($5.40 per participant, suitable for adults and children aged four and above) are non-competitive and all-inclusive - with unique games like rickshaw-pulling that harks back to old Singapore.
There is also a dance workout. Families can have a picnic by the Kallang River and the enjoy the live National Day Parade.
Fringe activities include a playground, crafts workshop and bazaar.
6. "MAO" FABER DURIAN NIGHT
WHERE: Faber Deck on Mount Faber
WHEN: Aug 10, 6 to 10pm
INFO: Go to onefabergroup.com/msw
Celebrate Singapore's birthday by indulging in the king of fruits. The second wave of the durian season is expected to be over the National Day weekend and at this hilltop event, premium Mao Shan Wang durians from Pahang, Malaysia, will be sold. Cash is preferred.
Durian expert Collin Chee will be there to share his knowledge on the different varieties and gives tips on picking the best durian. Local musician Jill-Marie Thomas will perform alongside percussionist Desiree Tay.
7. NATIONAL DAY OPEN HOUSE AT NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE
WHERE: National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road
WHEN: Aug 9, 10am to 9pm; Aug 10, 10am to 7pm
INFO: Go to nationalmuseum.sg
Arts, culture and film lovers should check out the National Museum, which has a wide variety of free events over the long weekend.
Catch a selection of short films from the 15 Shorts: Films for Good initiative, about Singaporeans who perform acts of giving, and film-maker Kelvin Tong's Republic Of Food (2018), a comedy about Singaporeans' love of food.
Artworks by primary school pupils on their reflections of Singapore will be on display.
You can also join a scavenger hunt through the museum, a virtual-reality race experience and storytelling sessions about hawker food.
8. OUR SINGAPORE SONGS
WHERE: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens
WHEN: Aug 10, 6pm
INFO: Go to nparks.gov.sg
The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO), led by resident conductor Quek Ling Kiong, will play familiar favourites, xinyao classics and new inspirations at the Unesco World Heritage Site.
The free concert is presented under the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Gift of Music series and is part of SPH's 35th-anniversary celebrations.
