SINGAPORE - The red-and-white "wishing spheres" installation, which has become a familiar sight at the annual Marina Bay countdown party, will take on a new look this year.

About 5,000 wishing spheres will form the numbers "50" to mark Singapore's 50th birthday next year. A picture of the special formation taking shape was posted on the Esplanade's Facebook page.

"The spheres carry the wishes of people from all walks of life in Singapore and are a tradition of the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, which is jointly presented by #Esplanade and Urban Redevelopment Authority," said the post. "This year's installation features this special number, in celebration of SG50 in 2015."

About 25,000 "wishing spheres" will be set afloat in Marina Bay for this year's party.

To celebrate the start of the country's golden jubilee, there will also be an eight-minute fireworks display choreographed to a score composed by Singapore's Julian Wong and Riduan Zalani. A special segment of the music will feature close to 400 drummers, performing at the lower boardwalk in front of the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza.