NDP 2026: Bigger venue and three new songs, but no Red Lions, mobile column in this year’s parade
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The National Day Parade held at the Padang, as seen from Swissotel The Stamford, on Aug 9, 2025.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
- NDP 2026 returns to the National Stadium, hosting 42,000 people. Due to safety, traditional elements like the mobile column and Red Lions will not feature.
- NDP 2026 introduces new elements like an indoor drone show. Its theme is “Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond!”.
- Breaking tradition, NDP 2026 releases a three-track album and a micro-drama, "Heartbeats." Public engagement includes Kallang precinct activities and interactive booths.
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SINGAPORE - About 42,000 people will be able to catch the National Day Parade (NDP) in 2026 as it returns to the National Stadium after 10 years.
This capacity is almost double that of the Padang, although the venue comes with trade-offs – crowd favourites such as the mobile column, Red Lions and aerial display will not make an appearance this year.
Brigadier-General Lim Han Yong, who chairs the NDP 2026 executive committee, said on May 21 that this was due to “safety and operational concerns”, although Singaporeans can expect “new and exciting elements”.
The parade was last held at the National Stadium in 2016, with the 2026 edition marking 50 years since it was first held at the old National Stadium.
BG Lim, revealing details of NDP 2026 at Infinite Studios in one-north, said the enclosed, covered arena allows the celebration to go on in all weather conditions.
“The new venue gives us a new opportunity, and a rare one, to redesign the NDP experience,” he said. “We are able to capitalise on the entire vertical volume for a more breathtaking, immersive set design that complements the performers in all their different acts.”
The NDP 2026 parade will feature an indoor drone show, aerial performers and special effects. It will also showcase the largest and most diverse civilian participation in more than a decade.
The presidential gun salute will take place in the Kallang Basin for the first time, and crowd favourites such as the state flag fly-past, feu de joie and fireworks will continue to be a staple – but spectators’ view of these will be limited due to the nature of the covered stadium.
Pop singers Najip Ali and Ric Liu, as well as rising electronic dance music star Jasmine Sokko, will also be part of the show. Accompanying them will be more than 2,000 performers from organisations such as schools, the People’s Association and Soka Gakkai Singapore.
“As this is the start of a new decade (for Singapore), (holding the) NDP at a new venue really gives a lot of opportunities to do something fresh and different, and therefore this year we can bring new elements,” BG Lim said.
The theme for NDP 2026 – Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond! – is “a rallying call for Singaporeans to reach higher together and look after one another and the wider community as we progress in the journey ahead”, BG Lim said.
Alongside the push for fresh elements, the parade is breaking from its longstanding tradition of releasing a single theme song. For the first time, it will see the launch of an album of three original tracks titled Go Beyond, alongside a micro-drama titled Heartbeats.
Directed by Mr K. Rajagopal and written by Ms Kaylene Tan, the six-episode series consists of videos between two and three minutes long each.
They follow a young woman, played by artiste Iman Fandi, on her journey as she overcomes challenges to perform at an NDP heartland concert.
Artist Iman Fandi at the announcement of the concept for this year’s NDP at Infinite Studios on May 21.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
The trailer, alongside episodes one and two, were released on May 21 on the NDPeeps YouTube channel. Episodes three and four will drop on May 23, followed by the final two episodes on May 26.
The accompanying music album was launched on the NDPeeps YouTube channel on May 21, and will be launched on Spotify on May 22, with music videos rolling out in the following weeks.
The songs by local artistes – titled Giants, Sparkle and You’ll Be Okay – are about overcoming challenges, finding joy and having hope for the future. They are written and performed by various local artistes, including Ms Iman herself.
The album will also feature traditional NDP favourites and original music created specifically for the show.
Ms Iman, who is a model, singer and actress, shared that being cast in both the micro-drama and the original song felt like it was “meant for (her)”, as it prompted her to reflect on her own personal growth and connect deeply with the character.
“I definitely hope that (Singaporeans) will be able to relate... to the characters in the micro-drama, to see that despite your challenges and fears, there are people around you who want to help you succeed,” she said.
Ms Iman said she felt honoured to carry such a “big weight”, playing a dual role for NDP 2026. “It’s a good weight, I like the stress of NDP... This is an opportunity that doesn’t come very often and I just knew I had to take it.
“I’ll be able to carry the Singapore flag with pride, and that’s all I want to do.”
(From left) Artist Iman Fandi, Brigadier-General Lim Han Yong, writer Kaylene Tan and microdrama director K. Rajagopal at Infinite Studios on May 21.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
While there are no heartland celebrations like in previous years, members of the public will still get to enjoy music performances, interactive activities and a lighted display around the Kallang precinct from July 25 to Aug 9.
From May 28 to Aug 8, interactive NDP booths will be set up at events such as the National Family Festival and SportSG Sports Carnivals.
Members of the public will also be able to win awards through a nationwide treasure hunt. In addition, they can collect free national flags from end-June onwards at selected locations, including People’s Association community clubs and CapitaLand malls.
