SINGAPORE — The next two editions of the National Day Parade (NDP) in 2024 and 2025 will continue to be held at the Padang, similar to this year’s event.
The annual celebration of the founding of the city-state had been held at The Float@Marina Bay in 2021 and 2022, before this year’s NDP was moved to the Padang as The Float is being redeveloped into the NS Square.
Milestones will be commemorated in both upcoming NDPs. Next year’s edition coincides with the 40th anniversary of Total Defence, Singapore’s national defence concept, while the 2025 edition will mark 60 years of Singapore’s independence.
Brigadier-General (BG) Low Wilson, chair of the NDP 2024 executive committee, said in a media release by Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on Friday (29 September), “Having NDP24 in the city gives special meaning to what Total Defence is all about.
“We hope that as Singaporeans gather at the Padang and Marina Bay next year, they will be able to look around them and be immersed in our beautiful skyline that reflects our social, military, and economic achievements, and that together, we will remember our history, celebrate our achievements, and aspire to build a brighter future for our next generation.”
BG Low, who is also the Chief Guards Officer and Commander of the 21st Singapore Division, added that, for the first at an NDP, there will be a “Total Defence 40” dynamic defence display at the Padang, with air-land components from the Singapore Armed Forces, the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence force working hand-in-hand.
The NDP festivities and the dynamic defence display are set to be extended to the Marina Bay area, so that more Singaporeans can be involved in the celebrations.
Historical significance of Padang for NDP 2025
As for NDP 2025, celebrations will comprise the integrated show at the Padang, live celebrations in the Marina Bay area as a satellite site, as well as heartlands festivities.
Padang was chosen for its historical significance for Singapore’s 60th birthday celebrations, said BG Cai Dexian, chairman of the NDP 2025 executive committee and Commander of the 3rd Singapore Division.
“The first NDP was held here in 1966 and over the years, we have held the NDP here to coincide with milestone celebrations such as Singapore’s Golden Jubilee in 2015 and the Bicentennial in 2019,” he said in Mindef’s media release.
“The Padang allows us to showcase highlights like the mobile column, aerial displays and fireworks. Overall, more than 250,000 people will be able to take part in NDP 2025 celebrations during the NDP previews and on 9 August itself.
“Holding NDP 2025 at the Padang also allows the NDP 2025 team to build on the best practices and synergies from NDP 2024 to deliver a safe and smooth celebrations for the nation.”
More details for the two NDP celebrations will be shared at a later date.
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