SG50: What’s happening this Jubilee weekend

SINGAPORE — From carnivals and performances to free travel and free admissions, a slew of treats and special activities will be rolled out over the Jubilee weekend as the nation celebrates its 50th birthday. If you are still deciding what to do, here’s a look at some of the happenings this weekend:

CARNIVALS, PICNICS

Singapore Botanic Gardens

What’s happening: A three-day carnival offering games and traditional snacks. There will also be a free concert at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage featuring local acts such as Rui En, Taufik Batisah and The Sam Willows. A live telecast of the National Day Parade will also be screened. Admission to the National Orchid Garden is free in August for Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs).

When: The carnival is held from Aug 7 to Aug 9, from 10am to 5pm. The concert is held at 4pm on Friday and Sunday, and 5pm on Saturday.

Click here for more details. 

Former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station

What’s happening: A “retrolicious” carnival with a series of old school activities, nostalgic traditional games and carnival rides.

When: The carnival starts from 9am to 6pm on Aug 9. After the carnival, a live screening of the National Day Parade will be shown until 9pm.

Click here for more details. 

Singapore Sports Hub

What’s happening: A sports-themed National Day celebration with activities conducted such as free kayak, canoe and peddle boat try-outs. There will be nostalgic games like five stones and kuti kuti, as well as a bouncy castle, euro bungee and more at the Kids Play & Craft Zones. Singaporeans and PRs can use selected Sports Hub facilities such as the OCBC Aquatic Centre and Water Sports Centre for free during the Jubilee Weekend.

When: The carnival will be held on Aug 8 and 9, from 9am to 9pm. Local film Ah Boys To Men 3: Frogmen will be screened at the OCBC Square on Aug 8 from 7pm to 9pm. A live telecast of the National Day Parade will be shown from 5.25pm on Aug 9.

Click here for more details. 

PERFORMANCES

Music festival 100+50 at Bedok Reservoir

What’s happening: 100 bands featuring big-name local artistes like singer-songwriter Charlie Lim and newcomers join the stage with 50 other electronic acts and DJs.

When: Aug 7 to Aug 9, and Aug 14 to Aug 16.

Click here more details. 

Gardens By The Bay

What’s happening: A special SG50 edition of the Garden Rhapsody music and light show featuring a floral depiction of the tales and legends surrounding Singapore. Singaporean and PR seniors aged 60 and above get free entry to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest while Singaporeans and PRs get 50 per cent off admission tickets.

When: The music and light show is on from Aug 6 to Aug 10 at 7.45pm, 8.30pm, 9.15pm and 10pm.

Click here for more details. 

Esplanade — Theatres On The Bay

What’s happening: Free programmes, local dance and music performances, talks and worships, art installations, and a bazaar featuring local entrepreneurs.

The Esplanade Concert Hall will also be having an open house where visitors can experience the hall’s acoustic features while enjoying a variety of music performances.

When: Aug 6 to Aug 10. The Esplanade Concert Hall open house will be held on Aug 8 at 1pm, 3pm, 6.15pm and 8.15pm.

Click here for more details. 

RSAF Black Knights aerial display at Marina South

What's happening: The Republic of Singapore Air Force's aerobatics team, the Black Knights, will be performing 22 manoeuvres, including opening and finale formations, in a 25-minute aerial performance above the waters off the Marina South area.

When: Aug 7 to Aug 9 at noon each day. 

Click here for more details.

MUSEUMS, GALLERIES AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Museums and heritage galleries

What’s happening: Various national heritage galleries and museums will be opened to the public for free. Exhibitions, programmes and special activities will also be conducted. Some of the participating venues are the National Museum of Singapore, the Asian Civilisations Museum, the Singapore Philatelic Museum and the Malay and Indian heritage centres.

(Update: All outdoor movie screenings and live-streaming of the NDP at the Asian Civilisations Museum has been cancelled due to technical issues.)

When: Free admission starts on Aug 7 until Aug 10.

Jurong Bird Park, River Safari and Singapore Zoo

What’s happening: Special SG50 celebrations during certain animal shows. Throughout August, admission to Jurong Bird Park and bundled admission to River Safari and the Singapore Zoo are discounted at 50 per cent for Singaporeans, PRs and employment pass holders.

When: From Aug 7 to Aug 10, visitors can witness the elephant’s flag-raising ceremony during the Elephants at Work and Play show at 11.30am and 3.30pm and sing-along to Amigo the parrot at the Jurong Bird Park’s High Flyers Show at 11am and 3pm.

Click here for more details. 

Science Centre Singapore

What’s happening: Free admission to the Science Centre Singapore from Aug 7 to Aug 10 for Singaporeans. It includes attractions such as the Human Body Experience exhibition, the Interplay: Where Science Meets Art exhibition, KidsSTOP, Snow City, The Cliff @ Snow City and the Omni-Theatre. All other visitors will have to purchase day passes at S$25 each, which allow them entry to all attractions on a first-come-first-served basis.

When: Opening hours are 10am to 8pm on Aug 7 and Aug 8; 10am to 5pm on Aug 9 and Aug 10. Updates on admission and approximate queueing times will be posted on the Science Centre’s Facebook page.

Click here for more details. 

Siloso Beach, Sentosa

What’s happening: A 100m-long sand sculpture showing significant moments in Singapore’s history will be displayed at Siloso Beach. The Sentosa Merlion will also “come alive” with dynamic 3D video projection mapping, lighting the Merlion in a canvas of colourful display. There will be free entry to the Sentosa Merlion and free cable car joy rides.

When: The sand sculpture will be displayed from Aug 7 to Aug 10. The Merlion Magic Lights will be held on 7.45pm, 8.15pm, 8.45pm, 9.15pm, 9.45pm and 10.15pm. Free entry to the Sentosa Merlion is on Aug 8, free cable car rides will be on Aug 10.

Click here for more details. 

ACTIVITIES

ActiveSG Sports Centres

What’s happening: Free access to all ActiveSG swimming pools and gyms over the four-day weekend for Singaporeans and PRs. The public can also participate in more than 50 different sporting activities such as free water and core sports tryouts and fitness activities at selected sports centres.

When: Jurong East, Toa Payoh and Yio Chu Kang Sports Centres will have activities on Aug 7 and Aug 8 while Seng Kang and Pasir Ris Sports Centres will have activities on Aug 9 and Aug 10. A live screening of the National Day Parade will be held from 6pm to 8pm at Seng Kang and Pasir Ris Sports Centres.

Click here for more details. 

Wild Wild Wet

What’s happening: Until Aug 30, a group of five or more can enjoy 50 per cent off entry fee. Singaporeans can also buy the Family Package (2 adults and 2 children) at just S$50 instead of the usual price of S$75 on Aug 9. There will be a foam party for Wet Pass members on National Day. Wild Wild Wet is also having discounted prices for its Season Pass from Aug 7 to Aug 10 for members of the public, Plus! and NTUC Plus! members.

When: Opening hours are from 10am to 7pm. The foam party on Aug 9 is from 2pm to 4pm.

Click here for more details. 

FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

SMRT and SBS Transit will offer free transport on their buses and trains on Aug 9. Operating hours for trains and selected bus services will be extended on Aug 6, 8 and 9.

Click here and here for more details. 

FREE MOBILE DATA

M1 will be giving free voice calls, SMS, MMS messages and unlimited mobile data for pre-paid and post-paid mobile customers from midnight on Aug 7 to 11.59pm, Aug 10. Singtel postpaid mobile customers will also get free unlimited mobile data from midnight on Aug 7 to 11.59pm, Aug 10. Pre-paid mobile customers will get an extra 50 per cent value for hi! Top-ups.

WATCH STARHUB TV, SINGTEL TV FOR FREE

More than 150 channels on Singtel TV will be free from 6am, Aug 7 to 11.59pm, Aug 10, with more family entertainment shown. Fifty video on-demand blockbuster movies will also be available at 50 per cent off. Starhub TV will offer all-access free viewing of over 150 channels from 12pm, Aug 6 to 12pm, Aug 11.

LISTEN TO MUSIC

Celebrate National Day with some of Singapore’s classic tunes, such as Home and Di Tanjong Katong. Spotify has released an SG50 playlist that takes listeners on a musical journey throughout 50 years of Singapore music. Deezer has also created a playlist of 50 tracks of the best music from Singapore artists across the last 50 years. 

SYAFFANA SAZALI