Ultimate Guide to the Fireworks in the Heartlands During 9 August 2020

Even those who find the National Day Parade (NDP) to be a dull and dreary affair can’t help but look out the window towards the skies to catch a glimpse of the fireworks display.

Since fireworks are banned in Singapore, the only way we can experience it is through conversations on Tinder or listening to Katy Perry.

This year, with the coronavirus on the loose, residents are going to experience the NDP from their living rooms and void decks instead of the Padang, as organisers aim to bring the event into each and every home across the country.

Along with crowd favourites such as the Red Lions and Mobile Column, the parade’s fireworks display will be brought into the heartlands this year so residents can view it while wearing their torn pyjamas.

But where? When? How? And why?

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s fireworks display.

It Will Be Held At 8.20 PM 

As you know, the fireworks display is traditionally reserved for the end of the parade, and this year is no different.

At 8.20 pm, after the Pledge moment at the Star Vista evening show, residents will be able to view the glorious display of colourful explosions for five minutes at several locations across the country.

It Will Be Launched At 10 Different Locations

To bring this magical experience closer to residents, fireworks at this year’s NDP will be launched at 10 different locations nationwide.

According to The Straits Times, residents near these locations may be able to view the fireworks from their homes:

• Ang Mo Kio
• Bishan
• Buona Vista
• Jurong Lake Gardens
• Marina Reservoir
• Punggol
• Sembawang
• Tampines
• Woodlands
• Yew Tee

You may be able to catch a glimpse of the display even if your neighbourhood isn’t listed above.

This year’s fireworks display will have an effective visible range of 1km to 8km and will burst at a height of up to 62 storeys, so people from neighbouring estates might be able to see the display as well!

Based on the NDP map, here’s where the fireworks will take place in the North:

Residents in Admiralty and Yishun might be able to view the display from their homes.

In the west, those living in Boon Lay and Clementi could see the fireworks launched from Jurong Lake Gardens.

Meanwhile, in the central and southern part of the country, residents of Toa Payoh and Yio Chu Kang might be able to catch the fireworks launched from Ang Mo Kio.

And in the east, those living in Sengkang, Paya Lebar, and Bedok might also be able to catch a glimpse from their homes.

Safety Concerns

If you were born after 1972, the year fireworks were banned in Singapore, you’ve probably never set off fireworks yourself, unless it was in another country.

So, hearing that it’ll be launched near residential areas this year might alarm you, but there’s no need to worry as the organisers are taking the necessary precautions.

According to Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Enriquez, chairman of the NDP2020 fireworks security committee, there’s an “immediate safety radius around the firing site, which can range from less than 100m for smaller fireworks sites to more than 400m (for larger ones) to address the safety of the public and the personnel on the ground”.

There will also be 2,000 personnel from the SAF, SPF, and security firm Aetos to ensure that residents are abiding by safe-distancing rules, with the help of safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers.

Many Public Areas Closed

Planning to make the event a romantic affair with your date or a special experience for the family by heading to a place that affords a better view?

Well, do note that the following areas will be closed to the public on 9 August during the fireworks display:

• Esplanade Park
• Empress Place
• Lakeside Garden at Jurong Lake Gardens
• Marina Barrage
• Promenade along Gardens by the Bay
• Bay East Garden
• Promenade along Singapore Flyer
• Youth Olympic Park
• Bayfront Event Space
• Clifford Square
• Esplanade Outdoor Theatre
• Esplanade Roof Terrace
• Jubilee Bridge
• Merlion Jetty
• Merlion Park
• One Fullerton Waterfront Promenade
• The Lawn @ Marina Bay
• The Promontory and Waterfront Promenade
• Lions Bridge
• Marina Barrage Bridge
• The Helix Bridge (Passage through only)
• Walkway along Benjamin Sheares Bridge
• Walkway along Sheares Ave
• Walkway under Bayfront Ave connecting The Float @ Marina Bay and Singapore Flyer

As previously mentioned, many popular NDP activities will be brought into the heartlands this year, so in addition to the fireworks display, residents can also look forward to these:

Red Lions 

The famed Red Lions will fall from the skies (with parachutes) at around 9am in open fields close to Ng Teng Fong Hospital and Sengkang General Hospital.

State Flag Flypast

Traditionally, you’ll see helicopters flying our country’s flag across the Padang, after the flag is raised.

For this year’s NDP, however, the traditional State Flag Flypast will be flown across several heartland locations, as well as the Padang.

Residents can catch the flag flypast from around 10.30am to 11.25am.

In the eastern route, which will start at 10.35am, helicopters will fly over estates such as Bedok, Pasir Ris and Punggol.

And in the western route, which will begin at 10.30am, they will fly over areas like Jurong East and Choa Chu Kang.

Roar of Unity

This year, the F-15SG fighter jets will perform their trademark Roar of Unity over our housing estates, as a tribute to our frontline fighters and essential workers, to symbolise a nation united as one people.

It will begin at the Padang at 10:45am and end at Paya Lebar Airbase at 11:15am.

Mobile Column

The mobile column, which will exhibit a total of 66 assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), will also be brought into the heartlands for NDP 2020.

The display will start at 10am and end around 1pm.

Around 100 frontline and essential workers will also be onboard the mobile column’s vehicles as they cover the streets of Singapore.

Here’s the route it’ll take:

Maritime Sailpast

For the maritime sailpast, 13 vessels from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Police Coast Guard, Republic of Singapore Navy, and the Singapore Defense Force will begin its voyage from the Marina South Pier at around 10.50am.

The sailpast can be viewed from Marina Barrage and the Marina South Pier and will end around 11.15am.

With the coronavirus pandemic causing more stress than your boss at work, Singaporeans need a distraction, and this will certainly be an enjoyable one.