November 22, 2024
SINGAPORE – Singaporeans will be able to usher in the new year and join in celebrations counting down to the nation’s 60th birthday at key places such as Marina Bay and Sentosa as well as 17 heartland locations on Dec 31.
ONE Countdown 2025 will be the first event kicking off SG60 commemorations, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth said on Nov 21.
Carrying the theme of Building Our Singapore Together, SG60 will celebrate nation-building over the years and provide opportunities for citizens to reflect on shared values such as multiculturalism, boldness, resilience and openness.
Here’s a look at the events that will take place.
Singapore Sports Hub
The audience can look forward to a Let’s Celebrate 2025 countdown show hosted by Mediacorp, where there will be fringe activities, roving entertainment acts and a fireworks display.
Fringe activities start at 5pm, while gates to enter the show open at 7pm.
Marina Bay
Catch a series of light projection shows at The Fullerton Hotel, live performances at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, and fireworks over the bay.
These events will take place on different days in December, with details to follow.
There is also illumi, an outdoor nocturnal experience that brings audiences through different worlds using larger-than-life light sculptures, audioscapes and immersive multimedia, taking place at Bayfront Event Space.
Sentosa
It will be party time at Siloso Beach, where the Yuewen Music Festival will feature international music acts such as Afrojack and Lala Hsu and a spectacular drone display of more than 1,000 drones and fireworks.
The three-day festival begins on Dec 28. For details, visit: https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/yuewen2024
For a quieter evening, Palawan Beach will be offering a free movie marathon beginning at 7pm and a fireworks display at midnight.
A family-friendly Sentosa countdown party will be held at Palawan Green from 5pm to 1am.
Clarke Quay
A futuristic-themed celebration consisting of interactive digital games and art installations will be held at CQ @ Clarke Quay from Dec 27.
Adding to the lively atmosphere will be drone shows over the Singapore River and live performances by local musicians.
Orchard Road
If you prefer the crowds, find them in the heart of Singapore’s iconic shopping district, where there will be carnival rides and live performances at the Great Christmas Village at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza and the Orchard Road pedestrian mall. Festivities go on till 12.30am.
For those who enjoy flea markets, the Good Night Fest at the Orchard Road pedestrian mall will offer a late-night experience with food and beverage options and retail booths from Dec 30 to Jan 1, 2025.
Somerset Belt
Prefer a carnival atmosphere?
Visit Trifecta – the world’s first hybrid skate bowl designed for skateboarding and surfskating – for a countdown experience filled with acrobatic acts, fire breathers, magicians and more.
The event runs from 5pm to 3am.
Those who love indie music can walk over to *Scape and enjoy a diverse line-up from across the region at Music Day Out! – Magic Garden. Festivities run from 6pm to 3am.
For family-friendly activities, head over to Somerset Youth Park’s Made By Magic: Somerset Kids Countdown Fest, where there will be workshops, music and magic experiences. Jollities start at 4pm and last till 12.30am.
Residents of Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bishan, Boon Lay, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Hougang, Jalan Besar, MacPherson, Marine Parade, Marsiling, Yishun, Punggol, Tampines, Queenstown and Woodlands can look forward to ushering in the new year in their neighbourhoods.
The People’s Association (PA) will organise 17 heartland celebrations with various activities such as carnivals, stage performances and F&B booths for residents to enjoy with their families and friends.
Further details for each countdown location will be provided by the PA in early December.
Migrant worker recreation centres and dormitories
Migrant workers in more than 10 dormitories will not miss out on the festive celebrations.
They can drop in at six different recreation centres – in Kranji, Penjuru, Sembawang, Soon Lee, Terusan and Tuas South – to join in the festivities, beginning at 7pm on Dec 31.
Activities include live performances, food stations and carnival games. Lucky draw prizes await winners.
Workers can also look forward to fireworks and outdoor pyrotechnics displays at the recreation centres in Kranji and Penjuru.