5 Places to Catch National Day 2017 Fireworks for Free

You don't need to jostle the crowd at the parade or fork out S$1,000 for a Bay-side hotel suite to enjoy the National Day 2017 fireworks.

So you didn't score tickets to the National Day parade and watching fireworks on TV is just too mundane. You could get a hotel room with a view, but the really good ones can run into a thousand a night (though you could, theoretically, use it as an opportunity to rack up air miles with a credit card).

Don't fret, there are several hotspots around the Marina Bay area where you can enjoy spectacular views of the fireworks without having to fork out a cent.

Bay East Garden at Gardens by the Bay

Bay East Garden lies across the water from Bay South Garden (where the cooled conservatories and Supertrees are located) and is a tranquil stretch of landscaped greenery popular with the residents of nearby Tanjong Rhu. Come August 9, Bay East will be filled with locals in-the-know who gather here for an exhilarating spectacle of the fireworks sparking and popping above the gorgeous city skyline.

Marina Barrage

Too lazy to hotfoot it all the way to Bay East Garden? (It is a public holiday after all, and you’re supposed to relax.) Marina Barrage lies in between Bay East Garden and Bay South Garden of Gardens by the Bay, and the green rooftop where people like to fly their kites on weekends is a great spot to park yourself for a decent – and laid back – view of the fireworks.

Helix Bridge and Benjamin Sheares Bridge

These two sites are not so great if you're the kind that needs breathing space, because people will flock here in droves for one of the closest views of the fireworks, since the parade is happening at the Marina Bay Floating Platform just next door. But the excitement of being oh-so-close to the action can't be beat. Recommended for hardcore fans. 

Event Plaza at Marina Bay Sands

You bet it will be crowded with seasoned fireworks-lovers who have the foresight to come early to score a seat on the steps for more comfortable viewing. Now that you know, try to come early to book your spot!

The benefit of this space is that The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands are just a few steps away, so it’s easy to stock up on something to eat or go for a bathroom break before the show.

The Promontory and The Lawn at Marina Bay

The Lawn is a green spot located above the Marina Bay Link Mall, and between Marina Bay Financial Centre and The Sail@Marina Bay, while The Promontory is another green space right in front of The Lawn.

These two community spaces are as good a place as any to catch the fireworks. There’s a chiller vibe compared to some of the other viewing hotspots, so feel free to bring along a picnic mat and some snacks, and relax and enjoy the show. 

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By Alexa Fang

Alexa is a pop-culture vulture. She lives to read, write and travel, and decided long ago that life is stranger than fiction. When she's having croissant, she thinks in French. "31 Rue Cambon" is her favourite address, and she believes that money one enjoyed spending is never money wasted.