National Day is just around the corner.
And with a long weekend to look forward to, you can join the Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC) in a line-up of exciting programmes at its National Day celebrations.
Bring along your loved ones and rediscover the Singapore spirit through these exciting activities:
1. Digital exhibition
SDC will be having a digital exhibition titled ‘Distilling the Singapore Spirit’.
You can vote for your favourite mocktails and read more about the stories that inspire the design of each drink through an interactive experience.
If you have a hard time picking out your favourite drink, you can take a short quiz to discover more about the drink best suited for you.
2. SG Stories films
SDC will also be showcasing these Singapore Stories films for free at its iWERKS Theatre:
Huan Express (PG)
Duration: 26 mins
Date: Aug. 7
Time: 4:30pm
Genre: Drama and Fantasy
Synopsis: An average boy studying in junior college must decide if he wants to exchange his most precious memory for an 'A' grade for his mother's approval and love.
Reunion (PG)
Duration: 24 mins
Date: Aug. 7
Time: 5:15pm
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: A talented chef comes home after going away for three years to fulfil his ailing grandmother’s wish, and discovers the real meaning of reunion dinner.
The Times We Shared (PG)
Duration: 26 mins
Date: Aug. 8
Time: 4:30pm
Genre: Drama and Comedy
Synopsis: A 9-year-old sheltered Chinese girl must overcome her prejudice of a 9-year-old Malay fishmonger or else she will lose her one true friend.
Asam Pedas Ikan Salmon (PG)
Duration: 24 mins
Date: Aug. 8
Time: 5:15pm
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: When a young man brings his American fiancée home, it sets the stage for an epic battle for affection and loyalty – one that can only be settled with the eponymous asam pedas ikan salmon.
Ixora Flower (PG)
Duration: 25 mins
Date: Aug. 9
Time: 4:30pm
Genre: Period Drama
Synopsis: A 15-year-old kampung girl who works as a babysitter for a British family must save her younger sister from the Bukit Ho Swee fire.
The Dream Team (PG)
Duration: 19 mins
Date: Aug. 9
Time: 5:15pm
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: An inspiring documentary on how the DREAM TEAM was assembled to finally win the Malaysia Cup, and bring back glory to Singapore football.
Created by Temasek Polytechnic's School of Design in partnership with SDC for the Singapore Stories Film Gala in 2019, these short films — ‘Huan Express’, ‘Ixora Flower’, and ‘The Times We Shared’ — are shortlisted as finalists for the ‘Best Student Film’ category at the New York Festival TV and Film Awards 2021.
To watch the films, you can register here.
There are also blockbuster films you can enjoy, such as ‘Fast & Furious 9’ and ‘Marvel Studios' Black Widow’.
However, the blockbuster films cost S$10 per person and seats are subject to availability, due to popular demand.
3. Floating light installations
Image from SDC website.
For those who prefer more chill activities, you can enjoy a serene evening by the Discovery Lake with these dreamy floating light installations.
The light balls are predominantly yellow, but it’s changeable to other colours on Aug. 9.
It will light up from 5:30pm onwards.
You can take some Instagram-worthy photos at this prime spot — the Band Stand located by the lake.
If you can’t catch the floating lights this weekend, fret not. The lights will be available till November.
4. Guided tours
Permanent Exhibits Gallery (Through The Lens of Time) Tour
Image courtesy of SDC. Through the Lens of Time - The Turning Point: Sit on gunny sacks to view a short film of WW2 experienced through the eyes of a young girl.
Image courtesy of SDC. Through The Lens of Time - Against All Odds: Uncover the widespread and persistent acts of sabotage that hit our shores during Konfrontasi.
Image courtesy of SDC. Through The Lens of Time - Against All Odds: Journey through Singapore’s drive for sovereignty.
The Permanent Exhibits Gallery - Through the Lens of Time will be open from 1pm to 7pm on all three days.
The gallery has recently won the Singapore Good Design (SG Mark) Award - Interior Design Category.
The gallery features four distinct segments related to Singapore: The Beginnings, The Turning Point, Against All Odds and Building Our Foundations.
You can experience an immersive journey from past to present, discover new stories and perspectives about Singapore, and let the stories come to life through augmented reality (AR).
You can either visit the gallery on your own or be part of a free guided tour at these timings:
- 2pm
- 3pm
- 4pm
- 5pm
- 6pm
To participate in the Permanent Exhibits Gallery guided tour, you can proceed to the queuing area beside the café at least 10 minutes before the stipulated tour time.
The tour is limited to a maximum of 10 persons and admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration is also required. You can register here.
SAFTI Bus Tour
Image from SDC website.
Besides the gallery, you can also take part in the SAFTI free exclusive bus tour around the 88-hectare training ground for officers-to-be.
This tour offers a unique glimpse into the life of an officer cadet and the role of SAF in the defence and security of Singapore.
The tour will start from the SAFTI bus bay. It will be available at these timings:
- 1pm
- 2pm
- 3pm
- 4pm
- 5pm
- 6pm
To participate in the SAFTI bus tour, please proceed to the queue at the SAFTI bus bay at least 10 minutes before the stipulated tour time.
The tour is limited to a maximum of 20 persons for the 1pm slot and 40 persons for the rest of the slots.
Admission is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration is required. You can register here.
One Planet, One Home Eco Tour
Image courtesy of SDC.
Image courtesy of SDC.
Another free tour you can enjoy is the ‘One Planet, One Home Eco’ tour.
In this tour, you can learn how to live a greener and more sustainable lifestyle in urban Singapore through examples such as harvesting solar energy and urban gardening.
You will also be able to experience eco-sustainability initiatives adopted by SDC.
The tours will be available at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm at the Concourse.
You must also register for the tour here.
5. Self-guided Trail
Image from SDC website.
From 1pm to 7pm, you can head over to the Concourse for a free self-guided trail, titled ‘A Little Trip around SG town!’.
You can stand a chance to win some prizes and gifts too.
6. Sticker Craft
Image from SDC website.
For families with young children, you can head over to SDC’s Play Ground from 1pm onwards for a sticker craft activity.
The children will be able to learn to build their own mythical tale from the classic story of ‘Sang Nila and the Singa’.
Photo contest
SDC will also be having a photo contest to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
To enter the contest, simply take a selfie as you venture around SDC, like and follow SDC’s social media pages, and post your image on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #SDC25,
#SingaporeDiscoveryCentre and #OhSnapSDC.
You can stand a chance to win a one-year SDC Family Explorers Membership (up to 4 persons), S$50 SDC Vouchers and more.
This contest ends on Aug. 31, 2021, 11:59pm and 5 winners will be announced on Sep. 10, 2021. Terms and conditions apply.
More information can be found here.
National Day promotion
SDC will also have a National Day promotion for its membership programme.
You can enjoy a 20 per cent discount when you sign up for a new ‘Family Explorers’ or ‘Adventurer’ membership from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9.
More information on the promotion can be found here.
Otherwise, just head on down to walk in for free admission, and while enjoying these fun programmes, please also remember to adhere to all safe management measures in the centre.
This sponsored article by the Singapore Discovery Centre makes the writer excited for National Day.
Top images courtesy of Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC).