NSFs behind 13 NDP mascots performing energetically on stage

A team of national servicemen (NSF) who are mascot performers for the 2026 National Day Parade (NDP) have been going viral on social media.

Videos of the mascots dancing garnered more than 20,000 likes in one TikTok post by user @bssrui.

NSFs as 13 mascots

There are 13 mascots performing on stage for the National Education show, representing local landmarks as well as iconic Singaporean symbols and campaigns from the past 60 years, according to Mindef's Pioneer magazine.

They will perform at the National Stadium with over 2,600 performers and 36 artistes, The Straits Times reported.

Among them is He Mingzhe, an NSF behind Brave, the mascot for Beyond the Label's mental health movement.

Brave has currently been dubbed the "blue ball" on social media.

The mascots have thus far gained support online for their antics and dance moves, with one post calling them the "best part" about NDP 2026.

"I didn't expect us to blow up on TikTok, but it's really heartening to hear that people are enjoying our performances. It motivates us to continue putting in the effort to bring forth a good show," Pioneer reported He as saying.

Put as much energy into performance

For Soh Jie Feng, the one behind NDP mascot August the merlion, being unrecognisable in front of the audience allowed him to give his best performance.

He told ST that as he is more reserved, this experience pushes his boundaries.

"Even though it might seem very small to put in my best effort for the small dance segment that we have, but I feel that it really contributes to the show," he said.

Javan Ng Jie Ren, 19, who is the performer behind the orange dragon playground, told ST that performers were encouraged to put as much energy as they could into the performance.

Since the theme for this year's NDP is "Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond!", that is the mindset the mascots wanted to bring to the parade this year, he added.

Safety

Although the costume is lightweight, it was initially difficult to walk quickly in it, He told ST.

The mascots also have to perform choreographed dance moves, and Ng added that he has to run across the stage at one point of the performance.

As such, 11 mascot guides will ensure the mascots' safety as they enter and exit the stage, Pioneer reported.

This includes keeping them a safe distance from the edge of the stage and away from show pyrotechnics and other onstage props.

The mascot overall-in-charge is 24-year-old Philip Tham, who is also a mascot guide.

"One of my biggest challenges is managing the energy levels of the mascots because they come onstage at different times – once at Chapter Two and again at Chapter Six. As there's quite a long wait in between, we need to make sure that their energy remains high throughout (the Show)," Pioneer reported Tham as saying.

The mascot guides also help the mascots get out of their costumes when they are not performing and carry spare batteries with them to prevent mascots from getting deflated.

NDP 2026

The 2026 NDP will be returning to the National Stadium for the first time in 10 years.

With a seating capacity of about 42,000 at the venue, the parade and ceremony segment will feature the largest civilian participation in over a decade.

The National Day celebrations this year will not feature Red Lions and mobile columns, including in the heartlands.

The NDP show will be organised into five chapters under the overall Parade theme, "Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond!"

It will integrate aerial elements, stage lifts, and multimedia displays, including NDP's first-ever indoor drone light show and largest indoor special effects presentation.

More information will be available online at www.ndp.gov.sg.