It’s that time of the year again – red-and-white flags billow from window sills, and smiling faces of children in multiracial costumes adorn neighbourhood billboards. Familiar songs waft from public speakers, but after a while, they all seem to coalesce into a nationalistic jumble parroting the same platitudinous verses. National Day is coming soon.
If you’re like me and don’t even give the state-sanctioned parade more than a perfunctory glance, there’s something more exciting about August – prepping your moolah for the best National Day deals in town. Yes, every brand is playing with the number “57” and coming up with new local flavours to create hype during this birthday season.
With the gahmen’s gift of GST vouchers, what better way to show your love for Singapore than by helping boost the economy? Our country has now reached the age of a middle-aged auntie – let’s manifest her energy and scour the island like how she scrutinises every label in a department store for the most shiok promotions.
So let’s not waste time. Check out the unmissable National Day deals you’ll be able to take advantage of during this period!
Attractions and Events
1. Free Sentosa Cable Car Rides
Looking for a day out at the beach? Skip the troublesome walk there by hopping onto a cable car at the Sentosa Line! All Singaporeans and PRs can score a free ride by signing up for an Islander membership. Tickets must be redeemed on the day of the ride – they are only valid on that date. Show your membership to the ticketing staff, and then you’ll then be able to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the island.
Date: Now till 31 October
2. Free National Museum of Singapore Entry
Attention to all artsy folks – jio your kakis on 9 August for a National Museum outing because admission to all galleries will be free! Not only that, but you can also look forward to an exciting line-up of activities. Join a scavenger hunt, get your creative juices flowing at craft workshops or just soak in the good vibes with live music performances and storytelling sessions. Be sure to take IG-worthy pictures with the building’s facade too, as it will be lighted up with a special red-and-white projection from 7.30pm onwards.
Date: 9 August
3. Free Esplanade Workshops, Screenings, and Performances
More cultural activities lie ahead. For Red Dot August, the Esplanade is presenting a series of events that you can bring your friends and family to. Watch film screenings of A Yellow Bird and I Want To Go Home on 7 and 14 August respectively, sculpt your favourite local snacks in clay workshops or get to know up-and-coming local musicians. The durian buildings will be abuzz with life this month!
Date: Now till 31 August
4. S$20 Wild Wild Wet Tickets (U.P. S$26)
As part of Wild Wild Wet’s Mermaid Tales event, adult weekday passes (excluding public and school holidays) will only cost S$20 for the entirety of August. The ticket includes a free welcome drink and reusable mermaid straw for the first one hundred redemptions per day. For students and nEbO members, you’re in luck! Another promotion called Splashtastic lasts until the end of October and entitles you to a S$20 weekday pass that comes with a free set meal from Ola Beach Club.
Dates: Now till 31 August (Mermaid Tales), Now till 31 October (Splashtastic)
5. 1-for-1 Escape Room and Laser Tag at Singapore Discovery Centre (Weekday)
Spend an afternoon solving mysteries and playing with friends or family! In appreciation of NS service members, SAFRA members can score 1-for-1 deals for an escape room (Black Lake Facility) or laser tag tickets (Black Lake Laser Battlefield). This promotion is available only during weekdays for walk-in purchases at Singapore Discovery Centre’s ticketing counters and cannot be stacked with other discounts and privileges.
Date: Now till 19 August
Food & Drinks
6. Peach Garden: 50% off Dim Sum Dishes
Show your love for Ah Ma and Ah Gong by treating them to a dim sum feast at Peach Garden restaurants. From Monday to Saturday, all dim sum items will be half-priced when you dine in with a senior citizen aged 55 and above during lunch hours (11.30am to 2.30pm). On Sundays, Peach Garden will discount the dishes by 30%. Dig into a slew of treats ranging from siew mai to deep-fried prawn dumplings while catching up with your family.
Date: Now till 30 September
Where: OCBC Centre, Hotel Miramar, Thomson Plaza, Chinatown Point & The Metropolis
7. Häagen Dazs 1-for-1 Ice Cream
Craving an ice cream fix? Buy a double scoop of Häagen-Dazs ice cream and get another free! Bring along your friends to any Häagen-Dazs outlet for a special treat. The promotion will only apply to takeaway orders, so grab the cones to cool off while strolling around town.
Date: Now till 14 August
Where: Hilton Walkway, Westgate, Plaza Singapura, Funan, Waterway Point and SOTA
8. Fish & Chicks 33% Off Promotion
Tuck into hearty meals at discounted prices. If Western food tickles your fancy, you’d be glad to know that Fish & Chicks is offering 33% off on these three menu items – Signature Chilli Crab Cod Fish and Salted Egg Chicken (Now S$16.80, U.P. S$24.80), Tom Yam Pasta with Fried Cod Fish (Now S$10.60, U.P. S$15.80), and Black Pepper Beef Pasta (Now S$9.30, U.P. $13.80).
Date: Now till 30 September
Where: See Facebook post above
9. O’Coffee Club $57 National Day Bundle
A mega feast for two awaits. Just $57 will get you a bundle deal that includes fusion dishes like Craw Fish Mac & Cheese and Chilli Crab Pizza, two seasonal drinks (Peachy Soda/Strawberry Cheese Macchiato), and Belgian Waffles with one scoop of ice cream! That’s certainly a bang for your buck.
Date: Now till 31 August
Where: Raffles City, Jewel Roastery, Changi Airport Terminal 3, and Seletar Mall
10. Mr. Coconut Singapore S$5.70 Deal
Sipping on thirst-quenching drinks never fails to brighten up one’s day. For the month of August, get an ‘L’-sized cup from Mr. Coconut Singapore’s fresh juice series for only S$5.70 – about a dollar off the original price. Choose from one of three drinks – the Coconut Pineapple Passionfruit, Coconut Peach Grapefruit, or Osmanthus Goji Pear juice. All you have to do is key in the code “GDNDP57” at any Mr. Coconut kiosk.
Date: Now till 31 August
Where: Various outlets nationwide except Jewel Changi Airport
11. Paris Baguette’s Local-Flavoured Croissants: 3 for S$12
Ever heard of Milo croissants? Here’s your chance to try the innovative pastry. To celebrate National Day, Paris Baguette (PB) is launching three new croissants stuffed with local flavours in cream filling – Bandung, Milo and condensed milk. You can get them all in a bundle for $12 at any PB store across the island.
Date: Available now till an unspecified date
Where: Changi Airport Terminal 3, Jewel Changi Airport, Raffles City, Ang Mo Kio Hub, ION Orchard, PLQ, NEX, North Point City, Bugis Junction, JEM, 313@Somerset, Hong Leong Building
12. CRAVE Nasi Lemak: 30% off Foodpanda Self-Pick-up Orders
Nothing beats a good ‘ole plate of nasi lemak, and now you can enjoy it even cheaper. Savour one of Singapore’s classic dishes at 30% off when you order from CRAVE on Foodpanda and opt for the self-pick-up option.
Date: Available now till an unspecified date
Where: Various outlets nationwide
13. 6 Subway Cookies for S$5.70
Subway meals simply aren’t complete without cookies to munch on. For a bargain price of S$5.70, you can now buy six cookies for your whole family! Get your hands on five yummy flavours – peanut butter, oatmeal & raisin, chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, and white chip macadamia nut.
Date: Now till 16 August
Where: Various outlets nationwide
14. 1-for-1 Bubble Tea at Xing Fu Tang
Another 1-for-1 bubble tea promo is here. Cop a second brown sugar boba oolong milk tea for the price of one at any Xing Fu Tang outlet. The S$5.30 deal only lasts for five days though, so be quick before it’s gone!
Date: Now till 9 August
Where: Ang Mo Kio MRT, Northpoint City and Takashimaya
Visuals courtesy of @chuttersnap and @jiachenlin via Unsplash.
