Total Defence Day might be over for this year, but that’s no reason to forget the vital role Singapore’s defence forces play in safeguarding our little red dot. Come 5th May, Singapore celebrates Navy Day – the 58th anniversary of our naval fleet. To commemorate this historic milestone, the Singapore Navy Museum is holding a Navy Day event on 4th May, promising fun family-friendly exhibits and activities, as well as free goodie bags for participants.
If you’re thinking of heading down on 4th May, here are some highlights you can expect:
Singapore is a maritime country – our nation’s history has always had close ties to the sea, from our days as a colonial trading port to our current status as a world-leading trade hub.
To keep our waters safe – especially after the shock of World War II – the Singapore Navy was established on 5th May 1967. At 5:55pm that day, our naval ensign was raised over Telok Ayer Basin, and the rest is history.
While the Singapore Navy Museum has preserved our Navy’s history since its founding days, Navy Day sees history come alive in the form of exhibits and sharing sessions by Navy pros and veterans.
At 11am, 12.30pm, and 2pm, visitors can immerse themselves in Singapore’s naval heritage as uniformed officers stroll the grounds dressed in the uniforms adorned by the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force Junior Rating’s Rig in 1967. This living history experience is brought to life by History Fort Singapore, the nation’s first World War II re-enactment group.
At the same timeslots, Alvin Lee, known as @alvinsbunker on social media, will be sharing his vast collection of military memorabilia from World War I and II, so you can get up close to these rare artefacts and learn about their significance in history.
Other sharing sessions include one with Ralph Aeria at 1.30pm, who descends from Colonel James Aeria, a former commander of the Singapore Navy, and another with a pioneering Naval Diving Unit officer, Winston Wong, at 2.30pm.
Navy Day is an opportunity for young kids to learn about our nation’s maritime prowess with a side of fun. For parents visiting with younger kids, Navy Day has a slew of activities to keep your tots engaged.
Let them burn their energy off at Fleet Fun Zone: The Playground for Sailors, where a playground designed like a submarine lets your kids make-believe that they’re 20,000 leagues under the sea.
For crafty kiddos, there is also a station on-site where you can make your own RSS Singapura Hat, donned by all naval personnel.
Catch a break at the makeshift theatre, where families can watch Popeye the Sailor Man reruns all day while lounging on comfy bean bags.
For parents who want to explore the Singapore Navy Museum with their children in tow, keep the lil ones engaged with the Beyond the Blue quest, where kids get to hunt for artefacts housed within the museum’s exhibits. Don’t forget to grab a free audio guide to fully immerse yourself in the history on display.
The museum’s mascot, a cuddly bear named Captain Simon, will be walking the grounds at 11.30am, 1pm, and 2.30pm, should you want a photo op and a keepsake from the day.
When the munchies strike, visit the line-up of food trucks that will be serving up nostalgic Singaporean drinks and snacks, from potong ice cream to kacang puteh.
No celebration is complete without music.
The Navy Day festivities will feature a mix of classic and modern tunes throughout the day. At 11.30am and 3.30pm, the Bedok View Secondary School Wind Ensemble will perform an orchestral tribute to the tradition of military bands.
Then, head over to the Power 98 Lobangs Giveaway Truck, where 1960s music offers visitors a blast to the past. That’s not all being offered – answer some trivia questions and stand to win Navy-themed gifts too!
Speaking of giveaways, TSL readers get to redeem a free goodie bag at the event! Each redemption gets you a cool Defence Collective Singapore tote bag, a baseball cap, and a pouch. Just say, ‘I LOVE NAVY’ at the museum collection booths.
Redemptions are first-come-first-serve, and limited to 1 goodie bag per person, while stocks last.
Entry to the Navy Day celebrations is completely free, so all the more reason to head down that Sunday.
Getting to the museum is easy, as free shuttle buses will run to and from the pick up and drop off point at EXPO MRT Station’s Exit B, from 10am to 5pm, at 30-minute intervals. Note that the last bus from the MRT Station is at 4pm, while the last bus from the Singapore Navy Museum is at 5pm.
With activities for the whole family, live music, swag up for grabs, and a dose of local history, Navy Day 2025 is an event you won’t want to miss.
This post was brought to you by Defence Collective Singapore.
Photography by Andrea Wong.
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