NDP2026: A midair song, a stadium of light, one pledge in the final stretch

On Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP) 2026, singer Jasmine Sokko captivated the audience with a daring mid-air performance, suspended 30 meters above the National Stadium’s floor. As part of the final act, Sokko, clad in black and reflective silver, descended from a cube hung from the ceiling to dance amidst a sea of lights. Accompanied by aerialists Amanda He and Megan Lau, she performed choreography planned by Adelene Chua, all of whom were hidden in cubes during the previous act and descended to the stage in awe-inspiring fashion.

Behind the spectacle was months of preparation, including choreographing with Sokko and training aerialists for flips and spins. Kwek Qing Wei, a senior programme manager for unmanned systems at the Defence Science and Technology Agency, played a crucial role in setting up an indoor positioning system for the drones, a process that took nearly a month. Over 200 people contributed to the production, ensuring sound, lighting, projections, and stage automation ran seamlessly.

Sokko's electronic pop track, "You’ll Be Okay," urged the audience to remain calm in the face of uncertainty, singing, "You’ll be okay, you’ll be okay, know it gets different before it gets better." The performance was followed by violinist Han Oh and dancers, before concluding with singer Sky Shen, whose song celebrated inclusivity.

The show's penultimate chapter, titled "Go Beyond Our Limits," featured singer Iman Fandi and the People’s Choir, all performing to the final NDP song, "Sparkle." University student Bryan Chen expressed appreciation for the inclusion of local artists and the message of reassurance in the celebration of Singapore's traditions and heritage.