{
  "id": 362294,
  "title": "NDP 2026: Crowds soak up the atmosphere around the National Stadium and Kallang Basin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/ndp-2026-crowds-soak-up-the-atmosphere-around-the-national-stadium",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T09:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ndp-2026-crowds-soak-up-the-atmosphere-around-the-national-stadium-and-kallang-basin"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP) drew large crowds to the National Stadium and Kallang Basin on August 9, despite the hot afternoon weather. Picnic mats, foldable chairs, and ice coolers were set up in advance, with many attendees eager to witness the main fireworks display at 8:15pm. Ho Kien Mun, a 57-year-old business development director, arrived early to stake his claim with a red-and-white checkered picnic mat on the Kallang Basin shore, excited about the marching commands and feu de joie. Ong Rui Yang, 46, and his family returned to the area after a decade, bringing their children to join the festivities. The NDP will be held in the National Stadium for the first time since 2016, accommodating about 42,000 spectators. Authorities and police maintained order as people queued for tickets. Non-Singaporeans such as Joy Garcia, a Filipino stay-at-home mum, and Karan Singh, an Australian visitor, also joined the crowds to share in Singapore's multicultural atmosphere and enjoy the fireworks.",
  "summary": "Many said they were looking forward to the main fireworks display at 8.15pm.",
  "key_points": [
    "NDP 2026 draws large crowds to National Stadium and Kallang Basin",
    "August 9 sees hot weather, but crowds still gather",
    "Fireworks display at 8:15pm, first in National Stadium since 2016"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The return of the National Day Parade to the National Stadium, coupled with the festive atmosphere, has brought together diverse crowds, including families and non-Singaporeans, to celebrate the country's multicultural spirit.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}