Best Places To Catch Marina Bay Fireworks For Free

If you’re feeling brave, check out these popular spots around the Marina Bay area right in the heart of the action. They’re popular among tourists and patriotic Singaporeans alike, so it's best to head early for a great spot. We hear the crowds pack in at some of these places by 6pm on NDP preview weekends.
· Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza
· Helix Bridge
· Esplanade
· The Promontory
· The Lawn@Marina Bay
· Merlion Park
· Fullerton Bay

Prefer unconventional spots to enjoy the dazzling display? Try your luck at these places.

If you think the view of the skyline from under the Supertrees or Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay is magnificent, you haven’t seen it from here yet. Across the water from Gardens by the Bay are the lesser-known lush lawns of Bay East Garden that afford a splendid view of the fireworks, flanked by Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. Great for a picnic with the whole clan. Get there in time for the sunset (okay, fine, to chope a spot). To get here, walk or cycle from Rhu Cross, Marina Barrage or Bay South Garden.

If Bay East Garden gets too crowded, head further out to what was once upon a time a teenager’s favourite paktor place. Just a short walk away is this little nook by the river where you’ll be able to spot fireworks too. Accessible by bus 11 and 158 (alight at the Rhu Cross bus stop). Just look for Rhu Cross road, mosey around the sprawling Costa Rhu condo to the riverside and you’re all set.

Take the lift to the 10th floor of the car park at the blue zone of the labyrinthine mall and you’ll be treated with a gorge view of MBS et al. There’s a screen that may get in the way of a photo or IG story, but with some smart maneuvering, you can still get a clear view of the sparkly sky (like we did), albeit a slightly obstructed one.

If you happen to be in the area and manage to snag one of these lots on the 10th floor, might as well stay and Insta up a storm from the comfort of your own car. Drive-in (fireworks) cinema, anyone?

You’d be forgiven for never noticing this non-descript building just across the road from the colourful Ministry of Communications and Information building. On the outside, it looks drab; on the inside, it’s dim and musty. Trundle through the shops and eateries on the first three levels (take the escalator, not the lift), find an unmarked brown door (is this starting to sound like a treasure hunt?) which leads you to another entrance to the car park.

Continue on the stairs to the fifth storey of the car park and you’ll have a bang on view of the fireworks. Bonus: You’ve even got the Parliament House and the National Gallery of Singapore as part of the view.

The downside here (besides the, uh, ghetto surrounds) is having to peer through shutters to watch the fireworks, though it’s not difficult to adjust your camera/phone through the shutters for a winning snapshot anyway.

The Marina Square food court is probably the food court with the best views in town. By now, this spot has become an open secret among, er, fireworks aficionados, so it’s imperative to go early to chope a table by the window. Then try to deflect the stares of people who are looking for a space to actually sit down and eat.

Zero in on the OCBC Square where seasoned fireworks hunters usually chope their spots bright and early (might as well have a picnic while you're at it), then wait for the sky to light up.

​​​​​​​Photo: Singapore Sports Hub

Just in front of the OCBC Square is the Water Sports Centre at Singapore Sports Hub, which may be your second option should the former get too packed, though we’d go early to get a prime spot by the river.

Main photo, Jon Chua and Amanda Chaang wedding photo: @louis_gan and @yungyaw.photography from @munkeat_studio
All other photos: Jasmine Teo