Behind the Lights of Singapore’s 61st National Day Parade

NDP 2026 marked the largest lighting production in the history of Singapore’s National Day Parade. More than 1,600 lighting fixtures, lasers, and special effects units came together across a 160-metre arrow-shaped stage, joined by 300 indoor drones to create an immersive audiovisual experience for audiences in the National Stadium and millions watching on screen.

Lighting Director Michael Chan and his team spent a year developing the design, refining beam angles, color logic, and scene transitions to match the scale of the stadium and support the show’s multi-chapter narrative.

One of the greatest challenges came in Chapter Four, where a fast-paced medley required a complete stylistic shift every 30 to 50 seconds. Each segment needed a distinct visual identity while remaining part of a fluid, coherent story—placing exceptional demands on fixture performance, programming, and reliability.

EK H1 IP hybrid moving lights joined Claypaky Arolla Aqua LT, Arolla Aqua, and Sharpy X Frame fixtures in shaping the production. Across the extensive lighting matrix, they delivered defined beams, layered color, and evolving atmospheres throughout the show.

A national celebration of this scale is never the work of a single fixture or team. From design development and stadium rehearsals to the final performance, every moment reflected the combined precision and dedication of the lighting, programming, scenic, equipment, and on-site teams.