Few places in Singapore carry the weight of collective memory quite like the National Stadium. It is where voices have risen in unison for world-class concerts, where history has been written through sport, and where generations have gathered to witness moments that linger long after the lights dim.
This January, the National Stadium revealed a different side of itself.
From 4 to 18 January 2026, the iconic venue transformed into an open, welcoming playground; one where the roar of the crowd was replaced by laughter, music and the rhythm of footsteps on the track. The National Stadium Experience was not simply an event; it was an invitation to step inside an iconic space and experience it in an entirely new way.
For many, the journey began online.
“I was just browsing online for weekend activities and I came across this,” shared one parent, who decided to bring their family down on a whim. “I didn’t know that this existed before today - so it’s been a really good experience.”
From Spectators to Participants
At the heart of the experience was the open track access, which took on a distinct rhythm during the weekdays. As evening fell, the stadium became a magnet for runners - particularly run clubs - who gathered after work to train together on the iconic lanes. On multiple weekday nights, clusters of running groups could be seen warming up, pacing each other through intervals, and sharing laps, transforming the stadium into a lively hub of collective movement.
“Running here, the atmosphere is amazing,” said one runner between sets. “Being surrounded by like-minded people feels very different compared to running outside. You get that elite feeling while you run.”
The world-class surface drew a wide spectrum of participants. Some jogged steadily, others walked hand-in-hand with their children, while seasoned runners pushed through structured workouts - all sharing the same space, united by the experience.
“It’s a rare moment for us to experience the full running track,” a parent added. “The kids really enjoyed it, and we had fun just being here together.”
For others, training at the stadium carried an added sense of purpose.
“This year, I want to attempt HYROX for the first time,” shared another participant. “Now that HYROX will be held here at The Kallang in April, I’m looking forward to starting the year strong by being in the place itself to train.”
A Stadium Built for Play, Discovery and Family Time
Beyond the track, the stadium unfolded into a vibrant landscape of play and discovery.
At the Families for Life games zone, children darted enthusiastically between basketball challenges, mini-golf courses and arts and crafts stations. The space buzzed with energy – shots of balls into hoops echoed across the floor, laughter carried through the air, and colourful creations slowly took shape in small, focused hands.
“So far it’s been really fun,” said one parent. “We get to try different kinds of sports and just have some family fun.”
Just steps away, the inflatables towered over the concourse, quickly becoming one of the most animated corners of the stadium. The Meltdown Wipeout inflatable emerged as a clear crowd favourite, drawing cheers as children attempted to dodge rotating arms, often tumbling into laughter.
Nearby, the Sports Olympic inflatable offered younger children their own moment of thrill, complete with a tall slide that sent them racing down again and again, grinning as they scrambled back up for another turn.
Discovering New Ways to Experience The Kallang
Beyond sports and play, the National Stadium Experience revealed something equally powerful - The Kallang as a space shaped by its people, where everyone could find a place to belong, participate and contribute in their own way.
One of the clearest expressions of this spirit came through a children’s pre-loved market organised by Xijing Club. Run entirely by young participants, the market invited children to sort through their toys, books and personal belongings, set up mini booths, and exchange or sell items they no longer needed. More than a flea market, it became a platform for learning - teaching responsibility, communication and confidence, while turning the stadium into a place where children’s voices and ideas were valued.
Just a short walk away, Sketchwalk by Urban Sketchers offered a quieter yet equally communal experience. Participants wandered the stadium grounds at their own pace, sketching architectural details, open spaces and fleeting moments - some seated alone in concentration, others sketching side by side.
Each session ended with a friendly “throwdown”, where sketches were laid out and shared openly. It was a simple ritual, but one that embodied the essence of The Kallang - a place where creativity is welcomed, differences are celebrated, and everyone is invited to take part.
Together, these experiences reinforced a defining idea behind the National Stadium Experience: that The Kallang is not just for athletes or spectators, but for families, creators, children and communities alike. A place where movement and stillness, play and reflection, all coexist - and where everyone, in their own way, belongs.
Small Milestones, Big Moments
One of the most heartfelt scenes played out at the Teach a Child to Cycle workshop.
Here, determination was visible in every wobble and push forward. Children gripped their handlebars tightly as instructors guided them patiently, offering encouragement with every attempt.
“It was hard and tiring, but I enjoyed it,” said one young participant, moments after successfully riding on two wheels for the first time. “I didn’t realise I could cycle in one hour. I thought it would take two days.”
Parents looked on, phones raised, capturing not just progress, but pride - moments that would long outlast the event itself.
A Place to Explore, Not Just Attend
Elsewhere in the stadium, visitors took part in venue tours, discovering behind-the-scenes spaces usually reserved for major events. For many, it was their first time seeing the stadium from a new perspective.
“We wanted to walk around the Kallang area,” one visitor shared. “But seeing everything happening here made us curious.”
That curiosity was rewarded - with activities, interactions, and the sense of being welcomed into something larger.
Music, Movement and a Shared Energy
Across the weekends, the National Stadium Experience unfolded in distinct rhythms - energising mornings that set the tone, and relaxed evenings that invited visitors to slow down and stay awhile.
On weekend mornings, the stadium came alive with guided workout sessions, drawing participants of all ages and fitness levels. Dream Workshop led upbeat dance workout workshops that turned exercise into celebration, while Team Axis brought a variety of sessions to the floor - from dance workouts and kickboxing to cardio dance. Laughter mixed with music as families, friends and first-timers moved together, some following every step, others simply enjoying the freedom to try.
Beyond structured workouts, children and families explored Kin-Ball tryouts, while younger participants zipped around on EzyRollers, delighting in the thrill of movement. “We had a chance to play Kin-Ball, and the kids were able to ride the EzyRollers,” shared one visiting family. “It was a good experience for the family - even though we’re not from Singapore, we still managed to enjoy the activities.”
As the sun set, the energy shifted. Weekend evenings saw the concourse transform into a relaxed social space, brought to life by live music performances. Singer Jill-Marie Thomas filled the stadium with her powerful vocals, belting out top hits and familiar favourites - from uplifting anthems like Golden to well-loved Taylor Swift songs. Families lingered longer than planned, children danced freely, and small crowds gathered to sing along, carried by the warmth of the music under the stadium lights.
Together, the rhythm of active mornings and music-filled evenings added yet another layer to the National Stadium Experience - one where movement and music met, and where weekends at The Kallang felt unhurried, joyful and shared.
More Than an Event
What made the January National Stadium Experience special was not any single activation, but the way it brought people together - intentionally or unexpectedly.
“It’s like a big community here,” one visitor reflected.
And in that moment - with children playing under stadium lights, families laughing on the track, and strangers connected by shared experiences - the National Stadium became more than a venue.
It became a place that belonged to everyone.
For those who were there, January was filled with moments worth remembering.
For those who missed it, the message is simple: The next National Stadium Experience is one you’ll want to step into, not scroll past.
National Stadium Experience (2-22 February)
February’s National Stadium Experience will be happening from 2 to 22 February. The full programme lineup will be announced via our social media channels and website. Keep an eye out!
