As another year blitzed by on 31 December, 2016, I headed down to the Esplanade Promenade in Singapore to celebrate the countdown event.

Like the same place at the Countdown last year on 31 December, 2015,  I found the best spot to watch the 8-minute fireworks display as the clock strike 12 midnight for the start of a new year on 1 January, 2017.  The location was beside the lotus pond, just below the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum at the Marina Bay Sands.

Please check out my previous related Countdown 2015 blog to share.

Reflect on the year gone by and celebrate the possibilities that the future holds at the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, Singapore’s annual iconic New Year’s Eve celebration jointly presented by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

Towards the final moments of 2016, I joined thousands of spectators for the stunning countdown Facade Show animation sequence on The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (former General Post Office)  and a magnificient Midnight Display with music, lights, lasers and fireworks to carry us into 2017 with a positive and reinvigorated spirit.

The Singapore Waterfront – Then and Now

The General Post Office, Singapore – c 1960 (Photo Credit: National Archives of Singapore)

(Photo above)  The former Clifford Pier ( now The Fullerton Bay Hotel)

A memorable photo with the background of the Singapore waterfront, developed and built over the many decades.  The juxtaposed photo of the Singapore waterfront in 1965, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore shown below.

Countdown & Fireworks Display

As the night skies darken, the lights of the Marina Bay Sands and the skyscrapers at the waterfront were switched on.

At 12 midnight on 1 January 2017, the burst of loud, colorful spectacular fireworks splashed into the sky above the jam-packed crowd at the Esplanade Promenade with the cheers and shouts of “HAPPY NEW YEAR”!

Please watch the video-clip of the fireworks  here .

An Unforgettable Countdown 2017 & Fireworks Display

Security measures stepped up for 2017 Countdown Celebrations

With thousands of revellers at the Countdown 2017, event organisers and government agencies increased security measures in light of recent overseas terror-related incidents.

To prevent overcrowding, the police and security personnels regulated the number of people fenced areas included The Promontory, One Fullerton/Merlion Park, Esplanade Park, Esplanade Waterfront Promenade, Marina Bay Sands Promenade, Suntec City, among others.

SMRT, SBS transit extended bus and train services on New Year’s Eve.