In the capital city, Victoria, there is a big parade. Schoolchildren in matching colours march together. Marching bands play. The country's flag - blue, yellow, red, white and green - is everywhere. Each colour stands for something: the blue is the sea, the yellow is the sun, the red is the people, the white is justice, the green is the land.
Schools spend the days before learning about Seychelles' story. Children practise songs, learn dances, paint flags, and put together little performances. There are concerts of sega and moutya in town squares, fishing competitions, sailing races, and stalls selling Creole food.
In the evening, there are fireworks over Victoria harbour. Families spread blankets on the beach or on the hills above the town to watch. The colours of the fireworks reflect off the calm dark sea, doubling them.
National Day is a chance to celebrate everything that makes Seychelles unique - the islands, the wildlife, the languages, the music, the food. It is also a chance for Seychellois who live overseas to come home, see family, and remind themselves where they're from.