Istana Open House Dates - Hari Raya & Labour Day 21 Apr 2024

The Istana Grounds is open to the public to celebrate Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa, Labour Day and National Day.

The Istana Open House is scheduled to be held on the following dates in 2024:

Chinese New Year (12 Feb 2024)
Hari Raya Puasa (21 Apr 2024)
Labour Day (21 Apr 2024)
National Day (TBD)
Deepavali (TBD)

istana open house Image credit: Eugene Yeo

The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Sunday, 21 April 2024, from 8.30am to 6.00pm, for the Hari Raya Istana Open House (IOH). Members of the public can enjoy a series of live performances and activity booths, as well as tour the Istana grounds. The public can also explore the Istana Heritage Gallery situated in Istana Park, across from the Main Gate of Istana. The gallery welcomes visitors from 8.30am to 6pm.

As Labour Day comes shortly after the Hari Raya IOH, it will be combined with the same event.

📅 21 Apr 2024
⏱ 8.30am – 6pm
📍 The Istana

Performance Highlights and Activity Booths

performances on the Istana grounds during the Open House Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information

Visitors can enjoy multicultural dance performances and listen to traditional tunes played by angklung, kulintang, and gamelan ensembles.

The performances will be put up by Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School, Bukit Batok Secondary School, Fuhua Secondary School, Hougang Secondary School, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Riverside Secondary School, School of Science and Technology, Yuan Ching Secondary School and Yuhua Secondary School.

Guided Exploration

istana open house dates Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information

Guided tours of the Istana Main Building will be conducted from 9.30am to 5pm, during which visitors can view selected function rooms and take a closer look at a selection of State Gifts presented over the years to Singapore’s leaders. Visitors interested in the Istana’s flora and fauna can join the Nature Guided Tour from 10am to 4pm. Visitors can also opt to go on self-guided tours.

Culinary Delights and Exclusive Merchandise

There will be food stalls and two food trucks, as well as merchandise booths with limited edition Istana souvenirs and President’s Challenge souvenirs. There will also be merchandise booths set up by three Social Service Agencies (SSA), namely Club Heal, Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore) and Ain Society – Support Group for Cancer Patients and Family.

Only cashless payments via Credit/Debit Card and/or QR Code will be accepted.

Admission Information

istana open house dates Photo Credit: Ministry of Communications and Information

Entry to the Istana grounds will be via the Main Gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut. Entry may be restricted due to capacity or inclement weather.

Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents (including their caregivers). All other visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $20 per adult and $10 per child (4 to 12 years). There will be added fees for entrance to the Main Building and the guided tours. Entry to the Istana Heritage Gallery, just across the road from the Istana, is free for all visitors.

Please refer to Annex B for fees for entrance into the Istana grounds and Main Building, and the guided tours. Only cashless payments via Credit/Debit Card and QR Code will be accepted.

All proceeds from the entrance into the Istana grounds, tours and the President’s Challenge merchandise booth will go towards charities supported by the President’s Challenge. Proceeds from the SSAs’ booths will go towards the SSAs.

Admission Details

Admission into the IOH is via the Main Gate at Orchard Road only.
Admission into the IOH is subject to security checks. Pointed and sharp objects (e.g., knives of any size, fork, scissors), flammable items (e.g., lighter), tripods and canned items (e.g., canned drinks) are not allowed.
There are no storage facilities in the Istana. Security personnel reserve the right to deny entry to visitors with prohibited items.
Admission into the IOH may be restricted due to inclement weather or other reasons.
The IOH may be suspended or cancelled if there is prolonged risk of lightning. Visitors within the Istana grounds can seek shelter at the tentages. Please do not seek shelter under trees or canopies. Visitors may also wish to seek shelter at nearby malls.

More information can be found here.

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