The Istana Grounds is usually open to the public to celebrate Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya, Labour Day and National Day every year.
The Istana Open House is scheduled to be held on the following dates in 2026:
- Chinese New Year (22 Feb 2026)
- Hari Raya (19 Apr 2026)
- Labour Day (19 Apr 2026)
- National Day (26 Jul 2026)
- Deepavali (1 Nov 2026)
Istana Open House
The next upcoming Istana Open House will be on Sunday, 1 November 2026, 10:00AM to 8:00PM*.
* Last entry at 6.30pm
Haze advisory: In line with the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) haze health advisories, the upcoming Istana Open House will not proceed if the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) exceeds 200 (Very Unhealthy).
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own masks and check the latest PSI readings before making their way to the Istana. Please also check the Istana website regularly for updates.
Please note the Istana Main Building is currently closed for restoration until further notice.
The next Istana Open House (IOH) will be held on Sunday, 1 November 2026, from 10.00am to 8.00pm (last entry at 6.30pm), ahead of Deepavali. Visitors can look forward to the first narrated Changing of Guards ceremony held in conjunction with an IOH, an evening outdoor concert, and a range of cultural performances and activities for all ages. A Community Marketplace organised by the Singapore Business Federation Foundation (SBFF) will also showcase inclusive employment support and practices, and feature booths by community organisations.
Performances and Activity Booths
The Changing of Guards Ceremony, accompanied by live narration offers insights into this longstanding military tradition. It marks the formal handover of sentry duties from outgoing to incoming guards, reflecting the discipline, pride and honour of the Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command. Visitors can also enjoy a performance by the SAF Ceremonial Band and synchronised rifle drills by the Silent Precision Drill Squad.
A diverse lineup of music, dance and cultural performances will take place throughout the day, culminating in an evening outdoor concert. Highlights include homegrown singer-songwriters Ahmadul Amin and Heema Izzati, as well as performing groups from Project #JalanJalan, Extraordinary People, Micron and Quantedge. Students from Singapore Polytechnic will also present Dikir Barat and Malay dance performances.
The SBFF will organise a Community Marketplace featuring community organisations and inclusive employers, highlighting their efforts to support vulnerable individuals and foster a more inclusive society. Among the participating organisations are Inclus, which supports persons with disabilities in finding meaningful employment; New Hope Community Services, which provides shelter and employment support for disadvantaged individuals and families; and the Caregiving Welfare Association (CWA), which supports seniors and their caregivers. Visitors can take part in hands-on activities and learn more about the community organisations.
SBFF will also hold a fundraising event, Walk for Work, in support of EmployWell, its flagship programme that helps vulnerable individuals rebuild their lives through meaningful employment. The charity walk is only open to pre-registered corporate participants.
Visitors can also enjoy a dedicated reading space by the National Library & Archives Board (NLB) as part of its ReadSG initiative, featuring a selection of books recommended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Ms Jane Ittogi. Visitors can browse the recommended titles, participate in reading-related activities, including joining the ReadSG Challenge, and redeem limited-edition “I Read at the Istana” collectibles. NLB’s mobile library, MOLLY, will be onsite for visitors to borrow books. Independent bookstore the Book Bar will also offer books for sale.
The Istana Stamp Rally, developed in partnership with Singapore Polytechnic, will return with newly designed stamps for visitors to collect. Suitable for all ages, the student-led initiative encourages visitors to explore different parts of the Istana grounds through activities at designated pitstops, where they can collect unique stamps and redeem exclusive Istana merchandise upon completion. The stamp rally offers a fun and interactive way for families and friends to explore the Istana together.
Touring the Istana Grounds
Visitors are welcome to explore the Istana grounds, including its architecture, as well as its flora and fauna. Self-guided tours of the Istana Villa are available from 10.00am to 5.30pm (last entry at 5.00pm), where visitors can view a collection of State Gifts presented to Singapore’s leaders. Visitors who have pre-registered for the guided Istana Heritage Tour will tour the grounds during their selected timeslots from 10.30am.
The Istana Main Building is currently closed for restoration and is not open to the public until further notice.
Food and Beverages
Food and beverage stalls will be available. Only cashless payments via Credit/Debit Cards or QR Code[1] will be accepted.
Admission Details
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, Singapore Permanent Residents, and migrant domestic workers accompanying families. Other visitors are required to pay an admission fee of $20 per adult and $10 per child (4 to 12 years old). Additional fees apply for other activities, such as the guided Istana Heritage Tour and visiting the Istana Villa.
¹ The Istana Main Building is currently closed for restoration until further notice.
² Participating payment merchants include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Union Pay, JCB, Bank of China, Citibank, DBS, HSBC, ICBC, Maybank, OCBC, PayNow, Standard Chartered, and UOB.
Istana Heritage Tours
Uncover the hidden stories of The Istana.
Join our NParks volunteers for a one-hour walk through over 150 years of the Istana’s history, stunning architecture, and lush nature right in the heart of the city. Whether you are a history buff, an architecture lover, or on the hunt for a photo spot, the Istana Heritage Tour brings the stories of this iconic landmark to life!
*Timings subject to change; participants will be notified of any changes via email.
Sign up for the next Istana Heritage Tour now: here.
Entry into the Istana Villa
Additional fees apply for the following activities within the Istana:
Entry into the Istana Villa for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents are priced at $2* per adult and per child (4 to 12 years old). Other visitors are required to pay an admission fee* of $10 per adult and $5 per child (4 to 12 years old)
Terms and Conditions
A. Admission Procedures into the Istana Open House (IOH).
- Admission into the IOH is via the Main Gate at Orchard Road only. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.
- Entry is subject to security checks. Prohibited objects include pointed and sharp objects (e.g., knives of any size, forks, scissors), flammable items (e.g. lighters, aerosol sprays), tripods, and canned items (e.g., canned food and drinks, as well as aerosol cans).
- There are no storage facilities at the Istana. Security personnel reserve the right to deny entry to visitors with prohibited items.
- Admission to the IOH may be restricted due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
- In the event of lightning risk, the IOH may be suspended or cancelled. Visitors on the Istana grounds can seek shelter at the tentages. Please avoid taking shelter under trees or canopies. Visitors may also seek shelter at nearby malls.
Istana Main Gate
B. Visitor Etiquette and Safe Management Measures within the Istana Grounds
- Visitors who are feeling unwell on that day are strongly encouraged not to visit the Istana.
- Visitors are requested to maintain good hygiene.
- Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is strictly prohibited on the Istana grounds.
- Please keep the Istana grounds litter-free.
- Activities such as wheeled sports (e.g., cycling, rollerblading, riding Personal Mobility Devices) are not allowed.
- No pets are allowed except certified guide dogs.
More information can be found here.
What is the ‘Istana’?
The Istana, which means ‘Palace’ in Malay, is a significant historical landmark in Singapore. Built by the British colonial government in 1869, the Istana grounds cover an area of about 40 hectares and have witnessed many important events in Singapore’s history. It is also home to some 260 plant species and diverse wildlife.
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