Istana Open House - Hari Raya & Labour Day

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

Istana Open House

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 (TBD)
Deepavali (TBD)

Istana Open House

The Istana Open House (IOH) will be held on Sunday, 19 April 2026, from 8.30am to 6.00pm, in celebration of the Hari Raya season and the upcoming Labour Day. Members of the public are invited to experience cultural performances and community activities while exploring the Istana grounds.

Istana Open House 19 Apr 2026

Performances and Activity Booths

Visitors can look forward to a line-up of musical, choral, and cultural performances that reflect Singapore’s multicultural heritage. The programme features familiar classics across generations, alongside performances rooted in Malay and Indian traditions, including dikir barat, Malay dance, Bharatanatyam, and Indian folk dance.

PROGRAMME FOR ISTANA OPEN HOUSE

Performances

Performances will be presented by the MacPherson Philharmonic Orchestra, Punggol View Primary School Children’s Choir, Singapore Polytechnic Indian Cultural Society, Singapore Polytechnic Malay Language Society, and Voices of Singapore Children’s Choir.

Visitors can also take part in hands-on activities including lawn bowling, painting a Singa the Kindness Lion bench, craft-making with recycled materials, and a scavenger hunt around the Istana grounds developed in collaboration with students from Singapore Polytechnic.

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 8.30am to 6.00pm, 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 between 9.00am and 4.00pm.

Souvenirs

There will be merchandise booths offering limited-edition Istana souvenirs and President’s Challenge souvenirs, available while stocks last. Only cashless payments via Credit/Debit Card and/or QR Codes will be accepted.

All proceeds will go to the benefitting agencies supported by President’s Challenge. The social service agencies supported by the President’s Challenge include those from the following sectors:

Children, Youth & Family
Disability
Eldercare
Mental Health
Rehabilitation
Healthcare
Disability Sports

The souvenirs include memorabilia such as:

Caps
Mugs
Bookmarks
Postcards
Luggage Tags
Keychains
Magnets

Istana Open House Garden

Istana Heritage Tour

Embark on a guided tour of the Istana grounds to explore its rich history, architectural heritage, and unique flora and fauna. The 1-hour walking tour begins at the Main Gate and features highlights such as the Villa, Japanese Garden, and Ceremonial Plaza.

Istana Japanese Garden

Tours are conducted in English and Mandarin every hour from 9am to 4pm. Fees apply*, and all proceeds go to the benefitting organisations supported by the President’s Challenge.

*Fees for the Istana Heritage Tour are non-refundable and exclude the following admission fees:
(i) Admission fees required for entry into the Istana grounds during the Istana Open House and,
(ii) fees for entering the Istana Villa.

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 Open House Main Gate 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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