MEDIA RELEASE

CELEBRATE HARI RAYA AND LABOUR DAY AT THE ISTANA OPEN HOUSE

1. In celebration of Hari Raya Puasa and Labour Day, the next Istana Open House (IOH) will be held on Sunday, 13 April 2025, from 8.30am to 6.00pm. Members of the public can tour the Istana’s grounds and soak in the festive atmosphere through vibrant cultural and music performances and activities.

Performances and Activity Booths

2. Visitors of all ages can look forward to various fun activities and live performances throughout the day. This includes arts-related activities such as batik painting, portrait art, immersive storytelling, mobile photography and ukulele workshops. Visitors can try their hand at a golf putting challenge and a scavenger hunt.

3. There will be a series of cultural music and dance performances from 10.00am to 4.30pm (last performance). These include traditional Malay music, ukulele renditions of Hari Raya songs, as well as Malay, Chinese and Indian cultural dance and choir performances by student groups.

4. The performances will be presented by NTUC Club, Gendang Akustika, LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, Zhonghua Primary School, Woodlands Secondary School, Changkat Primary School, East Spring Primary School, Sembawang Primary School, and Millennia Institute.

5. Please refer to Annex A for the full programme.

Touring the Istana Grounds

6. Visitors are welcome to explore the Istana grounds, including the storied architecture and unique flora and fauna[1]. 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 chosen timeslot between 9.00am and 4.00pm.

Snacks and Merchandise

7. There will be food and beverage stalls, as well as merchandise booths with limited-edition Istana souvenirs and President’s Challenge souvenirs. Only cashless payments via the Credit/Debit Card and QR Code[2] will be accepted.

Admission Details

8. Entry to the Istana grounds during the Istana Open House will be via the Main Gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is the Dhoby Ghaut MRT interchange, which is less than five minutes away by foot. Entry may be restricted due to capacity or inclement weather.

9. Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singapore Citizens and 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). Additional fees apply for other activities, such as the guided Istana Heritage Tour and visiting the Istana Villa. 

10. Please refer to Annex B for fees for admission into the Istana grounds and Istana Villa, and the Istana Heritage Tour (fully booked). Only cashless payments via Credit/Debit Card and QR Code will be accepted.

11. All proceeds from the entrance into the Istana grounds, tours, and the Istana and President’s Challenge merchandise booth, are non-refundable and will support the President’s Challenge beneficiaries.

12. More information can be found on go.gov.sg/visitistana.