News Releases
Celebrate our 60th National Day at the Istana Open House
1 August 2025
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MEDIA RELEASE
CELEBRATE OUR 60TH NATIONAL DAY AT THE ISTANA OPEN HOUSE
In celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence, the next Istana Open House (IOH) will be held on Sunday, 3 August 2025, from 8.30am to 6.00pm. Members of the public can tour the Istana’s grounds and enjoy a vibrant and diverse series of live performances and interactive activities.
Performances and Activity Booths
This year’s National Day IOH celebrates the SG60 theme, “Building Our Singapore Together”, with a mix of activities for all ages. From sports try-outs to hands-on art, there is something for everyone.
Visitors can step inside a roving art truck by the National Gallery and transform fabric scraps into novelty items in “Twine Together!”, a collaboration by NHB and Uniqlo.
Those keen on movement can try inclusive sports such as boccia, seated volleyball and virtual archery – each designed to engage participants of all abilities. Visitors can also share their hopes and aspirations for SG60 and beyond by creating a dreamboard1. Up to 10,000 National Day goodie bags will be distributed.
From 10.00am to 4.30pm, enjoy a series of performances, including homegrown singer-songwriters LAYYI2 and Sherman Zhuo. Instructors from SportSG will present a performance titled “Dance of the Nation”. The programme also features an angklung and kulintang ensemble by Bukit View Primary School, a handbells ensemble by Woodlands Primary School, a choral recitation by Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Islamiah, and Hwa Chong Institution (High School)’s Concert Band.
Please refer to Annex A for the full programme.
Touring the Istana Grounds
Visitors are welcome to explore the Istana grounds, including the architecture and flora and fauna3. 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
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 Code4 will be accepted.
Admission Details
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.
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 old). Additional fees apply for other activities, such as the guided Istana Heritage Tour and visiting the Istana Villa.
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.
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.
More information can be found on go.gov.sg/visitistana.
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
ISTANA
24 JULY 2025
ANNEX A
PROGRAMME FOR NATIONAL DAY ISTANA OPEN HOUSE
Programme & schedule for national day open house at Istana
Time | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
Performances | ||
10.00am to 10.30am | Dance of the Nation (DOTN) by DOTN Motivators and Sporting Singapore Mascot Nila | Main Tent |
10.50am to 11.00am | Performance by Singer-Songwriter Sherman Zhuo | Main Tent |
11.30am to 12.00pm | Angklung and Kulintang Music Performance by Bukit View Primary School | Main Tent |
12.15pm to 12.45pm | Concert Band by Hwa Chong Institution (High School) | Main Tent |
1.00pm to 1.30pm | Handbell Musical Ensemble by Woodlands Primary School | Main Tent |
1.45pm to 2.00pm | Dance of the Nation (DOTN) by DOTN Motivators and Sporting Singapore Mascot Nila | Main Tent |
2.30pm to 3.15pm | Performance by Singer-Songwriter Sherman Zhuo | Main Tent |
3.30pm to 3.45pm | Choral Recitation by Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah | Main Tent |
4.00pm to 4.45pm | Performance by Singer-Songwriter LAYYI | Main Tent |
5.00pm to 5.15pm | Dance of the Nation (DOTN) by DOTN Motivators and Sporting Singapore Mascot Nila | Main Tent |
Activity Booths | ||
8.30am to 6.00pm | Visitors can look forward to a wide range of activities, including wax scratch art, Arabic calligraphy, and a visit to the National Gallery’s art truck. There will also be sports try-outs and interactive booths where visitors can express their aspirations for SG60 through creative activities like Dream Board collages and the SG Youth Plan Quest survey. Social services agencies (SSAs) like All Saints Home and Art:Dis will host activity booths to share more about their work and how they support and uplift beneficiaries. There will also be booths showcasing and selling upcycled materials by low-income beneficiaries, under District South Mosque x Kloth initiative. All proceeds from the entry to the Istana grounds, tours and Istana and President’s Challenge merchandise booth will go to benefitting organisations supported by the President’s Challenge. Proceeds from the social service agencies’ booths will go to the agencies themselves. | Main Tent |
Guided Tours | ||
9.00am – 4.00pm | Istana Heritage Tour* *Hourly tours start from 9.00am, with the last tour departing at 4.00pm. | Istana Heritage Tour Booth near the Main Entrance |
Snacks and Merchandise | ||
8.30am – 6.00pm | Food Stalls | Food Tent |
Drinks Booths | Food Tent | |
Istana and President’s Challenge Merchandise Booth | Main Tent | |
ANNEX B
ADMISSION FEES TO ENTER THE ISTANA GROUNDS
Admission fees to Istana grounds
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents** | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
Adult | Free | $20.00 |
Children (4 to 12 years) | Free | $10.00 |
Children (Below 4 years) | Free | Free |
*All fees collected will go towards the benefitting organisations supported by the President’s Challenge.
**Including migrant domestic workers accompanying families.
ADMISSION FEES FOR THE ISTANA VILLA
Admission fees for istana villa
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
Self-guided | Self-guided | |
Adult | $2.00 | $10.00 |
Children (4 to 12 years) | $2.00 | $5.00 |
Children (Below 4 years) | Free | Free |
*All fees collected are non-refundable will go towards the benefitting organisations supported by the President’s Challenge.
FEES FOR THE ISTANA HERITAGE TOUR*
Fees for Istana heritage tour
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
Adult | $8.00 | $30.00 |
Children (4 to 12 years) | $4.00 | $12.00 |
Children (Below 4 years) | Free | Free |
Family Package for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (2 adults + 2 children, aged 4 to 12 years) | $22.00 | Non-eligible |
*The guided Istana Heritage Tour is conducted by volunteers from NParks. Tours can be booked in advance through online pre-registration. All fees collected are non-refundable will go towards the benefitting organisations supported by the President’s Challenge.
For more information on tour availability and pre-registration details for the next IOH, please visit go.gov.sg/visitistana.
[1] A dreamboard is a personal collage put together using images, drawings, stickers, and words that represent their personal and community aspirations.
[2] For a snapshot of both talents, please find LAYYI’s profile here, and Sherman Zhuo’s here.
[3] The Istana Main Building is currently closed for restoration until further notice.
[4] 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.