News Releases
Istana Open House on 18 August 2013
15 August 2013
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The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Sunday, 18 August 2013, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, in celebration of Hari Raya Puasa and National Day.
Several family-oriented activities have been lined up for visitors. Among them are the On-The-Spot Art Competition jointly organised by the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) and the President’s Office from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm (please visit SAM’s website for more information) and the Arts and Heritage Village comprising activity booths set up by 11 museums and institutions.
Visitors will also be entertained by performances by the Singapore Armed Forces’ Music and Drama Company, Maha Bodhi School and East Spring Secondary School Symphonic Bands and volunteer groups from the People’s Association (PA).
Members of the public can also tour selected function rooms in the Istana main building to view a display of gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries. Guided tours of the Istana main building will be conducted by volunteers from the Preservation of Monuments Board.
For the first time, visitors can learn about designated landmarks on the Istana ground via a self-guided tour using the “Istana Garden Walk” phone application that can be downloaded from the Apple Store or the Google Play Store.
For more information on the day’s programmes, please refer to Annex A below.
Admission Details
Entry to the Istana ground is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents. Others visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $1 per person. Entrance to the Istana ground is via the main gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.
Additional fees as specified in Annex B for the tours of the Istana main building will be applied.
Proceeds from the entrance fees collected will be donated to charity.
In the event of unhealthy air quality due to haze, all scheduled programmes and activities for the Istana Open House will be cancelled though the Istana ground will remain open to visitors. The Istana Open House will be cancelled if air quality is in the very unhealthy range. Information on the status of the Istana Open House will be provided on the Istana Website.
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
15 AUGUST 2013
ANNEX A
MAIN HIGHLIGHTS FOR NATIONAL DAY/HARI RAYA ISTANA OPEN HOUSE ON SUNDAY 18 AUG 2013
Table caption
Time | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
8.00 am – 1.30 pm | On-The-Spot Art Competition by Singapore Arts Museum (NHB) | Istana Grounds (Prize presentation at Main Tent) |
8.00 am – 6.00 pm | Istana Garden Walk Phone App Booth | Centre Gate |
8.00 am – 6.00 pm | Display of Animals from Wildlife Reserves of Singapore (Zoo) | Centre Gate |
9.00 am – 6.00 pm | Arts and Heritage Village by NHB Museums | Near Centre Gate |
10.45 am – 12.30 pm | Performances by PA Volunteers · Acoustic Band · Bhangra Dance · Kompang Performance | Ceremonial Plaza and Lower Lawn |
11.00 am – 12.00 noon | Performance by Maha Bodhi School Symphonic Band | Main Tent |
12.30 pm – 1.00 pm | Performances by Singapore Armed Forces’ Music and Drama Company | Main Tent |
1.30 pm – 2.30 pm | Performance by East Spring Secondary School Symphonic Band | Main Tent |
3.00 pm – 3.30 pm | Performances by Singapore Armed Forces’ Music and Drama Company | Main Tent |
3.15 pm – 5.00 pm | Performances by PA Volunteers · Nonya, Cha Cha, Modern Dance · Malay Dance · Kompang Performance | Ceremonial Plaza and Lower Lawn |
ANNEX B
FEES FOR ENTRANCE INTO THE ISTANA MAIN BUILDING
The following fees are applicable for the tours of the state room, banquet hall and reception room in the Istana main building:
Table caption
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents | Unguided | Guided* |
|---|---|---|
Children (4 to 12 years) | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Adult | $4.00 | |
Package for family of four | Not applicable | $12.00 |
Others | ||
Children( 4 to 12 years) | $2.00 | $2.00 |
Adult | $10.00 | |
Package for family of four | Not applicable | $30.00 |
* Guided tours are conducted by volunteers and are limited to 12 persons per group, and depart every half hour from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, with a lunch break from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm.
All fees collected will be donated to charity.