News Releases
Istana Open House on 2 November 2013
30 October 2013
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The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Saturday, 2 November 2013, from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm, in celebration of Deepavali.
Community activities and performances
Visitors can look forward to on-going performances by various groups from the People’s Association (PA)’s PAssionArt. These will include the Kristang Eurasian Song and Dance Group, “Paduka” Moulmein Dikir Barat IG, Bishan North’s the Golden Years Ukulele Strummers, Fuhua Secondary School Military Band Performance, Project: W, Kampong Chai Chee Bollywood Dance Group and Atrika Dance Co.
Performances will also be put up by the Fuhua Secondary School Military Band, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Baracuda Batucada, Zhonghua Secondary School Symphonic Band and Concord Primary School Indian Dance Troupe at this year’s Deepavali Open House.
Family-oriented activities available throughout the day include bird exhibition by Jurong Bird Park, Instant Portraits by Gloria Photo Studio and Cosmoprof Face Painting.
Tour of the Istana main building and designated landmarks
Members of the public can 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.
Visitors can also 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 (nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut). Additional fees as specified in Annex B for the tours of the Istana main building will be applied. Istana merchandise will also be put up for sale by the National Council of Social Services.
Proceeds from the entrance fees collected and sale of merchandise will be donated to charity.
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
30 OCTOBER 2013
ANNEX A
MAIN HIGHLIGHTS FOR DEEPAVALI ISTANA OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2013
Table caption
Time | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Sales of Istana Merchandise by NCSS | Near Centre Gate |
8.30 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. | Display of bird species from Jurong Bird Park | Near Centre Gate |
8.30 a.m. – 5.45 p.m. | Instant Portraits by Gloria Photo Studio | Istana Lawn |
8.30 a.m. – 5.45 p.m. | Cosmoprof Face Painting | Centre Gate |
10.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. | PAssionArt’s Fringe Activities (1st Set) - Kristang Eurasian Song and Dance Group - "Paduka” Moulmein Dikir Barat IG - Bishan North The Golden Years Ukulele Strummers | Ceremonial Plaza and Istana Lawn |
2.30 p.m. – 3.15 p.m. | Fuhua Secondary School Military Band Performance | Main Tent |
3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. | PAssionArt’s Fringe Activities (2nd Set) - Project: W - Kampong Chai Chee Bollywood Dance Group - Atrika Dance Co | Ceremonial Plaza and Istana Lawn |
3.30 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. | Performance by Ngee Ann Polytechnic Baracuda Batucada | Gun Terrace |
3.45 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. | Zhonghua Secondary School Symphonic Band Performance | Main Tent |
4.00 p.m. – 4.20 p.m. | Performance by Concord Primary School Indian Dance Troupe | Ceremonial Plaza |
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.