Istana Open House on Labour Day

        The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Labour Day, Tuesday, 1 May 2012. Opening hours are from 8.30am to 6.00pm.

        The River Valley High School Concert Band and Fu Chun Primary School Band will be performing at the Open House. There will also be Ukulele performances by the U Live Community’s Music Makers Club (NTUC Club) and music and dance performances by People’s Association.  The Jurong Bird Park will be showcasing a few species of birds and visitors can get their faces painted by makeup artists from Cosmoprof Academy.

        Admission to the Istana grounds 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 grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.

        For an entrance fee of $2, members of the public can tour selected function rooms in the Istana building to view a display of gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries.

        Istana souvenirs will be sold during the Open House. Proceeds from the sale of souvenirs and all entrance fees collected will be donated to the Community Chest.

About the Istana

        The Istana is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Singapore. It occupies over 40 hectares of land along Orchard Road.

        The Istana building was built by the British Colonial government to house its governors. Completed in 1869, it was then known as the Government House. The building was handed over to the Singapore Government when Singapore attained internal self government in 1959, and renamed Istana (“Palace” in Malay).

        The Istana building underwent extensive renovation between 1996 and 1998, to add more space and modern day conveniences. The building today has six function rooms used for ceremonies and to receive guests.

        For more information on the Istana, please visit http://www.istana.gov.sg/