News Releases
May Day Istana Open House
24 April 2019
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May Day Istana Open House
To celebrate Labour Day, the Istana grounds will be open to the public on Wednesday, 1 May 2019, from 8.30am – 6.00pm.
Istana 150 commemoration
In commemoration of The Istana 150th anniversary, President Halimah Yacob will launch a model of the Istana created with LEGO bricks by a LEGO Certified Professional, during the Labour Day Istana Open House. Specially commissioned by the President’s Office for the occasion, the model encapsulates the Istana’s Neo-Palladian architecture with its surrounding verandas and Istana grounds. The model will be available to visitors who make a minimum donation of $70 to the President’s Challenge.
Exciting Programme Line-up
Visitors to the Labour Day Istana Open House looking for hands-on activities can partake in the “Journey to Space” experience. Organised by Singapore Science Centre with support from the Lifelong Learning Council and SkillsFuture Singapore, visitors can navigate a Mars Rover and Artificial Intelligence car, take a closer look at the sun using a special solar telescope, and launch water/dry rockets at the lawn.
Visitors will also be treated to a variety of performances, including performances by special needs groups from Delta Senior School and Rainbow Centre. There will also be performances by Alexandra Primary School, Yishun Primary School, Nanyang Polytechnic and Temasek JuniorCollege.
Exhibition and Tours
Those interested in the Istana’s flora, fauna and biodiversity can sign up for the Nature Guided Walk. There is also a guided tour of the Istana main building where guests can visit selected function rooms and view collections of State Gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister.
The public can also learn more Singapore’s history and heritage at the Istana Heritage Gallery, situated at Istana Park (opposite the main gate of the Istana along Orchard Road). The Istana Heritage Gallery will be open from 10am to 6pm.
Admission Details
Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents. All others visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $2 per person. Entry to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.
Additional fees as specified in Annexes B and C are applicable for the guided tours.
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
24 April 2019
ANNEX A
Main Highlights of Istana Open House
Overall Programme
Table caption
Time | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
8.30 am – 5.30 pm | “Journey to Space” Exhibition by Science Centre | Near Centre Gate |
8.30 am – 5.30 pm | Henna painting Booth by Cognizant | Main tent |
8.30 am – 5.30 pm | Face painting Booth by Cosmoprof Academy | Main tent |
8.30 am – 6.00 pm | Display of Invertebrates by the Wildlife Reserves of Singapore | Centre Gate |
8.30 am – 6.00 pm | Balloon Sculpting Booth by the SingTel Recreation Club | Centre Gate |
8.30 am – 5.30 pm | Istana Merchandise, Snacks and Drinks Booths by NCSS | Centre Gate |
10.00 am – 6.00 pm | Udders Ice Cream Booth | Centre Gate |
8.30 am – 5.30 pm | Istana Main Building Self-guided Tour | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
9.00 am – 3.00 pm | Istana Main Building Guided Tour by National Heritage Board | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
10.00 am – 4.00 pm | Nature Guided Walk organised by Nparks | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
8.30 am – 6.00 pm | Drinks and Snacks Booths by NCSS | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
8.30 am – 6.00 pm | Istana Merchandise Booth | Istana Building |
Performances | ||
10.30 am | Alexandra Primary School Choir | Ceremonial Plaza |
10.45 am | Alexandra Primary School Cheerleading Team | Ceremonial Plaza |
10.50 am | Delta Senior School “Delta Beats” Percussion Band | Main Tent |
11.30 am | Rainbow Centre Yishun Park School (YPS) Chinese Drums | Ceremonial Plaza |
11.45 am | Rainbow Centre YPS Woodlands Dance Group | Ceremonial Plaza |
2.00 pm | Gan Eng Seng Primary School Brass Band | Main Tent |
3.30 pm | Yishun Primary School International Dance Group | Ceremonial Plaza |
4.00 pm | Nanyang Polytechnic “Foreign Bodies” Hip Hop Dance Group | Ceremonial Plaza |
4.30 pm | Temasek Junior College Modern Dance Group | 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 | $4.00 | $10.00 |
Package for family of four | Not applicable | $30.00 |
*ISTANA MAIN BUILDING GUIDED TOURS
Guided tours are conducted by volunteers from the Preservation of Sites and Monuments division of the National Heritage Board. The tours are limited to 15 persons per group, and depart every 20 minutes from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.
All fees collected will be donated to charity.
ANNEX C
FEES FOR NATURE GUIDED WALK AT THE ISTANA
The following fees are applicable for the Nature Guided Walk at the Istana:
Table caption
Singaporeans and Permanent Residents | Guided* |
|---|---|
Children (4 to 12 years) | $2.00 |
Adult | $4.00 |
Package for family of four | $12.00 |
Others | |
Children (4 to 12 years) | $2.00 |
Adult | $10.00 |
Package for family of four | $30.00 |
*Guided tours are conducted by volunteers and are limited to between 12 to 15 persons per group, and depart every hour from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
All fees collected will be donated to charity.