News Releases
President Halimah Yacob to meet visitors at Deepavali Istana Open House
22 October 2019
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To celebrate Deepavali, the Istana grounds will be opened to the public on Sunday, 27 October 2019, from 8.30am – 6.00pm.
Programme Highlights
Visitors to the Deepavali Istana Open House can look forward to an array of festive performances by local performance groups and school bands.
One of the highlights of the day will be a performance by Shankar Symphonies, who will present a medley of popular Indian songs from movies such as “Slum-Dog Millionaire” in different Indian dialects. The Singapore Indian Orchestra and Choir (SIOC) by the People’s Association will put on a unique performance of traditional and contemporary Indian music using traditional Chinese and Malay instruments. Other notable performances include cultural dance by Zhenghua Primary, live band performances by Tampines Secondary and Geylang Methodist Secondary, and a choir performance by Greenridge Secondary. The programme line-up can be found in Annex A.
Aside from watching exciting live performances, visitors can have an up-close look at four unique species of reptiles at the Wildlife Reserves of Singapore booth, and try their hands at face painting and balloon sculpting.
Visitors can also get their hands on the Istana Cookies that are created in collaboration with The Pine Garden bakery in commemoration of the Istana’s 150th anniversary, when they make a donation to the President’s Challenge. The Istana Cookies contain ingredients derived from spices and fruits found on the Istana grounds.
Exhibitions and Tours
Nature lovers can sign up for the Nature Guided Walk (conducted by NParks) to admire the Istana’s rich flora, fauna and biodiversity. Visitors can also participate in a guided tour of the Istana main building to view selected function rooms and collections of State Gifts presented to the Singapore’s Presidents and Prime Ministers over the years.
To learn more Singapore’s history and heritage, visitors can visit 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 other 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
22 October 2019
ANNEX A
MAIN HIGHLIGHTS OF ISTANA OPEN HOUSE
Overall Programme
Table caption
Time | Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Face Painting by Cosmoprof Academy | Main Tent |
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Istana Merchandise, Snacks and Drinks Booths by NCSS | Centre Gate |
8.30 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. | Display of Reptiles by Wildlife Reserves of Singapore | Centre Gate |
8.30 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. | Balloon Sculpting Booth by SingTel Recreation Club | Centre Gate |
8.30 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. | Istana 150 Cookies by Pine Garden | Centre Gate |
10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. | Udders Ice Cream Booth | Centre Gate |
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Istana Main Building Self-Guided Tour | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. | Istana Main Building Guided Tour by National Heritage Board | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. | Nature Guided Walk organised by NParks | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Drinks and Snacks Booths by NCSS | Ticketing Booth near Ceremonial Plaza |
8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. | Istana Merchandise Booth | Istana Building |
Performances | ||
10.00 a.m. | Zhenghua Primary School Indian Dance | Ceremonial Plaza |
10.30 a.m. | Tampines Secondary Band | Main Tent |
11.00 a.m. | Greenridge Secondary Choir | Ceremonial Plaza |
2.00 p.m. | Geylang Methodist Secondary Band | Main Tent |
3.30 p.m. | Shankar Symphonies - Bollywood songs | Main Tent |
5.00 p.m. | PA Orchestra and Choir | 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.