Istana Welcomes Public for Hari Raya and Labour Day Celebration on 13 April

By
Noreen Shazreen
-
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The Istana will welcome visitors on Sunday (13 April 2025), from 8:30am to 6pm for a special open house celebrating both Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Labour Day.

This event marks one of the five annual opportunities for the public to explore Singapore’s presidential grounds, which remain closed to visitors throughout the rest of the year.

Entry to the Istana grounds will be free for Singapore citizens and permanent residents, including migrant domestic workers accompanying families.

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Other visitors will need to pay an admission fee of $20 per adult and $10 per child aged four to 12 years.

The Istana, which means “palace” in Malay, serves as the office of Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and is where state guests are received and entertained.

What to Expect

Visitors can look forward to a variety of activities during the open house.

The event will feature live performances showcasing Singapore’s multicultural heritage, with students from various schools typically presenting traditional dances and music.

Family-friendly activities will be available throughout the grounds, though specific details for the April event have not yet been announced.

The Istana Main Building is currently closed for restoration until further notice. However, visitors can still tour the Istana Villa, where they can view a selection of state gifts presented to Singapore’s leaders over the years.

For those interested in learning more about the Istana’s rich history, architectural heritage, and unique flora and fauna, guided Istana Heritage Tours will be conducted in English and Mandarin every hour from 9am to 4pm.

Additional Fees and Payment Information

While entry to the grounds is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents, additional fees apply for certain activities:

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Entry to the Istana Villa costs $2 for Singaporeans and permanent residents (both adults and children aged 4 to 12), while other visitors pay $10 per adult and $5 per child.

The Istana Heritage Tour costs $8 for Singaporean and permanent resident adults and $4 for children, with family packages available. Other visitors pay $30 per adult and $12 per child.

All payments at the Istana Open House will be cashless, with only credit/debit cards and QR code payments accepted. This applies to admission fees, tour tickets, and merchandise purchases.

Proceeds from the open house will support beneficiaries of the President’s Challenge, which includes organisations working in sectors such as children’s services, youth development, family support, mental health, healthcare, eldercare, and disability services.

Merchandise and Souvenirs

Visitors can purchase limited-edition Istana souvenirs and President’s Challenge memorabilia from merchandise booths at the open house.

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All proceeds from these sales will go to benefitting agencies supported by the President’s Challenge.

The Istana Heritage Gallery, located in Istana Park across from the main gate, will also be open to visitors. Entry to this gallery is free for all visitors.

Other Istana Open House Dates for 2025

The Istana typically opens its grounds to the public five times each year, coinciding with major public holidays.

The first open house of 2025 was held on 2 February for the Chinese New Year.

Following the April open house for Hari Raya and Labour Day, additional open houses are expected later in the year for National Day and Deepavali, though specific dates have not yet been confirmed.

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For those planning to attend the April open house, the Istana is located at 35 Orchard Road, and tickets must be purchased at the Istana Main Gate on the day of the event.

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Noreen Shazreen
Email: [email protected]