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CNY Istana Open House 2024 on 12 February: Free Entry for Singaporeans & PR

Istana Open House 2024
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If you’re hoping to visit the Istana in Singapore, you’ll need to take note of the dates for the 2024 Istana Open House events to tour the grounds and Istana heritage building that is the Singapore presidential palace.

A visit to the Istana Singapore is only possible during the 2024 Istana Open House as it’s closed to the public for the rest of the year. If you’d like to visit The Istana (which means ‘palace’ in Malay) you’ll need to go when the Istana is open to the public – this happens during the Istana Open House usually around the five major public holidays of the year. The next Istana Open House will be for Chinese New Year and will take place on Monday 12 February. Entry to this CNY Istana Open House is free for Singaporeans and PRs and there will be Chinese calligraphy and candle making, guided tours, musical performances and food trucks. More deets here.

All About 2024 Istana Open House

Istana Open House 2024 singapore
Image credit: Choo Yut Shing via Flickr

The Istana, being the Singapore presidential palace, is one of Singapore’s oldest heritage sites and comprises beautifully manicured green grounds (over 40 hectares) and a Neo-Palladian style majestic Istana building. The Istana once housed Singapore’s British governors, but now is the office of the President of the Republic of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnamand and is where he receives and entertains state guests. The Istana stands on what used to be Charles Robert Prinsep’s nutmeg plantation, so it is a wonderfully landscaped green garden with a variety of flora and fauna.

If you’re in town on Orchard Road near Plaza Singapura as you pass the Istana, you’ll first notice the wide gates protecting the Istana building and the smart guards standing to attention.

Istana Open House 2024: four to five times a year

The Istana grounds are open to the public only during the Istana Open House which takes place several times a year – in celebration of Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa & Labour Day and National Day.

The Istana Open House dates:

Chinese New Year Istana Open House (12 Feb 2024) Read more about this upcoming event here.

Hari Raya Puasa Istana Open House (TBC)
Labour Day Istana Open House (TBC)
National Day Istana Open House (TBC)
Deepavali Istana Open House (TBC)

What can you expect at the Istana Open House 2024?

Istana Open House 2024 singapore
Image credit: Choo Yut Shing via Flickr

During the Istana Open House there are usually instrument, dance and band performances by students. A highlight is always the guided tours of the main building, where you can see selected rooms and take a closer look at state gifts presented to Singapore leaders.

Guided tours of the Istana grounds take place or you can just wander and take in the scenic views of the grounds at your own pace.

There are usually family activities themed according to the public holiday taking place during that Istana Open House.

There are also food stalls, a food truck and merchandise booths with limited-edition Istana and President’s Challenge souvenirs. From caps to mugs, bookmarks, postcards, notebooks and more, you can be one of the few to own unique memorabilia. All sales proceeds support benefitting agencies of the President’s Challenge, many of which support children, youth, family, mental health, healthcare, eldercare, disability and more.

Istana Open House 2024 Tickets

Istana Open House 2024 singapore
Image credit: Choo Yut Shing via Flickr

During the Istana Open House in 2024, all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can enter the Istana grounds for free as will children below 4 years old.

ll other visitors will need to pay an entrance fee of $20 per adult and $10 per child aged between four and 12. Only cashless payments will be accepted. Istana Open House tickets can be purchased at the Istana Main Gate at Orchard Road only on the day of the 2024 Istana Open House itself.

There are also fees applicable for entry to the Istana Main Building, the Guided Tour and Nature Guided Tour.

Istana Open House 2023
Image credit: Choo Yut Shing via Flickr

Istana Open House Deets:

Istana Open House for Chinese New Year

The Istana Open House in 2024 for Chinese New Year has been announced for Monday 12 February 2024. There will be Chinese calligraphy and candle making, guided tours, musical performances and a food truck. More deets here.

National Day Istana Open House

The National Day Istana Open House took place on 23 July 2023.

Labour Day Istana Open House

The Istana Open House for Hari Raya took place together with the Istana Open House for Labour Day on 1 May 2023. The Labour Day Istana Open House/ Hari Raya Aidilfitri Istana Open House was held from 8.30am to 6pm, and featured a band and dance performances. In addition to tours of the grounds, families were treated to balloon sculpting and henna painting.

Istana Open House for Hari Raya Puasa

This year the Istana Open House for Hari Raya took place together with the Istana Open House for Labour Day on 1 May 2023.

Read more: Public Holidays in Singapore

Istana Open House singapore
Image credit: Choo Yut Shing via Flickr

Queues at the Istana Open House 2024

Yes, queues do form at the Istana on the Open House and it can get very hot too! Do try to visit as early in the day as possible especially if you are with young children as queues do start to form from the afternoon onwards.

Changing of the Guards at the Istana, Singapore

Istana Open House and Changing of guards ceremony
Image credit: Capitaland.com

A Platoon of Guards from the Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command perform sentry duty on a monthly rotation basis at the Istana, Singapore. The take-over by a new set of guards is signified by the Changing of Guards Ceremony which is held on the first Sunday of the month at Istana (the Istana has not published timings but according to Capitaland the timing for this is from 5:45pm except in July and August).

The incoming Guards march from Koek Road (beside OG Orchard Point) to meet the outgoing Guards at the main entrance of the Istana. As part of the ceremony, the Guards will also perform a Rifle Precision Drill.

So if you are hoping to take a look around the majestic grounds and the Istana we recommend keeping note of the 2024 Istana Open House dates – good luck!

The Istana, Orchard Road, Singapore 238823

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