Istana Open House in 2023: Dates and Information for Your Visit

If you’re hoping to visit the Istana in Singapore, you’ll need to take note of the dates for the Istana Open House in 2023 to get a glimpse of the majestic Istana grounds and heritage building that is the Singapore presidential palace

A visit to the Istana Singapore is only possible during the 2023 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.

We outline the dates for the Istana Open House in 2023 so you can plan your visit!

Istana Open House in 2023

The Istana 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 and is where she receives and entertains state guests.

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 2023: five times a year

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

The Istana Open House is scheduled around these holidays in 2023 (actual dates to be confirmed):

Chinese New Year Istana Open House (23 Jan 2023)
Hari Raya Puasa Istana Open House
Labour Day Istana Open House
National Day Istana Open House
Deepavali Istana Open House

Last Istana Open House 2023: Chinese New Year

The last Istana Open House in 2023 was for Chinese New Year and took place on 23 January 2023. The Istana Open House in 2023 included these activities:

Istana Main Building Guided Tour: various timings
Nature Guided Tour around Istana: various timings.

There were also food trucks, live performances, and fun activity booths! Most Istana Open House days have merchandise booths with limited-edition Istana souvenirs and President’s Challenge souvenirs. All fees collected and proceeds from the merchandise booths go towards charities supported by President’s Challenge. 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.

Next Istana Open House in 2023: Hari Raya Puasa

The next Istana Open House in 2023 will be for Hari Raya Puasa (exact dates are to be confirmed for the Hari Raya Istana Open House). The Hari Raya Puasa public holiday falls on 22 April 2023.

Read more: Public Holidays in Singapore

Labour Day Istana Open House 2023

The date for the Istana Open House in 2023 for Labour Day (the public holiday for which falls on 1 May 2023) is usually announced closer to May. We will update as and when details are unveiled for the Labour Day Istana Open House 2023.

National Day Istana Open House

Information has yet to be released about the Istana Open House in 2023 for National Day (which falls on 9 August 2023). We will update as and when details for the National Day Istana Open House 2023 are unveiled.

Deepavali Istana Open House

There is usually an Istana Open House in 2023 for Deepavali (which falls on Sunday, 12 November 2023). We will update as and when the exact date for the Deepavali Istana Open House 2023 is confirmed.

Istana Open House 2023: Tickets

During the Istana Open House in 2023, Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents enter the Istana grounds for free as will children below 12 years old. Other visitors will pay a fee of $2 for admission.

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

Queues at the Istana Open House 2023

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

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 2023 Istana Open House dates – good luck!

The Istana, Orchard Road, Singapore 238823