Live performances, activity booths to resume at Istana open house for National Day celebration
The Istana. (File photo: Jeremy Long)
SINGAPORE: Live performances and activity booths are returning to the Istana open house for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020.
The open house, held in celebration of National Day, will run from 9am to 6pm on Sunday (Jul 17) and entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singapore citizens and permanent residents.
All other adult visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of S$2. All children 12 and below can enter for free.
In line with prevailing safe management measures, visitors have to remain masked at all times when indoors.
“The Istana seeks visitors’ cooperation and understanding so that the IOH (Istana open house) will be a pleasant experience for all,” the Istana said on Tuesday.
The open house will feature dance and band performances by several student groups from Ang Mo Kio Secondary School, Chung Cheng High School (Main), Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) and Seng Kang Secondary School.
Visitors can also take part in sports activities as well as traditional and carnival games. Other activities like balloon sculpting will also be organised at an arts and craft zone.
GUIDED TOURS, SNACKS AND MERCHANDISE
There will be guided tours of the Istana Main Building from 9.30am to 4.15pm. Visitors can view selected function rooms as well as the collection of state gifts presented to Singapore’s leaders, including the President and Prime Minister. Self-guided tours are also available.
In May, during an open house to celebrate Labour Day and Hari Raya Puasa, the main building was open to visitors for the first time since the pandemic.
Visitors can also join guided tours of the Istana's enhanced Japanese Garden and Inclusive Garden from 10am to 4pm.
ENTRANCE FEES INTO ISTANA MAIN BUILDING
| Singapore citizens, permanent residents | Standard | |
| Adult | S$2 (self-guided); S$4 (guided) | S$4 (self-guided); S$10 (guided) |
| Children (four to 12 years old) | S$2 (self-guided); S$2 (guided) | S$2 (self-guided); S$2 (guided) |
| Children (Below four years old) | Free | Free |
FEES FOR NATURE GUIDED TOUR
| Singapore citizens, permanent residents | Standard | |
| Adult | S$4 | S$10 |
| Children (four to 12 years old) | S$2 | S$2 |
| Children (Below four years old) | Free | Free |
There will also be food trucks and merchandise booths with limited-edition Istana souvenirs and President’s Challenge souvenirs.
All fees collected and proceeds from the merchandise booths will go towards charities supported by President’s Challenge.
The Istana is typically open to the public on five days each year. Open house events resumed on Aug 28 last year after a 19-month hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
