Singapore Istana Open House 2024 Dates

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. The next one is 20 October for Deepavali!

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 Deepavali on 20 October 2024. Entry to this Istana Open House is free for Singaporeans and PRs and there will be guided tours, live performances and Deepavali-themed activities.

All About 2024 Istana Open House

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 Shanmugaratnam and 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)
Hari Raya Puasa Istana Open House (21 April 2024)
Labour Day Istana Open House (21 April 2024)
National Day Istana Open House (28 July 2024)
Deepavali Istana Open House (20 October 2024)

What can you expect at the Istana Open House 2024?

The National Day Istana Open House will see multi-ethnic live performances by students from different local schools. Guests can also join the Istana Heritage Tour from 9am – 4pm, where they will be able to gain insights into the Istana’s rich history and heritage by touring the Japanese Garden, Villa, Ceremonial Plaza, Inclusive Garden and more. Guests can also take a closer look at state gifts presented to Singapore leaders. Otherwise, you can just wander and take in the scenic views of the grounds at your own pace.

On top of live performances and guided tours, the Deepavali Istana Open House will comprise of plenty of family-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt, balloon sculpting, and colouring activities that the kids will love. Live performances will consist of multi-ethnic dance, music and vocal performances by local schools. When you get hungry, there will be food stalls and a food truck available.

Be sure to shop for limited-edition souvenirs at the merchandise booths! Payments will be accepted only via credit and debit card or QR code. All proceeds from the merchandise booth will 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

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

All 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 Deets:

Istana Open House for Chinese New Year

The Istana Open House in 2024 for Chinese New Year took place on 12 February 2024.

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 21 April 2024.

Labour Day Istana Open House

The Istana Open House for Hari Raya, together with the Istana Open House for Labour Day took place on 21 April 2024.

National Day Istana Open House

The National Day Istana Open House will take place on 28 July 2024.

Read more: Public Holidays in Singapore

Istana Open House for Deepavali

The Deepavali Istana Open House will take place on 20 October 2024. Read more about this upcoming event here.

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

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