The Istana will open its grounds to the public on Sunday (1 November) from 10am to 8pm ahead of Deepavali, but the open house will not go ahead if the 24-hour PSI enters the very unhealthy range, under a President’s Office release on Tuesday (27 October). Last entry is at 6.30pm.
Haze decides the day
The very unhealthy band covers a 24-hour PSI above 200.
NEA forecast a 24-hour PSI of 60 to 90, in the moderate range, for Wednesday. Its outlook for Thursday and Friday flagged winds from the east-southeast or south-southeast that could carry smoke haze from southern Sumatra, with showers expected to lower the risk.
Changing of Guards and a concert
For the first time, the open house will run with a narrated Changing of Guards ceremony. The Singapore Armed Forces Ceremonial Band will perform and the Silent Precision Drill Squad will put on synchronised rifle drills.
An outdoor evening concert features singer-songwriters Ahmadul Amin and Heema Izzati, with groups from Project #JalanJalan, Extraordinary People, Micron and Quantedge.
Books, stamps and a marketplace
The National Library and Archives Board will run a reading space with books recommended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Ms Jane Ittogi. The Book Bar will sell books on site.
The Istana Stamp Rally returns with new stamps, developed with Singapore Polytechnic students. A community marketplace by the Singapore Business Federation Foundation will feature Inclus, New Hope Community Services and the Caregiving Welfare Association.
Villa tours and the main building
Self-guided tours of the Istana Villa, which holds state gifts presented to Singapore’s leaders, run from 10am to 5.30pm, with last entry at 5pm. Visitors who pre-registered for the guided Istana Heritage Tour start from 10.30am.
The main Istana building is closed for restoration and will not open to the public until further notice.
Entry fees
Entry to the grounds is free for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and migrant domestic workers accompanying their families. Other visitors pay S$20 per adult and S$10 per child aged four to 12.
The Istana Villa and the heritage tours carry extra charges. All fees go to programmes supported by the President’s Challenge.
Getting there
Visitors enter through the main gate on Orchard Road. Dhoby Ghaut is the nearest MRT station. Food and drink stalls accept cashless payment only. Entry is subject to crowd and weather conditions.
