IMMERSE IN MULTICULTURAL SIGHTS AND SOUNDS AT THE DEEPAVALI ISTANA OPEN HOUSE

In celebration of Deepavali, the Istana will be open to members of public on Sunday, 12 November 2023, 8.30am to 6.00pm. Members of public can look forward to a series of multicultural live performances and activity booths, and tours of the Istana Main Building and grounds, at the Istana Open House (IOH).

Performances and Activity Booths

Listen to award-winning flautists Ghanavenothan Retnam and Tan Qing Lun as they showcase a fusion of Indian and Chinese classical music.

Throughout the day, visitors can catch instrument, dance and band performances by student groups from Bukit Timah Primary School, Yishun Secondary School, St. Margaret’s School and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), as well as the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society and Team Fusion. Visitors can also participate in activities such as henna art, candle-making and balloon sculpting.

Guided Tours

Guided tours of the Istana Main Building will be conducted from 9.30am to 5.00pm, during which visitors can view selected function rooms and take a closer look at a collection of State Gifts presented to Singapore’s leaders. Visitors interested in the Istana’s flora and fauna can join the Nature Guided Tour from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Visitors can also opt to go on self-guided tours.

Snacks and Merchandise

There will be food stalls and a food truck as well as merchandise booths with limited-edition Istana souvenirs and President’s Challenge souvenirs. Only cashless payments via Credit/Debit Card and QR Code[1] will be accepted.

Admission Details

Entry to the Istana grounds will be via the Main Gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.

Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (including their caregivers). All other visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $10 per adult and $2 per child (4 to 12 years). Only cashless payments via Credit/Debit Card and QR Code will be accepted. Entry may be restricted due to capacity, inclement weather, or other reasons.

All proceeds from the entrance into the Istana grounds, tours and booths will go towards charities supported by the President’s Challenge. More information can be found on https://www.istana.gov.sg/Visit-And-Explore/Istana-Open-House.