The Istana will be open to the public on the second day of Chinese New Year 2019.

The public will be able to access the Istana grounds from 8.30am to 6pm on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019.

Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents.

All others visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of S$2 per person.

Entry to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.

150th anniversary of Istana

President Halimah Yacob will be launching an Istana 150 Souvenir Series of Medallions and Flashpay cards during this Istana Open House.

This is to mark the 150th anniversary of the Istana, which was built in 1869.

The Istana 150 Souvenir Series of Medallions and Flashpay cards is a collaboration between the Istana and The Singapore Mint.

A range of exclusive silver medallions and card products featuring the architecture of the buildings within the Istana compounds and significant features of the official residence of the Singapore president will be on sale.

Istana visitors who purchase the newly launched Istana 150 Souvenir Series will also receive an exclusive certificate.

The certificate will be limited to first day purchases at the open house.

Performances and walks

There will be activities lined up throughout the day in the Istana.

Festive performances include Lion Dance by Yi Wei Athletic Association, Chinese Dance by PA Talent, and Symphony Band performance by Soka.

Visitors can also try their hand at calligraphy at a few Chinese Calligraphy Booths.

The public can sign up for the Nature Guided Walk as well.

There is also a guided tour of the Istana main building led by volunteers from the Preservation of Sites and Monuments division of the National Heritage Board.

On this tour, visitors can view selected function rooms and collections of state gifts presented to the president and the prime minister.

A self-guided tour is available on the “Istana Garden Walk” mobile application, which includes features such as a self-guided Plants Trail to discover 10 types of beautiful plant species in the Istana Gardens and maps.

The public can also learn more of Singapore’s history and heritage at the Istana Heritage Gallery, situated at Istana Park (opposite the main gate of the Istana along Orchard Road).

The Istana Heritage Gallery will be open from 10am to 6pm.

The following fees are applicable for the tours of the state room, banquet hall and reception room in the Istana main building (15 persons per group, and departs every 20 minutes from 9am to 3pm):

The following fees are applicable for the Nature Guided Walk at the Istana (12 to 15 persons per group, and departs every hour from 10am to 4pm):

All fees collected will be donated to charity.