Dates: 1 Nov 2026 · 10am to 8pm (last entry 6.30pm)
The Istana is the President’s official residence and office, and for most of the year its gates on Orchard Road stay shut. On Sunday 1 November 2026 they open for one of its few open houses a year. Here’s what first-timers need to know: who pays, what’s closed, what you can’t bring, and when to arrive.
At a glance
Neighbourhood
Orchard Road (Dhoby Ghaut end)
Best for
Families, first-time visitors, heritage fans and anyone who has only seen the gates
Budget
Free for Singapore citizens and PRs; other visitors S$20 per adult and S$10 per child aged 4 to 12. The Villa costs extra
Time to allow
2 to 3 hours
Nearest MRT
Dhoby Ghaut (NS24/NE6/CC1)
Good to know
Entry is only via the Main Gate on Orchard Road; last entry 6.30pm. The Main Building is closed for restoration
Why go?
It’s one of only a handful of days a year you can walk the President’s grounds. The Istana says open houses are held up to five times a year, each with live performances and family-friendly activities.
It’s free for Singapore citizens and PRs, including migrant domestic workers who come with their families.
The grounds are big, green and right next to Dhoby Ghaut, so it’s an easy add-on to a day on Orchard Road.
What to do
01 · Walk the lawns and gardens
The Main Building is closed for restoration until further notice, so this open house is about the grounds: the wide lawns, mature trees and views back to the colonial-era building. Bring a hat; most of it is outdoors.
02 · Pay a little extra for the Istana Villa
The Villa inside the compound charges its own fee: S$2 per adult and child (4 to 12) for citizens and PRs, or S$10 per adult and S$5 per child for other visitors. Payment is cashless only (card or QR code), and the money goes to President’s Challenge beneficiaries.
03 · Catch the performances and activities
Each open house has live performances and family activities. The Istana’s site also lists bookable experiences, such as an NParks scent-pouch workshop, so check it before you go.
Plan your visit
Address
The Istana, Orchard Road, Singapore 238823 (enter via the Main Gate on Orchard Road only)
Opening hours
Sunday 1 November 2026, 10am to 8pm; last entry 6.30pm
Getting there
Dhoby Ghaut MRT (NS24/NE6/CC1) is the nearest station; follow signs to Orchard Road and the Main Gate
Tickets or booking
Pay at the gate. Free for Singapore citizens and PRs; other visitors S$20 per adult, S$10 per child aged 4 to 12, under-4s free. Cashless payment only
Accessibility
The grounds are large and mostly outdoors; ask staff on the day about step-free routes. There is no storage on site, so travel light
Before you go
- Leave the tripod, pocket knife, scissors, lighter, aerosols and canned drinks at home; there’s nowhere to store them. No pets (except certified guide dogs), bikes, rollerblades or PMDs either.
- The open house won’t go ahead if the 24-hour PSI goes above 200, and it can be paused for lightning. Check the Istana site on the morning.
- Stay on: our Changing of the Guards guide lists the next ceremony at the Main Entrance for the same day, 1 November, at 6pm. Our Deepavali in Little India guide covers the festive light-up.
Inside the Istana gates
Sources and disclosure
Information checked: 23 October 2026 · The Istana – Visit us: next open house date, fees and rules (official) · The Istana – Istana Open House (official)
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors, used under the licences shown in each caption (images resized): LesserKnownSingapore (CC BY-SA 4.0); Actuall7 (CC BY 4.0); GoAheadFan95 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Disclosure: Not a firsthand visit. Date, hours, fees, entry rules and the Main Building closure come from the Istana’s official Visit us page (last updated 19 October 2026), checked on 23 October 2026. The day’s performance line-up wasn’t published yet. Photos are freely licensed and show earlier open houses. We weren’t paid or hosted, and there are no affiliate links.