SINGAPORE - The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Sunday (June 25) in celebration of Hari Raya Puasa.
The compound will be open from 8.30am to 6pm, the President's Office said in a press release on Thursday.
There will be music performances by Novo Winds Symphony Band, Naval Base Secondary School Symphonic Band, Sembawang Wind Orchestra and Yishun Secondary School Band.
The Kolam Ayer Bhangra Dance Group - Bhangre De Sitare, Sheng Yi Heng Dances Group, Kampong Chai Chee's Dance Group and Power Dances Group will put on dance performances.
Other features include a display of birds by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, a balloon sculpturing booth and a Henna painting booth.
Members of the public can sign up for the Nature Guided Walk at the Istana, a collaboration between the President's Office and the National Parks Board (NParks) which will showcase the Istana's flora, fauna and biodiversity.
They can take a guided tour of the Istana main building led by volunteers from the Preservation of Sites and Monuments division of the National Heritage Board and view selected function rooms and display of gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries.
Visitors can also do a self-guided tour with the help of 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 of Places of Interest and Plants Trails.
The Istana Heritage Gallery at the Istana Park (opposite the main gate of the Istana along Orchard Road) will also be open from 10am to 6pm.
For a self-guided interactive tour of the IHG and the Istana Park, visitors can download the LocoMole mobile application.
Istana souvenirs will be on sale during the open house and proceeds from the sale of souvenirs and all entrance fees collected will be donated to charity.
Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents. All others visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of $2 per person.
Entry to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. The nearest MRT station is Dhoby Ghaut.
There are additional fees for the guided tours.
