The Istana, Singapore's official presidential residence, rarely lets the public past its gates on Orchard Road. But on 1 November 2026, it swings open for the fourth and final Open House of the year, this time to celebrate Deepavali, and the programme goes well beyond a simple garden stroll.
Entry runs from 10am to 6.30pm (last entry), with performances and an evening concert continuing until 8pm. Singaporeans and permanent residents get in free, while foreign visitors pay $20 per adult or $10 per child aged 4-12. Every dollar raised goes to beneficiaries of the President's Challenge, so your ticket doubles as a donation.
Once through security, you'll find a packed schedule. For the first time, the Changing of Guards ceremony will be narrated for the crowd, featuring the SAF Ceremonial Band and the Silent Precision Drill Squad's rifle drills. Live music runs all day, including sets by the string orchestras of Hwa Chong Institution and Nanyang Girls' High School, plus acts like Daydreamer and Heema Izzati.
Families are well catered for. There are bouncy castles, card games, henna and face painting, scent pouch making and DIY drip bears across the Main and Activity Tents, and MOLLY the mobile library makes an appearance under the ReadSG programme. Food trucks and stalls handle lunch and snacks, though the famous Milo Van only pours from 9am to noon or until supplies run out. Bring a card, not cash, as only cashless payments are accepted.
Two ticketed extras are worth considering. The Istana Villa, a bungalow that once hosted dignitaries such as Deng Xiaoping and Dr Mahathir Mohamad, now displays state gifts as a gallery, entry costs $2 for citizens and PRs or $10 for other adults. The NParks-led Istana Heritage Tour runs hourly from 10.30am to 3pm and covers the gardens' history and wildlife, but it costs $30 for non-citizen adults and slots fill fast, so register early.
There's also a new Istana Stamp Rally with Singapore Polytechnic: collect stamps around the grounds and swap a completed book for exclusive merchandise.
A few practical notes. Expect security screening and leave sharp objects, flammables and canned items at home. The grounds are sprawling, so pack light but carry water and an umbrella. And keep an eye on the haze: the event only proceeds if the 24-hour PSI stays below 200, so check the Istana website before heading down.
For visitors to Singapore, this is one of the few ways to see inside a compound that's otherwise off-limits, timed with one of the city's major festivals. If your trip puts you in town on 1 November, it's an easy half-day add-on between Orchard Road shopping and Dhoby Ghaut.
