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SINGAPORE \u2013 Ever wondered what happens during the changing of the guard ceremony?<\/p>\n
You can find out more at the Istana Open House on Nov 1 \u2013 ahead of Deepavali, which is on Nov 8 in 2026.<\/p>\n
The ceremony will be accompanied by live narration for the first time, offering insights into the\u00a0longstanding military tradition, said the President\u2019s Office in a statement on Oct 27.<\/p>\n
The changing of the guard ceremony marks the formal handover of sentry duties from outgoing to incoming guards.<\/p>\n
As part of the ceremony, there will be a performance by the Singapore Armed Forces Ceremonial Band and synchronised rifle drills by the SAF Military Police Command\u2019s Silent Precision Drill Squad.<\/p>\n
Other highlights at the open house include an evening outdoor concert, cultural performances and activities, as well as a community marketplace.<\/p>\n
Performers include home-grown singer-songwriters Ahmadul Amin and Heema Izzati, and performing groups from Project #JalanJalan, Extraordinary People, Micron and Quantedge.<\/p>\n
Students from Singapore Polytechnic will also put up dikir barat and Malay dance performances.<\/p>\n
The community marketplace, organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) Foundation, will feature community organisations and employers that foster support for vulnerable individuals, such as New Hope Community Services and the Caregiving Welfare Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cVisitors can take part in hands-on activities and learn more about the community organisations,\u201d said the statement.<\/p>\n
The SBF Foundation will also be holding a fund-raising event, Walk for Work, to help vulnerable individuals rebuild their lives through meaningful employment.<\/p>\n
The charity walk is open only to pre-registered corporate participants.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, as part of the ReadSG initiative, visitors can visit a dedicated reading space by the National Library & Archives Board (NLB), featuring a selection of books recommended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his spouse Jane Ittogi.<\/p>\n
\u201cVisitors can browse the recommended titles, participate in reading-related activities, including joining the ReadSG Challenge, and redeem limited-edition \u2018I Read at the Istana\u2019 collectibles,\u201d said the statement.<\/p>\n
NLB\u2019s mobile library, MOLLY, will be available for visitors to borrow books. Independent bookstore Book Bar will also have books for sale.<\/p>\n
Those interested in the Istana grounds can take part in self-guided tours of the Istana Villa, where they can view a collection of state gifts presented to Singapore\u2019s leaders. The tours are available from 10am to 5.30pm, with the last entry at 5pm.<\/p>\n
Visitors who have pre-registered for the guided Istana Heritage Tour will tour the grounds during their selected time slots from 10.30am.<\/p>\n
Different parts of the Istana grounds will feature activities at designated pit stops, where visitors can collect unique stamps and redeem exclusive Istana merchandise through the Istana Stamp Rally developed in partnership with Singapore Polytechnic.<\/p>\n
Food and drink vendors, such as Old Chang Kee and the Milo van, will be present on the Istana grounds.<\/p>\n
Entry to the Istana grounds is free for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and migrant domestic workers accompanying families. Other visitors will need to pay $20 per adult and $10 per child (four to 12 years old).<\/p>\n
Additional fees apply for other activities, such as the guided Istana Heritage Tour and the Istana Villa visit.<\/p>\n
Only cashless payments will be accepted at the open house.<\/p>\n
All earnings from entry to the Istana grounds and tours are non-refundable and will go towards benefiting programmes supported by the President\u2019s Challenge.<\/p>\n
The open house will take place from 10am to 8pm, with final admission at 6.30pm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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