SINGAPORE — The Istana grounds, excluding the Istana Lawn, will be open to the public on July 6, from 8.30am to 6pm, in celebration of Hari Raya Puasa, the President’s Office said in a statement on Friday (July 1). The Istana Lawn is closed to facilitate renovation works till end of the year.

Some of the highlights that the public can look forward to include music performances by school bands — such as the St Joseph’s Institution Military Band, Dunman High School Symphonic Band and Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School Handbell Ensemble, as well as other activities such as a display of birds by Wildlife Reserves Singapore and balloon sculpting.

There will also be guide tours of the main building by the National Heritage Board, where you can view selected function rooms and display of gifts presented to the President and the Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries. Registration for these tours will end by 3pm.

There will also be guided walks of the grounds to explore the Istana’s flora, fauna and biodiversity led by National Parks Board (NParks). Registration for these walks will end at 4pm.

Visitors may also go on 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.

Istana souvenirs will also be on sale during the Open House. Proceeds from the sale of souvenirs and all entrance fees collected will be donated to charity.

Entry to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road and is free for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents. All other visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of S$2 per person.

Additional fees are applicable the guided tours, which will be donated to charity.

Members of the public are to note that the last entry to the Istana Ground for the Open House will be at 5pm.