When it comes to events that warrant road closures on the Little Red Dot, 2 major ones float to mind immediately – the recently concluded F1 Grand Prix and the annual National Day Parade. As grand as they are, they only come around once a year, but what if I told you there’s another spectacle that takes place smack dab in the middle of Orchard Road almost every month?
Complete with a marching contingent, live military bands, and impressive rifle drills, the Changing of Guards Ceremony at the Istana is a free parade that you might not even know existed. Here’s all you need to know before heading down to catch the next one yourself, from dates to what to expect.
The Changing of Guards Ceremony typically takes place on the first Sunday evening of the month, at 6pm. Lasting 30 minutes, the ceremony follows a short marching route along Orchard Road, starting from Koek Road which is just beside OG Orchard Point, and ends at the Istana’s Main Gate. Viewing of the ceremony is free.
You can find the schedule of the Changing of Guards Ceremony on the official Istana website, which lists upcoming ceremony dates. The next Changing of Guards Ceremony happening this year will take place on 6th December 2026.
The Changing of Guards Ceremony at the Istana is a military tradition that dates back to 1959, when the late Yusof Bin Ishak took up appointment as the Yang Di-Pertuan Negara, the then official title of the head of state of Singapore.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
Back then, the Istana was under the watchful guard of combat troops from Singapore’s only infantry regiment at the time, the 1st Battalion of the Singapore Infantry Regiment. In case you’re wondering, the Little Red Dot’s army has grown considerably over the years, and is now defended by 6 active infantry battalions.
The use of combat troops to guard the Istana ceased in 1968. Today, a 20-man strong platoon from the Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command takes their place, each specially selected and trained to carry out sentry duties on the grounds on a monthly rotational basis.
Image credit: The Singapore Army via Facebook
As for the Changing of Guard Ceremony itself, a total of 36 guards and 2 guard commanders will march from Koek Road to meet the outgoing guards at the Istana’s main entrance. Accompanied by military bands, a symbolic parade of handing over duties is then carried out, followed by a rifle precision drill performed by the guards.
Although the Changing of Guards Ceremony is free to observe, you won’t find it to be terribly crowded, perhaps because not many locals even know of its existence.
We recommend heading down to Cuppage Road, right outside of The Centrepoint, at around 5.45pm to catch the marching contingent getting ready. You’ll get to walk alongside the military band and mobilised Military Police Traffic Outriders and snap pics with them as they make their way to Koek Road where the ceremony officially begins.
Once it does, you’ll have to keep your distance, as the military band comes alive with a symphony of organised drumbeats and brass instruments. Led by the Military Police Command’s Silent Precision Drill Squad (SPDS), they’ll begin their journey to the Istana; it’s a rare sight to behold, as the hectic traffic of Orchard Road gives way to rows of uniformed soldiers all marching in unison.
Image credit: @orh.snap via Instagram
Upon reaching the Istana’s Main Gate, the ceremonial handover will be conducted, and then it closes out with another highlight of the ceremony – the rifle precision drills. Here, the SPDS takes centre stage, as they pull off synchronised, elaborate rifle drills, including stunts such as twirling their firearms and tossing them into the air, before catching them deftly.
If you can’t quite wait till National Day to catch a glimpse of our dapper servicemen marching down the asphalt, swing by Orchard Road the next time the Changing of Guards Ceremony comes to town. Moreover, it’s free to attend, which means you don’t have to go through the hassle of balloting for tickets or braving the crowds at the Padang.
For more free things to do in Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: @orh.snap via Instagram
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