Although we’ve still got a couple of years left till the next General Election, some of us might still be interested in the happenings of the Parliament. After all, it doesn’t hurt to know where our hard-earned tax money is being funnelled into, and staying up to date on the latest government policies discussed in proceedings could help us make better decisions as Singapore citizens.
We all know that Parliament sittings are live streamed for all to watch, but not many are aware that members of the public can attend these in-person. Should you be interested in observing our MPs debate in the flesh, here’s all you need to know about heading down for a sitting at the Parliament House.
Image credit: NTUC
The next Sitting of Parliament will take place on 12th February 2026 and will commence at 1.30pm. It’s worth noting that in the same sitting, the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, will be delivering the Budget 2026 statement at 3.30pm.
Image credit: Parliament of Singapore
All parliament proceedings will be held at the Parliament House, and a majority of them are open to the public, with the exception of certain occasions such as the Opening of Parliament. Sittings will usually commence at 1.30pm and continue until adjournment.
To stay updated on the latest information on Parliament sittings, do visit the Parliament of Singapore’s website or official media channels (Facebook | Instagram). Parliament sessions are also live-streamed on YouTube; you can watch them in their entirety on the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI)’s YouTube channel.
Image credit: Parliament of Singapore
Entry to the Parliament House to attend Parliament sittings is free. Although the Parliament does not entertain any reservation of seats or booking requests, members of the public may obtain an Admission Order issued by the Serjeant-at-Arms to be allowed into the Chamber’s Public Galleries to observe sittings.
Visitors, both Singapore citizens and foreigners, will be able to obtain an Admission Order by applying for one in-person at the Parliament House’s Public Entrance Lobby. You’ll be required to exchange a photo identification document, such as your NRIC or passport, or present your Digital IC in SingPass for an Admission Order. Do remember to return the pass before leaving the premises.
Essentially, this means that no prior bookings are required to attend parliament sittings. Simply show up on the correct date and time with your official documents to be let in.
Image credit: Parliament of Singapore
You’ll be subject to a security screening and vehicle checks before being granted entry into the Parliament House, so arrive at least 5 minutes before sitting commences to avoid any delay. Visitors are also required to dress appropriately and modestly; do not turn up in singlets, shorts, slippers or sandals, or clothing bearing inappropriate words, slogans or symbols, including those bearing political party affiliation.
Visitors are also required to safekeep their belongings, including any electronic devices at the lockers at the Public Entrance before entering. The cost to use these lockers starts from $0.40, are one-time use only, and only accept $0.20 coins. Do note that photography is prohibited within the Parliament House.
Visitors need not attend sittings in their entirety; you can arrive and leave any time during sittings. If you sit through the proceedings in full, do note that there will be breaks of between 15 to 20 minutes during sittings.
Upon entering and exiting the Public Gallery within the Chamber, you’re required to bow to the Chair. You also must abstain from creating any disturbance during proceedings by remaining silent.
The Parliament House is a 7-minute walk from City Hall MRT station on the East-West Line. Alternatively, you can take buses 195, 961, or 961M and alight at the Supreme Court bus stop (stop ID: 02181); the Parliament House is right across the road facing the bus stop.
If you’re planning to drive or ride there, do take note that you won’t be allowed to park inside the Parliament House, unless you’ve been granted permission prior to your visit. Instead, you can park at the premises’ public car park, which charges the following rates:
| Day | Rates |
| Mon-Sat | 8am-6pm: $1.39/30 minutes |
| 6.01pm-7.59am: $2.43/4 hours | |
| Sun & PH | $2.43/4 hours |
The upcoming Sitting of Parliament is just a few days away, and it’s a big one at that, as Budget 2026 is a main part of its agenda. If you’d like to get a firsthand look at the proceedings, now you know how to go about observing them for free; just remember to abide by the rules, and you’ll be just fine.
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Cover image adapted from: Parliament of Singapore
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