Singapore Public Holidays

Other than school holidays, the major public holidays in Singapore reflect the cultural and religious diversity of the country. Take note of these dates of public holiday in Singapore to either avoid visiting the country during its most crowded times, or join in the celebrations!

1st of January - New Year's Day

Like everywhere else, the New Year's celebration in Singapore started on 31st of December. Most offices will only work half-day on the 31st and will be in holiday on 1st of January.

Chinese New Year

Possibly more celebrated than the Gregorian New Year, Chinese New Year's celebration is an important traditional Chinese holiday that celebrates the start of Lunar New Year. While most shops open on 1st of January to accommodate both tourists' and locals' shopping appetite, most shops, even eating places, will be closed in Chinese New Year. So be prepare to eat in fast food joints and/or fine dining restaurants if you visit during this time.

Third and fourth week of March - School Holidays

Retails are not so affected in the country, but the flights out of the country is generally more expensive as a lot of parents will be taking their kids on a short holiday.

Good Friday

This Christian holiday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, and celebrated on the Friday before Easter, which is calculated differently in Eastern Christianity and Western Christianity. That is why the date of Good Friday varies according to a lunisolar calendar but generally observed on the first Friday of April.

1st of May - Labour Day

An annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers.

Vesak Day

This Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth and enlightenment and Parinibbana of Gautama Buddha. Celebrated around the month of May, the date varies according to Chinese calendar.

The whole month of June - School holidays

This is the longest school holiday in Singapore and around this time, there will be a lot of discounts and sales around the country. This is also high season in term of tourism as Indonesia is having a school holiday as well. The Singaporeans themselves love to do what they call a 'staycation'. They'll book hotels far from their houses and act like tourists and therefore increase the accommodation prices in the country.

First Sunday of July - Youth Day

A holiday dedicated to the youths of a country that was started with young people from around the world responded to the invitation of His Holiness John Paul II for an International Jubilee of youth on Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s square.

Hari Raya Puasa

Due to the differences between the Islamic calendar and the Gregorian calendar, Islamic holidays fall on different date each year. In 2013, Hari Raya Puasa is on 8th of August while the year after, it's on 28th of July.

9th of August - National Day

The National Day of Singapore is celebrated in commemoration of Singapore's independence from Malaysia in 1965. One of the biggest holidays in Singapore, it features a National Day Parade, an address by the Prime Minister of Singapore, and fireworks celebrations.

Second and third week of September - School Holiday

Just like the School Holiday in June, the September holiday won't affect the retails much. But there might be an increased number of obnoxious teenagers on the trains and in the malls.

Hari Raya Haji

Due to the differences between the Islamic calendar and the Gregorian calendar, Islamic holidays fall on different date each year. In 2013, Hari Raya Haji is on 15th of October, while the year after, it's on 5th of October.

Deepavali

This Hindu holiday celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana and vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna. Date varies according to Hindu calendar, but mostly happens around end of October to early November.

25th of December - Christmas

Christmas is a big celebration in Singapore. The decorations around the country would have been put up since a month before. The joy of Christmas is shared with everyone, not only the Christians, because it represents a time of gathering and relaxation. Be prepared for a ton of bedazzling decorations, fun activities, and tempting sales.