Singapore observes 11 gazetted public holidays in 2026. They include New Year's Day (January 1), the two-day Chinese New Year (February 17-18), Hari Raya Puasa, Good Friday, Labour Day, Vesak Day, Hari Raya Haji, National Day (August 9), Deepavali (October 20), and Christmas Day (December 25). The calendar is deliberately balanced across the city-state's Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Christian communities, making it one of the most religiously diverse public-holiday schedules in the world.
Complete List of Public Holidays 2026
Below is the full, official set of 11 public holidays for the year. Dates tied to the lunar or Islamic calendar (Chinese New Year, Vesak Day, Hari Raya Puasa, and Hari Raya Haji) are confirmed by the Ministry of Manpower and may differ slightly from astronomical estimates.
| Date | Holiday | Description |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | Celebrations; Marina Bay Countdown fireworks on NYE |
| February 17-18 | Chinese New Year | 2-day holiday; reunion dinners, hongbao (red packets), lion dances, lo hei |
| March 20 | Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr) | End of Ramadan; open houses and festive meals in the Malay community (approx.) |
| April 3 | Good Friday | Christian holiday; church services |
| May 1 | Labour Day | Workers' day; National Trades Union Congress celebrations |
| May 12 | Vesak Day | Buddhist holiday; devotees visit temples, release caged birds |
| May 27 | Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha) | Festival of Sacrifice; prayers at mosques and communal meals (approx.) |
| August 9 | National Day | Singapore's most important holiday; celebrates independence from Malaysia in 1965 |
| October 20 | Deepavali | Hindu festival of lights; Little India is lit up with decorations |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | Widely celebrated; Orchard Road light-up is a major attraction |
That accounts for ten entries on the calendar; Chinese New Year spans two consecutive days (February 17 and 18), bringing the total number of gazetted holiday days to 11.
How the Holiday Calendar Reflects Singapore's Diversity
Singapore's holiday list is essentially a snapshot of its society. Roughly three-quarters of residents are of Chinese descent, with significant Malay and Indian minorities and a smaller Eurasian community. Rather than privileging a single tradition, the government assigns public holidays to the major festivals of each group: Chinese New Year for the Chinese majority, Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji for Malay Muslims, Deepavali for Hindus, Vesak Day for Buddhists, and Good Friday and Christmas for Christians. New Year's Day, Labour Day, and National Day are shared, secular observances. This balance is a conscious policy choice rooted in Singapore's commitment to racial and religious harmony, a principle written into national pledges and school curricula.
National Day: The Centrepiece
National Day on August 9 is the single most significant holiday on the calendar. It marks Singapore's separation from Malaysia in 1965 and its emergence as an independent republic. The day is anchored by the National Day Parade (NDP), staged at the Padang, the National Stadium, or the floating platform at Marina Bay. The programme features marching contingents, mobile military displays, an aerial flypast by the Republic of Singapore Air Force, mass performances, and a fireworks finale. Citizens recite the National Pledge in unison at a fixed time, and the event is broadcast live to the entire country, making it a rare moment of shared national focus.
Chinese New Year and the Lunar Festivities
Chinese New Year is the largest cultural celebration and the only holiday that runs for two days. Families gather for a reunion dinner on the eve, married adults give hongbao (red packets containing money) to children and unmarried relatives, and lion and dragon dances perform at homes and businesses to bring good fortune. A distinctly Singaporean tradition is lo hei, the communal tossing of yusheng, a colourful raw-fish salad, accompanied by auspicious phrases shouted with each toss. Chinatown is decorated with lanterns and hosts a bustling festive market in the weeks beforehand.
Malay, Indian, and Christian Celebrations
The Malay community observes two Islamic holidays. Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, and is celebrated with prayers, open houses, and dishes such as ketupat, rendang, and assorted kueh shared with visitors of all backgrounds. Hari Raya Haji, the Festival of Sacrifice, involves mosque prayers and the ritual distribution of meat to the needy. Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights, transforms Little India with elaborate light arches, a street bazaar, and homes decorated with oil lamps and rangoli. Vesak Day, sacred to Buddhists, sees devotees visit temples, offer alms, and perform acts of compassion. Christmas and Good Friday round out the Christian observances, with Orchard Road's annual light-up among the most famous holiday displays in Southeast Asia.
Rules Governing Public Holidays
Public holidays in Singapore are governed by the Employment Act and a few clear rules that determine how they are applied:
- Paid entitlement: Employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to all 11 public holidays as paid days off.
- Sunday rollover: If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday in lieu.
- Working on a holiday: Employees who work on a public holiday are typically entitled to an extra day's pay or a day off in lieu, depending on their contract.
- Variable dates: Holidays based on lunar or Islamic calendars shift each year and are confirmed officially by the Ministry of Manpower.
Key Facts
- Total public holidays in 2026: 11 gazetted days
- Only two-day holiday: Chinese New Year (February 17-18)
- Most important national holiday: National Day, August 9
- Communities represented: Chinese, Malay/Muslim, Indian/Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian
- Governing law: The Employment Act
- Sunday rule: Holidays falling on Sunday roll over to the following Monday
- Independence commemorated: Separation from Malaysia in 1965
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays does Singapore have in 2026?
Singapore has 11 gazetted public holidays in 2026. Because Chinese New Year spans two consecutive days, there are ten distinct festivals across the calendar year.
What is Singapore's most important public holiday?
National Day on August 9 is the most significant. It commemorates Singapore's independence in 1965 and is marked by the National Day Parade, military displays, the National Pledge, and a major fireworks finale.
What happens if a public holiday falls on a Sunday?
Under the Employment Act, when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday in lieu, so workers do not lose the day off.
Why are Singapore's holidays so religiously varied?
The calendar deliberately includes festivals from each of Singapore's major communities to reflect its multicultural society. Chinese, Malay/Muslim, Indian/Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian traditions are all represented as part of the country's emphasis on racial and religious harmony.
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