There are eleven public holidays in Singapore. Each major local race and religion have two holidays each in addition to the secular holidays of New Year’s Day, Labour Day and National Day.
For the Chinese, Chinese New Year (2 days) and the Buddhist holiday Vesak Day (1 day) are also observed. For the Hindus, Deepavali (1 day) is celebrated. For the Muslims, the 2 Islamic holidays of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (1 day on 1 Syawal) and Hari Raya Aidil Adha (1 day on 10 Zulhijah) are celebrated. As for the Christians, the two Christian holidays of Good Friday and Christmas Day (25 December) are celebrated.
These public holidays have been recognised since Singapore’s 1966 Holidays Act.
Public Holidays
New Year’s Day | 1 January
Chinese New Year | 12 – 13 February
Good Friday | 2 April
Labour Day | 1 May
Hari Raya Puasa | 13 May
Vesak Day | 26 May
Hari Raya Haji | 20 July
National Day | 9 August
Monday, 10 August, will be a public holiday if your rest day falls on 9 August.
Deepavali | 4 November
Christmas Day | 25 December
Infrequent Public Holidays
General / Presidential Elections
Polling Day (for a general election or a presidential election) is a public holiday.
Workers’ rights
Under the Employment Act, an employee who is required to work on a public holiday is entitled to an extra day’s salary at the basic rate of pay, in addition to the gross rate of pay for that holiday.
