One of the friendliest surprises about moving here is how the calendar itself reflects the country’s mix of cultures. The public holidays Singapore observes each year include Chinese, Malay, Indian, Christian and national occasions, all sitting side by side. For a newcomer from mainland China, this is quite different from the Golden Week rhythm you are used to. This guide explains what each holiday broadly marks, why some dates shift from year to year, and how the days off actually work if you are an employee. Rules and dates change, so always confirm the current year’s list on the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website.
Eleven Days That Reflect Many Communities
Singapore gazettes eleven public holidays a year, and together they form a deliberate picture of a multiracial society. There are two Chinese days, two Malay Muslim days, one Indian Hindu day, one Buddhist day, two Christian days, and three shared national or secular days. No single community dominates the calendar, which is itself a quiet expression of the country’s harmony.
Because the holidays follow several different calendars, some fall on the same date every year while others move. The fixed ones follow the Western calendar. The moving ones follow the Chinese lunar calendar, the Islamic lunar calendar or the Hindu and Buddhist calendars, so their Western dates shift each year. This is why you should never assume last year’s date will repeat, and why MOM publishes the official list well ahead of time.
What Each Holiday Broadly Marks
Here is a respectful, one-line sense of each day. These are gentle summaries, and each community holds richer meaning and customs of its own.
- New Year’s Day marks the start of the Western calendar year on 1 January.
- Chinese New Year celebrates the lunar new year over two days, a time of family reunion, red packets and visiting.
- Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr) marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers, forgiveness and open houses.
- Good Friday is a solemn Christian day remembering the crucifixion of Jesus.
- Labour Day on 1 May honours workers, in common with much of the world.
- Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha) marks the season of the pilgrimage to Mecca and the spirit of sacrifice.
- Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha.
- National Day on 9 August celebrates Singapore’s independence in 1965.
- Deepavali (Diwali) is the Hindu festival of light, marking the triumph of light over darkness.
- Christmas Day on 25 December marks the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus, and is widely enjoyed across communities.
Why Some Dates Move Each Year
The dates that shift do so because they are tied to a different calendar from the ordinary Western one. Chinese New Year is set by the Chinese lunar calendar, so it usually lands between late January and mid-February. Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji follow the Islamic lunar calendar, which is shorter than the solar year, so both move roughly ten to eleven days earlier each year and are confirmed close to the time based on the sighting of the moon. Vesak Day and Deepavali follow the lunar reckonings of the Buddhist and Hindu calendars respectively, so they too vary.
The table below shows the eleven holidays for 2026 as gazetted by MOM. Treat it as a snapshot for one year only. Always check MOM for the current year, because dates change and the official list is the authority.
| Holiday | What it broadly marks (2026 date) |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Start of the Western year (Thu, 1 Jan) |
| Chinese New Year | Lunar new year, family reunion (Tue to Wed, 17 to 18 Feb) |
| Hari Raya Puasa | End of Ramadan fasting (Sat, 21 Mar) |
| Good Friday | Christian remembrance (Fri, 3 Apr) |
| Labour Day | Honouring workers (Fri, 1 May) |
| Hari Raya Haji | Season of the Mecca pilgrimage (Wed, 27 May) |
| Vesak Day | Life of the Buddha (Sun, 31 May, observed Mon, 1 Jun) |
| National Day | Singapore’s independence (Sun, 9 Aug, observed Mon, 10 Aug) |
| Deepavali | Hindu festival of light (Sun, 8 Nov, observed Mon, 9 Nov) |
| Christmas Day | Birth of Jesus (Fri, 25 Dec) |
How Public Holidays Work for Employees
If you are working here under the Employment Act, you are generally entitled to the gazetted public holidays as paid days off. The rules are administered by MOM, and a few practical points are worth knowing.
- When a holiday falls on a Sunday, or on your non-working rest day, the following Monday is usually observed as the holiday instead. This is why the 2026 list shows Vesak Day, National Day and Deepavali with a Monday marked as observed.
- If a holiday falls on your normal rest day, you are typically compensated with a day off in lieu or an extra day’s pay, depending on your arrangement.
- If you are asked to work on a public holiday, employees covered by the Act are generally entitled to an extra day’s salary at the basic rate, or a day off in lieu, subject to the current rules.
- Part-time and contract staff have their own pro-rated entitlements, so check your contract and the MOM guidance.
Employment rules and entitlements can change, and your exact situation depends on your contract and pass type. This article is general information, not professional advice, so verify the current requirements on the MOM website or seek proper advice for your own case.
A Newcomer’s Rhythm Through the Year
Coming from the mainland, you will find the pace feels different. There is no long Golden Week block here. Instead, single days are sprinkled through the year, and long weekends form when a holiday lands next to a Saturday or Sunday. Many families use these to travel to nearby Malaysia, Indonesia or Thailand, or simply to rest. School holidays follow a separate calendar set by the Ministry of Education, so do not assume public holidays and school breaks line up. Planning leave around the confirmed dates, especially the moving ones, helps you make the most of the year.
Explore More
Understanding the calendar is part of settling into local life. To learn more about the communities behind these festive days, read Understanding Singapore’s Multiracial Society. And to see how the local Chinese community’s traditions differ from the mainland you know, see Mainland vs Singapore Chinese Culture. Both will help the holiday season make richer sense.