Traditions

Singapore celebrates eleven public holidays yearly. When one falls on the weekend, companies and schools individually determine whether a substitute day will be observed, unless the Ministry of Manpower has already done so.

The major holiday celebrated is Chinese New Year, when much of the island, including grocery stores, shuts down for a few days. This is also a high travel season for Singapore families and residents. The month leading up to and following Chinese New Year is very festive in Singapore.

National Day on August 9th of every year celebrates Singapore’s independence and is marked by a great show of national pride and patriotic parades and shows. Vesak Day, celebrating Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death, is a major Buddhist holiday marked by large festivals at Buddhist temples. Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, is the largest Hindi holiday of the year, punctuated by a beautiful lighting of Little India. Hari Raya Puasa and Haji are Muslim holy days marked by large family celebrations, primarily amongst the Malay community.

Public Holidays 2014

* The following Monday will be a public holiday.
** Subject to change.

Public Holidays 2015

* The following Monday will be a public holiday.
** Subject to change.