Singapore confirms 11 public holidays for 2026
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has released the official list of public holidays for Singapore in 2026. The year will feature 11 public holidays, beginning with New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1.
According to the schedule, six of these public holidays will provide long weekends for residents. These include three holidays falling on Fridays, Good Friday on April 3, Labour Day on May 1, and Christmas Day on December 25. In addition, three other holidays, Vesak Day (May 31), National Day (August 9), and Deepavali (November 8), will fall on Sundays. In each of these instances, the following Mondays (June 1, August 10, and November 9, respectively) will be treated as public holidays.
Chinese New Year will occur mid-week on Tuesday, February 17 and Wednesday, February 18. Hari Raya Puasa is tentatively set for Saturday, March 21, while Hari Raya Haji is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 27. These dates remain subject to confirmation.
Employment guidelines on public holidays
Under the Employment Act, employees in Singapore are entitled to 11 paid public holidays. Employers and employees may mutually agree to substitute a public holiday with another working day.
Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to an additional day’s basic salary, on top of their gross pay for that day.
Employers may also provide time-off-in-lieu instead of additional salary, based on an agreed number of hours. This applies to specific groups including workmen earning above S$4,500 per month, non-workmen earning above S$2,600 per month, and professionals such as managers and executives.
Long weekends expected to boost travel and leisure
The long weekends are likely to encourage travel and leisure planning among Singapore residents. With Good Friday, Labour Day, and Christmas Day creating three Friday-based long weekends, and additional Mondays off following Vesak Day, National Day, and Deepavali, residents have increased flexibility in scheduling short vacations or family events.
MOM emphasized that these holidays are part of the statutory framework intended to balance productivity with employee well-being. Employers are encouraged to plan workforce schedules in advance to accommodate public holidays and any alternative arrangements agreed upon with staff.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has released the official list of public holidays for Singapore in 2026. The year will feature 11 public holidays, beginning with New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1.
According to the schedule, six of these public holidays will provide long weekends for residents. These include three holidays falling on Fridays, Good Friday on April 3, Labour Day on May 1, and Christmas Day on December 25. In addition, three other holidays, Vesak Day (May 31), National Day (August 9), and Deepavali (November 8), will fall on Sundays. In each of these instances, the following Mondays (June 1, August 10, and November 9, respectively) will be treated as public holidays.
Chinese New Year will occur mid-week on Tuesday, February 17 and Wednesday, February 18. Hari Raya Puasa is tentatively set for Saturday, March 21, while Hari Raya Haji is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 27. These dates remain subject to confirmation.
Employment guidelines on public holidays
Under the Employment Act, employees in Singapore are entitled to 11 paid public holidays. Employers and employees may mutually agree to substitute a public holiday with another working day.
Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to an additional day’s basic salary, on top of their gross pay for that day.
Employers may also provide time-off-in-lieu instead of additional salary, based on an agreed number of hours. This applies to specific groups including workmen earning above S$4,500 per month, non-workmen earning above S$2,600 per month, and professionals such as managers and executives.
Long weekends expected to boost travel and leisure
The long weekends are likely to encourage travel and leisure planning among Singapore residents. With Good Friday, Labour Day, and Christmas Day creating three Friday-based long weekends, and additional Mondays off following Vesak Day, National Day, and Deepavali, residents have increased flexibility in scheduling short vacations or family events.
MOM emphasized that these holidays are part of the statutory framework intended to balance productivity with employee well-being. Employers are encouraged to plan workforce schedules in advance to accommodate public holidays and any alternative arrangements agreed upon with staff.
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