Singapore Public Holidays and Festivals 2026: Complete Expat Guide to Celebrations and Long Weekends
Singapore has 11 gazetted public holidays in 2026 — each one reflecting the multicultural character of a society that takes seriously the project of celebrating its Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western heritage simultaneously. Beyond the public holidays, Singapore's festival season extends across the year with street light-ups, cultural performances, food festivals, night markets and community celebrations that make the city genuinely more vibrant and alive than its efficient reputation might suggest. This complete guide covers every public holiday and major festival in Singapore in 2026 — what they are, how they are celebrated and how you as an expat can experience them fully.
Singapore Public Holidays 2026 — Complete Calendar
| Public Holiday | Date 2026 | Day | Long Weekend? |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | ✅ 4-day if take Friday off |
| Chinese New Year (Day 1) | 17 February 2026 | Tuesday | ✅ With Monday leave |
| Chinese New Year (Day 2) | 18 February 2026 | Wednesday | ✅ Extended CNY break |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | ✅ Long weekend |
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri | 20 March 2026* | Friday | ✅ Long weekend |
| Labour Day | 1 May 2026 | Friday | ✅ Long weekend |
| Vesak Day | 11 May 2026* | Monday | ✅ Long weekend |
| Hari Raya Haji | 27 May 2026* | Wednesday | — |
| National Day | 9 August 2026 | Sunday | ✅ Monday substitute holiday |
| Deepavali | 29 October 2026* | Thursday | ✅ 4-day with Friday leave |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday | ✅ Long weekend |
Chinese New Year — Singapore's Biggest Festival
Chinese New Year (CNY) is Singapore's most celebrated and most spectacular festival. The entire city transforms — Chinatown explodes with colour, light and noise, shopping malls are packed with festive decorations and the smell of pineapple tarts and bak kwa (barbecued meat) fills every office and home in the weeks leading up to the celebration.
When is Chinese New Year 2026?
Chinese New Year 2026 falls on 17 February (Day 1) and 18 February (Day 2). 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac — marked by energy, freedom and forward momentum.
How Chinese New Year is Celebrated in Singapore
š® Chinatown Light Up
Chinatown begins its spectacular lantern light-up approximately 4 to 5 weeks before CNY. The streets of Chinatown are transformed with thousands of red lanterns and elaborate themed decorations. Walking Chinatown in the evening during CNY season is one of Singapore's unmissable annual experiences. Bring your camera — the photography is extraordinary.
š¦ Lion Dance and Dragon Parade
Lion dances are performed throughout Singapore during CNY — at shopping malls, office buildings, restaurants and in neighbourhoods. The traditional belief is that the lion's presence brings good luck and drives away evil spirits. The percussion accompaniment is loud and exhilarating. The street parade on the eve of CNY through Chinatown is particularly spectacular.
š Lo Hei — The Prosperity Toss
Lo Hei is a uniquely Singaporean CNY tradition — a communal dish of raw fish and shredded vegetables where everyone at the table stands and tosses the ingredients high in the air with chopsticks while shouting auspicious phrases. The higher the toss, the better the luck for the coming year. Every expat should experience lo hei at least once — it is chaotic, joyful and delicious.
š§§ Red Packets (Ang Pao / Hongbao)
Married couples give red packets containing money to unmarried relatives and children during CNY. As an expat unmarried colleague, you may receive hongbao from married Chinese Singaporean colleagues — accept graciously and with both hands. If you are married, you may wish to prepare small red packets for unmarried team members as a generous cultural gesture that will be greatly appreciated.
What closes during Chinese New Year: Many traditional shops, restaurants and hawker stalls close for 2 to 5 days during CNY. Plan your grocery shopping before CNY Day 1 — NTUC FairPrice and Sheng Siong remain open but traditional wet markets and many hawker stalls close. Stock your kitchen or note which restaurants confirm they are open. Read our Singapore hawker food guide for context on which stall types typically close.
CNY greetings to use:
- "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Mandarin) — May you prosper
- "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Mandarin) — Happy New Year
- "Gong Hey Fat Choy" (Cantonese) — Wishing you great prosperity
Hari Raya Aidilfitri — Celebration of Breaking Fast
Hari Raya Aidilfitri marks the end of Ramadan — the Islamic holy month of fasting — and is Singapore's most significant Malay festival. The celebration brings extraordinary energy to Geylang Serai, Kampong Glam and Malay Muslim communities across the island.
What Happens During Hari Raya in Singapore
✨ Geylang Serai Bazaar
The Geylang Serai Bazaar is one of Singapore's most vibrant annual events — a massive outdoor market that operates throughout the month of Ramadan leading up to Hari Raya. Hundreds of stalls sell traditional Malay food, clothing, accessories, decorations and kueh (traditional sweets). The evening atmosphere is electric — colourful lights, the smell of grilled satay and the energy of a community preparing for celebration. Visiting the bazaar at night is a genuine Singapore highlight.
š Ramadan Observations
During the month of Ramadan, Muslim colleagues fast from sunrise to sunset. As an expat, showing awareness and sensitivity during this period is important — avoid eating, drinking or smoking in front of fasting colleagues and be understanding if energy levels or meeting participation patterns shift slightly during the holy month. This awareness is deeply appreciated by Malay Muslim colleagues and reflects genuine cultural respect.
š Open House Invitations
Hari Raya is a time of open houses — Malay Muslim families and friends invite guests (regardless of religion or ethnicity) to their homes for celebratory food and conversation. If a Singapore colleague invites you to their Hari Raya open house, accept enthusiastically. It is a genuine honour and an extraordinary cultural experience — the food is spectacular and the warmth is remarkable. Bring a small gift such as a box of chocolates or cookies.
š Traditional Dress
During Hari Raya, many Malay Singaporeans wear traditional baju kurung (women) or baju melayu (men) in coordinated family colours. The colour coordination is distinctive and beautiful. If attending an open house, smart casual dress is appropriate — you do not need to wear traditional costume but dressing neatly shows respect for the occasion.
Hari Raya greeting: "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri" or the shortened "Selamat Hari Raya" — said to Muslim colleagues and friends. Adding "Maaf Zahir dan Batin" (I seek forgiveness, body and soul) demonstrates deeper cultural knowledge and will earn warm appreciation from Malay colleagues.
Deepavali — Festival of Lights
Deepavali (also called Diwali) is the Hindu festival of lights — one of the most visually spectacular celebrations in Singapore's calendar and a deeply joyful occasion for the Indian community. Little India transforms into a blaze of colour and light in the weeks leading up to Deepavali.
Deepavali in Singapore
š” Little India Light Up
Little India's annual Deepavali light-up along Serangoon Road is one of Singapore's most beautiful annual spectacles. Thousands of coloured lights illuminate the heritage shophouses, creating an atmosphere unlike any other part of Singapore. Walk Serangoon Road in the evening from mid-October through Deepavali for the full experience. Photography is outstanding — the colours at night are extraordinary.
šŗ Kolam Art and Rangoli
Traditional kolam (intricate floor art created with coloured powder or rice flour) appears at temples, homes and community spaces across Singapore during Deepavali. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple on Serangoon Road and the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple are particularly beautiful during the festival period. Visiting these temples during Deepavali (with appropriate respectful dress — covered shoulders and legs) is a genuinely moving experience.
š¬ Deepavali Open Houses
Like Hari Raya, Deepavali is an open house festival — Indian Hindu families and friends welcome guests of all backgrounds into their homes. If invited, accept gratefully. Deepavali food is spectacular — murukku, ladoo, payasam and an array of traditional sweets and savouries. Remove your shoes before entering someone's home as a mark of respect.
š️ Deepavali Shopping at Mustafa
Little India and Mustafa Centre are particularly vibrant during Deepavali season — traditional Indian sweets, new clothing, household decorations and festive goods fill every shopfront. The streets around Serangoon Road become a joyful, fragrant and colourful shopping experience unlike any other time of year. Our shopping guide covers Mustafa Centre and Little India in detail.
Deepavali greetings: "Happy Deepavali!" is universally appropriate. "Deepavali Vaazhthukkal" in Tamil is particularly appreciated by Tamil-speaking colleagues and will genuinely surprise and delight them.
Vesak Day — Buddhist Festival of Peace
Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha — one of the most sacred days in the Buddhist calendar. Singapore's Buddhist community celebrates with temple visits, candlelight processions, meditation sessions and acts of charity.
The Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery on Bright Hill Drive is Singapore's largest Buddhist complex and hosts spectacular Vesak Day events including lantern releases and candlelight processions that attract thousands of participants. The atmosphere is deeply peaceful and contemplative — a beautiful contrast to Singapore's usual urban energy. Non-Buddhists are generally welcome to observe and participate respectfully.
What to experience on Vesak Day:
- Visit a Buddhist temple in the morning — many are open and welcome respectful visitors
- Attend the evening candlelight procession at Kong Meng San Monastery
- Many restaurants offer vegetarian menus on Vesak Day — try a Buddhist vegetarian meal at one of the many vegetarian restaurants near the temples
- The atmosphere of quiet reflection across the city is itself worth experiencing
Good Friday and Christmas — Singapore's Christian Celebrations
Singapore's Christian community — approximately 18% of the population — celebrates Good Friday and Christmas as public holidays with the full range of church services, family gatherings and community events.
Christmas in Singapore is a spectacular affair despite the tropical heat that makes a white Christmas impossible. Orchard Road's Christmas light-up is one of Asia's most impressive festive street decorations — the entire 2.2km stretch of Singapore's premier shopping corridor is transformed with elaborate themed installations from mid-November through January. Walking Orchard Road on Christmas Eve is a memorable Singapore experience — enormous crowds, festive atmosphere and spectacular lights.
Marina Bay also stages major Christmas events including the Marina Bay Countdown on New Year's Eve — one of Asia's best fireworks displays watched by hundreds of thousands of people around the bay.
Singapore National Day — August 9
National Day is one of the most emotionally significant dates on Singapore's calendar — the anniversary of Singapore's independence in 1965. The celebration centres on the National Day Parade (NDP), a spectacular military and cultural parade that rotates between the Padang, Marina Bay and other major venues.
Getting NDP tickets requires entering a public ballot months in advance — the event is enormously popular. Even without tickets, the Red Lion parachute team, fighter jet flypast and fireworks displays are visible across much of the island on the day itself.
National Day Parade preview shows are held in the weeks before August 9 — tickets for these are also balloted but have higher availability than the actual parade. Apply through the official NDP website at ndp.gov.sg when applications open.
Other Major Singapore Festivals and Events 2026
| Festival / Event | Approximate Timing | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Thaipusam | January | Hindu festival — devotees carry kavadi (decorated frames) to the Chettiar temple. Extraordinary to witness. |
| Chingay Parade | February | Singapore's largest street parade — multicultural performers, floats, acrobatics. Free to watch along Orchard Road. |
| Singapore Food Festival | July | Annual celebration of Singapore's food heritage — special menus, hawker events and celebrity chef collaborations. |
| Singapore Night Festival | August | Free outdoor arts festival in the Bras Basah and Bugis heritage district — light installations, performances and late-night museum access. |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | September / October | Chinese Lantern Festival — mooncakes, lantern displays and events at Gardens by the Bay and Chinatown. |
| Hungry Ghost Festival | August / September | Taoist and Buddhist tradition — incense and paper offerings burned at roadsides. Getai performances (live entertainment) in void decks. Fascinating cultural experience. |
| Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix | September | World-famous night race around Marina Bay — one of the year's biggest events. Book accommodation and tickets months in advance. |
| Singapore International Film Festival | November / December | Annual film festival featuring Asian and international cinema at venues across the city. |
| Christmas on a Great Street (Orchard Road) | November — January | Spectacular Christmas light-up along Orchard Road — one of Asia's finest festive street decorations. |
| Marina Bay Singapore Countdown | 31 December | New Year's Eve fireworks and countdown at Marina Bay — one of Asia's best NYE celebrations. Arrive by 9pm to secure a good position. |
Expat Guide to Celebrating Singapore Festivals
As a new expat, engaging with Singapore's festival calendar actively rather than passively is one of the most rewarding investments you can make in your Singapore experience. Here is how to do it well:
-
Accept every open house invitation
When Chinese, Malay or Indian colleagues invite you to their CNY, Hari Raya or Deepavali open house, accept every invitation you can. These are the most genuine cultural experiences Singapore offers and the friendships built around these occasions are among the most lasting of expat life. The food alone justifies the visit. -
Learn the right greetings for each festival
A few words of Mandarin at CNY, "Selamat Hari Raya" at Hari Raya and "Happy Deepavali" to Indian colleagues requires minimal effort and generates enormous goodwill. Singapore colleagues genuinely appreciate expats who make the effort to acknowledge their festivals respectfully. -
Visit the cultural districts during festival periods
Chinatown during CNY. Geylang Serai during Ramadan. Little India during Deepavali. Orchard Road at Christmas. Each district transforms in ways that cannot be experienced at any other time of year. Make a deliberate effort to visit each one during its peak festival period — the sights, sounds and food are genuinely unlike anything else. -
Plan your annual leave around public holidays
At the start of each year, map your public holidays against your annual leave balance and plan your vacation dates. The strategic use of 1 to 2 days of leave around Thursday and Tuesday public holidays creates 4 and 5-day breaks perfect for regional trips. Our weekend trips guide covers the best destinations for each length of break. -
Understand what closes on public holidays
Most government offices, banks and many shops close on public holidays. Supermarkets generally remain open though with reduced hours. Hawker centres are typically open on public holidays — demand is high and many families eat out during festival periods. Plan grocery shopping before major holidays and keep a supply of ready-to-eat food for the two CNY days when the most closures occur.
Public Holiday Rules in Singapore Workplaces
Understanding your rights around public holidays is important as an expat employee in Singapore:
- Gazetted public holidays are mandatory rest days: Your employer must give you all 11 gazetted public holidays off work. If you are required to work on a public holiday, you are entitled to an extra day off in lieu or additional pay.
- Substitute public holidays: When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically a public holiday substitute. This applies to National Day in 2026 which falls on a Sunday.
- Shift workers: Employees on shift work who must work public holidays are entitled to additional pay as specified in their employment contract — typically 1.5x their daily rate for the extra day plus an alternative rest day.
- Employment Act coverage: Public holiday entitlements are governed by Singapore's Employment Act. Your specific entitlements may be covered by your employment contract if it provides more than the statutory minimum. Check your contract and read our Singapore work culture guide for broader workplace rights context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Singapore has 11 gazetted public holidays in 2026 — New Year's Day, Chinese New Year (2 days), Good Friday, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Labour Day, Vesak Day, Hari Raya Haji, National Day, Deepavali and Christmas Day. When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically observed as a substitute holiday. This makes 2026 particularly generous with National Day on a Sunday creating a bonus Monday holiday.
For Chinese New Year: a box of traditional CNY goodies (pineapple tarts, bak kwa, love letters) or a gift basket from a reputable pastry shop. Avoid giving clocks (associated with death in Chinese culture) or scissors. For Hari Raya: a box of chocolates, biscuits or kueh (traditional sweets). Halal certification matters — check before purchasing. For Deepavali: a box of Indian sweets (mithai) from a Little India sweet shop, or chocolates. Always remove shoes before entering a home unless told otherwise. A small gesture of bringing something is always appreciated regardless of festival.
During the first two days of Chinese New Year (the gazetted public holidays), government offices, banks and many businesses close. Many hawker stalls — particularly those run by Chinese Singaporeans — close for 2 to 5 days. Shopping malls and large supermarket chains (NTUC FairPrice, Sheng Siong) remain open though with modified hours. Malay and Indian-operated food stalls typically remain open. Plan grocery shopping before CNY Day 1 and identify which restaurants and hawker stalls near you confirm they will be operating during the holiday period.
Lo Hei (also called Yu Sheng) is a uniquely Singaporean Chinese New Year dish where raw fish, shredded vegetables and various condiments are tossed communally at the table by all diners using chopsticks while shouting auspicious phrases. The belief is that the higher you toss, the better your luck for the year. Expats absolutely should participate — the shared experience builds genuine workplace bonds and the dish itself is delicious. Your Chinese Singaporean colleagues will appreciate your enthusiasm enormously. Say "Gong Xi Fa Cai" as you toss and throw as high as the ceiling allows.
Show cultural sensitivity and awareness. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking conspicuously in front of fasting Muslim colleagues during working hours. Be understanding if fasting colleagues seem tired or prefer quieter spaces during the fasting day. It is entirely appropriate to continue eating and drinking normally yourself — the expectation is not that non-Muslims fast but that they show consideration. Visit the Geylang Serai Bazaar in the evenings during Ramadan for one of Singapore's most atmospheric annual experiences. Many excellent Malay and Muslim restaurants operate extended evening hours during Ramadan for the iftar (breaking fast) meal.
Yes — Singapore's temples generally welcome respectful visitors during festival periods. The key requirements are: dress modestly (covered shoulders and legs, remove shoes before entering), behave quietly and respectfully, do not touch sacred items or deities, ask permission before photographing and follow any specific guidelines posted at the temple entrance. Temples during Deepavali, Thaipusam and Vesak Day are particularly beautiful and worth visiting. The Thaipusam procession from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to the Chettiar Temple in January is one of Singapore's most extraordinary cultural spectacles and is entirely accessible to respectful non-religious observers.
National Day on 9 August marks Singapore's independence from Malaysia in 1965. The celebration centres on the National Day Parade — a spectacular military and cultural parade featuring marching contingents, cultural performances, the Red Lion parachute team, fighter jet flypasts and a major fireworks display. The parade rotates venues between the Padang, Marina Bay and other locations. Tickets are distributed by public ballot months in advance. Even without tickets, the flypast and fireworks are visible across much of the island. Public spaces around Marina Bay fill with thousands of Singaporeans waving national flags — attending this communal celebration even as an expat observer is genuinely moving.
Official Resources
- š️ MOM Singapore Public Holidays: mom.gov.sg/public-holidays
- š National Day Parade Singapore: ndp.gov.sg
- š Singapore Tourism Board Events: visitsingapore.com/whats-on
- š® Chinatown Singapore (CNY Events): chinatown.sg
Final Thoughts
Singapore's festival calendar is one of its greatest gifts to expats. In no other city will you move so naturally through Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Christmas within a single year — experiencing each celebration with genuine warmth from the communities that observe them.
The expats who love Singapore most are almost always those who lean into this multicultural richness rather than remaining on the outside of it. Accept the open house invitations. Visit the lit-up cultural districts at night. Learn the greetings. Eat the festival food. Participate in lo hei with both hands raised high.
These are the experiences that make Singapore feel like home — and the memories that stay with you long after your posting ends.
Questions About Singapore Festivals and Public Holidays?
Drop a comment below — whether it is festival etiquette, what to expect at a specific celebration or planning your leave around 2026 public holidays. The ExpatWiki community has experienced every Singapore festival and loves sharing the culture. Browse more practical expat guides at ExpatWiki.
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