Public Holiday Calendar Guide for Singapore
Singapore has eleven gazetted public holidays covering civic, religious and cultural observances.[1][2] The Holidays Act establishes the public holidays themselves, while the Employment Act governs paid-holiday entitlements for covered employees.[1][2] Because several observances follow religious or traditional calendars, their Gregorian dates should be checked against the Ministry of Manpower's official calendar for the relevant year.
The Eleven Gazetted Public Holidays
Singapore's statutory calendar comprises New Year's Day, two days of Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji, Good Friday, Labour Day, Vesak Day, National Day, Deepavali and Christmas Day.[1][2] Although Chinese New Year occupies two days, the calendar contains eleven public-holiday occasions in total.
The Holidays Act also allows the President, by Gazette notification, to declare another day in a particular year as an additional public holiday or as a substitute for a scheduled holiday. If two public holidays coincide, another day may likewise be declared as an additional public holiday.[3] Special one-off declarations should therefore be treated separately from Singapore's recurring statutory calendar.
Paid Holiday Entitlements
Employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to eleven paid public holidays each year.[1] An employee who is entitled to holiday pay generally receives their gross rate of pay for the public holiday, subject to statutory conditions concerning matters such as unauthorised absence immediately before or after the holiday.[1]
Employers and employees may mutually agree to substitute another working day for a public holiday.[1] Employees who are not covered by the Employment Act rely instead on the public-holiday terms contained in their employment contracts.
Rest Days, Non-Working Days and Replacement Holidays
The rules differ depending on whether a public holiday falls on an employee's rest day or merely on a non-working day. If it falls on a rest day, the following working day becomes a paid public holiday. If it falls on a non-working day, the employee is entitled to another day off or an extra day's salary at the gross rate of pay.[1]
This distinction corrects the common shorthand that every Sunday holiday simply moves to Monday. A rest day does not have to be Sunday: employers can designate another day as the weekly rest day.[4] The employee's actual work arrangement therefore matters when determining the statutory entitlement.
Working on a Public Holiday
Employees can be required to work on a public holiday where this is consistent with their employment contract or mutually agreed with the employer.[5] By default, an employee required to work on a public holiday receives an additional day's salary at the basic rate, on top of the holiday pay already included in the normal salary.[1]
Alternative arrangements are possible. Employer and employee may mutually agree on a public holiday in lieu, while employees outside Part 4 of the Employment Act may receive time off in lieu under the statutory rules.[1] Overtime beyond normal working hours can create additional pay obligations for employees covered by the relevant overtime provisions.[4]
A Multicultural Holiday Calendar
The statutory calendar reflects several of Singapore's major religious and cultural traditions. Chinese New Year represents the Chinese festive calendar; Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji are Islamic observances; Deepavali is associated with Hindu tradition; Vesak Day is a Buddhist observance; and Good Friday and Christmas come from the Christian calendar.[2] Labour Day and National Day add civic observances to this mix.
Several of these festivals do not occupy a permanently fixed Gregorian date. The Ministry of Manpower publishes the official dates for each year's eleven gazetted public holidays, and dates for some religious observances may initially be announced subject to confirmation.[6] Businesses and travellers should therefore use the applicable official annual calendar rather than carrying dates forward from an older calendar.
Planning Business and Travel
A gazetted public holiday should not be interpreted as an island-wide commercial shutdown. The Employment Act expressly provides for employees working on public holidays,[1] so restaurants, shops, attractions and other businesses can operate depending on their own staffing and operating arrangements. Conversely, individual establishments may close for celebrations even where other businesses remain open.
For practical planning, confirm opening hours and transport arrangements with the relevant operator, especially during major festive periods. The legal public-holiday calendar establishes the status of the day and employee entitlements; it does not impose one universal opening schedule on Singapore's private businesses or transport services.
Frequently Asked Questions about Public Holidays in Singapore
How many gazetted public holidays does Singapore have?
Singapore has eleven gazetted public holidays.[1][2] Chinese New Year accounts for two public-holiday days within the statutory calendar.
What happens if a public holiday falls on an employee's rest day?
The following working day becomes a paid public holiday.[1] The employee's rest day is not necessarily Sunday, so the rule should be applied according to the person's actual work schedule.[4]
What if a public holiday falls on a non-working day rather than a rest day?
An employee covered by the Employment Act is entitled to another day off or an extra day's salary at the gross rate of pay.[1] This differs from the rule for a public holiday falling on the employee's designated rest day.
How are employees compensated for working on a public holiday?
By default, an employee required to work on a public holiday receives an additional day's salary at the basic rate.[1][5] Alternative arrangements, including a public holiday in lieu and, for eligible employees, time off in lieu, can apply under the Employment Act rules.[1]
Can Singapore declare an extra public holiday?
Yes. The Holidays Act allows the President to declare an additional or substitute public holiday for a particular year by Gazette notification. An additional day can also be declared when two public holidays coincide.[3]
Are shops and restaurants required to close on public holidays?
No general public-holiday rule requires all private businesses to close. Singapore's employment rules expressly contemplate employees working on public holidays.[1][5] Individual businesses may nevertheless change their hours or close for particular celebrations.
Sources
- Public holidays: entitlement and pay- Ministry of Manpower Singapore
- Holidays Act 1998- Singapore Statutes Online, Attorney-General's Chambers
- Holidays Act 1998 - Other public holidays- Singapore Statutes Online, Attorney-General's Chambers
- Hours of work, overtime and rest day- Ministry of Manpower Singapore
- Can an employee be required to work on a public holiday?- Ministry of Manpower Singapore
- Public Holidays for 2027- Ministry of Manpower Singapore