2026 Public Holidays Singapore: How to maximise your leave days

Planning your leave early is one of the best ways to make the most of 2026. This article provides the complete list of Public Holidays in Singapore for 2026, off-in-lieu entitlements, and a month-by-month breakdown of how to maximise your long weekends. It also comes with suggestions on the best places to holiday in for each month!

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Contents

• Take note of the dates for each Singapore Public Holiday
• Keep track of your Off-in-Lieu entitlements
• Maximise your long weekends (month-by-month breakdown)
• Best places to visit for your holidays

1) Take note of the dates for each Singapore Public Holiday

If you're not sure where to begin, fret not! We've got just the cheat sheet for you. Simply bookmark this article and start taking notes.

Be quick about it, as you may want to beat your colleagues in reserving Annual Leave as soon as possible!

2) Keep track of your Off-in-Lieu entitlements for each Singapore Public Holiday

If you work a 5-day work week (Mon to Fri), you are entitled to a day off-in-lieu for each Public Holiday that falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Otherwise, your employer must give you at least 1-day off-in-lieu for each Public Holiday that falls on a Sunday, according to the Employment Act.

2026 has 4 public holidays falling on weekends, giving you up to 4 days of off-in-lieu:

3) Maximise your long weekends for 2026 (month-by-month breakdown)

January 2026 Guide

Singapore Public Holiday Date(s):

• Thursday, 1 Jan 2026 (New Year's Day)

Annual Leave Date(s):

• Friday, 2 Jan 2026

Take just 1 day of leave on Friday 2 Jan and enjoy a 4-day weekend from 1st to 4th January. Start the new year right!

February 2026 Guide

Singapore Public Holiday Date(s):

• Tuesday, 17 Feb 2026 (Chinese New Year)
• Wednesday, 18 Feb 2026 (Chinese New Year)

Annual Leave Date(s):

• Monday, 16 Feb 2026
• Thursday, 19 Feb 2026
• Friday, 20 Feb 2026

Take 3 days of leave and enjoy a 9-day break from 14th to 22nd February. Or just take Monday 16th off for a leisurely 5-day break (14-18 Feb) with only 1 leave day used.

March 2026 Guide

Singapore Public Holiday Date(s):

• Saturday, 21 Mar 2026 (Hari Raya Puasa)
• Monday, 23 Mar 2026 (off-in-lieu)

Annual Leave Date(s):

• Thursday, 19 Mar 2026
• Friday, 20 Mar 2026

Take 2 days of leave and enjoy a 5-day break from 19th to 23rd March. The off-in-lieu on Monday makes this a great mid-week reset.

April 2026 Guide

Singapore Public Holiday Date(s):

• Friday, 3 Apr 2026 (Good Friday)

Annual Leave Date(s):

• Monday, 30 Mar 2026
• Tuesday, 31 Mar 2026
• Wednesday, 1 Apr 2026
• Thursday, 2 Apr 2026

Good Friday falls perfectly on a Friday, giving you an automatic 3-day weekend. Take 4 days of leave (Mon-Thu) and enjoy a 10-day break from 28th March to 5th April - perfect for a longer trip.

May 2026 Guide (Best Month for Leave Hacking!)

May 2026 is the jackpot month - three public holidays clustered together!

Singapore Public Holiday Date(s):

• Friday, 1 May 2026 (Labour Day)
• Wednesday, 27 May 2026 (Hari Raya Haji)
• Sunday, 31 May 2026 (Vesak Day)
• Monday, 1 Jun 2026 (Vesak Day off-in-lieu)

Annual Leave Date(s):

• Thursday, 28 May 2026
• Friday, 29 May 2026

Labour Day on Friday 1st May gives you an automatic 3-day weekend. But the real hack is later in the month: take just 2 days of leave (Thu 28 + Fri 29 May) and you get a 6-day break from Wednesday 27th May to Monday 1st June, thanks to Hari Raya Haji and the Vesak Day off-in-lieu back-to-back.

August 2026 Guide

Singapore Public Holiday Date(s):

• Sunday, 9 Aug 2026 (National Day)
• Monday, 10 Aug 2026 (off-in-lieu)

Annual Leave Date(s):

• Tuesday, 11 Aug 2026
• Wednesday, 12 Aug 2026
• Thursday, 13 Aug 2026
• Friday, 14 Aug 2026

National Day falls on a Sunday with Monday 10th as off-in-lieu. Take 4 days leave (Tue-Fri) and enjoy a 9-day break from 8th to 16th August. Or just enjoy the automatic 3-day weekend.

November 2026 Guide

Singapore Public Holiday Date(s):

• Sunday, 8 Nov 2026 (Deepavali)
• Monday, 9 Nov 2026 (off-in-lieu)

Annual Leave Date(s):

• Friday, 6 Nov 2026

Take 1 day of leave on Friday 6th Nov for a 4-day weekend from 6th to 9th November. Or take the full week (Tue 10-Fri 13 Nov) for a 9-day break from 7th to 15th November.

December 2026 Guide

Singapore Public Holiday Date(s):

• Friday, 25 Dec 2026 (Christmas Day)

Annual Leave Date(s):

• Monday, 21 Dec 2026
• Tuesday, 22 Dec 2026
• Wednesday, 23 Dec 2026
• Thursday, 24 Dec 2026

Christmas falls on a Friday - automatic 3-day weekend. Take 4 days of leave (Mon-Thu) for a 10-day end-of-year break from 19th to 28th December. Perfect timing for a year-end holiday.

Best places to visit for your holidays!

If you are unsure where you should spend your long breaks, here are some recommendations!

January

1. Australia (Sydney & Melbourne): Peak summer with beach days, festivals, and events like the Australian Open. Perfect for coastal walks and city explorations.
2. Maldives: Dry season, ideal for diving and snorkeling in clear waters. Enjoy serene overwater villas and stunning sunsets.

February

1. Taiwan (Taipei & Jiufen): Experience Chinese New Year festivities, lantern festivals, and night markets in cooler weather.
2. Thailand (Chiang Mai & Bangkok): Dry season with pleasant temperatures, ideal for temple visits, food tours, and island hopping.

March

1. Vietnam (Da Nang & Hoi An): Warm, sunny weather for beach activities and exploring ancient Hoi An. Enjoy the colorful Lantern Festival.

April

1. Japan (Tokyo & Kyoto): Cherry blossom season; parks, gardens, and temples are filled with vibrant sakura. Experience spring festivals and hanami picnics.
2. Netherlands (Amsterdam & Keukenhof Gardens): Tulip season with blooming fields and mild weather, perfect for cycling and canal tours.

May

1. Greece (Santorini & Athens): Warm weather, fewer crowds. Santorini's beaches and Athens' historical sites are at their best.
2. Italy (Tuscany & Amalfi Coast): Tuscany in bloom and the Amalfi Coast's dramatic sea views, ideal for scenic drives and vineyard tours.

August

1. Scotland (Edinburgh & Highlands): Festival season in Edinburgh with mild weather for exploring the Highlands and lochs.
2. Canada (Quebec City & Banff): Warm weather for festivals in Quebec and outdoor adventures in Banff's stunning national parks.

November

1. South Korea (Seoul & Jeju Island): Autumn foliage is stunning in November. Great for hiking, markets, and cultural festivals.

December

1. Europe (London, Paris, Vienna): Christmas markets, festive lights, and winter holiday vibes. Great for a magical end-of-year trip.
2. New Zealand (Queenstown & Milford Sound): Summer in the Southern Hemisphere - perfect for adventure sports, hiking, and road trips.

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