Singapore Public Holidays - Year 2010, 2011 (new!)

Singapore has a total of eleven(11) national public holidays annually. This is less than many other countries. For example, Malaysia has about fifteen(15) per annum, and Hong Kong has seventeen(17). Nevertheless, some additional culturally significant, albeit non-holiday, days may be celebrated according to the traditional customs of various ethnic and religious groups.

The offical rest day of the week is Sunday[1]. Many companies and organizations also do not work on Saturdays[2], or work only 1/2 days with some on an alternating-Saturday schedule.

The official public holidays (bank holidays) in Singapore for years 2010 and 2011(newly updated!) are listed below.

New Year's Day

Friday, 1 January 2010   Saturday, 1 January 2011

This is the first day of the year, and as with most other countries in the world which have adopted the Gregorian calendar, Singapore welcomes this day with a public rest day.

Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year

Sunday, 14 February 2010   Thursday, 3 February 2011
Monday, 15 February 2010   Friday, 4 February 2011

For 2010, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year falls on a Sunday while the second day is also a gazetted holiday (2nd day), as such the third day (Tuesday, 16 February) will be a public holiday. Gregorian year 2010 coincides mainly with the year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac. The previous year was that of the Ox, and the next year(2011) will be the year of the Rabbit. The associated heavenly element (one of five) for the Chinese year coinciding mainly with Gregorian year 2010 is the Metal element in the Yang form.

Good Friday

Friday, 2 April 2010   Friday, 22 April 2011

Good Friday is the day Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is the Friday before Easter Day (Sunday) which itself is not a gazetted holiday in Singapore.

Labour Day

Saturday, 1 May 2010   Sunday[1], 1 May 2011

This is a holiday, celebrated worldwide, in recognition of workers' contribution. In Singapore, as with most countries, it is designated to be the 1st of May. For that reason, it is also popularly known as May Day.

Vesak Day

Friday, 28 May 2010   Tuesday, 17 May 2011

Vesak Day is observed by Buddhists in Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and many other southeast Asian countries in memory of Gautama Buddha's birth, attainment of Nirvana and passing. This is a gazetted public holiday in Singapore.

National Day

Monday, 9 August 2010   Tuesday, 9 August 2011

9 August 2010 will mark the 45th year of independence for the Republic of Singapore.

Hari Raya Puasa

Friday, 10 September 2010   Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Hari Raya Puasa is the local Malay name for the Muslim religious holiday/celebration of Eid ul-Fitr (Aidilfitri), which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Deepavali

Friday, 5 November 2010   Wednesday, 26 October 2011*

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is an Indian holiday/festival celebrated by Indians, especially by followers of the religions of Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. It is also commonly called the Festival of Lights.

* This is a tentative date, the actual date of Deepavali will be finalised on advice from the Hindu Endowments Board when the updated Indian almanac is available.

Hari Raya Haji

Wednesday, 17 November 2010   Sunday[1], 6 November 2011

Hari Raya Haji is the local Malay name for the Muslim religious holiday/celebration of Eid ul-Adha.

Christmas Day

Saturday, 25 December 2010   Sunday[1], 25 December 2011

Christmas is an important season for Christians and Catholics. And Singapore, with a substantial percentage of the population belonging to the faiths, celebrates this day as a national holiday. With an increasing trend of commercialization of this festival, many Singaporeans(known for their love of shopping), Christians and non-Christians alike, look forward to the season for its retail sales bonanza as well. In the run-up to the day, the Singapore tourism promotion board and retail stakeholders spare no effort to decorate and light up the well-known thoroughfare of Orchard Road, where many of the nation's biggest malls are located.

Notes:
[1]When a holiday falls on a Sunday(which is the conventional non-working day of the week), the following day will be designated a holiday as well.

[2]Some companies work 1/2 days or alternate 1/2 days on Saturdays, as such, a holiday falling on a Saturday may be credited to an employee's leave balance. Alternatively, some organizations mandate that the following Monday (or first working day of the following week) will be the make-up day for that holiday.

[ SG Holidays (2009) ]
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