The Complete Guide to Singapore School Holidays & Public Holidays (2026–2027)

Singapore School Holidays & Public Holidays in 2026, 2027

For 2026, Singapore offers a well-distributed calendar with multiple long weekends, structured academic breaks, and diverse international school schedules. When used strategically, these can significantly improve how families plan travel, childcare, and enrichment activities.

Singapore 2026 at a Glance

Singapore’s calendar combines:

10 official public holidays

4 major MOE school breaks

Dozens of varying international school calendars

One key highlight:
There are six long weekends in 2026, making it an ideal year for short getaways and efficient leave planning.

Public Holidays 2026: Structure and Opportunities

Full List of Public Holidays

New Year’s Day — 1 January

Chinese New Year — 17–18 February

Hari Raya Puasa — 21 March

Good Friday — 3 April

Labour Day — 1 May

Hari Raya Haji — 27 May

Vesak Day — 31 May (observed Monday)

National Day — 9 August (observed Monday)

Deepavali — 8 November (observed Monday)

Christmas Day — 25 December

Why These Dates Matter

Singapore’s holiday system is designed to reflect its multicultural society, but it also creates strategic travel windows:

• Holidays that fall on Sundays are observed on Monday
• Several holidays cluster around weekends
• Religious holidays shift yearly, creating different planning dynamics each year

Practical Insight

In 2026, long weekends appear across:

• May (Labour Day + Vesak period)
• August (National Day)
• November (Deepavali)

These are ideal for:

• Short regional travel
• Staycations
• Family downtime without long leave requests

MOE School Calendar 2026: Full Breakdown

The Ministry of Education (MOE) calendar is consistent and structured, making it easier for families to plan.

Academic Year Timeline

• Start: Early January (2–5 January depending on level)
• End: 20 November 2026

Major School Holiday Periods

1. March Holidays

14 – 22 March 2026
Short but important break, often aligned with enrichment programs.

2. June Holidays

30 May – 28 June 2026
Second longest break. Peak period for:

• Overseas travel
• Summer camps
• Academic revision programs

3. September Holidays

5 – 13 September 2026
Short reset period before final academic stretch.

4. Year-End Holidays

From 21 November 2026 onward
Longest break of the year.

Additional School-Specific Holidays

• Youth Day — 5 July
• Teachers’ Day — 4 September
• Children’s Day — 2 October (Primary only)

Key Insight

The MOE calendar is front-loaded with shorter breaks and ends with a long year-end holiday, making November–December the most flexible travel window.

International School Calendars: A Detailed Comparison

Unlike MOE schools, international schools in Singapore follow different academic systems. This leads to major differences in timing, duration, and frequency of holidays.

Key Structural Differences

1. Longer Summer Break (June–August)

Most international schools follow Western academic calendars:

• Summer holidays often last 6–10 weeks
• Example: Many schools break from mid-June to August

2. Multiple Mid-Term Breaks

Unlike MOE schools, international schools include:

• February mid-term break
• Spring/Easter break (March–April)
• October break

3. More Even Distribution of Holidays

Breaks are spread across the year rather than concentrated at year-end.

Examples Across Major International Schools

To understand the variation, here are patterns observed across different systems:

British Curriculum Schools (e.g., Dulwich, Tanglin)

• Structured terms with half-term breaks
• Long summer holiday (July–August)
• Clear academic rhythm

American Curriculum Schools (e.g., Singapore American School)

• Spring Break, Summer Break, Fall Break, Winter Break
• Balanced distribution throughout the year

IB / International Schools (e.g., UWCSEA, Nexus)

• Hybrid system
• Frequent short breaks + long summer break

Australian System Schools

• Term-based structure
• Breaks aligned with Australian academic year

Important Note

Even within the same school:

• Holiday dates may differ by campus or grade level
• Staff development days may not be listed publicly

Hidden Planning Factors Most Parents Miss

1. Staff Development Days

Many international schools close for teacher training days. These are often:

• Not included in public calendars
• Announced separately

2. Student-Free Days

Additional non-teaching days can affect childcare planning.

3. Overlapping Holiday Systems

Families with children in:

• Different schools
• Different curricula

…may face misaligned schedules.

Strategic Planning Guide (Practical Use Cases)

Strategy 1: Stack Holidays

Combine:

• Public holidays
• School breaks

Example:

• March school holidays + Hari Raya Puasa

Result:

• Extended vacation with minimal leave

Strategy 2: Travel Smart

Peak Periods (Expensive & Crowded)

• June holidays
• Year-end (Nov–Dec)
• Chinese New Year

Off-Peak Opportunities

• March holidays
• September break

These offer:

• Lower prices
• Less crowded destinations

Strategy 3: Book Activities Early

Singapore’s holiday ecosystem is highly competitive:

• Camps
• Workshops
• Sports programs

These fill quickly, especially for:

• June holidays
• Year-end holidays

Looking Ahead: 2027 Calendar Trends

Although some dates are tentative, the structure remains consistent.

Key Public Holidays (2027)

• Chinese New Year — 7–8 February
• Hari Raya Puasa — 10 March
• Good Friday — 26 March
• Vesak Day — 20 May
• National Day — 9 August
• Deepavali — 28 October

Trend Insight

2027 continues:

• Even spacing of public holidays
• Multiple long weekend opportunities
• Predictable MOE structure

Final Takeaways

Singapore’s 2026 holiday calendar is highly structured yet flexible enough to support different lifestyles.

What Makes It Unique:

• Strong alignment between public and school holidays
• Multicultural holiday distribution
• Diverse international school systems

What You Should Do:

• Plan early
• Align calendars carefully
• Watch for hidden school closure days
• Book travel and activities ahead

Conclusion

With the right approach, Singapore’s 2026 calendar becomes more than just a list of dates. It becomes a tool.

A tool to:

• Maximize family time
• Reduce travel costs
• Balance education and rest
• Create meaningful experiences throughout the year