As you look ahead to 2025, it’s always a good idea to plan for those well-deserved breaks. What better way to get started than by marking the public holidays on your calendar? Whether you’re hoping to take advantage of long weekends for a quick getaway or just want a few extra days to relax, knowing Singapore’s public holidays for 2025 will help you make the most of your time off.
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Singapore public holidays 2025
In 2025, Singapore will observe 11 gazetted public holidays. These are confirmed dates for most, though some, particularly religious holidays like Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji, may still be subject to final confirmation. But for now, here’s what the upcoming MOM public holidays calendar looks like:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 29 January | Wednesday | Chinese New Year |
| 30 January | Thursday | Chinese New Year |
| 31 March | Monday | Hari Raya Puasa (subject to confirmation) |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 1 May | Thursday | Labour Day |
| 12 May | Monday | Vesak Day |
| 7 June | Saturday | Hari Raya Haji (subject to confirmation) |
| 9 August | Saturday | National Day |
| 20 October | Monday | Deepavali |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
Public holidays that create long weekends in 2025
What’s better than a public holiday? Well, a long weekend, of course! Fortunately for you, 2025 has several holidays that fall on either a Friday or Monday, giving you those coveted long weekends with no need to take additional leave. Here are the ones to look out for:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 31 March | Monday | Hari Raya Puasa |
| 12 May | Monday | Vesak Day |
| 20 October | Monday | Deepavali |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
That’s four long weekends right there! These are perfect opportunities to plan a quick getaway or just relax and catch up on your favourite shows. Who doesn’t love a break that starts early or lasts a little longer?
What are you entitled to if asked to work on a public holiday in 2025?
So, what happens if you’re asked to work on one of these Singapore public holidays in 2025? Don’t worry, there are protections in place under the Employment Act, ensuring that you’re fairly compensated if this situation comes up.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Entitlement to paid public holidays: If you’re covered under the Employment Act, you’re entitled to 11 paid public holidays each year. This includes the 2025 holidays we’ve listed. Even better, if your employer and you mutually agree, a public holiday can be swapped for another working day instead.
- Payment for work on a public holiday: Should you be required to work on one of these holidays, you’re entitled to an additional day’s salary at your basic rate of pay. This is on top of your usual gross pay for that day. Essentially, it’s a little extra something for the effort of showing up when everyone else is off!
- Time-off-in-lieu option: Your employer may also offer time-off-in-lieu instead of extra pay. If this is the case, you and your employer will need to mutually agree on how many hours this compensatory leave will cover. This option is more likely to apply to certain categories of workers, such as:
- Workmen earning more than S$4,500 per month
- Non-workmen earning over S$2,600 per month
- Managers and executives
This means you’re still getting something back for working on a holiday, even if it’s not as extra cash.
School terms and holidays 2025
Besides Singapore’s public holidays, there are school holidays to look forward to in 2025, especially if you have kids. The school year will officially kick off on Thursday, 2 January 2025, for all MOE primary schools, secondary schools, and MOE Kindergartens. However, if your child is in Primary 2 or Kindergarten 2, they’ll get an extra day off, starting on Friday, 3 January 2025, instead. The academic year will wrap up by Friday, 21 November 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of the school calendar for 2025:
Semester I
- Term I: Thursday, 2 January – Friday, 14 March
- Term II: Monday, 24 March – Friday, 30 May
Semester II
- Term III: Monday, 30 June – Friday, 5 September
- Term IV: Monday, 15 September – Friday, 21 November
Note: For schools that serve as venues for the GCE O-Level written exams, the school year will end slightly earlier, on Friday, 24 October 2025.
Junior colleges and millennia institute terms
If your child attends junior college (JC) or Millennia Institute (MI), here’s what their school year will look like. JC and MI Year 1 students will start on Wednesday, 5 February, while MI Year 2 students will begin as early as Monday, 13 January. JC Year 2 and MI Year 3 will also have their last term adjusted to wrap up with the GCE A-Level exams.
Semester I
- Term I: (JC Year 1 & MI Year 1) Wednesday, 5 February – Friday, 14 March
(MI Year 2) Monday, 13 January – Friday, 14 March - Term II: Monday, 24 March – Friday, 30 May
Semester II
- Term III: Monday, 30 June – Friday, 5 September
- Term IV: (JC Year 1 & MI Year 1) Monday, 15 September – Friday, 28 November
(JC Year 2 & MI Year 3) Monday, 15 September – end of GCE A-Level exams
School holidays 2025
In between all the studying, there will be four holiday periods for students to recharge. Here’s when they’ll get their well-earned breaks:
MK, Primary, and Secondary Schools
- Between Terms I & II: Saturday, 15 March – Sunday, 23 March
- Between Semesters I & II: Saturday, 31 May – Sunday, 29 June
- Between Terms III & IV: Saturday, 6 September – Sunday, 14 September
- End of School Year: Saturday, 22 November – Wednesday, 31 December
Junior Colleges (Year 1) & Millennia Institute (Year 1 and 2)
- Between Terms I & II: Saturday, 15 March – Sunday, 23 March
- Between Semesters I & II: Saturday, 31 May – Sunday, 29 June
- Between Terms III & IV: Saturday, 6 September – Sunday, 14 September
- End of School Year: Saturday, 29 November – Wednesday, 31 December
For JC Year 2 and MI Year 3 students, the holiday period begins after the GCE A-Level exams.
Special school holidays 2025
On top of the scheduled school holidays, there are a few special holidays just for students. These include:
- Youth Day: Sunday, 6 July (with Monday, 7 July being a school holiday)
- Teachers’ Day: Friday, 5 September
- Children’s Day: Friday, 3 October (for primary schools and the primary sections of full schools)
These holidays provide a great opportunity for students (and parents) to take a breather, recharge, or spend some quality time together!
Upcoming holidays: Symbolism, rituals, celebrations
1st May – Labour Day
Labour Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is a public holiday in Singapore dedicated to honouring the achievements of workers and the labour movement. It symbolizes the strength, unity, and contributions of workers in building Singapore’s economy and society.
The day is rooted in global labour struggles for fair working conditions and reasonable working hours. In Singapore, Labour Day typically features speeches from political and union leaders that reflect on the nation’s workforce resilience, highlight improvements in labor rights, and lay out future economic strategies.
It’s also a day for workers to rest, often spent enjoying leisure activities with family and friends, participating in community events, or simply taking a well-earned break.
12th May – Vesak Day
Vesak Day, one of the most sacred days in Buddhism, commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvana), and passing away (parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha. Each of these events is believed to have occurred on the same day of the lunar calendar. The celebration is marked by its strong emphasis on compassion, peace, and mindfulness.
In Singapore, devotees visit temples at dawn to meditate on the Eight Precepts, chant sutras, and make offerings of flowers, candles, and fruits to Buddha statues—symbols of impermanence. Acts of merit like donating to charity, freeing captive animals (symbolising liberation), and volunteering are encouraged.
Some temples also host candlelight processions and serene chanting ceremonies that stretch into the evening, creating an atmosphere of spiritual devotion and communal harmony.
7th June – Hari Raya Haji
Hari Raya Haji, also known as Eid al-Adha, is the Islamic “Festival of Sacrifice” that honours Prophet Ibrahim’s profound act of faith when he was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command. At the last moment, God provided a ram as a substitute.
This festival symbolises sacrifice, submission to divine will, and compassion for the less fortunate. In Singapore, Muslims gather in mosques for special prayers early in the morning. A key ritual is the “qurbani,” or sacrifice of livestock such as sheep or cows, with the meat distributed among the poor, ensuring that everyone shares in the blessings.
The day is spent visiting relatives, offering greetings of “Selamat Hari Raya Haji,” and enjoying communal meals that emphasize generosity and gratitude. Many Muslims also reflect personally on their willingness to give up personal gains for higher spiritual values.
9th August – National Day
Singapore’s National Day celebrates the country’s dramatic and emotional separation from Malaysia in 1965, a moment that forged a new independent nation against daunting odds. It is a day that symbolizes self-reliance, unity across racial lines, and an unwavering spirit of resilience. Each year, the National Day Parade (NDP) showcases the country’s military, cultural, and economic achievements through vibrant performances, precision drills, and dazzling fireworks displays.
Singaporeans across the island proudly display the national flag on their homes and vehicles. The singing of patriotic songs, such as “We Are Singapore” and “Stand Up for Singapore,” fosters a strong sense of belonging and pride. The Prime Minister’s National Day Rally speech, often called the “State of the Nation” address, reflects on Singapore’s progress and outlines future goals for the nation.
20th October – Deepavali
Deepavali, often referred to as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals in Singapore. It marks the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, commemorating the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his victory over the demon king Ravana. Symbolically, it represents the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. In the lead-up to Deepavali, Hindu families clean and renovate their homes, believing that cleanliness invites the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity.
Traditional rituals include setting up oil lamps (diyas) throughout homes, creating intricate kolam (rangoli) designs on floors, and performing special prayers (puja) to deities. Family gatherings, wearing new clothes, exchanging sweets, and giving gifts are integral to the celebrations.
In Singapore, Little India is transformed into a dazzling wonderland of lights, bazaars, and street performances, becoming the epicentre of Deepavali festivities for locals and tourists alike.
25th December – Christmas Day
Christmas Day in Singapore, though rooted in Christian tradition celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, has taken on a broader festive spirit that transcends religious boundaries. It represents joy, giving, family unity, and hope for a better future.
Churches across the island hold midnight mass services, with carollers filling the air with songs that recount the Nativity story. Christmas is marked by traditions such as decorating Christmas trees, hanging lights, exchanging gifts, and sharing hearty feasts.
For Christians, it is a solemn yet joyous occasion to reflect on spiritual renewal and the message of love and redemption. For others in Singapore, it is a time to partake in festive cheer with family gatherings and shopping sprees.
Orchard Road famously transforms into a stunning corridor of lights and themed decorations, complete with concerts, parades, and festive markets that draw thousands each year.
How to best plan for your upcoming trips in 2025?
One of the great things about these holidays is that they offer you a chance to plan some well-deserved holidays, both at home and abroad. Whether you’re dreaming of a tropical escape or just some downtime, proper planning can make all the difference in getting the best deals and destinations. Here are a few tips to help you plan:
- Book early: It’s never too early to think about your next holiday. By booking your flights and accommodation well in advance, you’ll have a better chance of securing the dates and places you want. Plus, it gives you more flexibility when planning around public holidays.
- Look for package deals: Sometimes, booking your flights and hotels as part of a package deal can lead to significant savings. Keep an eye out for these combo deals, especially if you’re looking to save on costs while still enjoying a great holiday.
- Watch for early bird discounts: Many airlines and travel agencies offer early bird promotions to encourage bookings far ahead of time. So, if you’re already planning that March or October getaway, you could score some great savings by locking it in sooner rather than later.
- Consider peak seasons: While public holidays are an ideal time for a getaway, some destinations can be crowded and expensive during peak seasons. If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience (and to avoid those hefty prices), consider travelling during off-peak periods. You might even find that you enjoy it more!
- Research Visa requirements: Some countries have specific visa or entry restrictions, so it’s essential to check these before you book. The last thing you want is to plan the perfect trip only to be turned away at the border.
- Pack only what you need: Keep it light and easy. By packing only what’s necessary, you can avoid excess baggage fees and make your travel experience more enjoyable. Don’t forget to pack essentials like sunscreen, insect repellent, and any medications you might need.
- Check the weather: Before you pack your bags, look at the weather forecast for your destination. This way, you’ll be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store!
Read more: Travel checklist: 8 things you must do before leaving for vacation
Wrapping up
While you’ve got plenty of holidays to look forward to in 2025, planning can ensure you make the most out of every single one of them. Whether you’re making the most of the long weekends or figuring out how to balance work and holiday entitlements, being prepared will allow you to enjoy your breaks to the fullest. So, get ready to mark those dates and plan some well-deserved time off for relaxation, adventure, or just some downtime.
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About Sophiyanah David
Sophi, a seasoned copywriter specialising in Singaporean real estate and property, is one of the minds behind 99.co's informative articles. Like her colleagues at 99.co, Sophi is dedicated to keeping you informed about the ever-changing world of real estate so you can find your forever home. When off the clock, you can find her giggling and kicking her feet as she reads her romance novels, watching anime - if FMBA is not your fave, she might fight you (but you'll probably win) and looking up latest skincare trends.
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