Understanding Bank Holidays in Singapore
In Singapore, what are commonly referred to as ‘bank holidays’ are officially known as public holidays. These are days when government offices, banks, schools, and most businesses close, allowing residents and visitors to celebrate cultural, religious, and national events. Unlike the UK’s bank holidays, which vary by nation, Singapore’s 11 public holidays are uniform nationwide and include both fixed-date and lunar calendar-based observances. Lunar dates like Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji are tentative and confirmed closer to the time by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Planning around these holidays is crucial for UK travellers, expats, or businesses with ties to Singapore. With the context of April 2026, note key events like Good Friday and Hari Raya Puasa falling then. This guide provides the full 2026 list, long weekend opportunities, and a direct comparison to UK bank holidays for British audiences.
Full List of Singapore Bank Holidays 2026
Here’s the complete, tentative list of Singapore public holidays for 2026. Days of the week are included to spot long weekends:
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026
- Chinese New Year: Tuesday, 17 February 2026 & Wednesday, 18 February 2026 (two-day holiday)
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026
- Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr, tentative): Monday, 20 April 2026
- Labour Day: Friday, 1 May 2026
- Vesak Day: Saturday, 30 May 2026
- Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha, tentative): Monday, 6 July 2026
- National Day: Sunday, 9 August 2026
- Deepavali: Tuesday, 10 November 2026
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026
Note: Weekend holidays like Vesak Day and National Day do not typically get substitute days off in Singapore, but check with employers. This totals 11 days, with Chinese New Year offering the longest break.
Long Weekends and Breaks in 2026
Singaporeans love maximising holidays:
- Chinese New Year (17-18 Feb): Tue-Wed, extend to a 5-day break (Fri-Mon) by taking Fri off.
- Easter/Good Friday period (3 Apr): Fri off; pair with Hari Raya Puasa (20 Apr Mon) for a split April break.
- Labour Day (1 May Fri): Natural 3-day weekend (Fri-Sun).
- Christmas (25 Dec Fri): 3-day weekend.
These align well with UK Easter timing, making April 2026 ideal for travel.
Brief History and Significance of Each Holiday
To help UK visitors appreciate Singapore’s multicultural calendar:
New Year’s Day (1 Jan)
A global celebration with fireworks at Marina Bay, similar to London’s but more tropical.
Chinese New Year (17-18 Feb)
The biggest festival for the 74% Chinese population. Expect lion dances, red packets, and yu sheng tossing. Businesses reopen on 19 Feb.
Good Friday (3 Apr)
Observes Jesus’ crucifixion; Christian minority (about 15%) attends services. No Easter Monday here, unlike England and Wales.
Hari Raya Puasa (20 Apr tentative)
Marks end of Ramadan for Muslims (15% population). Open houses, ketupat, and feasting.
Labour Day (1 May)
Honours workers with parades, akin to UK May bank holidays.
Vesak Day (30 May)
Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death; temples light up with lanterns.
Hari Raya Haji (6 Jul tentative)
Eid al-Adha commemorates sacrifice; pilgrims return from Hajj.
National Day (9 Aug)
Celebrates 1965 independence with a massive parade at Padang.
Deepavali (10 Nov)
Festival of Lights for Hindus; oil lamps and sweets.
Christmas Day (25 Dec)
Festive with lights in Orchard Road, very commercial like UK.
Singapore Bank Holidays 2026 vs UK Bank Holidays 2026
For UK expats or businesses, comparing calendars aids scheduling. Singapore has fewer holidays (11 vs UK’s 8-10), but more clustered in Q1-Q2. Here’s a side-by-side using official UK 2026 dates from gov.uk:
| Date | Singapore Holiday | UK Holiday (All unless noted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan (Thu) | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day |
| 2 Jan (Fri) | - | Scotland only |
| 3 Apr (Fri) | Good Friday | Good Friday (all UK) |
| 6 Apr (Mon) | - | Easter Monday (Eng/Wales/NI; not Scotland) |
| 20 Apr (Mon) | Hari Raya Puasa | - |
| 1 May (Fri) | Labour Day | Early May (4 May Mon, all UK) |
| 4 May (Mon) | - | Early May bank holiday |
| 25 May (Mon) | - | Spring bank holiday (all UK) |
| 30 May (Sat) | Vesak Day | - |
| 3 Aug (Mon) | - | Summer (Scotland only) |
| 31 Aug (Mon) | - | Summer (Eng/Wales/NI) |
| 6 Jul (Mon) | Hari Raya Haji | - |
| 9 Aug (Sun) | National Day | - |
| 10 Nov (Tue) | Deepavali | - |
| 25 Dec (Fri) | Christmas | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec (Sat) | - | Boxing Day (substitute 28 Dec Mon where applicable) |
| 30 Nov (Mon) | - | St Andrew’s Day (Scotland) |
Key overlaps: New Year’s, Good Friday, Christmas. UK has more summer breaks; Singapore more cultural/religious. No UK equivalent for Chinese New Year, but Scotland’s summer holiday matches Singapore’s winter sparsity.
Planning Tips for UK Travellers in 2026
Travel During Holidays
Avoid Chinese New Year (17-18 Feb) for crowds and price hikes; flights from Heathrow spike. April 2026 is great post-Easter: Good Friday (3 Apr) aligns with UK, then Hari Raya (20 Apr). Book via British Airways or Singapore Airlines early.
Long Stays and Visas
UK citizens get 90-day visa-free entry. For expats, Employment Pass processing pauses on holidays.
Weather Considerations
April is hot (28-32°C), humid; pack light like for UK summer but wetter.
Advice for UK Businesses and Expats
- Scheduling Meetings: Avoid 17-19 Feb, 3 Apr, 20 Apr. Use tools like Google Calendar with Singapore holidays.
- Employment: Expats get public holidays pro-rata; some firms give paid leave.
- Stock Markets: SGX closes on these days, impacting FTSE-SGX traders.
- Remote Work: With UK spring bank holiday (25 May), align with Vesak (30 May) for rest.
Staying Updated and Official Sources
Lunar dates finalised annually; check MOM.gov.sg or Timeanddate.com. For UK, gov.uk/bank-holidays. Apps like Public Holidays SG notify changes.
This guide equips you for 2026 seamless planning between Singapore and UK calendars. Whether holidaying in Sentosa or working in Raffles Place, knowing these dates ensures smooth sails. Total word count: approx 1050.