Singapore’s Holidays 2025
With the mix of ethnic groups that are present in Singapore and their respective religions, you can expect a number of festivals. In addition, there are important anniversaries that are celebrated throughout the country.
Singapore Federal Holidays
Singapore is Home to Many Religions
Freedom of religion is an important priority in Singapore, and Singaporeans learn about the religious traditions and customs of other population groups from an early age. Singapore is home to 10 religions, with Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity as its principal religions. Sikhism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Baha’i, Jainism and the non-religious (“free thinkers”) form the minority cluster. It is common to see people accepting more than one faith.
It’s important to be respectful when visiting places of worship in Singapore. Keep in mind the following guidelines: Take off your shoes before you enter a mosque or a temple
- Wash your feet and hands before entering a Hindu temple
- Dress appropriately! Women are expected to cover their hair or parts of their body before entering a mosque or a temple. Some mosques and Sikh temples will provide robes and scarves for female visitors
- Make sure that taking pictures is allowed before getting out your camera
- Don’t eat or drink during your visit to any religious building
- Bring along food or flowers to Hindu and Buddhist temples as an offering for the gods
- Benches are provided for sitting at the prayer hall in churches, while temple and mosque goers sit on mats placed on the ground and kneel down for prayer
With the mix of ethnic groups that are present in Singapore and their respective religions, you can expect a number of festivals. In addition, there are important anniversaries that are celebrated throughout the country.
The Singaporean government announces public holidays each year. Here’s a table outlining the Singaporean public holidays for 2025:
| Date | Holiday Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2025, Wednesday | New Year’s Day | Celebrates the beginning of a new year. |
| 29 January, 2025 Wednesday | Chinese New Year (Day 1) | Celebrates the Lunar New Year. Most businesses are closed. |
| 30 January, 2025 Thursday | Chinese New Year (Day 2) | Second day of Chinese New Year celebrations. |
| 18 April, 2025 Friday | Good Friday | Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Observed by Christians. |
| 31 March, 2025 Monday | Hari Raya Puasa | Celebrates the end of Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims. Businesses with a large Muslim workforce may have adjusted hours. |
| 1 May, 2025 Thursday | Labour Day | Celebrates the contributions of workers. |
| 12 May, 2025 Monday | Vesak Day | Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing away of Gautama Buddha. Observed by Buddhists. |
| 7 June, 2025 Saturday | Hari Raya Haji | Celebrates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim. Businesses with a large Muslim workforce may have adjusted hours. |
| 9 August, 2025 Saturday | National Day | Celebrates Singapore’s independence. |
| 20 October, 2025 Monday | Deepavali (Hari Diwali) | The Festival of Lights, celebrated by Hindus. |
| 25 December, 2025 Thursday | Christmas Day | Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by Christians. |
Business Holidays and Vacations in Singapore
- Singapore’s School Holidays: Singapore follows a school calendar that includes several breaks throughout the year. These breaks coincide with public holidays as well as school vacation periods. Major school holidays include term breaks, mid-year break, and year-end holidays. During these periods, businesses may experience changes in customer traffic and employee availability.
- Company-Specific Vacations: Some companies in Singapore may offer additional vacation days or company-specific holidays to their employees. These holidays could be in recognition of cultural or religious events, company anniversaries, or as part of employee benefits packages.
- Long Weekends: In Singapore, public holidays that fall close to weekends often result in long weekends. These long weekends may influence travel plans, consumer spending patterns, and business operations. Businesses may adjust their schedules or staffing levels accordingly during these periods.
In Singapore, several religious dates are national holidays and many others are observed. It’s useful to know the calendar for these annual holidays and festivals as you plan your media calendar and participate in a country that supports such a diverse number of religions. You may also find that your product or service takes on special meaning or appeal in Singapore at certain times of year. Because of the rich religious diversity in Singapore and its strong support of religious freedom, you’ll want to be aware of the activities around you and be sensitive to their importance.