Singapore Public Holidays & School Holidays 2021

Geralyne Ong

Geralyne Ong

Last updated 21 July, 2021

We may not be able to travel, but it doesn't mean that we can't plan our annual leave dates to coincide with public holidays for 2021!

Here's the official list of 2021 Public Holidays and School Holidays in Singapore, and ways to maximise them to get awesome long weekends.

The one good news to cut through the slightly depressing headlines that have been flooding our newsfeed (since COVID-19 made landfall in Singapore). This is the official list of Singapore Public Holidays for 2021 according to the Ministry of Manpower and Singapore School Holidays for 2021 according to the Ministry of Education.   

2021 Singapore public holidays

Public holidayDateDay
New Year’s Day1 January 2021Friday
Chinese New Year 12 February 2021Friday
Chinese New Year13 February 2021Saturday
Good Friday2 April 2021Friday
Labour Day1 May 2021Saturday
Hari Raya Puasa13 May 2021Thursday
Vesak Day26 May 2021Wednesday
Hari Raya Haji20 July 2021Tuesday
National Day9 August 2021Monday
Deepavali4 November 2021Thursday
Christmas Day25 December 2021Saturday

Although we’re in semi-lockdown, it doesn’t mean that our imagination has to be limited to the home or Singapore. If you’ve been talking about a trip with friends or family for the longest time, or are looking to sneak in a local staycation to recharge in 2021, this is the perfect time to get to it.

And for those looking to travel overseas in 2022, remember to plan early and you’ll not only have more time to save up, but also be able to snag cheaper air fares and accommodation deals

2021 Long weekends

If you have 14 days of annual leave, include the 3 off-in-lieu from PH that fall on Saturdays and maximise most 2021 public holidays, you’ll get a cool 45 days off work! The best part of this is that some of the 2021 school holiday coincide with these dates as well, which is perfect if you're planning a family staycation or holiday.


4 Things you should know about public holiday entitlements as an employee

  • You’re entitled to the gross rate of pay on a public holiday. If you were not absent on the working day immediately before or after a holiday without consent or a reasonable excuse; or were on authorised leave (e.g. sick leave, annual leave) on the day immediately before or after a holiday.
  • If you’re required to work on a public holiday, you should be paid an extra day’s salary at the basic rate of pay.
  • Alternatively, you and your employer can mutually agree to substitute a public holiday for another working day.
  • Are you holding a managerial or executive position? If so, your employer can grant time off in lieu for working on a public holiday. The time off should consist of a mutually agreed number of hours.

Know your rights! Here are the Ministry of Manpower's guidelines on public holiday and pay entitlements if you are covered by the Employment Act.


2021 School holidays for primary & secondary school students

For students aged 7 years and above who attend a local primary or secondary school.

School TermDatesDuration
Term 113 (Saturday) to 21 March (Sunday)1 week
Semester 129 May (Saturday) to 27 June (Sunday)1 month
Term 24 (Saturday) to 12 September (Sunday)1 week
At the end of the school year20 November (Saturday) to 31 December (Friday)1 month and 1 week

2021 School holidays for junior colleges and millennia institutes

For the older kids (aged 16 to 18/19) attending Junior Colleges and Millennia Institutes, their school holidays differ slightly from the above due to prelims and GCE ‘A’ Level examinations.

2021 School holidays for junior college students

School TermDatesDuration
Between Terms 1 and 213 (Saturday) to 21 March (Sunday)1 week
Between Semester 1 and 229 May (Saturday) to 27 June (Sunday)1 month
Between Terms 3 and 44 (Saturday) to 12 September (Sunday)1 week
At the end of the school yearYear 1: 27 November (Saturday) to 31 December (Friday)

Year 2: End of ‘A’ Level exams to 31 December (Friday)
Year 1: 1 month

2021 School holidays for millennia institute students

School TermDatesDuration
Between Term 1 and 213 (Saturday) to 21 March (Sunday)1 week
Between Semester 1 and 229 May (Saturday) to 27 June (Sunday)1 month
Between Term 3 and 44 (Saturday) to 12 September (Sunday)1 week
At the end of the school yearYear 1 & 2: 27 November (Saturday) to 31 December (Friday)

Year 3: End of ‘A’ Level exams to 31 December (Friday)
Year 1 & 2: 1 month

Other scheduled school holidays

Apart from the term and semester breaks, here’s a list of the other scheduled school holidays and their dates that you could definitely look at when you start planning.

School HolidayDayDate
Youth DayMonday5 July
National Day (extended)Tuesday 10 August
Teachers' DayFriday3 September
Children’s Day (students attending primary schools only)Friday8 October

Now that you’re starting to get your holiday plans in order, remember to charge it on the right card to make your money work harder for you. Earn points, cashback and airmiles that can all be used to offset your monthly expenses or fund your next overseas trip with the family.

Unsure which card makes your money work the hardest? Use our simple comparison tool to find out and get rewarded with cash or prizes* when you apply for one with us!

*Rewards change periodically and applies to successful applicants of selected credit cards only. Terms and conditions apply.

Read these next: 
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10 Prudent Things You Can Do With Your Travel Fund If COVID-19 Has Derailed Your Trip
The Real Cost Of Working From Home (WFH) May Surprise You
Best Nature Reserves and Parks For Leisure Hikes and Strolls in Singapore

A lover of gin and all things Nigella Lawson, Geralyne’s constantly trying to adult like a pro. She spends most of her leisure time serving fur-babies and doing as many mountain climbers as she possibly can.

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