Subscription Modal Banner
Weekly newsletter subscription
Get SingSaver’s top tips and deals, plus an exclusive free guide to investing, sent straight to your inbox.

I agree to the terms and conditions and agree to receive relevant marketing content according to the privacy policy.

Success Tick Icon
Congratulations on successfully joining Singsaver Newsletter

Singapore Public Holidays in 2024: How To Make Full Use Of Your Annual Leave

Cheryl Chiew

Cheryl Chiew

Last updated 24 May, 2023

Here’s the roundup on the upcoming 2024 public holidays and the 7 long weekends that you can look forward to. 

I’m not sure about you but something about long weekends leaves me feeling more refreshed. Maybe it’s the lack of Monday blues, or maybe a 4-day work week feels less daunting and more manageable.

Like how Singaporeans devour their delicious food, we also have an insatiable appetite for long weekends. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has released the complete lineup of public holidays for 2024, and guess what? There are a whopping seven long weekends waiting to be seized!

But hold on, 2023 is not over yet. We still have three public holidays left to savour this year. So, if you're in need of a quick refresher before diving into some last-minute plans, check out our 2023 Public Holiday guide.

If you're the type of person who loves to map out your holidays in advance and extract every ounce of fun from them. Our guide spills the beans on upcoming long weekends and how to strategically make use of them to unlock longer getaways.

Table of content


Public Holidays in 2024

Date
Day
Holiday
1 January 2024
Monday
New Year's Day
10 February 2024
11 February 2024
12 February 2024*
Saturday
Sunday
Monday*
Chinese New Year
29 March 2024
Friday
Good Friday
10 April 2024
Wednesday
Hari Raya Puasa
1 May 2024
Wednesday 
Labour Day
22 May 2024
Wednesday
Vesak Day
17 June 2024
Monday
Hari Raya Haji
9 August 2024
Friday
National Day 
31 October 2024
Thursday
Deepavali
25 December 2024
Wednesday
Christmas Day

*Monday is off-in-lieu 
Those highlighted in blue indicate long weekends. 


Optimising your annual leave

Based on MOM guidelines, each first year employee is entitled to seven days of annual leave, but this number is subjective to each company’s human resource policy. 

Companies typically offer around 14 to 16 days of annual leave, which might not seem like much but we’ve cracked the code to allow you to use 13 days of annual leave to get 40 days off work!

Public Holiday
Proposed leave period
Number of annual leave used
Total number of vacation days
Christmas 2023/ New Year 2024
23 December 2023 to 1 January 2024
5 days**
10 days
Chinese New Year
10 February 2024 to 12 February 2024
-
3 days
Good Friday
29 March 2024 to 31 March 2024
-
3 days
Labour Day
1 May 2024 to 5 May 2024
2 days
5 days
Vesak Day
22 May 2024 to 26 May
2 days
5 days
Hari Raya Haji
15 June 2024 to 17 June 2024
-
3 days
National Day
9 August 2024 to 11 August 2024
-
3 days
Christmas 2024/ New Year 2025
25 December 2024 to 1 January 2025
4 days
8 days

**This is only applicable if you have annual leave left in 2023.

With long weekends, the dates to take leave would be highly contested among the office so be sure to lock in plans early and speak with your team so that you do not leave the office completely empty. 


Things to do

Going for a weekend getaway

Just like the majority of Singaporeans, you're probably itching to explore overseas destinations now that the borders have reopened and we're back to the good old pre-pandemic days. The exciting news is that you have a whole year ahead of you to meticulously plan your travels. So, rally up your buddies and let the planning begin!

When it comes to travel, flights tend to eat up a significant chunk of your travel budget. With a generous one-year timeframe to organize your holidays, why not consider using credit cards to accumulate miles that can whisk you away to your dream destination without costing you a dime?

Not sure which credit card will give you the best miles per dollar? Check out the best air miles card to use and spend your way to a getaway!

Best Miles & Travel Credit Cards

Maximise your budget holiday spend even further with the best air miles credit cards and best credit cards for travelling in Singapore. Get rewarded whenever you spend locally or overseas, plus access awesome perks like airport lounges, discounted travel insurance rates, and even free gifts for first sign ups!

Credit Card Best for/Benefits Details Min. Annual Income
Citi PremierMiles Card

 

- S$1 = 10 miles on Bookings at Kaligo

- S$1 = 7 miles on Hotel Bookings at Agoda

- S$1 = 2 miles on Foreign Spend
 
- S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Spend
 
- 2 free airport lounge visits per year with Priority Pass

- Up to S$1 million complimentary Travel Insurance coverage when you charge travel tickets to card
- Miles awarded as Citi Miles, which never expire

- S$27 per redemption

- Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)
 - Local/PR: S$30,000

- Foreigner: S$42,000
DBS Altitude Card
DBSAltitudeVisaSignatureCard-e1568109609752


 

- S$1 = 10 miles on Hotel Transactions at Kaligo

- S$1 = 6 miles on Flight & Hotel Transactions at Expedia
 
- S$1 = 4.3 miles on Hotel Transactions at Agoda

- S$1 = 2.2 miles on Foreign Spend
 
- S$1 = 1.3 miles on Local Spend
 
- 2 free airport lounge visits per year with Priority Pass
- Miles awarded as DBS Points, which never expire
 
- 5,000 DBS Points = 10,000 KrisFlyer Miles

- S$27.25 (incl. GST) per redemption

- Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)
- Local/PR: S$30,000

- Foreigner: S$45,000
OCBC 90°N Miles Card
OCBC_90N_VISA-1
OCBC_90N_MASTERCARD_UPDATED
- S$1 = 1.3 miles on Local Spend
 
- S$1 = 2.1 miles on Foreign Spend
 
- S$1 = 7 miles on Agoda Bookings in Foreign Currency
 
- S$1 = 6 miles on Agoda Bookings in Local Currency
- 90°N Miles never expire
 
- 1 90°N Mile = 1 KrisFlyer Mile
 
- 90°N Miles can be redeemed per blocks of 1,000 Miles
 
- Exchange 90°N Miles for cash rebates, vouchers, or offset travel costs too
 
- Annual fee: S$196.20 (Frist year free)
- Local/PR: S$30,000
 
- Foreigner = S$45,000
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card
Maybank-Horizon-Visa-Signature-Card-1

- S$1 = 2.8 miles on Overseas Spend and Air Tickets (All Airlines)*

- S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Retail Spend^ on Shopping, Dining, Food Delivery, Supermarket, Transport, Hotels, Cruises, Travel Packages, Car Rentals

- S$1 = 0.25 miles on Utilities, Education, Insurance, and Medical expenses

- Complimentary access to Selected VIP Airport Lounges

- Up to S$1 million Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage

- Min. S$800 spend per month required, otherwise 1.2 mpd only
 
- Miles awarded in the form of TREATS Points
 
- *Capped at 40,000 Bonus TREATS Points per calendar month for Air Tickets. Up to 3.2 mpd for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.
 
- ^No min. spend, no cap
- Annual fee: S$196.20 (First 3 years free)
- Local/PR: S$30,000

- Malaysian Citizen: S$45,000

- Foreigner: S$60,000

UOB PRVI Miles Card
UOB_PRIVIMILES_MASTER
uob-prvi-resized-e1548402137533-2uob-prvi-amex-resized-3

- S$1 = 6 miles on Selected Online and Flight Bookings at Agoda, Expedia, and UOB Travel

- S$1 = 2.4 miles on Overseas Spend

- S$1 = 1.4 miles on Local Spend

- Up to S$500,000 complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage
- Miles awarded as UNI$
 
- S$25 per redemption

- Annual fee: S$261.60 (First year free)
- Local/PR: S$30,000

- Foreigner: S$40,000

HSBC TravelOne Card
HSBC TravelOne

- S$1 = 2.4 miles on Foreign Spend
 
- S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Spend
 
- 4 Complimentary Airport Lounge Visits per year (Primary cardholders only)
 
- Up to US$100,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage (including COVID-19)
25,000 Rewards Points = 10,000 Miles
 
5 free supplementary cards
 
No conversion fee for air miles or hotel points (Until 31 May 2024)
 
Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)
- Local/PR: S$30,000

- Foreigner/Self-Employed: S$40,000

Standard Chartered Journey Card
SC_Card_OM_Journey_20220816-AssetA-RGB-2500px_HENRY YEO

- S$1 = 2 miles on Foreign Spend
 
- S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Spend
 
- S$1 = 3 miles on Select Local Online Categories like Transportation, Grocery, and Food Delivery*
 
- 2 Complimentary Priority Pass Airport Lounge Visits per year
 
- Up to S$500,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage
- Rewards Points never earned from SC Journey Card never expire
 
- 25,000 Rewards Points = 10,000 KrisFlyer Miles
 
- *Capped at S$1,000 spend per statement month
 
- 45% off MSIG TravelEasy Travel Insurance (Single Trip) (Valid till 30 Jun 2024)
 
- Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)
- Local/PR: S$30,000

- Foreigner: S$60,000

KrisFlyer UOB Card
KrisFlyerUOBCreditCard

- S$1 = 3 miles on Everyday Spend (e.g. Dining, Online Food Delivery, Online Shopping, Online Travel, Local Transport)*
 
- S$1 = 3 miles on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, and Kris+ purchases
 
- S$1 = 1.2 miles on All Other Spend
 
- Up to S$500,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage
 
- Fast track to KrisFlyer Elite Silver Status
 
- Other Membership Privileges on Scoot
- *Min. S$800 annual spend on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and KrisShop required
 
- Earn KrisFlyer Miles directly to KrisFlyer Membership Account
 
- No cap on miles earned but only credited within 2 months of paying annual fee
 
- Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free) 
- Local/PR: S$30,000

- Foreigner: S$40,000

AMEX Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card
AMEX_SINGAPORE_AIRLINES_KRISFLYER

- S$1 = 1.1 miles on Local Spend

- S$1 = 2 miles on Foreign Spend during June and December

- S$1 = 2 miles on Singapore Airlines-Related Spend

- S$1 = 3.1 miles on Grab Singapore Transactions, capped at S$200 per month

-S$1 = 0.5 miles on Singapore Airlines Instalment Plans via PaySmall for eligible purchases

- Up to S$350,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance coverage

- Exclusive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Loyalty Programme Perks

- Earn KrisFlyer Miles directly to KrisFlyer Membership Account
 
- Annual fee: S$179.85 (First year free)
Subject to American Express' approval

AMEX Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card

AMEX_SINGAPORE_AIRLINES_KRISFLYER_ASCEND

 

- S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Spend

- S$1 = 2 miles on Foreign Spend during June and December

- S$1 = 2 miles on Singapore Airlines-Related Spend

- S$1 = 3.2 miles on Grab Singapore Transactions, capped at S$200 per month

- Up to S$1 million Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage

- Exclusive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Loyalty Programme Perks

- Earn KrisFlyer Miles directly to KrisFlyer Membership Account
 
- Annual fee: S$343.35 (First year free)
Subject to American Express' approval

HSBC Revolution Card
HSBC-Revolution-New

- S$1 = 4 miles on Online and Contactless Spend (e.g.Shopping, Groceries, Dining, Food Delivery, Ride-hailing)

- S$1 = 0.4 miles on All Other Spend

- Up to S$300,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage

- Capped at S$1,000 spend / 9,000 Bonus Rewards Points per calendar month
 
- No annual fee
- Local/PR: S$30,000

- Foreigner/Self-employed: S$40,000

Citi Rewards Card
CITI_REWARDS_MASTER

- S$1 = 4 miles on Selected Online Transactions (e.g. Shopping, Ride-hailing, Food Delivery, Groceries) and In-Store Shopping

- S$1 = 4 miles on All Other Retail Spend

- Up to S$1 million Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage

- Capped at S$1,000 spend / 9,000 Bonus Rewards Points per statement month
 
- Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)
- Local/PR: S$30,000

- Foreigner: S$42,000

When you're on the go, the last thing you need is to fret about potential injuries or falling ill. Safeguard yourself and enjoy peace of mind by securing travel insurance.

Where to go

So you have decided to head overseas but you are not quite sure where to go just yet. Depending on which long weekend you plan to take advantage of, it could mean the difference between a short JB getaway or a week over in Hanoi. 

Check out our 10 most affordable holiday destinations guide and get picking!


Rest and relax

Long weekends offer a fantastic chance to hit the brakes and slow down the pace of life. Not everyone is bitten by the travel bug, so if jet-setting isn't your cup of tea for those extended weekends, fret not! There are plenty of other options to explore. You could dive into a new hobby that tickles your fancy or head over to Sentosa for some well-deserved relaxation.

Amidst the responsibilities at work and home, it's crucial to pause and reset. Take a moment to indulge in activities that bring you pure bliss and focus on what truly brings you happiness!

If redeeming your hard-earned miles for flights doesn't float your boat, there is a nifty alternative for you. You can put those miles to even better use by redeeming them for your significant purchases. Check out these five other ingenious ways to redeem them right here.


Prudence is key

While it can be tempting to lock yourself into travel plans early to get the best deal, it is important to also be aware of the financial implications from travelling. You might save S$200 on your flight but you could end up spending S$1000 on your whole trip. 

Indulgence from time to time, especially when well-deserved, is important but financial health is equally important. 

Get the most bang for your buck by being smart with your credit card usage. Whether its cashback or miles, credit cards can be a fantastic tool to unlock rewards without extra expenditure! 

 

Read these next:
The Kris+ App is My Secret Travel Hack to Scoring Miles, Here's Why
Travel Insurance: How Much Repatriation / Emergency Evacuation Coverage Should I Get?
6 Ways To Maximise Your Credit Card Perks and Travel in Style
Things to do in Taiwan: Taiwan Travel Guide 2023
Bali Travel Guide — What Kind Of Traveller Are You?

A workout fanatic powered by a good cup of coffee, Cheryl is on a personal mission to find the best bougie cuppa for the lowest price. When she’s not working, catch her on the touch football field or supporting the All Blacks from under her blanket.

FINANCIAL TIP:

Use a personal loan to consolidate your outstanding debt at a lower interest rate!

Sign up for our newsletter for financial tips, tricks and exclusive information that can be personalised to your preferences!