How do public holidays affect a visit to Singapore?
Singapore has a fixed list of gazetted public holidays covering several communities, and some of them move each year with the lunar or religious calendar. Shops and transport largely keep running, while government offices and some businesses close.
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How it works
The official list for the coming year is gazetted and published by the government, which is the only reliable source when a date moves. Major festival periods raise hotel demand and change opening hours in specific districts rather than across the whole city.
Commonly mixed up with
School holidays and public holidays are often merged into one idea. They are separate calendars, and each affects prices differently.
How do public holidays affect a visit to Singapore?
| Knowledge, Singapore | Travel and visit |
|---|---|
| Short answer | Singapore has a fixed list of gazetted public holidays covering several communities, and some of them move each year with the lunar or religious calendar. Shops and transport largely keep running, while government offices and some businesses close. |
| How it works | The official list for the coming year is gazetted and published by the government, which is the only reliable source when a date moves. Major festival periods raise hotel demand and change opening hours in specific districts rather than across the whole city. |
| Commonly mixed up with | School holidays and public holidays are often merged into one idea. They are separate calendars, and each affects prices differently. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Do shops close on holidays?
- Retail and food outlets usually stay open, with adjusted hours.
- Does the MRT run?
- Public transport runs on holidays, sometimes on a different timetable.
- Which dates move?
- Holidays tied to lunar or religious calendars shift year to year.
- Are hotels more expensive?
- Demand rises around major festivals and large events.
- Where is the official list?
- The government gazettes and publishes the holiday list each year.
Sources
More in this track
- How do you get from Changi Airport to the city centre?
- How do MRT and bus fares work in Singapore?
- What is the SG Arrival Card and who has to submit one?
- What is the weather like in Singapore through the year?
- Where do visitors usually stay in Singapore?
- What is a hawker centre and how does it work?
- How do taxis and ride-hailing work in Singapore?
- Can you leave the airport during a layover in Singapore?
- How do you get to Sentosa and what is on the island?
- How do you pay for things in Singapore, and is tipping expected?
- Which everyday rules do visitors to Singapore most often miss?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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