Most mums and dads check the public holiday 2023 calendar to prepare for family trips. When these dates fall on Mondays or Fridays, they prepare for long weekend getaways with their kids.
Meanwhile, other parents watch out for consecutive public holidays. This helps them anticipate the best time to plan for a week-long vacation with their families.
You still have a few more months to get ready for a fresh start! We listed all the 2023 public holidays in Singapore you should watch for. With this, you may start planning your future trips as early as now.
Keep Up With Singapore Public Holidays 2023 Dates
The public holiday 2023 calendar of Singapore is finally here! Good and exciting news awaits parents who plan to spend more time with their loved ones during their break.
Here are 11 Singapore public holidays you should watch out for in 2023. Most Singapore public holidays in 2023 fall on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. This means there are more long weekends for interested vacationers.
JANUARY
The month of January is filled with many public holidays! Singaporean people will be celebrating four holidays in just a month. Here’s the list of January public holiday 2023:
New Year’s Day
January 1, 2023 – Sunday
It is not just Singapore; the whole world will be celebrating New Year’s Day on the 1st of January, 2023. Each country has their own way and traditions of celebrating this special day for everyone.
However, in Singapore, people enjoy fireworks watching, special feasts, and several entertainments every New Year’s Day.
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Chinese New Year
January 22, 2023 – Sunday
January 23, 2023 – Monday
Most Asians residing in Singapore take part in the celebration of the Chinese New Year. It is an iconic event in the country that has become an integral tradition of the Lunar New Year celebrations for locals and tourists.
During these days, people can enjoy the lively festival, which will allow people to witness an exceptional Chinese cultural experience.
You may enjoy the view of giant lanterns and mouth-watering food. People can also participate in activities like amusement rides and street performances.
APRIL
When the month of April comes, the celebration of public holidays becomes a bit more solemn. Here are the two important dates to remember in April 2023:
Good Friday
April 7, 2023 – Friday
In observing the celebration of Good Friday in Singapore, all Christians in the country will gather for a meal. This special day is for Christians, and they celebrate it with their families, friends, and loved ones.
Singaporean people with a Christian religion consider Jesus the Lamb of God who gave his life for their sins. With that, the lamb is always the main dish during their meals on Good Friday.
Hari Raya Puasa
April 22, 2023 – Saturday
The day of Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore is when Muslims in the country end their time of fasting. Muslims end it with a joyous and meaningful celebration of forgiveness, fellowship, and food.
Additionally, the streets of Geylang Serai will become more lively. People can enjoy the view of the place with festive lights and a famous bazaar during the fasting month.
MAY
Labour Day
May 1, 2023 – Monday
The Singaporean Government intended to make Labour Day a public holiday. They aim to set this day aside to honour the workers and their contributions to Singapore. Additionally, this day makes it easier for workers to come together and celebrate.
JUNE
The celebrations during June are a bit similar to the festivities during April. Compared to other months, public holidays in June are dignified and ceremonial.
Vesak Day
June 3, 2023 – Saturday
Devout Buddhists in Singapore congregate at temples for a ceremony during Vesak day. Singaporeans celebrating this special day begins at the crack of dawn in the country.
On this day, they hoist the Buddhist fag and sing hymns praising the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Because of the schedule followed, we encourage parents to plan trips that won’t affect those celebrating this holiday.
Hari Raya Haji
June 29, 2023 – Thursday
Hari Raya Haji, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is another special day for Muslims in Singapore. They dedicate this day to remembering their faith with prayer and reflection. In celebrating Hari Raya Haji, the faithful congregate at the mosque dressed in their finest.
Image Source: iStock
AUGUST
National Day
August 9, 2023 – Wednesday
In Singapore, people commonly mark this public holiday 2023 with the National Day Parade. Most citizens take part in the festivities during this annual celebration.
Moreover, National Day celebrations resumed after the easing of COVID-19 regulations. Because of this, more people joined the events and festivities offered all around the island.
Those who opted to stay at home can still watch the different events on their TVs. Singaporeans also tuned in on their TV to see the festivities and the Prime Minister’s address.
NOVEMBER
Deepavali
November 12, 2023 – Sunday
Deepavali is one of the cultural festivals that Hindus in Singapore celebrate yearly. They commonly light up the house and surroundings with diyas to eliminate any darkness from the surroundings.
To teach your children about this holiday, we encourage you to visit the areas celebrating this holiday in Singapore. With this, you can add it to your list of trips during this particular Singapore public holiday 2023.
DECEMBER
Christmas Day
December 25, 2023 – Monday
Singaporean people celebrate Christmas Day yearly, just like in other countries. During this season, malls are decorated with twinkling fairy lights, glittery tinsel, and other Christmas decorations.
Christmas in Singapore is filled with lights, food, music, and sharing. During this time, families also plan trips overseas to let their kids experience snow and winter.
MOE Announces 2023 Dates of School Terms
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On October 2022, Singapore’s Ministry of Education announced the upcoming start of classes for the new school year. Students enrolled in Primary 1, Kindergarten 1 and secondary school begin the new term on 3 January 2023.
Meanwhile, Kindergarten 2 and Primary 2-6 students commence classes on 4 January 2023. This scheduling is similar to almost all start-of-term dates where the Primary 1, Kindergarten 1 and secondary school levels start before others.
Below, we tallied the start and end of the terms within a semester. We also included the school vacation dates to help parents plan for family trips in advance.
Semester I
| School Level | School Term | Term Dates |
| Primary and Secondary | Semester I – Term I | 3 January – 10 March |
| Semester I – Term II | 20 March – 26 May | |
| Junior College (JC) Year 1 and Millennia Institute (MI) Year 1 | Semester I – Term I | 3 February – 10 March |
| Semester I – Term II | 10 March – 26 May | |
| Millennia Institute (MI) Year 2 | Semester I – Term I | 9 January – 10 March |
| Semester I – Term II | 10 March – 26 May | |
| Junior College (JC) Year 2 and Millennia Institute (MI) Year 3 | Semester I – Term I | 9 January – 10 March |
| Semester I – Term II | 10 March – 26 May |
Semester II
| School Level | School Term | Term Dates |
| Primary and Secondary | Semester II – Term III | 26 June – 1 September |
| Semester II – Term IV | 11 September – 17 November | |
| Junior College (JC) Year 1 and Millennia Institute (MI) Year 1 | Semester II – Term III | 26 June – 1 September |
| Semester II- Term IV | 11 September – 24 November | |
| Millennia Institute (MI) Year 2 | Semester II – Term III | 26 June – 1 September |
| Semester II – Term IV | 11 September – 24 November | |
| Junior College (JC) Year 2 and Millennia Institute (MI) Year 3 | Semester II – Term III | 26 June – 1 September |
| Semester II – Term IV | 11 September up to the end of GCE A-Level examinations |
2023 School Vacations Between Terms and Semesters
| Primary and Secondary | JC Year 1, MI Years 1 and 2 | JC Year 2 and MI Year 3 | |
| Terms I and II | 11 – 19 March | 11 – 19 March | 11 – 19 March |
| Semester I and II | 27 May – 25 June | 27 May – 25 June | 27 May – 25 June |
| Terms III and IV | 2 – 10 September | 2 – 10 September | 2 – 10 September |
| At End of School Year | 18 November – 31 December | 25 November – 31 December | End of GCE A-Level examinations up to 31 December |
This article was updated by Kaira De la Rosa.