Public holidays in Singapore

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The 11 major public holidays in Singapore reflect the cultural and religious diversity of the country. They include the Chinese New Year, the Buddhist holiday Vesak Day, the Muslim holidays Hari Raya Puasa (or Hari Raya Aidilfitri) and Hari Raya Haji (known in Arabic as Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha), and the Hindu holiday Deepavali. Christians are also a significant group (about 14% of the population), and Christmas Day and Good Friday are public holidays. This represents a carefully calibrated distribution of public holidays among the religious and ethnic communities in the country. Because of this certain special days traditionally celebrated by locals have not been given public holiday status. These include Christian holidays like Ascension Day; Muslim holidays like Awal Muharram, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad; and Hindu holidays like Thaipusam.

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[edit] Public holidays

The days observed as general public holidays in Singapore are declared in the schedule to the Holidays Act.[1] According to the Ministry of Manpower, which issues a yearly list of the dates on which public holidays fall, the holidays were "chosen and agreed upon after close consultation with different community and religious leaders in Singapore". Other factors taken into account were the impact on business costs and statutory leave provided for under the Employment Act.[2] Thus, some religious holidays such as Easter Monday, Awal Muharram (the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad) and Thaipusam were removed from the list of public holidays to improve business competitiveness.[3]

There are generally 11 public holidays a year. However, every 32 or 33 years, Hari Raya Puasa (also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri and in Arabic as Eid ul-Fitr) is celebrated twice a calendar year. This occurred in 1968 and 2000, giving Singaporeans 12 public holidays in those years.[3]

If any public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following day which it not itself a public holiday is declared to be a public holiday in Singapore.[4] Thus, since National Day (9 August) in 2009 landed on a Sunday, the following Monday (10 August) was a public holiday. In 2010, as Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Sunday, 14 February, and Monday, 15 February, the next day, Tuesday, 16 February, will also be a public holiday. The President is empowered to declare any day to be observed as a public holiday in addition to or substitution for any day specified in the schedule to the Holidays Act, and may also declare any day in a year to be observed as an additional public holiday when in that year two public holidays fall on the same day.[5]

It is legal for employers to agree to give their employees other holidays in substitution for one or more public holidays.[6] No act or thing relating to any Government department or public authority, any judicial proceeding, any transaction, instrument or any other act or thing is rendered invalid where it is done or executed on a Sunday or public holiday.[7]

In September 2009, a campaign by Zuji, an online travel agent, resulted in 5,616 people voting for another public holiday. One of the reasons given by the company for organizing the campaign was that well-rested employees are more productive.[3]

[edit] Public holidays in 2010

Date English name Chinese name Malay name Tamil name Remarks
1 January New Year's Day 元旦/新年 Tahun Baru புத்தாண்டு
14 February* –
15 February		 First and second days of the Chinese New Year 农历新年 Tahun Baru Cina/Hari Raya Cina சீனப் புத்தாண்டு Date varies according to the Chinese calendar.
2 April Good Friday 受难节 Hari Jumaat Agung புனித வெள்ளி Date varies; this is the Friday before Easter Sunday, which is the first Sunday after the first Paschal Full Moon following the official vernal equinox. This Christian holiday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
1 May Labour Day/May Day 劳动节 Hari Buruh தொழிலாளர் தினம் Celebrates the economic and social achievements of workers
28 May Vesak Day 卫塞节 Hari Wesak விசாக தினம் Date varies according to the Chinese calendar (15th day of the 4th month). Celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.
9 August National Day 国庆日 Hari Kebangsaan தேசிய தினம் Celebrates the independence of Singapore.
10 September Hari Raya Puasa 开斋节 Hari Raya Puasa நோன்புப் பெருநாள் Date varies according to the Islamic calendar. Celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
5 November** Deepavali 屠妖节 Hari Deepavali தீபாவளித் திருநாள் Date varies according to the Hindu calendar. The holiday celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana.
17 November Hari Raya Haji 哈芝节 Hari Raya Haji ஹஜ்ஜிப் பெருநாள் Date varies according to the Islamic calendar. The holiday commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to Allah.
25 December Christmas 圣诞节 Hari Krismas/Hari Natal கிறிஸ்துமஸ் பண்டிகை This Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

The information in this table was obtained from Public holidays 2010, Ministry of Manpower, 8 June 2009, http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/general/2010_Public_Holidays.html, retrieved 29 October 2009 .

* As the Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, 14 February 2010, and Monday, 15 February 2010, the next day, Tuesday, 16 February 2010, is a public holiday.
** The date for Deepavali has to be checked against the Indian almanac when it is available. Where necessary, the Ministry of Manpower will issue a press release to announce a change in date.

[edit] Public holidays in 2009

Date English name Chinese name Malay name Tamil name Remarks
1 January New Year's Day 元旦/新年 Tahun Baru புத்தாண்டு
26 January –
27 January		 First and second days of the Chinese New Year 农历新年 Tahun Baru Cina/Hari Raya Cina சீனப் புத்தாண்டு Date varies according to the Chinese calendar.
10 April Good Friday 受难节 Hari Jumaat Agung புனித வெள்ளி Date varies; this is the Friday before Easter Sunday, which is the first Sunday after the first Paschal Full Moon following the official vernal equinox. This Christian holiday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
1 May Labour Day/May Day 劳动节 Hari Buruh தொழிலாளர் தினம் Celebrates the economic and social achievements of workers
9 May Vesak Day 卫塞节 Hari Wesak விசாக தினம் Date varies according to the Chinese calendar (15th day of the 4th month). Celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.
9 August* National Day 国庆日 Hari Kebangsaan தேசிய தினம் Celebrates the independence of Singapore.
20 September* Hari Raya Puasa 开斋节 Hari Raya Puasa நோன்புப் பெருநாள் Date varies according to the Islamic calendar. Celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
17 October[8] Deepavali 屠妖节 Hari Deepavali தீபாவளித் திருநாள் Date varies according to the Hindu calendar. The holiday celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana.
27 November Hari Raya Haji 哈芝节 Hari Raya Haji ஹஜ்ஜிப் பெருநாள் Date varies according to the Islamic calendar. The holiday commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to Allah.
25 December Christmas 圣诞节 Hari Krismas/Hari Natal கிறிஸ்துமஸ் பண்டிகை This Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

The information in this table was obtained from Public holidays 2009, Ministry of Manpower, 8 June 2009, http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/general/2009_Public_Holidays.html, retrieved 29 October 2009 .

* This public holiday falls on a Sunday; thus the following Monday is also a public holiday.

[edit] School holidays

[edit] Holidays

The following tables list scheduled school holidays observed by students in national schools, excluding term holidays (see below).

[edit] 2010

Date English name Chinese name Malay name Tamil name Remarks
4 July* Youth Day 青年节 Hari Belia இளைஞர் தினம்
10 August Day after National Day 国庆日隔天 Hari selepas Hari Kebangsaan தேசிய தினதிற்கு அடுத்த நாள்
1 September Teachers' Day 教师节 Hari Guru ஆசிரியர் தினம்
1 October Children's Day 儿童节 Hari Kanak-kanak குழந்தையர் தினம் Primary schools only

The information in this table was obtained from School terms and holidays for 2010, Ministry of Education, 2009, http://www.moe.gov.sg/schools/terms-and-holidays/2010/, retrieved 29 October 2009 .

[edit] 2009

Date English name Chinese name Malay name Tamil name Remarks
5 July* Youth Day 青年节 Hari Belia இளைஞர் தினம்
10 August Day after National Day 国庆日隔天 Hari selepas Hari Kebangsaan தேசிய தினதிற்கு அடுத்த நாள்
1 September Teachers' Day 教师节 Hari Guru ஆசிரியர் தினம்
1 October Children's Day 儿童节 Hari Kanak-kanak குழந்தையர் தினம் Primary school only

The information in this table was obtained from School terms and holidays for 2009, Ministry of Education, 2008, http://www.moe.gov.sg/schools/terms-and-holidays/2009/, retrieved 29 October 2009 .

* Mondays are school holidays for any school holiday that falls on a Sunday.

[edit] Terms and term holidays

The following tables list school term holidays observed by all students in national schools.[9]

[edit] 2009

[edit] Primary and secondary schools
Term Term Holiday after term
Semester 1
Term 1 Friday, 2 January – Friday, 13 March Saturday, 14 March – Sunday, 22 March
Term 2 Monday, 23 March – Friday, 29 May Saturday, 30 May – Sunday, 28 June
Semester 2
Term 3 Monday, 29 June – Friday, 4 September Saturday, 5 September – Sunday, 13 September
Term 4 Monday, 14 September – Friday, 20 November Saturday, 21 November – Thursday, 31 December
[edit] Junior colleges
Semester Term Term Holiday after term
Year 1
Semester 1 Term 1 Friday, 2 January – Friday, 13 March Saturday, 14 March – Sunday, 22 March
Term 2 Monday, 23 March – Friday, 29 May Saturday, 30 May – Sunday, 28 June
Semester 2 Term 3 Monday, 29 June – Friday, 4 September Saturday, 5 September – Sunday, 13 September
Term 4 Monday, 14 September – Friday, 27 November Saturday, 28 November 2009 – Sunday, 10 January 2010
Year 2
Semester 1 Term 1 Monday, 12 January – Friday, 13 March Saturday, 14 March – Sunday, 22 March
Term 2 Monday, 23 March – Friday, 29 May Saturday, 30 May – Sunday, 28 June
Semester 2 Term 3 Monday, 29 June – Friday, 4 September Saturday, 5 September – Sunday, 13 September
Term 4 Monday, 14 September – Friday, 4 December Saturday, 5 December – Thursday, 31 December
[edit] Millennia Institute
Semester Term Term Holiday after term
Year 1
Semester 1 Term 1 Friday, 2 February – Friday, 13 March Saturday, 14 March – Sunday, 22 March
Term 2 Monday, 23 March – Friday, 29 May Saturday, 30 May – Sunday, 28 June
Semester 2 Term 3 Monday, 29 June – Friday, 4 September Saturday, 5 September – Sunday, 13 September
Term 4 Monday, 14 September – Friday, 27 November Saturday, 28 November 2009 – Sunday, 10 January 2010
Year 2
Semester 1 Term 1 Monday, 12 January – Friday, 13 March Saturday, 14 March – Sunday, 22 March
Term 2 Monday, 23 March – Friday, 29 May Saturday, 30 May – Sunday, 28 June
Semester 2 Term 3 Monday, 29 June – Friday, 4 September Saturday, 5 September – Sunday, 13 September
Term 4 Monday, 14 September – Friday, 27 November Saturday, 28 November – Sunday, 10 January
Year 3
Semester 1 Term 1 Monday, 12 January – Friday, 13 March Saturday, 14 March – Sunday, 22 March
Term 2 Monday, 23 March – Friday, 29 May Saturday, 30 May – Sunday, 28 June
Semester 2 Term 3 Monday, 29 June – Friday, 4 September Saturday, 5 September – Sunday, 13 September
Term 4 Monday, 14 September – Friday, 27 November Saturday, 28 November – Sunday, 10 January

[edit] Other special days observed

The following special days are observed or celebrated by significant segments of the Singaporean population, but are not public holidays.

Date English name Chinese name Malay name Tamil name Remarks
Full moon day in Thai, 10th month of the Tamil calendar (mid-January – mid-February) Thaipusam 大宝森节 Hari Thaipusam தைப்பூசம் Date varies according to Tamil calendar
14 February Valentine's Day 情人节 Hari Valentine காதலர் தினம் Originally the feast day of St. Valentine, a Roman Catholic saint
15 February Total Defence Day 全民防卫日 Hari Total Defence முழுமைத் தற்காப்பு தினம் 15 February 1942 was the date of the surrender of Singapore by the British to the Japanese and the start of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore.
8 March International Women's Day 国际妇女节 Hari Wanita Antarabangsa அனைத்துலக பெண்கள் தினம்
Sunday after first Paschal Full Moon on or after vernal equinox (22 March – 25 April) Easter 复活节 Hari Easter (Paskah) ஈஸ்டர் Date varies according to a lunisolar calendar
1 April April Fool's Day 愚人节 Hari April Fool முட்டால்கள் தினம்
5th Solar Term (early April) Qingming Festival 清明节 Perayaan Qingming / Cheng Beng அனைத்துலக Date varies according to lunar calendar
2nd Sunday of May Mother's Day 母亲节 Hari Ibu அன்னையர் தினம் Date varies
18 May International Museum Day 国际博物馆日 Hari Muzium Antarabangsa அனைத்துலக அருங்காட்சி தினம்
5th day of 5th lunar month Dragon Boat Festival 端午节 Pesta Kapal Naga fill in Date varies according to lunar calendar
3rd Sunday of June Father's Day 父亲节 Hari Bapa தந்தையர் தினம் Date varies
15th day of 7th lunar month Hungry Ghost Festival 中元节 Hari Festival Hantu fill in Date varies according to lunar calendar
1 July Singapore Armed Forces Day 新加坡武装部队日 Hari Angkatan Tentera Singapura fill in
21 July Racial Harmony Day 种族和谐日 Hari Keharmonian Kaum இன நல்லிணக்க நாள் The first incident of the 1964 race riots in Singapore took place on 21 July 1964.
15th day of 8th lunar month Mid-Autumn Festival / Moon Cake Festival 中秋节 Pesta Kuih Bulan / Pesta Tanglung திந்கள் விழா Date varies according to lunar calendar

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Holidays Act (Cap. 126, 1999 Rev. Ed.), s. 4(1).
  2. ^ Employment Act (Cap. 91, 2009 Rev. Ed.).
  3. ^ a b c Jeanette Wang (26 October 2009), "Public holidays: How S'pore compares", The Straits Times: B19 .
  4. ^ Holidays Act, s. 4(2).
  5. ^ Holidays Act, ss. 5(1) and (2).
  6. ^ Holidays Act, s. 6.
  7. ^ Holidays Act, s. 7.
  8. ^ Deepavali to fall on October 17 this year, Channel NewsAsia, 10 February 2009, http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/408037/1/.html 
  9. ^ School terms and holidays for 2009, Ministry of Education, 2008, http://www.moe.gov.sg/schools/terms-and-holidays/2009/, retrieved 29 October 2009 .

[edit] External links


Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Singapore"
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