S’pore to have 6 public holiday long weekends in 2026 (UAT 1)

Singaporeans will be able to enjoy six long weekends in 2026, according to a list of gazetted public holidays released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on June 16.

There are 11 public holidays in 2026, starting with New Year’s Day, which falls on a Thursday.

Good Friday on April 3 will mark the first public holiday long weekend of the year. Labour Day (May 1) and Christmas Day (Dec 25) will also fall on a Friday.

As Vesak Day (May 31), National Day (Aug 9) and Deepavali (Nov 8) will fall on Sundays, the following Mondays will be designated public holidays.

The other public holidays are Chinese New Year on Feb 17 and 18 (Tuesday and Wednesday), Hari Raya Puasa on March 21 (Saturday), and Hari Raya Haji on May 27 (Wednesday).

The six long weekends in 2026 will be an increase compared with previous years – four in 2025 and five in 2024.

MOM said that under the Employment Act, employees are entitled to pay during the 11 public holidays.

However, employers and employees may mutually agree to substitute a public holiday for another working day.

Employees who are required to work on a public holiday are entitled to an extra day’s salary at the basic rate of pay, in addition to their gross rate of pay for that day.

Employers also have the option of granting time off in lieu, based on an agreed number of hours for working on a public holiday.

This applies to workmen earning more than $4,500 a month, non-workmen earning more than $2,600 a month, as well as managers and executives.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

ADV: This is a test UAT sponsored link 1 Nintendo Switch 2 set for June 26 S’pore release; special experience event from June 20 to July 24 (UAT 2)