lastUpdated: 2026-06-22
Singapore Public Holidays in 2021: The Complete Guide
Singapore's public holiday calendar is unlike that of almost any other country. With eleven statutory public holidays spanning Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Western traditions, the calendar is a direct reflection of Singapore's multicultural identity — and navigating it effectively requires understanding not just the dates, but the communities and traditions behind them.
Understanding Singapore's Multicultural Public Holidays
Singapore's public holidays are formally distributed across four major communities: the Chinese community observes Chinese New Year (two days); the Malay-Muslim community observes Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji; the Indian community observes Deepavali; and the Christian community observes Good Friday and Christmas Day. Labour Day, National Day, and New Year's Day are civic holidays observed by all. Vesak Day bridges the Buddhist community, which cuts across ethnic lines.
Two of Singapore's public holidays — Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji — are tentative until officially confirmed by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), as their dates are determined by lunar moon sighting rather than a fixed Gregorian date. Employers, HR teams, and anyone scheduling events around these dates in 2021 should verify the confirmed dates with MUIS once announced, as they can shift by a day or two from provisional estimates.
Long Weekends and Public Holiday Operations in 2021
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday in Singapore, the following Monday is given as a substitute public holiday — ensuring workers always receive their full entitlement. This makes it especially worthwhile to check whether any 2021 holidays fall on weekends, as long weekends can vary significantly in structure from year to year. Chinese New Year, which spans two consecutive public holidays, almost always creates a substantial multi-day break when combined with the adjacent weekend.
Businesses operating on public holidays in Singapore must comply with the Employment Act, which specifies that employees working on statutory holidays are entitled to an extra day's pay or a day off in lieu. Retail, hospitality, transport, and essential services typically remain operational on most public holidays, while government offices and many businesses close fully on National Day, Chinese New Year, and the two Hari Raya holidays.
Plan Ahead with the Printable PDF Calendar
The most reliable way to keep track of Singapore's full holiday schedule in 2021 — including both the statutory public holidays and important cultural observances — is with a dedicated printable PDF calendar. A well-designed Singapore holiday calendar for 2021 should include confirmed MUIS dates for Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji once released, the lunar calendar dates for Vesak Day and Chinese New Year, and key observances like Deepavali's Little India light-up period.
Our downloadable 2021 Singapore holiday calendar is formatted for A4 printing and includes all public holidays, tentative Islamic holiday dates with update notes, and key cultural observances. Pin it in your office, share it with your team, or use it for personal planning — and go into 2021 with every significant date already mapped and ready.