2024 Singapore Public Holidays (Singapore Statutory Holidays)
In 2024, Singapore will celebrate a series of important public holidays. These holidays reflect Singapore's characteristics as a multicultural society, encompassing different religions and traditional festivals. Here is the complete list of Singapore's public holidays for 2024:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Monday | New Year's Day |
| February 10 | Saturday | Chinese New Year |
| February 11 | Sunday | Chinese New Year Day 2 |
| February 12 | Monday | Chinese New Year (Holiday in lieu) |
| March 29 | Friday | Good Friday |
| April 10 | Wednesday | Hari Raya Puasa |
| May 1 | Wednesday | Labour Day |
| May 22 | Wednesday | Vesak Day |
| June 17 | Monday | Hari Raya Haji |
| August 9 | Friday | National Day |
| October 31 | Thursday | Deepavali |
| December 25 | Wednesday | Christmas Day |
Overview of Singapore's Public Holidays
Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore is one of the few city-states in the world. As a multicultural and multi-faith society, Singapore celebrates 11 statutory public holidays each year. These holidays are not only moments for residents to rest but also important occasions to celebrate national, religious, and cultural traditions.
Singapore's public holidays are governed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) under the Employment Act. Employers must provide employees with paid holidays on public holidays. If employees need to work on public holidays due to job requirements, the law stipulates that they will receive double pay or be compensated with a day off in lieu. This arrangement ensures that employees who work during holidays receive fair compensation.
Diversity of Religious Holidays
Singapore celebrates a wide variety of festivals covering different religions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and others. Most of these religious holidays are determined according to different calendars, so the dates vary from year to year. For example:
- Chinese New Year is celebrated according to the Chinese lunar calendar, usually in January or February.
- Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji are Islamic holidays with dates determined by the Islamic calendar and lunar visibility standards.
- Vesak Day is an important Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of Buddha, determined by the Buddhist calendar.
- Deepavali is a Hindu festival, usually celebrated in October or November of the Hindu calendar.
Holiday-in-lieu Mechanism
In certain special circumstances, when multiple public holidays overlap or when a public holiday coincides with a weekend, the Singapore government implements a holiday-in-lieu policy to ensure residents enjoy the appropriate rest time. For example, in 2024, the second day of Chinese New Year (February 11) falls on a Sunday, so February 12 (Monday) will be a holiday in lieu.
Summary
Singapore's public holidays are not only rich and diverse but also reflect the nation's spirit of respect and inclusivity for different cultures and religions. Through carefully crafted laws and policies, it ensures that everyone can enjoy fair holiday rights and employment protection. If you want to learn more about Singapore's public holidays for 2024, you can visit the official website of the Ministry of Manpower.
