Public holidays in Singapore we wish we had

Did you know that we used to have 16 public holidays in Singapore back in the day – including Prophet Muhammad’s birthday? That all changed in 1968 when Parliament passed the Holidays (Amendment) Bill, which reduced our total number of public holidays to 11 to improve national productivity. Fast forward to today, our Lion City has remained one of the world’s most prosperous nations, consistently ranking high in the global economic indices.

Given how far we’ve come, maybe it’s time to reward ourselves by bringing back some of these OG public holidays – or even introducing some newer ones that better reflect modern Singapore.

Current public holidays in Singapore:

Public holidays wishlist

1. Lee Kuan Yew Day

Image credit: National Archives of Singapore

Lee Kuan Yew Day needs no explanation. Simultaneously controversial and revered, Singapore’s founding father was many things: pioneering prime minister, political icon, and historical leader. Regardless of your personal opinion, his legacy in the development of Singapore is undeniable and worthy of commemoration.

That said, there’s some irony in this. The man himself once warned, “What I fear is complacency. When things always become better, people tend to want more for less work.” But 1 extra public holiday wouldn’t hurt… right?

2. World Mental Health Day

Image credit: Marina Bay Sands via Facebook

World Mental Health Day is all about raising awareness, educating the public, and reducing social stigma associated with mental health issues. The movement has been gaining traction locally; in 2021, iconic landmarks even lit up in blue to show support and solidarity.

Enjoying the ambient lighting is nice and all, but let’s take it a step further and turn it into a public holiday. After all, there’s no better way to prioritise your mental health than to take a break from the daily bustle and stress of work and school.

3. National Dishes Day

Image adapted from: Eatbook

If there’s 1 thing that unites all Singaporeans, it’s our love for food. Given how big a part food plays in our culture, it’s only right that our local dishes get the recognition they deserve, with a National Dishes Day.

Between Hainanese chicken rice, nasi lemak, and roti prata, each dish is a delicious nod to the cultures that make up Singapore’s melting pot. Even dishes like chilli crab and fish head curry are a testament to the diverse blend of cultural exchange.

4. National Service Day

Image credit: @ourtampineshub via Instagram

National Service Day definitely deserves a spot on this list, given that conscription is a huge part of our national identity. In addition to symbolising the protection of Singapore’s sovereignty, national service is a rite of passage for young Singaporean men.

While Total Defence Day remembers Singapore’s fall to the Japanese in WWII, it’s not exactly the most celebratory occasion. Instead, National Service Day could commemorate a moment of honouring national security and our continued safety that we sometimes take for granted. Plus, an extra day off would be the perfect way to say “thank you for your service.”

5. National Heroes Day

Image adapted from: Olympics, @dickleeparadise via Instagram

National Heroes Day should be a day to celebrate the iconic Singaporeans who’ve made their mark in history. Everyone remembers Joseph Schooling’s historic Olympic gold medal win, but we don’t talk about Singaporean athletic and artistic achievements enough. After all, Singapore is home to plenty of artists and historical figures that deserve to be celebrated too.

Take Dick Lee, who has composed many of our NDP song staples, or wartime hero Lim Bo Seng for example – these are just some of the Singaporean heroes deserving of recognition as well.

6. MRT Station Opening Day

Image credit: Land Transport Authority

We could also have impromptu MRT Station Opening Days. If the crowds at Hume MRT along the new DTL extension were anything to go by, it’s clear that Singaporeans love supporting new developments in our national infrastructure.

There is a sense of shared camaraderie as everyone gathers to see these moments of progress across our little island. MRT station launches might not be for everybody, but everyone understands the joy of a public holiday, especially one that strengthens national solidarity.

7. JB Cultural Exchange Day

In the spirit of things Singaporeans truly love, we should also have a JB Cultural Exchange Day. Our collective obsession with JB should be celebrated (and studied). Let’s dedicate a whole day to honouring our special relationship with our Malaysian neighbours – by doing what we do best in JB: makan, massage, and massive shopping sprees.

Better yet, we should just make all the buses to JB and trains free for the day too.

8. Valentine’s Day

Since we’re on the topic of national interests, we would love it if Valentine’s Day were a public holiday. After all, if love makes the world go round, let’s give it a full day of proper celebration it deserves.

With Singapore’s birthrates on the decline, you could even argue it’s patriotic to give people the day off. It might sound ridiculous, but we’re just looking out for the future here.

9. Bodhi Day

Image credit: National Today

Currently, Christians and Muslims get 2 public holidays each, while Hindus and Buddhists only get 1. It’s time to equalise the distribution and introduce more significant religious public holidays for Hindus and Buddhists.

Bodhi Day is notable as it marks the day Buddha attained enlightenment. The extra day off would mean time for us to meditate or simply revitalise. Now, that would be an enlightened and restful reflection of the holiday.

10. Thaipusam Day

Image credit: @edwintong via Instagram

Since Singapore used to recognise Thaipusam Day as a public holiday, it makes sense to bring it back. A slightly controversial holiday, there were originally arguments that Thaipusam was too specific to a particular group within the Hindu community. There were even recent discussions to reinstate the holiday, but whether that move would be a straightforward one or open a can of worms is still up in the air.

In that case, instead of Thaipusam, Holi or Pongal could fill the gap. Holi is the major festival of colour, spring, love, and equality, and has wide appeal across various Hindu traditions. On the other hand, Pongal is a harvest festival that holds significance for Tamil Hindus – particularly relevant to Singapore’s diverse population.

11. International Pride LGBTQ+ Day

Image credit: Pink Dot SG

Love is for everyone, and International LGBTQ+ Pride Day is a perfect occasion to celebrate that. Pride Day is all about openness – learning more about those around you and how we can create a more accepting Singapore for all.

No matter your preferences and orientation, let’s embrace inclusivity, building towards a kinder Singapore. Everyone deserves the freedom to love.

Public holidays we wish existed in Singapore

We all love a good day off, and these are just some of the Singaporean public holidays we want to celebrate. If you think about it, the monarch’s official birthday is celebrated as a national holiday in Commonwealth countries. Since Singapore is part of this group, perhaps that’s another reason for a public holiday. Now, let’s get to manifesting.

For more reads about holidays in and out of Singapore:

• Singapore public holidays 2025 guide
• Best money changers in Singapore
• Solo travel holidays near Singapore

Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local