The only difficulty is aligning family time with school holidays and public holidays. Yet, if you play your cards now. 2024 can still be packed with wonderful family experiences in Singapore! Because let’s face it, kids grow up way too fast and you’ll never get the time back this year offered to visit your child. based on that here the details of important dates for school holidays, public holiday and long weekends Singapore 2024. We hope that makes it easier for you as well to plan your year ahead with family!
School Holidays in 2024
School schedule in Singapore is mapped into 4 terms typically. At the end of each term, there is a break for how long; and at the end of the academic year, we have longest break: Holidays observed by Ontarians during 2024:
- Term 1 Break: 9 March to 17 March
- This one-week break is perfect for a short family getaway. Consider exploring nearby destinations like Malaysia or Indonesia, which offer a variety of family-friendly resorts and activities. Closer to home, you can also participate in activities like visiting the Science Centre or going on a nature trail at MacRitchie Reservoir.
- This one-week break is perfect for a short family getaway. Consider exploring nearby destinations like Malaysia or Indonesia, which offer a variety of family-friendly resorts and activities. Closer to home, you can also participate in activities like visiting the Science Centre or going on a nature trail at MacRitchie Reservoir.
- Term 2 Break: 25 May to 23 June
- The mid-year break, which is a month long, is ideal for a more extended vacation. This is also the best time to visit family overseas, take a country-hopping trip, or explore local activities such as enrichment camps or cultural experiences. You can mix and match overseas trips with local explorations to keep the children engaged and learning throughout the holidays.
- The mid-year break, which is a month long, is ideal for a more extended vacation. This is also the best time to visit family overseas, take a country-hopping trip, or explore local activities such as enrichment camps or cultural experiences. You can mix and match overseas trips with local explorations to keep the children engaged and learning throughout the holidays.
- Term 3 Break: 31 August to 8 September
- Another one-week break that falls right after the mid-year exams. A staycation in one of Singapore’s many luxury hotels or a quick trip to nearby islands can be a refreshing break for both parents and kids. The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, or Jurong Bird Park offer fun and educational experiences for the whole family.
- Another one-week break that falls right after the mid-year exams. A staycation in one of Singapore’s many luxury hotels or a quick trip to nearby islands can be a refreshing break for both parents and kids. The Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, or Jurong Bird Park offer fun and educational experiences for the whole family.
- Year-End Break: 16 November to 31 December
- This is the longest break in the school calendar, so you know it is the perfect time for a grand family vacation. Whether you prefer to experience winter wonderlands abroad or soak in the festive season spirit here in Singapore, this is the period for quality family bonding. Events like Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay or the Marina Bay Countdown can add to the cheer.
- This is the longest break in the school calendar, so you know it is the perfect time for a grand family vacation. Whether you prefer to experience winter wonderlands abroad or soak in the festive season spirit here in Singapore, this is the period for quality family bonding. Events like Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay or the Marina Bay Countdown can add to the cheer.
Apart from these major holidays, there are some holidays exclusively for certain groups, such as the Chinese New Year break, which is usually extended for schools so that these families can take some time to celebrate this major festival. Schools also extend further breaks related to important exams, which also offer opportunities for short trips or family activities.
Public Holidays in 2024
Public holidays will mirror the rich cultural tapestry of Singapore through an intense variety of religious and cultural events. Here is the list of public holidays for 2024:
New Year’s Day: 1 January (Monday)
Chinese New Year: 10-11 February (Saturday and Sunday, Monday substituted)
Good Friday: 29 March (Friday)
Hari Raya Puasa: 10 April (Wednesday)
Labour Day: 1 May (Wednesday)
Vesak Day: 22 May (Wednesday)
Hari Raya Haji: 17 June (Monday)
National Day: 9 August (Friday)
Deepavali: 31 October (Thursday)
Christmas Day: 25 December (Wednesday)
These public holidays, therefore, offer great opportunities for short breaks and family activities. Now, let us see how one could make most of these holidays.
Long Weekends in 2024
The best way to maximize family time is when planning around long weekends. Here are some of the long weekends of 2024 and how you could spend them:
- New Year’s Day (1 January, Monday)
- Start the year with a mini-vacation. Try to visit some place nearby or have a staycation to chill from the hectic schedule of the holidays. The beginning of the year could be filled with activities such as Sentosa Island visits and relaxing cruises.
- Start the year with a mini-vacation. Try to visit some place nearby or have a staycation to chill from the hectic schedule of the holidays. The beginning of the year could be filled with activities such as Sentosa Island visits and relaxing cruises.
- Chinese New Year (10-12 February, Saturday to Monday)
- This is a long weekend to be spent on family reunions and traditional celebrations. You could spend time in festive activities like visiting relatives, reunion dinners, and watching lion dances. You can use this opportunity to teach children Chinese culture and customs.
- This is a long weekend to be spent on family reunions and traditional celebrations. You could spend time in festive activities like visiting relatives, reunion dinners, and watching lion dances. You can use this opportunity to teach children Chinese culture and customs.
- Good Friday (29 March, Friday)
- A perfect three-day weekend for a quick, short trip – visit a nearby beach resort or go for a cultural trip across borders to a neighboring country. Alternatively, locally, one can visit the religious sites, attend church services, or go for a family picnic at East Coast Park.
- A perfect three-day weekend for a quick, short trip – visit a nearby beach resort or go for a cultural trip across borders to a neighboring country. Alternatively, locally, one can visit the religious sites, attend church services, or go for a family picnic at East Coast Park.
- Hari Raya Haji (17 June, Monday)
- Spend this Islamic festival with family and friends. This is also an excellent time to participate in local community activities and to offer services to any charitable organization as the festival symbolizes the spirit of giving. Attending cultural exhibitions or open houses where the significance of Hari Raya Haji can be learnt will be an excellent idea.
- Spend this Islamic festival with family and friends. This is also an excellent time to participate in local community activities and to offer services to any charitable organization as the festival symbolizes the spirit of giving. Attending cultural exhibitions or open houses where the significance of Hari Raya Haji can be learnt will be an excellent idea.
- National Day (9 August, Friday)
- Celebrate Singapore’s independence in a long weekend of national pride. Watch the National Day Parade, watch the fireworks, and participate in events from the community. Plan a family get-together to watch the parade and share stories of Singapore’s history and successes.
- Celebrate Singapore’s independence in a long weekend of national pride. Watch the National Day Parade, watch the fireworks, and participate in events from the community. Plan a family get-together to watch the parade and share stories of Singapore’s history and successes.
- Christmas Day (25 December, Wednesday)
- While this doesn’t make a long weekend, you could plan your leaves around it to make an extended break. Enjoy the festive decorations spread out around the city, participate in holiday events, and share good quality time with family. Visiting Christmas markets, attending church services, and decorating your house can be some activities that can be made memorable.
- While this doesn’t make a long weekend, you could plan your leaves around it to make an extended break. Enjoy the festive decorations spread out around the city, participate in holiday events, and share good quality time with family. Visiting Christmas markets, attending church services, and decorating your house can be some activities that can be made memorable.
Planning Tips for Families
To make the most of these holidays and long weekends, here are some tips for families:
1. Plan Ahead
- Book your holidays and mini-breaks in advance to steer clear of last-minute confusion and to get the best deals possible. Advance planning will help in having enough time to prepare yourself and therefore you can spend your holidays without any hiccups.
2. Engage in Local Activities
- Singapore has numerous activities to do with the family, and you should take advantage of them. Some of the places to visit include the Singapore Zoo, Universal Studios, Gardens by the Bay, and Sentosa Island. All these usually have special programs and discounts during school holidays and public holidays.
3. Explore Nearby Destinations
- Singapore is well connected, so most places in the region, like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, are no more than an hour away by plane and offer extensive family-friendly destinations. Think weekend getaways to Bintan, Bali, or Phuket, with lots of activities for all ages.
4. Cultural Celebrations
- Join in the many cultural festivals that are happening all over the year. It would be a great learning experience for children and even a lovely way to expose the family to the rich cultural tapestry of Singapore. So many festivals are celebrated in Singapore: Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali, and Christmas.
5. Balance Rest and Activity
- Your holiday plans will have enough rest and activity to put everybody in the family back in shape. This also helps avoid burnout. Schedule relaxation time with activities that are calm and restful, such as reading, watching films, or hanging out together in quiet time.
6. Staycation Options
- If you can’t really get abroad, opt for a staycation. Singapore has many hotels and resorts that will give you a change of scenery, all without the frustration of long travel times. Enjoy the facilities, make use of the local dining scene, and get around different parts of the city.
7. Utilize School Programs
- Most schools and community centers offer holiday programs and camps that will keep children involved and learning even during school breaks. Many of these activities focus on different skills—be it sports, arts, or sciences—blending fun and education.
8. Create a Family Calendar
- Use a family calendar to keep track of holidays, long weekends, and planned activities. It aids in keeping all in tune with schedules and makes everyone aware of the plans. It enables better management of work and school commitments during holidays.
Conclusion
A well-planned year for families in Singapore, full of travel, relaxation, and quality time spent together, is in store for 2024. Whether you are exploring new destinations or experiencing the rich tapestry of cultural events at home, a lot is in store in the forthcoming year. With proper planning and a little bit of creativity, each break can be turned into an opportunity for family bonding and memorable experiences.
