New Year’s Day Singapore

• 2027 date: Friday, 1 January 2027
• 2028 date: Saturday, 1 January 2028
• Holiday status: Gazetted public holiday
• 2027 long weekend: Friday, 1 January to Sunday, 3 January
• New Year’s Eve: Not a public holiday or statutory half-day
• Monday, 3 January 2028: Not automatically a nationwide public holiday

New Year’s Day dates for 2027 and 2028

The 2027 date was confirmed in the official announcement from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. You can find it alongside the other dates in our Singapore public holidays 2027 calendar.

The date of New Year’s Day itself does not change, but MOM has not yet released its complete annual calendar for 2028. Other dates in our Singapore public holidays 2028 calendar should therefore be treated as provisional until the government publishes the final schedule.

Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in Singapore?

Yes. New Year’s Day is a gazetted public holiday in Singapore and is observed on 1 January every year.

Employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to 11 paid public holidays annually. The official MOM public-holiday announcement for 2027 confirms that New Year’s Day falls on Friday, 1 January 2027.

Employers and employees may mutually agree to substitute a public holiday for another working day. Employees who are not covered by the Employment Act should check the public-holiday terms in their employment contract.

Working on New Year’s Day: pay and time off

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

Depending on the employee’s role and Employment Act coverage, the employer and employee may agree on a substitute public holiday or time off in lieu. Overtime, rest-day and non-working-day calculations can be different, so MOM’s official guidance should be used for individual cases.

This information is a general explanation and should not replace advice about a specific employment contract or pay dispute.

Is New Year’s Eve a half-day in Singapore?

No. New Year’s Eve on 31 December is not a gazetted public holiday or statutory half-day in Singapore.

Some employers may allow staff to leave early, work flexible hours or take annual leave. However, this is a company policy rather than a legal public-holiday entitlement.

New Year’s Eve should not be confused with New Year’s Day. The public holiday begins on 1 January.

How is New Year celebrated in Singapore?

Many people welcome the new year with family dinners, gatherings, countdown events and fireworks on the night of 31 December. Marina Bay is closely associated with the Singapore New Year countdown, while celebrations may also take place at other venues and neighbourhood locations.

The programme changes each year. Concerts, fireworks locations, ticket requirements, road closures and event timings should always be checked against current organiser announcements.

For verified updates, visit the official Visit Singapore Marina Bay Countdown page closer to the event. Details copied from an earlier year may no longer be accurate.

New Year’s Day itself is usually quieter. People may use the public holiday to rest, meet friends, enjoy a meal or return from a short year-end trip.

What is open on New Year’s Day in Singapore?

Government offices and many bank branches are generally closed on New Year’s Day. Individual opening arrangements can still vary.

Shopping centres, supermarkets, restaurants and tourist attractions may remain open, although some operate on reduced public-holiday hours. Anyone planning a visit should check the official website or social-media page of the business first.

Hospitals provide essential services, but individual clinics and non-emergency departments may follow different schedules. Confirm the opening hours before travelling for a non-urgent appointment.

Does public transport operate on New Year’s Day?

Public transport generally operates on New Year’s Day, but trains and buses may follow public-holiday schedules.

Special late-night transport arrangements for the New Year’s Eve countdown are announced separately. Do not assume that the previous year’s last-train timings will apply again. Check the latest notices from SMRT, SBS Transit and the official event organiser before travelling.

Popular countdown areas can become crowded, and temporary road closures may be introduced. Travelling by MRT and allowing additional time can make the journey easier.

New Year’s Day 2027 long-weekend plan

New Year’s Day 2027 falls on Friday. This creates a three-day weekend from Friday, 1 January to Sunday, 3 January 2027 for people who normally work Monday to Friday.

Taking Thursday, 31 December 2026 as annual leave would extend the break to four days. However, New Year’s Eve remains a normal working day unless the employer provides an early finish or another arrangement.

In 2028, New Year’s Day falls on Saturday. Employees should confirm whether they will receive another day off or salary in lieu before booking travel. Families may also compare the dates with the Singapore school holidays calendar.

Is New Year’s Day the same as Chinese New Year?

No. New Year’s Day and Chinese New Year are separate holidays.

New Year’s Day follows the Gregorian calendar and always falls on 1 January. Chinese New Year follows the traditional lunisolar calendar, so its date changes each year. Singapore provides two gazetted public-holiday days for Chinese New Year.

Previous New Year’s Day dates

The 2026 and 2025 dates were gazetted public holidays. You can view New Year’s Day with the other official dates in our Singapore public holidays 2026 calendar.

Frequently asked questions