Singapore Public Holidays 2016 Calendar, 7 Long Weekends!

You’ve gotta make the most of the long weekends on the horizon thanks to the 2016 public holidays and travel as much as you can. Officially, there are six long weekends in Singapore thanks to the public holidays this year, but why not turn it into seven long weekends of travelling? Here’s the lowdown folks – take 8 August off and enjoy a 4-day long weekend (6-9 August, Saturday to Tuesday). In fact, this is the only day you have to take annual leave for to enjoy a total of 23 days of vacation time this year! Check out our 2016 calendars below in 2 different views, and see when to take leave strategically for even longer weekend getaways in 2016. Be kiasu and plan early early!

Download Singapore Public Holidays 2016 Calendar

Use the links below to download the print-friendly Singapore 2016 Public Holidays Calendars in full resolution and make full use of those long weekends!

Click to Download Singapore Public Holidays 2016 Calendar – Weekend View

(Thank you to our reader Corrine for spotting an error and letting us know – all fixed!)

Click to Download Singapore Public Holidays 2016 Calendar – Whole Year View

2016 Public Holidays + Trip Ideas for the Long Weekends

So there are loads of opportunities to escape the daily grind (without using too much of your previous leave allowance), but with so much time on your hands, where exactly should you go? Expedia has done all the work for you! Have a look at our list of destinations that are perfect for the quick getaway over the upcoming public holidays long weekends in 2016.

JANUARY – NEW YEAR Long Weekend

When: Friday, 1 January – Sunday, 3 January

Go to: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thailand’s biggest city in the north is decked in dazzling festive cheer during the New Year period. Follow the city’s tradition of ushering in the New Year by releasing floating paper lanterns into the night sky and going for celebratory drinks in its backstreets afterwards.

This charming town of golden-spired Buddhist temples, ancient monasteries and peaceful streets, nestled among forested foothills, radiates a relaxed vibe. However, don’t let its laid-back appearance fool you. There are loads of things to do.

Virgin rainforest reserves, swirling waterfalls, bubbling hot springs and tranquil villages can be found outside the city’s boundaries – as well as numerous elephant sanctuaries, adventure camps and markets.

[tabs]

[tab title=”Getting There” icon=”entypo-address”]How to Get There: Singapore Airlines and Bangkok Airways offer direct flights from Singapore to Chiang Mai.[/tab]
[tab title=”Where to Stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]Where to Stay: For a luxurious treat, head up the mountains to stay at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, a plush villa-only sanctuary enclosed by sprawling, lush green grounds.[/tab]

[/tabs]

FEBRUARY – CHINESE NEW YEAR Long Weekend

When: Saturday, 6 February – Tuesday, 9 February

Go to: Koh Rong, Cambodia

If you prefer total isolation, tranquilly awaits at Koh Rong, a dreamy isle 25 kilometres from the coast of Sihanoukville.

February is a good time to visit this tropical paradise – a combination of cooler temperatures and little rain makes for the perfect climate for a well-deserved break. It is still relatively unspoilt, and water activities like kayaking and snorkelling are available for a fraction of the price offered in other popular beach destinations.

If you would like something a little more adventurous, try the 30 kilometres of undulating cycling trails which pass empty beaches and fishing hamlets.

[tabs]

[tab title=”Getting There” icon=”entypo-address”]How to Get There: Thai Airways and Bangkok Airways offer the most frequent direct flights to Sihanoukville.

[/tab]

[tab title=”Where to Stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]Where to Stay: Don’t expect to find sprawling five-star resorts on Koh Rang. The choices are quite basic and rustic. However, if backpacker-style accommodation is not your scene, book a room at the comfortable Sok San Beach Resort.

[/tab][/tabs]

MARCH – GOOD FRIDAY Long Weekend

When: Friday, 25 March – Sunday, 27 March

Go to: Da Nang, Vietnam

Don’t you just love when public holidays fall on a Friday? In 2016, it’s Good Friday alright!

Laze on the beach, dive into watersport activities, explore the battle-weary countryside or discover epicurean and cultural gems in the picturesque ancient town of Hoi An. This is a great all-in-one destination for the family.

The coastal city of Da Nang serves as the base for visiting the Bà Nà hills. Here, the Hải Vân Pass offers breathtaking vistas of Da Nang Bay and the Marble Mountains, five limestone outcrops lined with pagodas and caves housing Buddhist shrines.

[tabs]

[tab title=”Getting There” icon=”entypo-address”]How to Get There: Vietnam Airlines offer flights to Da Nang with a stop at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.

[/tab]

[tab title=”Where to Stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]Where to Stay: Da Nang is home to a clutch of international luxury resorts including the Hyatt Regency, InterContinental and Grand Mercure.

[/tab][/tabs]

APRIL/MAY – LABOUR DAY Long Weekend

When: Saturday, 30 April – Monday, 2 May

Go to: Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Bored with beach holidays? Delve into a little culture and spirituality by visiting the majestic temple complexes of Borobudur and Prambanan lying outside the frenetic Indonesian city of Yogyakarta.

If you have a little time to spare, head out to explore the countryside beyond Borobudur with its green rice fields overlooked by sombre volcanic peaks. The area is an important site for Buddhists and there are three monasteries, where visitors can take part in meditative chanting.

[tabs]

[tab title=”Getting There” icon=”entypo-address”]How to Get There: Garuda Indonesia offers frequent flights to Yogyakarta with a stop at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport.

[/tab]

[tab title=”Where to Stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]Where to Stay: If convenience is your priority, stay at the Royal Ambarrukmo, which is right in the centre of town, next to one of Yogyakarta’s biggest malls, Ambarrukmo Plaza.

[/tab]

[/tabs]

JULY – HARI RAYA PUASA Long Weekend

When: Wednesday, 6 July 

Go to: Kuching, Malaysia or Bali, Indonesia

The Hari Raya Puasa public holiday falls on Wednesday. With 2 days of leave, you can stretch out your holiday from Wednesday to Sunday. Long enough for a proper holiday!

It’s past mid-year now and the stresses of the year start to weigh down. Escape to nature for a recharge of the human senses. Explore the tropical rainforests of Borneo in Kuching, where you can learn about their tribal culture and see protected wildlife species. Visit the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre to see orangutans in an open habitat. Buy some lovely hand-crafted souvenirs made by the local tribes who are experts in making woven baskets and beadwork.

In Ubud, Bali you can alternate between laying around doing nothing by the pool/sea, and attending cultural shows to witness the lively practices of the Balinese culture. Watch a kecak dance at a temple, rent a villa with a private pool, get a spa massage surrounded by the sounds of nature, and eat lots of delicious food.

[tabs]

[tab title=”Getting There” icon=”entypo-address”]How to Get There: Flights to Kuching take about 1.5 hours direct or 4hours with a stop in KL. Flights to Bali take under 4 hours.  

[/tab]

[tab title=”Where to Stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]Where to Stay: Go rustic to really return to nature far from Singapore city life. Or treat yourself to all the luxuries after a brave day of exploring jungles and unfiltered heat. See the top 10 most popular hotels in Ubud and Kuching on Expedia.com.sg.

[/tab][/tabs]

AUGUST – NATIONAL DAY Long Weekend

When: Saturday, 6 August – Tuesday, 9 August

Go to: Darwin, Australia

The National Day Public Holiday 2016 falls on Tuesday. Take Monday off and you have another super long weekend! There’s time to go further so why not head down under to Australia’s only tropical capital, Darwin? As it is closer to Bali than Bondi Beach, this compact Aussie city is an easy 5 hour direct flight from Singapore.

Museums tell of the city’s diverse heritage, while galleries showcase the Northern Territory’s Aboriginal art. Don’t forget its absolutely interesting (at times scary) crocodile farms.

The famous Kakadu National Park is a only few hours’ drive away and is best explored in  a 4WD. Kakadu is a treasure trove of exotic wildlife and birds as well as indigenous art set in magnificent desert red-earth landscapes.

[tabs]

[tab title=”Getting There” icon=”entypo-address”]How to Get There: Qantas Airways offers flights to Darwin with a stop in Perth.

[/tab]

[tab title=”Where to Stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]Where to Stay: After all that hiking, why not soothe those tired muscles by checking into a resort? Take a cool plunge in the pool at Rydges Darwin Airport before catching your flight home.

[/tab][/tabs]

SEPTEMBER – HARI RAYA HAJI Long Weekend

When: Saturday, 10 September – Monday, 12 September

Go to: Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Wake up, September has come! On the Hari Raya Haji public holiday, beat the heat and breathe in the fresh fragrant highland air of Cameron Highlands. This spot was once the favourite retreat for sun-stroked British colonials. Tea and strawberry plantations pepper Malaysia’s largest hill station, where temperatures rarely top 30°C.

Hotels offer dignified afternoon high teas while brimming with gentle activity outside, with tourists walking on meandering hiking trails, visiting tea plantations or picking juicy strawberries.

[tabs]

[tab title=”Getting There” icon=”entypo-address”]How to Get There: The Cameron Highlands are about 200 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur. If you don’t feel comfortable driving along the winding mountain roads, you can take a bus from Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines, SilkAir and Singapore Airlines offer direct flights to Kuala Lumpur.

[/tab]

[tab title=”Where to Stay” icon=”entypo-suitcase”]Where to Stay: Set amid fruit fields, Cameron Highlands Resort is undoubtedly one of the best accommodation picks for the region, boasting elegant colonial interiors and a sumptuous spa.

[/tab]

[/tabs]

DECEMBER – CHRISTMAS Long Weekend

When: Saturday, 24 December – Monday, 26 December

Go to: Shangri-la’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, Singapore

Going abroad over Christmas is an expensive undertaking, especially to the region’s renowned resorts. And it’s nice to stay close to home so you can still collect gifts ;p

Take a staycation in family-friendly Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort instead. Its Christmas buffets are monstrous culinary affairs and feature dedicated children’s corners, as well as activities such as balloon twisting and entertaining magic shows.

Spend your day lounging by the pool or on the white sandy beach, or enjoy a massage at exclusive Chi spa. Take it easy as the year comes to another close, while staff take care of your little ones at the in-house kids’ club.

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT 2016 PUBLIC HOLIDAY CALENDARS

[button style=’blue’ fullwidth=’true’ url=’https://travelblog.expedia.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/sg-2016-publicholidays-expedia-2.png’]  Expedia Holiday Planner: 2016 Singapore Public Holiday Calendar – Weekend View[/button]

[button style=’blue’ fullwidth=’true’ url=’https://travelblog.expedia.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/singapore-2016-publicholidays-expedia-1.png’] Expedia Holiday Planner: 2016 Singapore Public Holiday Calendar – Whole Year View [/button]