Many parents quickly realize that taking children out of school during term time becomes much harder as they grow older. As academic demands increase through project work, weighted assessments, spelling tests, and national examinations, family vacations often require far more planning than before. That is why understanding Singapore’s MOE school holidays and international school calendars early can make a significant difference. With proper planning, families can avoid expensive peak travel periods, reduce unnecessary stress, and enjoy smoother vacations together.
After reviewing the latest official Ministry of Education announcements and international school calendars across Singapore, here is a detailed guide to help parents plan family holidays for 2026 and beyond.
Official MOE School Calendar 2026
According to the official Ministry of Education Singapore announcement, the 2026 school year for MOE primary schools, MOE Kindergartens, and secondary schools will begin on Friday, 2 January 2026, and end on Friday, 20 November 2026.
However, schools serving as GCE O-Level written examination venues will end the academic year earlier on Friday, 23 October 2026.
MOE School Terms 2026
Semester 1
Term 1
- Friday, 2 January 2026 – Friday, 13 March 2026
For younger students, starting dates differ slightly:
- Primary 1 and Kindergarten 1 students begin school on 2 January
- Primary 2–6 and Kindergarten 2 students return on 5 January
March School Holidays
- Saturday, 14 March 2026 – Sunday, 22 March 2026
The March holidays are ideal for shorter regional trips before the heavier mid-year travel season begins.
Term 2
- Monday, 23 March 2026 – Friday, 29 May 2026
June School Holidays 2026
- Saturday, 30 May 2026 – Sunday, 28 June 2026
The June holidays mark Singapore’s longest mid-year school break and remain one of the busiest travel periods for families. During this season, flight and hotel prices often rise significantly because of increased global demand. As a result, parents who secure bookings six to nine months earlier often enjoy substantial savings.
Semester 2
Term 3
- Monday, 29 June 2026 – Friday, 4 September 2026
September School Holidays 2026
- Saturday, 5 September 2026 – Sunday, 13 September 2026
This shorter one-week break works especially well for nearby getaways and quick family vacations within Asia.
Term 4
- Monday, 14 September 2026 – Friday, 20 November 2026
November & December School Holidays 2026
Year-End Holidays
- Saturday, 21 November 2026 – Thursday, 31 December 2026
For Junior Colleges and Millennia Institute:
- Year-end holidays begin on 28 November 2026
- JC Year 2 and MI Year 3 students finish after their A-Level examinations conclude
The November and December holidays remain the busiest global travel season due to Christmas, New Year celebrations, and winter vacations.
Scheduled MOE School Holidays 2026
Youth Day
- Sunday, 5 July 2026
- Monday, 6 July 2026 becomes a school holiday
Teachers’ Day
- Friday, 4 September 2026
Children’s Day
- Friday, 2 October 2026
Children’s Day applies only to primary schools and the primary sections of full schools.
These additional school holidays are especially useful for parents planning short three-day or four-day weekend trips without affecting school attendance.
Singapore Public Holidays Affecting School Schedules (2026)
Term 1
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January
- Chinese New Year: Tuesday, 17 February & Wednesday, 18 February
Term 2
- Hari Raya Puasa: Saturday, 21 March
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April
- Labour Day: Friday, 1 May
- Hari Raya Haji: Wednesday, 27 May
- Vesak Day: Sunday, 31 May
- Monday, 1 June becomes a public holiday
Term 3
- National Day: Sunday, 9 August
- Monday, 10 August becomes a public holiday
Term 4
- Deepavali: Sunday, 8 November
- Monday, 9 November becomes a public holiday
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December
Junior College & Millennia Institute Calendar 2026
The academic calendar differs slightly for Junior Colleges (JCs) and Millennia Institute (MI).
JC Year 1 & MI Year 1
- School starts: Wednesday, 4 February 2026
- School ends: Friday, 27 November 2026
MI Year 2
- School starts: Monday, 12 January 2026
JC Year 2 & MI Year 3
- Final term ends after GCE A-Level examinations conclude
International School Holidays in Singapore
Unlike MOE schools, most international schools in Singapore follow British, IB, American, or Australian academic calendars. As a result, many operate from August or September through June instead of January to November.
Popular international schools in Singapore include:
- Singapore American School
- United World College South East Asia
- Tanglin Trust School
- Dulwich College Singapore
- Canadian International School
Typical International School Holiday Structure
Autumn Break
- October 2026
- Usually one week
Christmas / Winter Holidays
- Mid-December 2026 – Early January 2027
- Usually two to three weeks
Spring Break
- March or April 2027
- Usually one to two weeks
Summer Holidays
- June – August 2027
- Usually seven to nine weeks
Because calendars differ slightly across schools, parents should always verify schedules directly with their child’s school. Teacher training days, IB examination periods, and school-specific closures may vary yearly.
Best Times for Singapore Families to Travel
Best Periods for Lower Airfare Prices
Generally, the best travel windows for lower airfare prices include:
- late February
- early March
- late August
- early November
These periods usually avoid major global holiday surges.
Best Time for Long-Haul Family Vacations
For families planning longer overseas trips, the June and December holidays remain the most practical periods. These breaks work particularly well for destinations such as:
- Europe
- USA
- Australia
- New Zealand
Best Time for Short Getaways
The March and September school holidays are ideal for shorter vacations, especially when paired with long public holiday weekends.
Popular destinations among Singapore families include:
- Bangkok
- Phuket
- Bali
- Tokyo
- Seoul
- Taiwan
- Hong Kong
Why Planning School Holiday Trips Early Matters More Than Ever
Over the past few years, many parents have noticed how dramatically travel costs increase during school holiday periods. Airlines and hotels already anticipate Singapore’s predictable school calendars far in advance, particularly during the June and December breaks.
As a result, waiting too long often leads to:
- expensive flights
- limited hotel availability
- crowded airports
- fewer family-friendly options
Planning early not only helps families save money but also creates a far calmer experience for both parents and children.
And perhaps that is what family vacations are truly about in the end. Most children will not remember whether every detail of the trip was perfect. Instead, they will remember the uninterrupted time together, the laughter during meals, the excitement of exploring somewhere new, and the feeling that their parents made time for them despite the busy everyday life.
