SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
January 2023
Family-friendly Ideas to Fill Long Weekends, School Holidays & Public Holidays 2023
Did you know that there are seven official long weekends to look forward to this year? And as always, if you plan ahead and play your leave cards to coincide with the kids’ scheduled school holidays, you could even wrangle up to five more. After three years of pandemic restrictions of varying degrees, let’s make the most of long weekends, school holidays, and public holidays 2023!
(See also: January 2023: Eat, Play, Shop & More for Families in Singapore this Month)
New Year’s Day & Day after New Year’s Day | 1-2 January (Sun – Mon)
2022 was indeed full of long weekends, down to its last day. Indeed, with New Year’s Eve falling on a Saturday, we enjoyed a long weekend to start 2023 with. Hope you made the most of it — and a yummy yet quick-and-easy breakfast for the kids — before the new school year began on the 3rd.
Chinese New Year | 22-24 January (Sun – Tue)
Day One of the Lunar New Year falls on a Sunday, which makes Monday and Tuesday public holidays as well. How are you spending the four-day weekend? How about twinning with the kiddos in matching CNY outfits as you hop in兔 the Year of the Rabbit with fun CNY activities?
Term 1 School Holidays | 11-19 March (Sat – Sun)
Sadly, there are no public holidays coinciding with the March school holidays. If your schedule permits, take a couple days off for quality time with the children during their one-week break. Make the most of it by setting off on a sail-cation aboard the Spectrum of the Seas? Kids sail free!
Good Friday | 7 April (Fri)
The annual Easter three-day long weekend is always an egg-cellent time to bond with the kids. Why not take the opportunity for a short family getaway to Desaru Coast? There’s plenty to explore, from beaches teeming with wildlife to a pirate-themed waterpark. The ferry service from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal makes getting there and back a cinch too.
(See also: Family Paradise at Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket)
Hari Raya Puasa & Day off-in-lieu for Hari Raya Puasa | 22-24 April (Sat – Mon)
Technically, the Monday after Hari Raya Puasa is a school holiday for the kids, not a public holiday. However, if you can take the day off work — you know the drill. If you’re not celebrating the festival, consider having a reel good time at family-friendly fishing spots in Singapore.
Labour Day | 1 May (Mon)
With Labour Day falling on a Monday this year, it means that everyone gets their deserved day of rest. But if the kids are climbing the walls by Sunday, introduce them to the magic of tidying up. By making the process fun, it will not only turn their boredom into productivity, but also spark joy for you!
Term 2 School Holidays | 27 May to 25 June (Sat – Sun)
We’re halfway through the year and it’s time for the littles to let their hair down. Take time out for a vacation to TripAdvisor’s most popular destination in 2022. Make plenty of precious memories while the sun shines (and before they grow up). Older kids can help with the holiday planning too.
Vesak Day | 2 June (Fri)
This public holiday to commemorate Buddha’s birthday coincides with the first week of the mid-year school holiday. If you’re thinking of getting your child learn something new, why not consider coding? They can even try developing apps that benefit society and help the community.
(See also: 14 Useful Father’s Day Gifts for the Man Who Doesn’t Know He Needs Them)
Hari Raya Haji | 29 June (Thu)
Growing up in Singapore provides a wonderful chance to discover the various cultures that make up our little red dot. This Hari Raya Haji, take the opportunity to learn more about meaningful festivals we celebrate in multiracial Singapore. You could even visit a mosque together for a first-hand experience.
Youth Day & Day after Youth Day | 2-3 July (Sun – Mon)
Seeing how we’re only young once, take time on Youth Day weekend to celebrate your kids’ youth while reliving yours. It’s the perfect excuse to learn something fun and exciting as a family. How about kayaking down a river, bouldering across a wall, or skateboarding like Olympic champs you aren’t?
National Day & Day after National Day | 9-10 August (Wed – Thu)
With National Day landing on hump day, there’s little chance you can make it a long weekend. So instead, explore our Lion City on two wheels. Depending on the trail you choose, you could even catch the red and white fireworks along the way. The kids do have Thursday off to recover.
Teachers’ Day + Term 3 School Holidays | 1-10 September (Fri – Sun)
As usual, we observe Teachers’ Day on the last Friday of Term 3. Which means it kicks off the week-long September term break. Parents, you have 10 days to work in a fulfilling family getaway before the year-end exam grind begins. A wildlife adventure Down Under might be just what Doctor Dolittle ordered.
(See also: 12 Unique Teachers’ Day Gifts under $12)
Children’s Day | 6 October (Fri)
Parents, take Friday off and dedicate the entire long weekend to creating new memories with your offspring. Take the opportunity to visit Children’s Museum Singapore, if you haven’t already, or go again. There are only 12 fleeting years before they outgrow Children’s Day, so don’t let any pass you by!
Deepavali & Day after Deepavali | 12-13 November (Sun – Mon)
Why not take advantage of the Deepavali long weekend to immerse in Indian culture? Explore the beautifully lit streets and colourful festival bazaars in Little India, take Bollywood and other ethnic dance classes, and try your hand at rangoli art at the Indian Cultural Centre.
Term 4 School Holidays | 18 November to 31 December (Sat – Sun)
Congratulate the kids on making it through yet another school year. Six weeks of year-end school holidays includes the festive season, of course. If the kids have never played in real snow — and you refuse to queue up for fake snow — consider flying to family-friendly ski resorts across Asia.
Christmas Day | 25 December (Mon)
But if you intend to stay in town for the final long weekend in 2023, make it a meaningful one. Team up with the kids to give your time and energy to a good cause. What better way to experience the spirit of giving than by spreading Christmas cheer to those less fortunate than you?
(See also: 8 Fun School Holiday Learning Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten Children)
School Holidays & Public Holidays 2023 At a Glance
As we warm up to 2023, here’s to a promising year ahead. We’ll leave you with the quick-glance dates for the official 2023 school holidays and public holidays, for easy reference.
School Holidays 2023
Public Holidays 2023
Featured image: Engin Akyurt on Pexels
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