Quick Answer: Singapore's Term 3 school holidays run from Saturday, 5 September to Sunday, 13 September 2026 (9 days). Malaysia's second-term break runs from 28 August to 5 September (Group A: Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu) or 29 August to 6 September (Group B: all other states). Book family trips for this window in August to secure good rates before the school-holiday rush.
If you are reading this in August, you are exactly on time. Singapore and Malaysia's September school breaks are shorter than the mid-year holidays, just 9 days for Singapore and roughly 8 to 9 days for Malaysia depending on state, which means families have a narrower window to plan around and a stronger incentive to book early rather than wait.
Singapore (all MOE schools, kindergartens, primary, secondary, JC): Saturday, 5 September to Sunday, 13 September 2026. Schools reopen Monday, 14 September for Term 4.
Malaysia Group A (Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu): Friday, 28 August to Saturday, 5 September 2026.
Malaysia Group B (all other states, including Selangor, Johor, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territories): Saturday, 29 August to Sunday, 6 September 2026.
Because Malaysia's break starts slightly earlier and Singapore's starts slightly later, families with children in both school systems, or friends and relatives coordinating a joint trip across the two countries, have a narrow overlap window around 5 to 6 September where both sets of children are off school at the same time.
The September break is shorter and quieter than June's month-long holiday, which works in families' favour in two ways. First, destinations that feel overrun in June or during year-end are noticeably calmer in September. Second, because the break falls right after Malaysia's Merdeka Day long weekend (31 August) and roughly three weeks after Singapore's National Day weekend, families who plan carefully can potentially stretch a short trip across both a public holiday and the school break with minimal extra annual leave.
East Coast Malaysia islands (Perhentian, Redang, Tioman) September sits at the tail end of the East Coast islands' open season, so conditions are still good for swimming and snorkelling, and resorts are past their August peak crowds. Family-friendly resorts on Perhentian Besar and Redang in particular are built around calm, shallow swimming areas suitable for younger children. See our East Coast Islands Season Guide to confirm conditions before booking.
Langkawi A reliable, low-hassle option with a cable car, an aquarium, and enough resort-based activities to keep younger children entertained without a packed daily itinerary. Malaysia's West Coast remains comfortable through September, ahead of its true peak dry season later in the year.
Bali A slightly longer flight but well-suited to multi-generational family trips, with a wide range of family resorts, easy day trips, and consistently good September weather.
Vietnam (Hanoi, Da Nang, or Phu Quoc) A good option for families wanting a cultural element alongside beach time, with Phu Quoc in particular offering a calmer, more resort-focused pace for younger children.
Book by early August for the best rates, since demand builds quickly once both countries' school calendars are confirmed and visible to parents.
Watch the Group A/B split if you're Malaysia-based. Confirm which group your state falls under before booking, since a one-day mismatch can affect flight and hotel pricing around the peak dates.
Consider bridging the Merdeka Day weekend into the school break for Malaysia-based families, since 29 to 31 August (Merdeka) flows almost directly into the Group A/B school holiday.
Pack for humidity and short bursts of rain at most Southeast Asian family destinations in September; it is not a dry-season month for the West Coast, though showers are typically brief.
From Saturday, 5 September to Sunday, 13 September 2026, a 9-day break before Term 4 begins on 14 September.
Group A states (Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu) break from 28 August to 5 September. Group B states (all others) break from 29 August to 6 September.
Partially. Malaysia's break starts and ends slightly earlier than Singapore's, giving a narrow overlap window around 5 to 6 September where children in both countries are off school at the same time.
Yes. September falls at the tail end of the East Coast islands' open season (roughly March to October), making it a good, slightly quieter alternative to the August peak.
For many Malaysian states, yes. The Group A/B school break begins just after Merdeka Day (31 August), allowing families to combine the long weekend with the start of the school holiday.
Glory Travel & Tours (TA 03786) helps families from Singapore and Malaysia plan school-holiday trips that fit both the calendar and the budget.
WhatsApp us to plan your September family trip: +65 8080 6047
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Talk to our team about September availability: Contact Glory Travel & Tours
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