What to Book Now for December, January and Chinese New Year

Your Singapore traveller's guide to booking year-end holidays before prices rise and popular trips fill up.

If you're planning to travel in December, January or during Chinese New Year, now is the time to start making arrangements.

The year-end period is one of the busiest times to travel from Singapore. School holidays, Christmas, New Year celebrations and Chinese New Year can all affect flight availability, hotel prices and tour schedules. Leave everything until the last minute, and you may find that your preferred hotel is unavailable, family-friendly rooms are harder to secure or the itinerary you wanted no longer fits your budget.

But here's the good news: you don't need to book everything at once. You need to know what to prioritise first.

Whether you're planning a family holiday, a winter escape, a festive city break or a longer trip during Chinese New Year, this guide explains what to book now, what can wait and which destinations are worth considering.

1. First, know which dates you're planning around

Before choosing a destination, check your travel window. December, January and Chinese New Year may feel like one long holiday season, but the busiest dates and experiences are different.

2026 December holidays

Singapore's primary and secondary school year-end holidays run from 21 November to 31 December 2026. Christmas falls on Friday, 25 December. Families travelling during this window should prioritise flights, accommodation and major attractions.

2027 January getaways

New Year's Day falls on Friday, 1 January 2027. January is also a good time to plan a winter holiday, a warm-weather escape or a trip that avoids the main December travel rush.

2027 Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, 6 February 2027. Sunday, 7 February, is also a public holiday, with Monday, 8 February observed as a public holiday. This creates a potential long weekend for a short escape, depending on your work arrangements.

Important: Chinese New Year is in February in 2027, not January. If you want to travel during the festive period, check the exact dates before requesting leave or booking flights.

2. What should you book first?

You don't need to finalise every restaurant, sightseeing stop and transfer today. Start with the bookings that are hardest to replace if availability runs low.

Flights: Start here if your dates are fixed, particularly for school holidays, Christmas week and Chinese New Year. Compare nearby departure dates if you have flexibility, and check baggage allowances and change conditions before paying.

Accommodation: Prioritise family rooms, connecting rooms, popular resort stays and hotels close to major attractions. A cheaper room far from your planned activities may cost you more time and transport money.

Must-do experiences: Theme parks, seasonal events, guided excursions, special dining and limited-capacity activities should be checked early. Confirm the official operating calendar before booking non-refundable tickets.

Transfers and transport: Arrange airport transfers, rail passes where suitable, car rentals or intercity transport once your route is clear. For winter destinations, check road conditions and whether self-driving is appropriate.

Visas and travel insurance: Check passport validity and entry requirements for your nationality and destination. Arrange suitable travel insurance and confirm coverage for activities, medical emergencies and travel disruption.

If your dates and destination are already confirmed, don't wait for every detail to be perfect before booking the essentials. If you're still comparing destinations, shortlist two or three options first so you can make a sensible comparison of the full trip cost.

3. December holidays: Where should you go?

December is ideal for travellers who want festive celebrations, family attractions, winter scenery or a warm-weather break. The right destination depends on whether you want a short escape or a longer holiday.

Japan for winter illuminations, shopping and snow experiences. Consider Tokyo for shopping and family attractions, Hokkaido for winter scenery and snow activities, or Osaka for food, shopping and theme parks.

Book first: Flights, hotels and theme park tickets. If snow activities are essential, check seasonal opening dates and transport options before confirming your itinerary.

Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Sapa and Ha Long Bay. A good option for travellers who want culture, mountain scenery and a cruise without planning a very long trip. Sapa can be cold in December, and mountain weather may affect visibility and outdoor activities.

Book first: Flights, accommodation in Sapa and your Ha Long Bay cruise, particularly if you want a specific cabin category or overnight sailing.

Yunnan, China: Old towns and mountain landscapesExplore Kunming, Dali and Lijiang for a mix of local culture, historic streets and mountain views. Higher-altitude areas such as Shangri-La require more preparation for cold weather and altitude.

Book first: Flights and accommodation, then check transport connections and the time needed to travel between destinations.

Maldives: A tropical break from the year-end rushIf you would rather swap winter coats for beachwear, consider a resort holiday with snorkelling, water activities and time to unwind.

Book first: Resort accommodation and speedboat or seaplane transfers. Compare the full package cost, including meals, transfers and any resort taxes, instead of looking at the room rate alone.

4. January holidays: Is it better to travel after New Year?

January can offer a useful alternative if you don't need to travel during Christmas week. However, the first few days of January are still part of the festive travel period, so don't assume every flight or hotel will be cheaper.

Here are three types of holidays to consider.

Taiwan: City breaks, food and scenic day trips

Spend time in Taipei, explore night markets and add destinations such as Jiufen or Taichung if your schedule allows. January can be cool and wet, so pack layers and keep indoor alternatives available.

Book first: Flights and centrally located accommodation, followed by any timed attractions or day tours.

Australia: Summer holidays for families

January is summer in Australia. Consider the Gold Coast for theme parks and beaches, Sydney for city attractions and harbour views, or Melbourne for food, culture and family outings.

Book first: Flights, family rooms, rental cars if needed and major attraction tickets. Remember that Australian summer weather can be hot and may include heavy rain or bushfire-related disruptions in some areas.

Uzbekistan: A winter culture and heritage trip

If you prefer historic cities and architecture over beaches, consider Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Winter conditions can be cold, so plan outdoor sightseeing around the forecast and allow flexibility for transport.

Book first: Flights, intercity train tickets where available and accommodation in the cities on your route.

A useful January booking strategy

If you can choose your dates, compare the cost of travelling immediately after New Year with travelling later in January. Look at the complete trip cost, including baggage, hotel location, transfers and attractions.

For a short break, choose one main base and add day trips. For a longer holiday, plan the route before booking hotels in multiple cities.

5. Chinese New Year 2027: What should you book now?

Chinese New Year falls on 6–8 February 2027 for Singapore's holiday period, making it a potential opportunity for a short trip without taking a full week off work.

The catch? A long weekend is also a popular time to travel. If you want to leave Singapore during this period, start checking flights and accommodation now rather than waiting until January.

Option A: A short city break in Hong Kong: Spend a few days exploring the city, eating local favourites, shopping and enjoying family attractions. It can work well for a compact trip, but prioritise the activities you most want to fit into a long weekend.

Book first: Flights, hotel and any theme park tickets.

Option B: A food and culture getaway in Taiwan

Choose Taipei for food, shopping and easy day trips. Check local opening arrangements around the festive period if visiting businesses or attractions that may operate on special schedules.

Book first: Flights and accommodation, then plan your day trips.

Option C: A warm-weather escape in Bali

A resort stay can be a good choice if you want a slower break with cafés, spa experiences and time by the pool. February is generally within Bali's wet season, so plan for rain and avoid relying entirely on outdoor activities.

Book first: Flights, resort accommodation and transfers.

Option D: A longer holiday using additional leave in China (Chongqing or another multi-city itinerary)

If you can take additional leave, consider a longer trip built around food, city experiences, nature or heritage. Choose the route based on how much time you have, and check Lunar New Year opening arrangements and transport availability before committing.

Book first: Flights and the overall route, then secure intercity transport and accommodation.

A note about travelling during Chinese New Year: The holiday period can affect opening hours, transport demand and operating schedules in your destination. Check local calendars before booking non-refundable activities. If you are visiting family or joining a group, agree on dates and departure times before purchasing tickets.

6. What if you haven't decided where to go yet?

You can still make progress without committing to the wrong destination. Start by matching your available time to the type of holiday you want.

These are starting points rather than strict rules. Flight schedules, transfer times and the pace of your trip will affect how much you can comfortably see.

Before you book, ask yourself:

• Do I want cold-weather sightseeing or a warm beach holiday?
• Am I travelling with children, older family members, a partner or friends?
• Do I prefer a relaxed itinerary or a trip packed with activities?
• What is my total budget, including flights, hotels, meals, transport and attractions?
• Are my dates fixed, or can I travel a few days earlier or later?

If you're travelling with children, check their school holiday dates and prioritise family-friendly accommodation.

If you're planning a couple's trip, you may prefer fewer hotel changes and more time for special experiences. For a group, agree on the budget and main activities before making non-refundable bookings.

7. Your booking checklist for the next few weeks

Use this checklist to organise your plans for the coming holiday season.

Choose your travel window: Confirm December, January or Chinese New Year dates.

Set a total trip budget: Include flights, accommodation, meals, transfers and activities.

Compare two or three destinations:Check travel time, weather, available activities and overall cost.

Book flights: Compare baggage, departure times, connections and change conditions.

Reserve accommodation: Prioritise family rooms, preferred locations and resort stays.

Secure must-do experiences: Check attraction calendars, seasonal activities and tour availability.

Check travel documents: Confirm passport validity, entry requirements and insurance.

Plan transport and daily routes: Allow realistic travel times and flexibility for weather.

Don't wait until your preferred holiday is out of reach

December, January and Chinese New Year offer very different travel experiences, from winter adventures and festive city breaks to family holidays and tropical escapes.

The most important step is not choosing the most popular destination. It is choosing a trip that fits your dates, budget and travel style, then securing the bookings that matter most.

If you already know when you want to travel, start comparing flights and accommodation now. If you haven't decided where to go, shortlist a few destinations and compare the full cost before committing.

Fayyaz Travels can help you explore suitable destinations, compare itinerary options and arrange a trip tailored to your travel dates and preferences.

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