The December school holidays. The one time of year every Singaporean parent has been planning for since approximately October. Flights are expensive, hotels fill up by November, and somehow the to-do list gets longer even though you have more time off.
Do not spiral. Here is a practical guide to making the December 2026 school holidays work for your family, whether you are planning months in advance or still figuring it out.
Japan: The Winter Wonderland Factor
December in Japan is magical, especially if you have never seen Christmas lights in Kyoto or the illuminations in Tokyo’s parks. This is peak season, which means you need to book everything by October minimum.
Why December specifically: The Christmas/New Year period in Japan has a different energy than Singapore’s version of the holidays. Theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland have special seasonal events. The markets in Osaka and Kobe are worth the detour. And if you are lucky, you might catch some snow in places like Kawaguchiko or Hakone.
Budget reality for December: This is the expensive month. Return flights to Tokyo in mid-to-late December can easily hit S$800-S$1,200 per person on Singapore Airlines during peak week. If you are flying Scoot, budget S$500-S$700 per person. Book accommodation early and look at business hotels in central Tokyo for families on a budget.
What to prioritze: Book your flights first. Then your accommodation. Then your JR Pass if you are doing a multi-city trip. Everything else can fall into place, but those three need to be locked in by November.
South Korea: Winter Edition
December in Seoul is cold, dry, and incredibly festive. The city does Christmas right, with light displays across the city that rival anything in Singapore’s year-end decorations.
What to know: December is one of the cheapest months to fly to Korea if you catch a sale, because it is less popular than the January February ski crowd. Watch Scoot sales in October and November for return flights under S$450 per person.
Family tip: The indoor attractions in Seoul shine in December. Everland theme park, Lotte World, the various COEX aquariums and museums. These become your warm fallback when the temperature drops below 5 degrees outside.
Thailand: The Always-Valid Option
Bangkok in December is busy but manageable. The weather is cooler than Singapore by a significant margin, which makes walking around outside actually pleasant for the first time in months.
For families who want beach: Phuket and Krabi in December are reliable. The Andaman Sea is calm, the beaches are clean, and there are enough activity options to fill a full week without the kids getting bored. Budget S$150-S$250 per night for a family-friendly resort.
For families who want culture: Chiang Mai in December is wonderful. The weather is cool, the old city is walkable, and there are elephant sanctuaries and cooking classes that your kids will talk about for years.
Australia: The Summer Holiday Advantage
December in Australia means summer, which means beach weather, outdoor activities, and the kind of sunshine Singaporeans crave during rainy season at home.
Melbourne vs Sydney vs Brisbane: Melbourne in December is lively with festivals and events. Sydney has the beach lifestyle that works incredibly well with kids. Brisbane is more laid-back and usually cheaper. All three have direct Scoot or Singapore Airlines flights.
Budget reality: December flights to Australia are not cheap, typically S$700-S$1,200 per person return. But if you have family or friends to stay with, the overall cost drops significantly. Accommodation is the big expense in Australia for tourists.
New Zealand: The Ambitious Option
If you are planning a big end-of-year trip and want something different, New Zealand in December delivers landscapes that will make every Singaporean’s phone storage cry. Mountains, lakes, rolling green hills, the whole deal.
The catch: New Zealand requires more planning than any other option on this list. You need a car to get around, accommodation can be expensive, and the distances between destinations are significant. This is a trip worth planning six months in advance, not three.
The Last-Minute Option: Staycation or Local
Not everything has to be an international trip. The December school holidays are peak season for Singapore’s hospitality scene. If you book a staycation early, you can find deals that make staying home genuinely attractive.
Marina Bay Sands, Festive Road: Yes, it is touristy. But if you have not done it with the kids, the December period with the Christmas lights and the Festive Market outside is genuinely special.
December 2026 Planning Checklist
By October: Lock in flights for Japan, Australia, New Zealand. These destinations fill up fast.
By November: Hotel bookings for all destinations. Confirm your JR Pass if going to Japan.
By early December: Check visa requirements for your destination. Some countries need more processing time than others.
Packing for December travel: Layering is the key word for Japan and Korea in December. Pack a warm base layer, a sweater, and a waterproof outer layer. The indoor heating in Japan and Korea is excellent, so you will want to be able to remove layers when you go inside.
Currency tip: In Japan, cash is still king in many places. Bring a mix of card and cash. In Korea, card is accepted almost everywhere. In Australia, card works everywhere.
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