Malaysia Public Holidays 2026: Complete National, State & School Holiday Calendar
Planning a trip to Malaysia in 2026? Knowing the public holiday calendar can help you choose the best time to travel, avoid peak crowds, and make the most of long weekends.
Malaysia has a combination of federal public holidays observed nationwide and state-specific holidays that apply only in certain states or federal territories. On top of that, school holidays follow a separate academic calendar divided into Group A and Group B.
This guide covers the Malaysia public holidays 2026, state holidays, school holiday periods, long-weekend opportunities, and practical travel tips to help you plan your trip with fewer surprises.
Note: Islamic holiday dates marked as subject to change should always be checked against the latest official announcement. The official 2026 federal and state holiday schedule is issued by the Prime Minister's Department, while school calendars are issued by Malaysia's Ministry of Education.
Malaysia Public Holidays 2026 at a Glance
Malaysia's official 2026 calendar includes 12 federal public holidays, including Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Labour Day, Hari Raya Haji, Wesak Day, the King's Birthday, Awal Muharram, Maulidur Rasul, National Day, Malaysia Day, Deepavali, and Christmas Day.
However, not every holiday applies identically across the country. Some celebrations are state holidays, while certain holidays such as New Year's Day are observed only in selected states.
This means the actual number of public holidays you receive can depend on where you live or work in Malaysia.
Malaysia National Public Holidays 2026
Here are the main federal public holidays scheduled for 2026:
*Some holidays have state-specific application or are subject to official confirmation. The federal schedule identifies certain Islamic and festival dates as subject to change.
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Malaysia State Public Holidays 2026
In addition to federal holidays, each state has its own holidays. These can commemorate the birthday of a Sultan or Governor, historical events, religious celebrations, or important cultural festivals.
Some of the notable state holidays in 2026 include:
The official state schedule contains additional holidays and different state-specific applications, so travellers should check the calendar for their destination before finalising plans.
Long Weekends in Malaysia 2026
One of the biggest advantages of checking the holiday calendar early is finding opportunities for a longer break without using too many annual leave days.
Several public holidays in 2026 fall close to weekends, creating attractive travel windows.
Chinese New Year
17–18 February 2026, Tuesday–Wednesday
Chinese New Year creates an extended holiday period for many Malaysians, particularly when combined with annual leave on Monday, 16 February.
This is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, so flights, hotels, and popular attractions can become crowded quickly.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
21–22 March 2026, Saturday–Sunday
Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls over the weekend in 2026. The holiday also overlaps with the first school break, making this an especially important period for families planning domestic travel.
Labour Day
1 May 2026, Friday
Labour Day creates a natural three-day weekend from Friday to Sunday, making it a convenient option for a short city break or domestic road trip.
Wesak Day and Agong's Birthday
31 May–1 June 2026
Wesak Day falls on Sunday, followed by the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Monday.
The government has also confirmed a replacement holiday on 2 June 2026 for states where Sunday is the weekly holiday.
This creates a particularly useful travel window around the end of May and beginning of June.
National Day
31 August 2026, Monday
National Day, or Hari Merdeka, creates a three-day weekend from 29–31 August, making it another popular period for domestic travel.
Malaysia Day
16 September 2026, Wednesday
Malaysia Day falls on a Wednesday. Taking annual leave on Thursday and Friday can turn the holiday into a five-day break.
Deepavali
8 November 2026, Sunday
Deepavali falls on Sunday in 2026. A replacement holiday may apply depending on the relevant state and weekly holiday arrangements, so travellers should check the latest state schedule before making plans.
Christmas
25 December 2026, Friday
Christmas Day falls on Friday, creating another natural three-day weekend.
Malaysia School Holidays 2026
If you're travelling with children, Malaysia's school holiday calendar is just as important as the public holiday calendar.
The Ministry of Education divides Malaysian schools into two groups:
- Group A: Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu
- Group B: Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.
Group A School Holidays 2026
Group B School Holidays 2026
These dates follow the official 2026 academic calendar published by Malaysia's Ministry of Education.
When Is the Best Time to Travel to Malaysia in 2026?
The best time depends on whether your priority is lower prices, fewer crowds, or making the most of a long weekend.
For Lower Crowds
Consider travelling outside major public and school holiday periods. Weekdays outside school breaks are generally more suitable if you want to visit popular attractions with fewer visitors.
For Family Holidays
School breaks are convenient for families because children have more time off. However, popular destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, and Cameron Highlands can become considerably busier during these periods.
For Short Getaways
Public holidays that fall on Friday or Monday are ideal for two- or three-night trips without requiring much annual leave.
For Cultural Experiences
Major celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, Hari Gawai, and Pesta Kaamatan offer opportunities to experience Malaysia's multicultural traditions.
However, some businesses may have adjusted operating hours during major celebrations, so checking opening times before visiting is recommended.
Plan Your Malaysia Holiday with tiket.com
Once you've identified the best public holiday or school break for your trip, the next step is securing your travel essentials. tiket.com lets you plan different parts of your trip in one place, including flights, hotels, and To Do activities.
Book Your Flights Early
Public holidays such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and the year-end school break can bring higher demand for flights. If you're travelling to Malaysia during these periods, compare available flight options and book early to secure a schedule that works for your itinerary.
You can search and book flights through tiket.com before your preferred travel dates become more competitive.
Find Hotels for Your Holiday
Accommodation can also become more expensive and harder to find during long weekends and school holidays. Booking your hotel in advance gives you more options, whether you're looking for a city stay in Kuala Lumpur, a beach getaway in Langkawi, or accommodation near attractions in Penang.
Use tiket.com to search and book hotels in Malaysia, with options ranging from budget-friendly stays to premium properties.
Book To Do Activities in Advance
Public and school holidays are popular times to visit theme parks, attractions, tours, and other activities across Malaysia. Some popular experiences may have limited availability during peak periods.
With To Do on tiket.com, you can browse and book activities, attractions, tours, and other experiences to add to your Malaysia itinerary.
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Make the Most of Malaysia Public Holidays 2026
Malaysia's 2026 holiday calendar offers plenty of opportunities for short getaways, family vacations, and longer trips. From Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri to Merdeka Day, Malaysia Day, Deepavali, and Christmas, there are several dates worth marking on your calendar.
For a smoother trip, check whether the holiday applies nationally or only to your destination's state, compare the dates with the school holiday calendar, and book your travel essentials ahead of peak periods.
When you're ready to plan, tiket.com can help you arrange your trip by booking flights, hotels, and To Do activities in one place.