Malaysia Public Holiday 2026: Dates, Long Weekends & Travel Guide

Not every public holiday in Malaysia is a day off everywhere. A date can be a holiday in one state and a normal working day just a few hours away. This makes the Malaysia public holiday calendar surprisingly important when planning a trip, booking hotels, or arranging annual leave. In 2026, Malaysia has nationwide holidays as well as state-specific dates linked to royal birthdays, festivals, and religious occasions. Some also create excellent long weekends for travellers from India. If you’re considering Malaysia tour packages, you’ll also learn how to match your trip with festive periods without wasting your precious leave days. This guide gives you the complete 2026 holiday calendar, explains how state holidays and replacement days work, and highlights the best dates for a short getaway.

Key Takeaways

• Malaysia has 11 national public holidays, with extra holidays added by individual states. The total can range from 13 to 22 days depending on the state.
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali offer some of the best long-weekend opportunities in 2026.
• Indian passport holders can currently travel to Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, making short festive breaks easier to plan.
• Under Malaysia’s Employment Act, eligible employees get at least 11 paid public holidays each year, including five compulsory holidays.
• August and November are useful months for Indian travellers, with Merdeka Day and Deepavali creating good opportunities for a short Malaysia getaway.

Malaysia Public Holiday 2026: Full National Holiday List 

These are the gazetted holidays that apply across all of Malaysia unless stated otherwise. Islamic dates depend on moon sighting and may shift by a day once confirmed by JAKIM.

Date	Day	Holiday	Coverage
1 January	Thursday	New Year’s Day	All states except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Terengganu
17 to 18 February	Tuesday to Wednesday	Chinese New Year	Nationwide
20 to 23 March	Friday to Monday	Hari Raya Aidilfitri (including the additional gazetted day and replacement)	Nationwide
1 May	Friday	Labour Day	Nationwide
27 May	Wednesday	Hari Raya Haji (estimated)	Nationwide
31 May to 2 June	Sunday to Tuesday	Wesak Day and replacement	Nationwide
1 June	Monday	Agong’s Birthday	Nationwide
16 June	Tuesday	Awal Muharram (estimated)	Nationwide
25 August	Tuesday	Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday)	Nationwide
31 August	Monday	Merdeka Day (National Day)	Nationwide
16 September	Wednesday	Malaysia Day	Nationwide
8 to 9 November	Sunday to Monday	Deepavali and replacement	All states except Sarawak
25 December	Friday	Christmas Day	Nationwide

Islamic holiday dates are provisional until confirmed by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal closer to the date. Always double-check with the official government portal before locking in leave or travel plans.

Public Holidays in Malaysia in 2026? 

The number of public holidays in Malaysia depends on who is answering and where they live, so the confusion is fair. At the federal level, Malaysia observes 11 gazetted national public holidays every year. This is the minimum every employer must honour under the Employment Act 1955, and it includes five that are compulsory: Merdeka Day, the Agong’s Birthday, the relevant state ruler’s birthday or Federal Territory Day, Labour Day, and Malaysia Day. Employers pick the remaining six from the officially gazetted list.

Add state-level holidays, and the count climbs fast. Kelantan and Terengganu, which observe several Islamic dates unique to their calendars, often reach 17 or more days a year. Sabah and Sarawak, with their own royal and cultural observances, sit in a similar range. Federal Territories like Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan carry their own smaller additions, such as Federal Territory Day and Thaipusam.

Region	Approximate Annual Holidays
National minimum (all states)	11
Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan	14 to 15
Selangor, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan	14 to 16
Kelantan, Terengganu	17 to 18
Sabah	19 to 21
Sarawak	17 to 19

So if someone asks how many public holidays Malaysia has, the honest answer is 11 guaranteed nationwide, with the real number usually landing between 13 and 22 once state holidays are added in.

What Is a Gazetted Public Holiday in Malaysia? 

A gazetted public holiday is an official holiday declared by the Malaysian government. It applies to businesses, government offices, and eligible employees. There are two types: regular holidays, such as Merdeka Day and Chinese New Year, and additional holidays announced for a specific year, such as an extra Hari Raya holiday. These dates are officially published under the Holidays Act 1951. If you’re planning leave or payroll, always check the latest government announcement, as additional holidays can change each year.

Best Long Weekends in Malaysia in 2026 

A few public holidays in 2026 can turn one or two leave days into a longer Malaysia getaway. For Indian travellers, these breaks are useful for planning flights, hotels, and short trips without using too much annual leave.

• Chinese New Year, February: The holiday falls on Tuesday and Wednesday. Take Monday off and you get a four-day break. Kuala Lumpur and Penang can be busy, so book early.
• Labour Day and Wesak Day, May: Labour Day falls on Friday, followed by Wesak Day on Monday. It is a good window for a quick break at Langkawi beaches.
• Merdeka Day, August: Malaysia in August is a great choice for travellers who want to experience Independence Day celebrations. The holiday falls on Monday, giving you a three-day weekend. You can also head to Cameron Highlands for cooler weather and scenic views.
• Deepavali, November: Deepavali falls on Sunday, with a replacement holiday on Monday. It is a good time for a short trip to Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands, or Cameron Highlands, one of the best tea plantations in Malaysia, to explore.

Public Holiday in November 2026: Why Deepavali Is a Good Time to Visit 

November stands out on the 2026 calendar because it holds just one national holiday, Deepavali, on 8 November with the replacement on 9 November, but it happens to be one of the most travel-friendly months of the year in Malaysia.

The southwest monsoon has usually eased by this point, rainfall is lighter across the peninsula, and cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang light up with Deepavali decorations, especially around Brickfields in KL, known locally as Little India. Hotel rates in early November tend to sit below the December peak season since most travellers have not yet started their year-end holiday bookings.

A well-timed Malaysia 6-night itinerary covering Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands, and Penang works particularly well during this time. Pickyourtrail’s 4-night Kuala Lumpur and Penang package is a solid starting point for travellers who want festive city energy without a long commitment.

Tips for Planning Around Malaysia Public Holidays 

1. Check the state: Public holidays can vary by state, so confirm the dates for your destination.
2. Plan long weekends: Use holidays like Chinese New Year, Merdeka Day, and Deepavali to extend your trip with fewer leave days.
3. Book early: Flights and hotels can cost more around major festivals, so plan ahead.
4. Check replacement holidays: A holiday falling on a rest day may lead to a replacement day.
5. Verify Islamic holiday dates: Some dates depend on moon sighting and can change after official confirmation.
6. Indian travellers: Check the latest Malaysia entry and visa rules before booking your trip.

Conclusion: Plan Your Malaysia Trip Around the 2026 Public Holidays 

Planning around the Malaysia public holiday calendar can turn a few leave days into a longer break. From Chinese New Year and Hari Raya to Merdeka Day and Deepavali, 2026 has several good windows for a Malaysia getaway. Just check state holidays and replacement dates before booking. If you’re travelling from India, compare your leave dates with flight and hotel prices, then lock in the best window. Once that’s done, all that’s left is to choose your destination and start planning your Malaysia trip.

FAQs

1. Is 2 February 2026 a public holiday in Malaysia?

2 February 2026 is not a nationwide public holiday in Malaysia. Public holidays can vary by state, so check your destination’s calendar if you are travelling or working there.

2. Is 18 February 2026 a public holiday in Malaysia?

18 February 2026 is a public holiday in Malaysia for Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is observed nationwide on 17 and 18 February, making it a useful period for a short break.

3. How many public holidays are there in Malaysia in 2026?

Malaysia has 11 national public holidays in 2026, while state holidays add more dates to the calendar. Depending on the state, the total can range from around 13 to 22 days.

4. Are public holidays the same across Malaysia? 

Public holidays are not always the same across Malaysia. National holidays apply widely, while states such as Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak have additional holidays of their own.

5. Which month has the best long weekends in Malaysia in 2026?

February, May, August and November offer useful long-weekend opportunities in Malaysia in 2026. Chinese New Year, Labour Day, Merdeka Day and Deepavali can help you plan a longer break with fewer leave days.

6. Is Merdeka Day a public holiday in Malaysia?

Yes, Merdeka Day is a nationwide public holiday in Malaysia. It falls on 31 August 2026, which is a Monday, giving travellers a convenient three-day weekend.

7. Is Deepavali a public holiday in Malaysia in 2026?

Yes, Deepavali is a public holiday in Malaysia on 8 November 2026. A replacement holiday falls on 9 November, although holiday coverage can differ by state, including Sarawak.

8. Are public holidays the same in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur?

No, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur can have different state-specific holidays. If your plans include both areas, check each calendar before booking flights, hotels or activities.

9. Do public holidays in Malaysia create replacement days?

Yes, a replacement holiday may apply when a public holiday falls on a rest day. The exact arrangement depends on the holiday, state and applicable employment rules, so check the official announcement.

10. Are Malaysia public holidays good for planning a trip from India?

Yes, Malaysia’s public holidays can help Indian travellers plan short trips around long weekends. Booking flights and hotels early is wise around Chinese New Year, Merdeka Day and Deepavali, when demand can rise.