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Public holidays and celebrations in Malaysia
Malaysia does not have one complete holiday list for every family. Federal holidays sit beside state holidays, ruler birthdays, different weekend patterns, school calendars and employer rules. Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor can therefore produce different working weeks around the same national celebration.
Last verified 30 August 2026
The useful calendar rule
What should a relocating family plan around?
Start with the official federal list, then select the family’s state and add the school and employer calendars. In 2026, major national movement periods include Chinese New Year in February and Hari Raya Aidilfitri in March; National Day is 31 August, Malaysia Day 16 September, Deepavali 8 November and Christmas 25 December. Lunar and Islamic dates must always be confirmed in the current official calendar.
One date, several authorities
Build the calendar in four layers
A public-holiday app is a prompt, not proof that a school, bank, clinic or employer will operate in a particular way.
Federal holidays
National civic days and multi-faith celebrations apply across the federation according to the official schedule.
State holidays
Ruler birthdays, state observances and some religious holidays apply only in specified states.
School holidays
National school groups and private or international schools do not necessarily share the same term pattern.
Employer and replacement days
Operational closure and replacement treatment depend on law, state and employment arrangements.
The visual calendar
The same date can produce three different family calendars
State, institution and household each decide part of the operational picture.
Federal
The nationwide legal and civic baseline.
State
Local holidays, rulers and region-specific observance.
Institution
School, employer, clinic and bank operating decisions.
Household
The celebrations, travel and religious practices that actually shape the week.
2026 planning table
Anchor dates and their real family effect
Dates shown are verified for 2026 or clearly marked as annual/lunar patterns. Recheck before booking future years. Swipe on smaller screens.
| Date | Holiday or period | Status | What changes for a family |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 February 2026 | Chinese New Year | Federal holiday pattern; multi-day treatment varies | High travel and family-reunion demand; verify the second day and state/employer treatment. |
| March 2026 | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | Islamic date; official confirmation required | Major balik kampung travel, open houses and reduced staffing before and after the legal days. |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Federal holiday | Government and many employers close; retail and attractions vary. |
| May–June | Wesak, Hari Raya Haji and King’s Birthday period | Lunar/federal dates | Several calendars can compress into a short span; confirm each official date. |
| 31 August | National Day | Federal holiday | Major civic events, road closures and public programming. |
| 16 September | Malaysia Day | Federal holiday | Nationwide civic observance distinct from National Day. |
| 8 November 2026 | Deepavali | Federal pattern with regional exception/treatment to verify | Family visiting and temple activity; state and replacement-day treatment matters. |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Federal holiday | School, retail and travel demand can extend beyond the single public day. |
Beyond legal closure
Celebrations that shape the family week
Not every important celebration is a national day off; local meaning, travel and school activity can be more useful than its legal category.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
A major Muslim family and community celebration with visiting and open houses.
Chinese New Year
Family reunion, visiting and community celebration across Malaysian Chinese communities.
Deepavali
A major Hindu festival of worship, light, food and visiting.
Gawai and Kaamatan
Major harvest and cultural celebrations in Sarawak and Sabah.
Book, confirm, buffer
Four systems that feel the holiday first
Research these from home and save the provider-specific answer beside the date.
Balik kampung travel
Do early: Book Hari Raya and CNY routes early.
School calendar
Do early: Overlay public, term and campus celebration dates.
State mismatch
Do early: Check home, workplace and school states separately.
Food and services
Do early: Stock essentials before multi-day family periods.
Connect the calendar
Link celebrations to culture, transport and school
Common questions
Questions about holidays in Malaysia
Are Malaysian public holidays the same in every state?
No. Federal holidays sit alongside state holidays, and applicability can differ. Check the official calendar for the state where each parent works and each child attends school.
What is the difference between National Day and Malaysia Day?
National Day on 31 August commemorates independence, while Malaysia Day on 16 September marks the formation of Malaysia. Both are federal holidays with distinct civic meaning.
Do international schools follow Malaysian school holidays?
They set their own calendars, often combining Malaysian public holidays with curriculum-specific term breaks. Use the exact campus calendar.
When is Hari Raya Aidilfitri?
It follows the Islamic lunar calendar and the official date must be confirmed annually. The practical travel period often extends beyond the legal public-holiday dates.
What happens if a holiday falls on Sunday?
Replacement treatment depends on the applicable federal or state rule and work pattern. Confirm the official gazette or employer policy instead of automatically moving every date to Monday.
Are Gawai and Kaamatan national holidays?
They are especially important state celebrations in Sarawak and Sabah. Their public-holiday scope is regional, which is why East Malaysia needs its own state calendar.