Malaysia Public Holidays 2026 Complete Official List, State Holidays & Long Weekends
Issue: May 2026
Malaysia Public Holidays 2026 Complete Official List, State Holidays & Long Weekends
Malaysia observes 18 national public holidays in 2026 across 13 states and 3 Federal Territories, plus dozens of additional state-specific holidays including an additional Hari Raya holiday announced on 15 March 2026. This guide gives you every confirmed date in a searchable, crawlable table format plus a long-weekend planning table to help you book leave strategically and make the most of 2026.
Quick answer: Malaysia has 18 federal public holidays in 2026, with at least 8 long-weekend opportunities including a rare back-to-back Wesak Day + Agong's Birthday giving a 4-day weekend in June.
📢 UPDATE 15 March 2026: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional public holiday for Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026. Since Raya Day 1 fell on Saturday 21 March, Friday 20 March 2026 was declared an extra public holiday — giving most Malaysians a 4-day Raya long weekend (Fri 20 + Sat 21 + Sun 22 + Mon 23 March). The standard replacement holiday for Day 2 (Sunday 22 March) is Monday 23 March. This brings the total federal public holiday count for 2026 to 18.
Malaysia National Public Holidays 2026 Full List
The following holidays are gazetted under the Holidays Act 1951 and apply across Peninsular Malaysia and Federal Territories. Sabah and Sarawak observe some, but not all national holidays see the state-by-state section below. For Islamic holiday dates, always refer to the official JAKIM announcement.
Islamic holidays (Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Haji, Awal Muharram, Maulidur Rasul) are subject to official moon-sighting by JAKIM and may shift by one day. Always confirm via the JPA or JAKIM announcements closer to the date.
Federal Territory Holidays 2026 (KL, Putrajaya, Labuan)
Residents and workers in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan observe two additional public holidays not applicable elsewhere in Malaysia:
Thaipusam (1 February 2026) is also observed in KL, Putrajaya, Selangor, Perak, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan. See the state holiday table below.
State-Specific Public Holidays 2026
Every Malaysian state and Federal Territory observes additional public holidays beyond the national list. These vary by royal household, religious calendar, and state legislation.
Malaysia Long Weekends 2026 Leave Planner
2026 offers at least 8 strategic long-weekend opportunities, several of which can be extended to 4–5 days with just one or two days of annual leave.
🏆 Best long weekend of 2026: Hari Raya Aidilfitri the PM-declared extra holiday on Friday 20 March combined with the weekend (Sat–Sun) and the replacement Monday 23 March gives a free 4-day break with no leave required.
🗓️ Best leave-maximiser: Malaysia Day (Wednesday 16 September). Take Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 off (2 days AL) and you get 5 consecutive days Saturday 12 through Wednesday 16 September.
Malaysia School Holidays 2026
School holidays in Malaysia are set by the Ministry of Education (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia) and apply to national, national-type, and government-assisted schools. Private schools may follow different schedules.
Exact dates are gazetted by the Ministry of Education. Check the official KPM school holiday calendar for the latest confirmed dates.
Key Malaysian Festivals in 2026 What You Need to Know
Chinese New Year (Tahun Baru Cina) 17–18 February 2026
Chinese New Year marks the start of the Chinese lunar calendar 2026 is the Year of the Horse. One of Malaysia's biggest celebrations, particularly for the Chinese community (approximately 22% of the population). The festive season runs approximately 15 days from CNY Eve (16 February) through Chap Goh Mei (3 March). Banks, offices, and many businesses close for 1–5 days in KL, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Ipoh. Book travel early buses and trains sell out weeks in advance.
Planning tip: If you're spring-cleaning ahead of CNY, our guide on CNY spring cleaning and decluttering can help you decide what to keep, donate, or store. CNY is the single busiest period for small unit declutter bookings at StorHub.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri 21–22 March 2026 (+ Extra PH 20 March)
Hari Raya Aidilfitri marks the end of Ramadan (the Islamic month of fasting) and is Malaysia's most significant Muslim celebration. The festive season lasts one full month. Peninsular Malaysia sees near-total business closure on Hari Raya itself many businesses close for 3–5 days. The North-South Expressway (PLUS) sees major congestion from Day -3 to Day +3 (balik kampung season). Ramadan begins approximately 20 February 2026.
Wesak Day 31 May 2026
Wesak Day celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. Major processions are held in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, and Johor Bahru. Combined with Agong's Birthday on 1 June, this creates a back-to-back long weekend that can be extended to 5 days with just 2 days of annual leave.
Merdeka Day 31 August 2026
Malaysia's National Day marks the independence of the Federation of Malaya on 31 August 1957. The national parade and ceremony are held at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. Falling on a Monday in 2026, it creates a natural 3-day weekend with no leave cost.
Deepavali 8–9 November 2026
Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Widely celebrated by Malaysia's Indian community (approximately 7% of the population). Little India areas in Brickfields (KL), Klang, Georgetown (Penang), and Seremban are particularly festive in the weeks leading up to Deepavali.
Planning Your 2026 Storage Around Malaysia's Holiday Season
Long weekends and major festivals are also the busiest periods for self-storage in Malaysia. Here's how to plan, so you're not left without a unit during peak demand.
- CNY spring cleaning (January–February): Families declutter ahead of Chinese New Year. Demand for small units' spikes book early if you need a unit before 17 February. See our top festive storage hacks.
- Hari Raya preparation (March): Many families renovate or redecorate homes before Hari Raya. Short-term renovation storage during homework is common in February–March.
- Mid-year school holidays (June): Students returning from KL universities use StorHub Petaling Jaya and StorHub Seri Kembangan for semester-break storage near Sunway University and UPM Serdang.
- Year-end holiday season (November–December): Festive decorations, gift storage, and home reorganisation ahead of Christmas and New Year drive a second demand peak. See our wardrobe and seasonal storage guide.
StorHub Malaysia's five Klang Valley facilities in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Jalan Ipoh, Old Klang Road, and Seri Kembangan are all climate-controlled and accessible 24/7, including on public holidays. Your PIN code works on Hari Raya, CNY, and all public holidays.
📞 +6012 593 4166 | Book online at storhub.com.my
Frequently Asked Questions Malaysia Public Holidays 2026
More answers at our full FAQ page. Or call +6012 593 4166.
Q: How many public holidays are there in Malaysia in 2026?
A: Malaysia observes 18 national public holidays in 2026 the original 17 gazetted under the Holidays Act 1951, plus one additional holiday declared by the Prime Minister on 15 March 2026 (Friday 20 March, for Hari Raya Aidilfitri). Individual states observe further state-specific holidays, bringing totals from 19 (most Peninsular states) to 22+ (Sabah and Sarawak).
Q: What are the long weekends in Malaysia in 2026?
A: Key long weekends: Chinese New Year (4 days, Sat 14–Tue 18 Feb with Mon off), Hari Raya Aidilfitri (4 days, Fri 20–Mon 23 Mar free, no leave needed), Labour Day (3 days, Fri 1 May), Wesak Day + Agong's Birthday (3–5 days, 31 May–1 Jun), Merdeka Day (3 days, Mon 31 Aug), Malaysia Day (5 days with 2 days leave, Sat 12–Wed 16 Sep), Deepavali (3 days, Sat 7–Mon 9 Nov), Christmas (3 days, Fri 25–Sun 27 Dec).
Q: When is Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026?
A: Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026 fell on Saturday 21 March (Day 1) and Sunday 22 March (Day 2). The replacement public holiday for Day 2 is Monday 23 March. An additional public holiday was declared by the PM on 15 March 2026 — Friday 20 March — giving a free 4-day Raya long weekend (Fri–Mon). Islamic holiday dates are subject to official moon-sighting confirmation by JAKIM.
Q: When is Chinese New Year 2026?
A: Chinese New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse) falls on Tuesday 17 February, with the second day on Wednesday 18 February. CNY Eve is Monday 16 February and the festive season continues through Chap Goh Mei on 3 March 2026.
Q: Is Thaipusam a public holiday in KL in 2026?
A: Yes. Thaipusam falls on Sunday 1 February 2026, with the replacement public holiday on Monday 2 February 2026. It is observed in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Penang, Perak, and Negeri Sembilan but not in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah, or Sarawak. See the Federal Territory holiday calendar for official confirmation.
Q: Does Johor observe New Year's Day?
A: No. Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu follow the Islamic Friday–Saturday weekend and do not observe New Year's Day (1 January) as a public holiday. These states typically observe Awal Ramadan as a state holiday instead.
Q: What is the best long weekend hack for Malaysia Day 2026?
A: Malaysia Day falls on Wednesday 16 September. By taking Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 September as annual leave, you create a 5-day break from Saturday 12 September through Wednesday 16 September using only 2 days of annual leave.
Q: How many public holidays does Sabah have in 2026?
A: Sabah observes all national holidays plus state-specific ones: Governor of Sabah's Birthday (30 March), Good Friday (3 April), Harvest Festival / Pesta Kaamatan (30–31 May), and Christmas Eve (24 December). Sabah typically observes 21–22 public holidays per year among the highest in Malaysia.
Q: When is Deepavali 2026?
A: Deepavali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November, with the replacement public holiday on Monday 9 November. It is observed nationally except in Sarawak. The replacement holiday is not observed in Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
Q: Are 2026 Islamic holiday dates confirmed?
A: National (non-Islamic) holidays are confirmed by gazette. Islamic holidays Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Haji, Awal Muharram, and Maulidur Rasul are subject to official moon-sighting confirmation by JAKIM and may shift by one day from estimated dates. Always refer to the official JPA (Public Service Department) or JAKIM announcements for final confirmation.
Plan Your Holidays and Your Storage
StorHub Malaysia keeps your belongings safe 24/7 — even on public holidays. Whether you're spring-cleaning ahead of CNY, storing furniture during a pre-Raya renovation, or setting up semester-break storage before the mid-year school holidays, StorHub has the right unit for you.
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📦 Read next: Self Storage Tips Malaysia 2026 | Top 5 Festive Storage Hacks
