Malaysia public holidays are a mix of national observances, state-specific celebrations, and religious festivals that reflect the country’s multicultural identity. This Malaysia public holidays guide highlights the 2026, 2027, and 2028 dates, plus the rules that determine how holiday replacement works across different states. publicholidays.com
What public holidays mean
Public holidays in Malaysia are official non-working days established under federal and state laws, including the Holidays Act 1951 and related state ordinances. In practice, most employees and students are not required to work or attend school on these days, although many retail and service businesses remain open. The system also distinguishes between national holidays and state holidays, which is why not every holiday applies everywhere. kabinet.gov
How the holiday system works
Malaysia’s holiday calendar is designed to protect the number of days off even when holidays fall on weekends. If a holiday lands on a weekday, it is usually observed on that day; if it falls on a Sunday, a replacement holiday is often given on Monday. The structure is slightly different in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, where the workweek begins on Sunday rather than Monday. This is one of the most important details for anyone planning travel, payroll, or staffing in Malaysia. publicholidays.com
2026 public holidays
The 2026 calendar includes a full mix of federal holidays, state observances, and regional religious dates. Some highlights are Chinese New Year on 17–18 February, Hari Raya Aidilfitri on 20–24 March across different states, Labour Day on 1 May, and National Day on 31 August. Other notable observances include Hari Gawai in Sarawak, the Harvest Festival in Sabah and Labuan, and Christmas Day on 25 December. An additional Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday was also announced for 2026, depending on the official confirmation of the first day of Raya. publicholidays.com
2027 public holidays
In 2027, Malaysia again follows a blend of national and state-specific dates, with Chinese New Year on 6–8 February, Hari Raya Aidilfitri on 10–11 March, and Hari Raya Haji on 17–18 May. The year also includes major national dates such as Labour Day, Awal Muharram, Merdeka Day, Malaysia Day, Deepavali, and Christmas. State-only holidays such as the Sultan’s birthdays, Georgetown World Heritage City Day, and Sarawak Day continue to mark local identity and history. For visitors and employers, this mix means the exact schedule depends heavily on location. publicholidays.com
2028 public holidays
The 2028 calendar continues the same pattern, beginning with New Year’s Day on 1 January and Chinese New Year on 26–27 January. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is expected on 27–29 February, followed by Good Friday in Sabah and Sarawak, Labour Day, Hari Gawai, Agong’s Birthday, and National Day. The year also includes Deepavali, state rulers’ birthdays, and Christmas at the end of December. Because several dates vary by state, checking the correct regional calendar remains essential. publicholidays.com
State differences
State differences are a defining feature of Malaysian public holidays. For example, Thaipusam is observed in selected states and federal territories, while Good Friday applies only in Sabah and Sarawak. Likewise, Hari Gawai belongs to Sarawak, and the Harvest Festival belongs to Sabah and Labuan. Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan also observe Federal Territory Day, which is not a national holiday for all states. These regional variations are part of what makes the Malaysian holiday calendar distinctive. publicholidays.com
Planning with confidence
For employers, travelers, and families, the most useful approach is to check both the national calendar and the state calendar before making plans. That is especially important around multi-day festivals, since some holidays create long weekends while others only apply in specific states. If you are scheduling work, school breaks, or domestic travel, the safest strategy is to confirm the relevant state observance first. Malaysia’s holiday system is more complex than a simple list of dates, but that complexity also reflects the country’s cultural richness. publicholidays.com
References
PublicHolidays.com.my. (2026). Malaysia public holidays 2026–2028. publicholidays.com
Government of Malaysia. (1951). Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369). kabinet.gov
PublicHolidays.com.my. (2026). Kuala Lumpur public holidays. publicholidays.com