Malaysia has numerous public holidays, which are divided into two categories: national and state. National holidays are applicable to, and observed by, by all the states in the country; state holidays may apply to just one or a few states. In addition, school holidays and weekends may be observed differently in the conservatively Muslim states of Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu compared to the other states in the country. The exact dates of a holiday may differ from year to year, depending on the calendar and cultural beliefs that are being followed (such as for the Chinese New Year celebrations).
As you plan for your trip to Malaysia, it is a good idea to look at the calendar and check out which dates have national and state holidays as these dates can affect the availability and prices of your accommodations. For example, a period where a national holiday falls into may be considered a peak season, which will most likely mean that prices will be higher compared to other times of the year.
Here is a list of the public holidays in Malaysia for 2016; allow this list to become your guide in your preparation for you Malaysian adventure, so that you can make the most out of your budget, and out of your whole experience.
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HOLIDAY |
DATE |
APPLICABLE TO (STATES) |
DESCRIPTION |
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JANUARY |
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January 1 (Friday) |
All except Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Perlis & Terengganu |
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Negeri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan’s Birthday |
January 14 (Thursday) |
Negeri Sembilan |
Birthday of the ruler of the state of Negeri Sembilan |
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Sultan of Kedah’s Birthday |
January 17 (Sunday) |
Kedah |
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January 24 (Sunday) |
Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang, Putrajaya & Selangor |
An important Hindu festival dedicated to Kartikeya or lord Murugan, celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month (January or February) | |
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Thaipusam Holiday |
January 25 (Monday) |
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FEBRUARY |
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Federal Territory Day |
February 1 (Monday) |
Labuan, Kuala Lumpur & Putrajaya |
Celebration of the anniversary of the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory’s formation (in 1974) |
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February 8 (Monday) |
National (all states) |
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February 9 (Tuesday) |
All except Kelantan & Terengganu |
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MARCH |
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Anniversary of Installation of Sultan of Terengganu |
March 4 (Friday) |
Terengganu |
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March 25 (Friday) |
Sabah & Sarawak |
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APRIL |
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Declaration of Melacca as Historical City |
April 15 (Friday) |
Melacca |
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Birthday of the Sultan of Terengganu |
April 26 (Tuesday) |
Terengganu only |
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MAY |
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May 1 (Sunday) May 2 (Monday) (Observed) |
National (all states) |
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Hari Hol Negeri Pahang |
May 7 (Saturday) |
Pahang |
Commemoration of the death of the fourth sultan of Pahang |
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Birthday of the Raja of Perlis |
May 17 (Tuesday) |
Perlis |
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May 21 (Saturday) |
National (all states) |
Sometimes called “Buddha’s Day” or Buddha’s Birthday”. Vesak is a holy day observed by Buddhists commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha |
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Harvest Festival |
May 30 (Monday) |
Labuan & Sabah |
A festival manifesting the relationship between the Creator and Creation |
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Harvest Festival 2nd Day |
May 31 (Tuesday) |
Labuan & Sabah |
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JUNE |
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Gawai Dayak Festival |
June 1 (Wednesday) |
Sarawak |
A multi-day festival honoring indigenous people; it is both a social and a religious occasion |
| Gawai Dayak 2nd Day | June 2 (Thursday) |
Sarawak
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| Agong’s Birthday | June 4 (Saturday) | National (all states) |
Celebration of the birthday of the King of Malaysia
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Awal Ramadan |
June 6 (Monday) |
Johor, Kedah & Malacca only |
Start of the Ramadan (the Islamic holy month of fasting), which is also the month in which Muslims believe the Quran was revealed |
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JULY |
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July 6 (Wednesday)
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National (all states)
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An important Muslim religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan
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July 7 (Thursday) |
National (all states) |
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George Town World Heritage City Day |
July 7 (Thursday)
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Penang
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Celebration of the anniversary of George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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Governor of Penang’s Birthday |
July 9 (Saturday) |
Penang |
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AUGUST |
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| National Day (Hari Merdeka) | August 31 (Wednesday) | National (all states) |
Commemoration of the independence of the Federation of Malaysia from British colonial rule in 1957
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| SEPTEMBER | |||
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Sarawak Governor’s Birthday |
September 10 (Saturday) |
Sarawak |
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| September 12 (Monday) | National (all states) | An important Islamic holiday/festival commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to follow the command of Allah (God) to sacrifice his son, Ishmael | |
| Hari Raya Haji 2nd Day | September 13 (Tuesday) | Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu | |
| Malaysia Day | September 16 (Friday) | National (all states) | Commemoration of the establishment of the Malaysian federation in 1963 |
| OCTOBER | |||
| Sabah Governor’s Birthday | October 1 (Saturday) | Sabah | |
| Awal Muharram | October 2 (Sunday) | National (all states) | Islamic New Year celebration |
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Melacca Governor’s Birthday |
October 14 (Friday) |
Melacca |
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Sultan of Pahang’s Birthday |
October 24 (Monday) |
Pahang |
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October 29 (Saturday) |
All except Sarawak & Labuan |
Marks the start of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar | |
| NOVEMBER | |||
| Hari Hol Almarhum Sultan Iskandar | November 6 (Sunday) | Johor only | |
| Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday | November 11 (Friday) | Kelantan | |
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Sultan of Kelantan’s Birthday 2nd day |
November 12 (Saturday) |
Kelantan |
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| Sultan of Perak’s Birthday | November 27 (Sunday) | Perak only | |
| DECEMBER | |||
| Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday | December 11 (Sunday) | Selangor | |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Maulidur Rasul |
December 12 (Monday) | National (all states) | |
| Christmas | December 25 (Sunday) | National (all states) | |
| Christmas (Observed) | December 26 (Monday) |
