A Handy Guide to Malaysia’s 2026 Public Holidays & Long Weekends

Malaysia 2026 public holidays planner: discover long weekends, smart leave tips and best months for family breaks and balik kampung trips.

If there’s one thing Malaysians might love just a little more than good food, it’s a good cuti (holidays). We’re the kind of people who start planning dinner while still eating lunch... and asking “next holiday when ah?” while we’re already on leave. 😂

Guide to Malaysia’s 2026 Public Holidays & Long Weekends

And honestly, who can blame us? Malaysia regularly ranks among the countries with the most public holidays in the world... roughly 25 days a year, depending on your state. That’s a lot of potential rest days… or perfectly planned mini getaways.

That’s also why planning ahead matters so much for us Malaysians. And if you’re a parent like me, it matters even more. School holidays, tuition schedules, family commitments... they all come into play. A bit of early planning can mean the difference between scrambling at the last minute and actually enjoying quality time away with your kids without stress (or blown budgets).

So if you’re already dreaming about a beach break, a balik kampung visit, or just a guilt-free long weekend doing absolutely nothing, here’s your human-friendly guide to Malaysia’s 2026 public holidays and best long weekends, based on the calendar above.

Why Malaysians Take Holidays So Seriously

Here’s the thing: in Malaysia, holidays aren’t just days off... they’re practically a shared hobby.

It doesn’t matter your race or religion. When there’s a celebration, everyone joins in. Chinese families don’t think twice about taking leave during Deepavali. Muslim colleagues happily travel during Christmas. And nobody raises an eyebrow, that’s just how we roll.

Honestly, if there’s one national motivator that truly unites Malaysians, it’s a public holiday (Right? right? right?).

🏅 Olympic gold medal? Cuti.

🧑‍💼 New Prime Minister sworn in? Cuti.

⚖️ General election? Probably some kind of cuti too.

At this point, it’s impressive that we get any work done at all, right? 🤣

Why Planning Ahead Makes All the Difference

Public holidays are great.

Public holidays + smart leave planning? Even better.

With just one or two well-placed annual leave days, you can:

• Stretch a long weekend into a 4–5 day break
• Avoid peak travel chaos
• Actually rest, instead of spending your “day off” running errands
• Plan family-friendly trips that line up nicely with school holidays

So let’s get into the best long weekend opportunities in 2026, based on the official holiday calendar.

Best Long Weekends in Malaysia for 2026

February: Chinese New Year Feels Extra Generous

Chinese New Year:

• Monday, 16 February
• Tuesday, 17 February

✅ With the weekend before (14–15 Feb)

➡️ You get a 4-day holiday automatically

No leave needed. Just vibes, visiting, and good food.

March: A Neat Monday Break

Hari Raya Aidilfitri:

• Monday, 23 March

✅ Weekend + Monday

➡️ 3-day long weekend (21–23 March)

Simple, tidy, and great for short trips.

May: Labour Day & Wesak Day Combine Nicely

Labour Day:

• Friday, 1 May

➡️ 3-day weekend (1–3 May)

Later in May:

• Hari Raya Haji: Wednesday, 27 May  
• Wesak Day: Sunday, 31 May  

✅ Take Thursday (28 May) and Friday (29 May) off

➡️ 5-day break (27–31 May)

This one’s a favourite for a proper vacation.

June: A Long Stretch with Minimal Leave

Awal Muharram:

• Thursday, 18 June

✅ Take Friday (19 June) off

➡️ 4-day weekend (18–21 June)

Good timing if you’re itching for a mid-year escape.

August: Merdeka Mood Activated

Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday

• Tuesday, 25 August

✅ Take Monday (24 Aug) off

➡️ 4-day break (22–25 Aug)

Merdeka Day

• Monday, 31 August  

➡️ 3-day weekend (29–31 Aug)

August really said, “Why not both?”

September: Malaysia Day Done Right

Malaysia Day

• Wednesday, 16 September

✅ Take Thursday (17 Sept) and Friday (18 Sept) off

➡️ 5-day break (16–20 Sept)

This one’s perfect for longer trips without burning too much leave.

November: A Calm Deepavali Weekend

Deepavali

• Saturday, 7 November

➡️ Weekend celebration (7–8 Nov)

Not the longest break, but still a nice breather.

December: End the Year on a High Note

Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday

• Friday, 11 December  

➡️ 3-day weekend (11–13 Dec)

Christmas Day

• Friday, 25 December  

➡️ 3-day weekend (25–27 Dec)

Because let’s be real... December should always feel slower.

Final Thoughts: So… When’s Your Next Cuti?

Whether you’re eyeing a beach holiday, a balik kampung trip, or just a few glorious days of doing nothing (or keeping the kids happily occupied), 2026 is packed with opportunities.

Have you already bookmarked your favourite long weekend?  

Or started coordinating school holidays, leave days, and family plans?

👉 Share this guide with your friends or fellow parents, and start planning that next cuti early. Your future, well-rested self will thank you.