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Malaysia has released its official public holiday 2027 schedule, and it lists 15 federal holidays. Planning leave, payroll and staffing for the year is a lot easier once the dates are known. However, the list isn’t quite the same for everyone. Some holidays apply nationwide, while others depend on the state or federal territory. For example, Deepavali isn’t a holiday in Sarawak. Similarly, the second day of Hari Raya Qurban applies in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis.
Additionally, a few dates may also change. Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Qurban and Deepavali depend on moon sightings, so the final dates can shift closer to the day. This guide covers the full Malaysia public holiday list for 2027, the state-wise differences, the major festivals behind the dates and the long weekends worth planning around.
Public Holidays in Malaysia in 2027: Full List
Here are the 15 federal public holidays for 2027, in date order.
| Holiday | Date | Day | Applies to |
| Chinese New Year | 6 February | Saturday | All states and territories |
| Chinese New Year (second day) | 7 February | Sunday | All states and territories |
| Hari Raya Puasa* | 10 March | Wednesday | All states and territories |
| Hari Raya Puasa (second day)* | 11 March | Thursday | All states and territories |
| Labour Day | 1 May | Saturday | All states and territories |
| Hari Raya Qurban* | 17 May | Monday | All states and territories |
| Hari Raya Qurban (second day)* | 18 May | Tuesday | Kelantan and Terengganu only |
| Wesak Day | 20 May | Thursday | All states and territories |
| Awal Muharram | 6 June | Sunday | All states and territories |
| Agong’s Official Birthday | 7 June | Monday | All states and territories |
| Maulidur Rasul | 15 August | Sunday | All states and territories |
| National Day | 31 August | Tuesday | All states and territories |
| Malaysia Day | 16 September | Thursday | All states and territories |
| Deepavali* | 28 October | Thursday | All except Sarawak |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Saturday | All states and territories |
*These dates are subject to change, depending on moon sighting and official announcements.
Two things stand out in this public holiday list. To begin with, five holidays fall on weekends: the second day of Chinese New Year, Awal Muharram and Maulidur Rasul on Sundays, and Labour Day and Christmas on Saturdays. Under the official schedule, a holiday that lands on a weekly rest day is replaced by the following day. In that case, if that day is already a holiday, the next one is used instead. Also, whether Saturday holidays get a replacement depends on the state’s weekly rest day, so it’s worth checking the local notice. In addition, the second days of Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Qurban work differently. Hari Raya Puasa’s second day applies nationwide, while Hari Raya Qurban’s second day applies only in Kelantan and Terengganu.
State-Wise Public Holidays in Malaysia in 2027
Malaysia has 13 states and 3 federal territories, and each one adds its own public holidays on top of the national list. Most of these extras are royal birthdays, religious days and local festivals. In practice, two employees at the same company can get different days off. A worker in Penang is off on Thaipusam (22 January), while a colleague in Terengganu is not. A worker in Sarawak is off for Gawai Dayak (1–2 June), while one in Johor is not.
Malaysia Public Holidays 2027 by State
Here are the extra holidays for each state and federal territory in 2027, in date order. All of them are on top of the national holidays.
Public Holidays: Federal Territories and Northern States
| State / Territory | Additional public holidays in 2027 |
|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | Thaipusam (22 Jan), Federal Territory Day (1 Feb), Nuzul Al-Quran (24 Feb) |
| Putrajaya | New Year (1 Jan), Thaipusam (22 Jan), Federal Territory Day (1 Feb), Nuzul Al-Quran (24 Feb) |
| Labuan | New Year (1 Jan), Federal Territory Day (1 Feb), Nuzul Al-Quran (24 Feb), Kaamatan (30–31 May) |
| Kedah | Israk and Mikraj (6 Jan), Awal Ramadan* (8 Feb), Hari Raya Qurban second day (18 May), Sultan’s Birthday (20 Jun), Israk and Mikraj (26 Dec) |
| Perlis | Israk and Mikraj (6 Jan), Raja’s Birthday (17 May), Hari Raya Qurban second day (18 May), Israk and Mikraj (26 Dec) |
| Penang | New Year (1 Jan), Thaipusam (22 Jan), Nuzul Al-Quran (24 Feb), World Heritage Anniversary (7 Jul), Governor’s Birthday (10 Jul) |
| Perak | New Year (1 Jan), Thaipusam (22 Jan), Nuzul Al-Quran (24 Feb), Sultan’s Birthday (5 Nov), Israk and Mikraj (26 Dec) |
Public Holidays: Other Malaysian States
| State | Additional public holidays in 2027 |
|---|---|
| Johor | Awal Ramadan* (8 Feb), Sultan’s Birthday (23 Mar), Hari Hol of Sultan Iskandar (11 Jul) |
| Kelantan | Chinese New Year second day (7 Feb), Nuzul Al-Quran (24 Feb), Day of Arafah (16 May), Sultan’s Birthday (29–30 Sep) |
| Melaka | New Year (1 Jan), Declaration of Independence Day (20 Feb), Hari Raya Puasa third day (12 Mar), Governor’s Birthday (24 Aug) |
| Negeri Sembilan | New Year (1 Jan), Israk and Mikraj (6 Jan), Yang di-Pertuan Besar’s Birthday (14 Jan), Thaipusam (22 Jan), Israk and Mikraj (26 Dec) |
| Pahang | New Year (1 Jan), Nuzul Al-Quran (24 Feb), Hari Hol (22 May), Sultan’s Birthday (30 Jul) |
| Sabah | New Year (1 Jan), Good Friday (26 Mar), Governor’s Birthday (30 Mar), Kaamatan (30–31 May), Christmas Eve (24 Dec) |
| Sarawak | New Year (1 Jan), Good Friday (26 Mar), Gawai Dayak (1–2 Jun), Sarawak Day (22 Jul), Governor’s Birthday (9 Oct) |
| Selangor | New Year (1 Jan), Thaipusam (22 Jan), Nuzul Al-Quran (24 Feb), Sultan’s Birthday (11 Dec) |
| Terengganu | Israk and Mikraj (6 Jan), Chinese New Year second day (7 Feb), Sultan’s Coronation Anniversary (4 Mar), Sultan’s Birthday (26 Apr), Day of Arafah (16 May), Israk and Mikraj (26 Dec) |
Notes: Israk and Mikraj appears twice because the Islamic calendar is shorter than the regular one. Some Islamic dates fall twice in the same calendar year.
Major Festivals and Their Significance in Malaysia
Malaysia’s public holiday 2027 calendar is more than a list of days off. Most dates come from festivals that Malaysians of different backgrounds celebrate, and some are shared across communities. Therefore, knowing what each one means makes the calendar easier to follow.
Islamic Festivals
Hari Raya Puasa (Aidilfitri), 10–11 March. This marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Families travel to their hometowns, visit relatives and share festive food like ketupat and rendang. Children receive duit raya, and many homes hold open houses. It’s usually the busiest travel period of the year.
Hari Raya Qurban (Aidiladha), 17 May. This remembers the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience. As part of the celebration, animals are sacrificed, and the meat is shared with family, neighbours and people in need. It falls around the time of the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca.
Awal Muharram, 6 June. This is the Islamic New Year. It’s a quieter, more reflective occasion, marked by prayers and religious talks.
Maulidur Rasul, 15 August. This celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Many places hold processions and gatherings with prayers and recitations.
Chinese, Hindu and Buddhist Festivals
Chinese New Year, 6–7 February. The celebration begins with a reunion dinner and lasts about 15 days. Married couples give angpow to children, and lion dances fill shopping malls and streets.
Thaipusam, 22 January. Hindu devotees honour Lord Murugan. Some carry kavadi (decorated frames) or milk pots in processions. The best-known gathering is at Batu Caves, with large crowds in Penang and Ipoh too.
Deepavali, 28 October. Known as the Festival of Lights, it celebrates the victory of light over darkness. Homes are decorated with oil lamps and kolam (patterns made with rice flour), and families share sweets and snacks.
Wesak Day, 20 May. Buddhists remember the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. Temples hold prayers and processions, and many people donate to charity.
Festivals in Sabah and Sarawak
Kaamatan (30–31 May) is Sabah’s harvest festival, with traditional performances and a thanksgiving to the rice spirit. Gawai Dayak (1–2 June) is Sarawak’s version, celebrated by the Dayak community with family gatherings and traditional food and music.
National and Christian Occasions
National Day, 31 August, marks Malaya’s independence from Britain in 1957. Meanwhile, Malaysia Day, 16 September, marks the formation of Malaysia in 1963, when Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaya. Christmas Day, 25 December, is observed nationwide, with Sabah also giving a day off on Christmas Eve.
Plan Your 2027 Holidays Ahead
Knowing which public holidays apply to your state helps you plan trips, make the most of long weekends and arrange time off without last-minute changes. For this reason, check the official 2027 public holiday schedule from Malaysia’s Prime Minister’s Department before finalising your plans, as some dates may change following official announcements.
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Public Holiday Frequently Asked Questions:
How many public holidays are there in Malaysia in 2027?
Malaysia’s 2027 calendar lists 15 federal public holidays, with additional holidays depending on the state or federal territory.
Which public holidays fall on a weekend in Malaysia in 2027?
Chinese New Year (6–7 February), Labour Day (1 May), Awal Muharram (6 June), Maulidur Rasul (15 August) and Christmas Day (25 December) fall on a Saturday or Sunday. Check your state’s rules to confirm whether a replacement holiday applies.
Do public holidays differ by state in Malaysia?
Yes. Malaysia has federal and state public holidays, so the dates observed vary by location. For example, Gawai Dayak is observed in Sarawak, while Kaamatan is celebrated in Sabah. Check the calendar for your state or federal territory.
Where can I find the official public holiday calendar for Malaysia in 2027?
You can find the 2027 public holiday schedule on the official website of Malaysia’s Prime Minister’s Department. It provides the federal and state public holiday calendars.
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