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Here's how you can make the most out of the upcoming public holidays in Malaysia in 2023
Voted the country that has the most number of public holidays compared to other countries in the region, Malaysians can easily take a week off (with careful scheduling of annual leave) to balik kampung or travel overseas. Now with pandemic restrictions easing up and countries opening up again, it’s time to look at the long weekends in 2023 so you can plan your next getaway.
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Scroll to the end of the page to find out how to make clever use of your annual leave to maximise your holiday. Happy planning!
1. New Year's Day, January 1
When: Saturday, December 31, followed by Sunday (January 1) and Monday (January 2)
Total days off: 1
*Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu do not get a day off for New Year's Day
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2. Chinese New Year, January 22 to January 24
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When: Saturday, January 21, followed by Sunday (January 22), Monday (January 23), and Tuesday (January 24)
Total days off: 2
*Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu do not get Tuesday, January 24 off for Chinese New Year.
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3. Thaipusam, February 5
When: Saturday, February 4, followed by Sunday (February 5) and Monday (February 6)
Total days off: 1
*Only applicable to Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya, and Selangor.
4. Hari Raya Aidilfitri, April 23 to 24
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When: Saturday (April 22), followed by Sunday (April 23) and Monday (April 24)
Total days off: 1
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5. Labour Day, May 1
When: Saturday (April 29), followed by Sunday (April 30) and Monday (May 1)
Total days off: 1
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6. Agong's Birthday, June 5
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When: Saturday (June 3), followed by Sunday (June 4) and Monday (June 5)
Total days off: 1
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7. Deepavali, November 12
When: Saturday (November 11), followed by Sunday (November 12) and Monday (November 13)
Total days off: 1
*Deepavali is a national holiday except for Sarawak. Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak, and Terengganu do not get Monday, November 13, off for Deepavali.
8. Christmas, December 25
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When: Saturday (December 23), followed by Sunday (December 24) and Monday (December 25)
Total days off: 1
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Plan your annual leave around these public holidays to score a handful more long weekends.
- May 4: Wesak Day (Thursday)
- June 29: Hari Raya Haji (Thursday)
- July 1: Awal Muharram (Wednesday)
- August 31: Merdeka Day (Thursday)
- September 28: Prophet Muhammad's birthday (Thursday)
Not forgetting, there are also state-specific holidays you can benefit from if you reside in said state.
- Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya: Federal Territory Day, February 1 (Wednesday)
- Johor: Sultan of Johor's birthday, March 23 (Thursday)
- Johor, Kedah, and Melaka: Awal Ramadan, March 23 (Thursday)
- Sabah and Sarawak: Good Friday, April 7 (Friday)
- Terengganu: Sultan of Terengganu's Birthday, April 26 (Wednesday)
- Perlis: Raja Perlis' birthday, May 17 (Wednesday)
- Pahang: Hari Hol Pahang, May 22 (Monday)
- Labuan and Sabah: Harvest Festival, May 30 and 31 (Tuesday and Wednesday)
- Sarawak: Hari Gawai, June 1 and 2 (Thursday and Friday)
- Terengganu: Arafat Day, June 27 (Tuesday)
- Penang: Georgetown World Heritage City Day, July 7 (Friday)
- Melaka: Melaka Governor's birthday, August 24 (Thursday)
- Perak: Sultan of Perak's birthday, November 3 (Friday)
- Selangor: Sultan of Selangor's birthday, December 11 (Monday)
Happy holidays!
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Lainey was the Digital Director of Tatler Malaysia. When not whiling away the hours watching documentaries, the latest K-drama, or reruns of Friends, she can be found indulging her wanderlust by stalking travel platforms or feeding her obsession with music. She loves animals, running, all things social media, a good conversation over coffee or soju or wine (often rambling on if nobody pulls the brakes on her), and is an avid fan of bursting-at-the-seams laughter.
