Cover Book those flight tickets or have a lazy weekend at home—here's how to make the most out of the public holidays in 2025 (Photo: Getty)
Book those flight tickets or have a lazy weekend at home—here's how to make the most out of the public holidays in 2025 (Photo: Getty)
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Plan ahead, book those flight tickets, or have a lazy weekend at home—here's how to make the most out of the upcoming public holidays in 2025
It’s the start of a brand new year; and in the spirit of Malaysian unity, our first instinct is to Google all the public holidays in 2025 for a head start on planning our long weekends and vacations.
If you’re already thinking of ways to maximise your annual leave in 2025, we’ve got your back. Here in Malaysia, we can always look forward to an abundance of national holidays, as well as state holidays, religious holidays, and other days off.
Here’s a handy list of all the public holidays that coincide with a weekend, along with which weeks to apply for a day or two of annual leave to make the most of your break. Got your travel planner ready? Block out these dates for that well-deserved 2025 vacation.
Read more: What you need to know before travelling to South Korea
Chinese New Year 2025
Above Chinese New Year 2025 falls on January 29 and 30 in Malaysia (Photo: Getty)
Chinese New Year 2025 falls on January 29 and 30 in Malaysia (Photo: Getty)
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When: January 29 - 30, 2025 (Wednesday - Thursday)
Total days off: Two
In Malaysia, Chinese New Year covers two national holidays. This year, these holidays fall on January 29 to 30, a Wednesday and Thursday respectively. If you celebrate Chinese New Year and are planning to make a trip back to your hometown, using just one day of annual leave for Friday, (January 31) will earn you a nice, five-day long weekend of celebrations with loved ones and friends. Be sure to get your car serviced or grab those flight tickets early, as travelling out of town that week is going to be hectic!
Thaipusam
Above Photojournalist David Loh’s aerial shot of devotees at a Thaipusam procession in George Town, Penang (Photo: David ST Loh)
Photojournalist David Loh’s aerial shot of devotees at a Thaipusam procession in George Town, Penang (Photo: David ST Loh)
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When: February 11, 2025 (Tuesday)
Total days off: One
A colourful celebration of devotion for Hindus, Thaipusam is a public holiday in Malaysia for the states of Johor, Kuala Lumpur,
Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya, and Selangor only. If you reside in any of these places, enjoy the day off with a visit to iconic sites such as Batu Caves or other glistening Hindu temples where processions and fascinating festivities will take place. This year, Thaipusam falls on a Tuesday, so taking one day of leave on Monday will give you a nice, four-day long weekend.
Nuzul Al-Quran
When: March 18, 2025 (Tuesday)
Total days off: One
The merry month of March is looking like a bumper harvest of holidays for us, from Nuzul Al-Quran to Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
This year, the revered holiday of Nuzul Al-Quran falls on a Tuesday, and is a national public holiday except in states of Johor,
Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah, and Sarawak. Residents in other states who get to enjoy this holiday can make the most of it by taking one day of leave on Monday for a refreshing, four-day long weekend in March.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri long weekend
Above Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration in Malaysia (Photo: Getty)
Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration in Malaysia (Photo: Getty)
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When: March 31 - April 1, 2025 (Monday - Tuesday)
Total days off with weekend: Four
A highly important festival celebrated by Muslims that’s also known as Eid al-Fitr, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the radiant conclusion to a month-long fasting period known as Ramadan. A joyous time for family reunions and travelling back home to reconnect with family and friends, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a national holiday spanning March 31 to April 1—a long weekend that everyone gets to enjoy. Be sure to book your tickets early and travel safe for this highly anticipated weekend.
Bonus: If you live in Melaka, you’ll get a holiday for Hari Raya Aidilfitri on April 2, Wednesday as well.
Labour Day
When: May 1, 2025 (Thursday)
Total days off: One
Our first national public holiday in May falls on Labour Day on May 1, a Thursday. Make it a long weekend by taking Friday off and enjoying a well deserved mid-year break. Guess what? Another holiday is coming up just 12 days later.
Wesak Day
Above Buddha statue during Vesak Day in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Getty)
Buddha statue during Vesak Day in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Getty)
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When: May 12, 2025 (Monday)
Total days off with weekend: Three
Our long weekend in the lovely month of May falls on May 12 for Wesak Day—an auspicious day for Buddhists to celebrate and commemorate the life of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. Wesak Day is a national holiday, so be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the long weekend before the next one in June.
Agong’s Birthday
When: June 2, 2025 (Monday)
Total days off with weekend: Three
In Malaysia, the Agong’s birthday is national holiday, so it's our good fortune that it falls on a Monday. If you live in Sarawak, you’ll enjoy a decadent four-day long weekend with a holiday this same Monday for Hari Gawai and an additional holiday on June 3 (Sarawak only) for the Agong’s birthday.
Hari Raya Haji
When: June 7, 2025 (Saturday)
Total days off with weekend: Three
This year, the national holiday of Hari Raya Haji falls on a Saturday, with a replacement holiday on Monday and Tuesday (8 - 9 June) for Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu. Several companies that don’t open on Saturdays will likely give employees a replacement on holiday for Hari Raya Haji on the following Monday—so be sure to check your company’s policy on this.
Awal Muharram
Above The month of Muharram is seen as the second holiest month after Ramadan
The month of Muharram is seen as the second holiest month after Ramadan
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When: June 27, 2025 (Friday)
Total days off with weekend: Three
Our final holiday in the jolly month of June is Awal Muharram, which falls on a Friday. The month of Muharram is seen as the second holiest month after Ramadan, with Awal Muharram marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year. Happening on June 27, a Friday, this national holiday marks our fourth long weekend of the year.
Merdeka Day
Above Hari Merdeka is a celebration of Malaysia’s rich heritage, diversity, and national pride (Photo: Pexels)
Hari Merdeka is a celebration of Malaysia’s rich heritage, diversity, and national pride (Photo: Pexels)
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When: August 31 - September 1, 2025 (Sunday - Monday)
Total days off with weekend: Three
Malaysia's Hari Merdeka or Independence Day this year falls on a Sunday. Thus, our replacement national holiday will take place on September 1, a Monday, marking a happy and restful start to the month of September. Make an extra long and pleasant weekend by using a day of leave on Friday, August 29 and play a tourist in your own backyard by exploring the sights and sounds of your city for a day or two.
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
When: September 5, 2025 (Friday)
Total days off with weekend: Three
Friday (September 5) marks the celebration of Prophet Muhammad's birthday, followed by a holiday on Sunday for the state of Kedah.
Malaysia Day
Above Plan ahead for the Malaysia Day long weekend on September 16, Tuesday (Photo: Getty)
Plan ahead for the Malaysia Day long weekend on September 16, Tuesday (Photo: Getty)
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When: September 16, 2025 (Tuesday)
Total days off: One
Hari Malaysia or Malaysia Day will fall on a Tuesday this year on September 16. Using one day of leave to take Monday off will result in a nice long weekend in September, just a week or so after the long weekend for Prophet Muhammad's birthday.
Deepavali
Above Deepavali is a Hindu celebration of light, taking place on October 20 (Photo: Unsplash)
Deepavali is a Hindu celebration of light, taking place on October 20 (Photo: Unsplash)
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When: October 20, 2025 (Monday)
Total days off with weekend: Three
The Hindu festival of lights known as Deepavali falls nicely on a Monday, the ideal holiday to end a weekend of shopping, family reunions, visits to Hindu temples, and the eye-catching floor art decorations known as ‘kolam’.
Christmas Day
Above Christmas Day is a national holiday in Malaysia
Christmas Day is a national holiday in Malaysia
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When: December 25, 2025 (Thursday)
Total days off: One
With Christmas Day this year falling on a Thursday, taking one additional day of leave on Friday will get you a nice long weekend to enjoy the Christmas festivities with family and friends.
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