Between talking about our favourite food spots and watching our national players sweep up medals at badminton championships across the world, there’s nothing that unites Malaysians more than discussing the public holidays in the upcoming year. And as 2025 comes to a close, it’s no surprise that many Malaysians are now looking at smart ways to maximise their annual leave by combining it with public holidays in 2026.
This turns them into extra-long weekends, perfect for smart travellers looking to explore somewhere new or want to take a well-deserved break after weeks of working hard. So, read along as we drop some of the best tips on how to maximise your annual leave by stacking them with the public holidays in 2026.
The guide to the Malaysian public holidays in 2026
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Did you know that Malaysia ranks among the highest when it comes to having the greatest number of public holidays worldwide? With approximately 25 public holidays in the year, depending on the state you live in, finding that golden opportunity to slip in the vacation of your dreams is often just a smart plan away. Just be sure to apply ahead and speak with your teammates, as they may also want to maximise their annual leave for 2026.
New Year’s Day (1st of January 2026)
Starting off strong, we have New Year’s Day that falls on the 1st of January 2026, which is a Thursday. By taking the next day off, you’ll be able to enjoy a 4-day weekend before starting your year fresh and ready to take on every challenge 2026 has in store.
Maximise your annual leave by applying: The 2nd of January 2026
Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day (1st of February)
Like many religious celebrations, the dates for Thaipusam often change as it’s held during the full moon of the tenth month according to the Hindu calendar. And for 2026, Thaipusam will be celebrated on Sunday, the 1st of February 2026. A replacement holiday will be observed on Monday, making it a long weekend without the need to apply for any extra annual leave. Coincidentally, the Federal Territory Day will also be celebrated on this day, with the same replacement day being observed on the 2nd of February 2026.
Chinese New Year (17th and 18th of February 2026)
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Come the 17th and 18th of February 2026, the Chinese zodiac will officially welcome the year of the horse. These dates that fall on a Tuesday and Wednesday mean you can stack your annual leaves to create the perfect long weekend if you’re strategic enough. For those who want a short and sweet break, applying for the 16th of February will allow you to enjoy a 5-day weekend that starts on the Saturday before.
If you’d like an even longer holiday, applying for annual leave on the 19th and 20th of February, which fall on Thursday and Friday, will result in a 9-day break, including the weekends before and after.
Maximise your annual leave by applying: The 16th, 19th, and 20th of February 2026
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (21st to the 23rd of March 2026)
Following a month-long Ramadhan, our Muslim friends will surely look forward to celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri with their friends and family. These joyous days filled with gratitude and forgiveness will tentatively fall on the weekends of the 21st and 22nd of March 2026, with replacement holidays stretching into Monday, the 23rd of March 2026. This long weekend is perfect for anyone who’s craving a short and sweet escapade, which you can potentially turn longer if you opt to take extra days before or after the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
Labour Day (1st of May 2026)
With the 1st of May falling on a Friday in 2026, staff members can rejoice in a 3-day weekend in celebration of Labour Day. The best part is that you wouldn’t have to use any of your annual leave, giving you more opportunities to plan longer breaks for the upcoming public holidays in 2026. Of course, you can also take some extra days before or after Labour Day itself if you’d like to turn this long weekend into a well-deserved week-long escape.
Hari Raya Aidiladha (27th of May 2026), Wesak Day (31st of May 2026), and Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday (1st of June 2026)
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Celebrated nationwide, Hari Raya Aidiladha or simply Eid al-Adha to the locals, is the second of the two main festivals for our Muslim friends. In 2026, this Feast of the Sacrifice will fall on Wednesday, the 27th of May. With careful planning, you may just find yourself enjoying a long weekend that stretches all the way to the following Monday.
This is because Wesak Day, a day celebrated by Buddhists worldwide to commemorate the Buddha’s birthday, will be observed on Sunday, the 31st of May in 2026. Malaysians will also see The Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday being celebrated on the 1st of June 2026, which happens to be a Monday. As such, smart travellers who put in their annual leave applications for the 28th and 29th of May 2026 will see themselves being off from the Wednesday before to the Monday after.
Maximise your annual leave by applying: The 28th and 29th of May 2026
Awal Muharram (17th of June 2026)
Celebrated by our Muslim friends to mark the beginning of the Islamic New Year, Awal Muharram will fall on Wednesday, the 17th of June in 2026. By planning ahead, you could turn this mid-week break into a 5-day weekend by applying for the Monday and Tuesday before Awal Muharram or the Thursday and Friday after. For many of our Muslim friends, this makes travelling back to their hometown a breeze, though it’s just as good an opportunity to explore some of your favourite holiday spots.
Maximise your annual leave by applying for: The 15th and 16th of May or 18th and 19th of May 2026
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (25th of August 2026) and Merdeka Day (31st of August 2026)
As the end of August rolls around, Malaysians can potentially enjoy a long week of break if they maximise their annual leave in a smart way. This is because a public holiday will be observed for Prophet Muhammad’s birthday on the 25th of August, giving everyone a day off work and school on Tuesday.
By coupling this with the Merdeka Day celebrations on the 31st of August, you’ll find yourself enjoying a 9-day break that starts from the Saturday before and ends on the Sunday after. So, whether you’re looking to rest and relax at home or finally see the opportunity to visit your dream destination, all it’s going to take in August is just 4 annual leaves.
Maximise your annual leave by applying: The 24th of August and 26th to 28th of August 2026
Malaysia Day (16th of September 2026)
Another notable public holiday in 2026 is Malaysia Day, which falls on the 16th of September. Held to celebrate the signing of the Malaysian Agreement in 1963, this public holiday will fall on Wednesday in 2026. To turn this historic occasion into a long weekend break, you can easily couple it by taking either the 14th and 15th of September off or opting to apply for an annual leave on the 17th and 18th of September. This should either prolong your weekend or bring it forward, creating a 5-day break that’s perfect for a memorable escapade.
Maximise your annual leave by applying: The 14th and 15th of September or the 17th and 18th of September 2026
Deepavali (8th of November)
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Through vibrant colours and joyous celebrations, Malaysians will see Deepavali falling on the 8th of November in 2026. As this happens to be a Sunday, a replacement public holiday will instead be observed on the Monday that follows. This gives you a 3-day weekend to share with your friends and family, or perhaps seek out a short getaway if you’re not celebrating. Either way, no annual leaves will be required here, but you’ll still be able to enjoy the break you deserve.
Christmas Day (25th of December)
And finally, as the 2026 season comes to an end, the merry cheers of Christmas Day will see the 25th of December fall on a Friday. This creates the perfect 3-day weekend for you to eat, drink, and enjoy the festive season with your loved ones or perhaps escape to your dream vacation spot for a white Christmas. Thankfully, no annual leave will be required here for that maximum enjoyment to wrap up the year.
Where to go for your 2026 holidays?
Undecided on where to enjoy your 2026 public holidays and annual leave? Well, here are some of our favourite picks that will see your year becoming one of the most adventurous yet.
Relax and unwind in your all-inclusive paradise at Club Med Cherating
Nestled in the heart of an 80-hectare forest on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Club Med Cherating is the perfect family or couple’s escapade. With plenty of 3-day weekends in 2026, this all-inclusive resort features 28 fun activities for guests of all ages, including flying trapeze sessions or yoga on the beach. Furthermore, 27 on-demand excursions, such as turtle watching and mangrove exploration trips, are available for those who want to take their holiday up a notch.
Parents travelling with their little ones will also be glad to know that Club Med Cherating offers tailor-made experiences for even the youngest guests from 0 to young adults aged 17. Club Med’s friendly Guest Officers are professionally trained to care for your children, providing fun games and activities to keep them occupied or engaging them in lessons such as tennis, archery, and more.
Meanwhile, adults are welcome to melt away their stresses at the adults-only Zen Pool. Located by the beach overlooking the South China Sea, this private saltwater pool is detached from the main resort to provide guests with the ultimate enjoyment amid the silence. If you’d like to further pamper yourself, we recommend booking a spa treatment by the beach and allowing the sounds of lapping waves to complete your experience at this local paradise.
Hop across Vietnam’s largest island: Phu Quoc Island
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If your holiday plans in 2026 were to include an unforgettable beach escape, then Phu Quoc Island is a must-have in your itinerary. Spanning over 56 thousand hectares, Phu Quoc Island is Vietnam’s largest island and is part of the Kiên Giang Biosphere Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve since 2006.
Best known for its white-sand beaches across its palm-lined southwest coast, it’s a beautiful tropical destination with plenty of outdoor experiences that simply won’t disappoint. Sunset chasers have also named Phu Quoc Island as the home to one of the best dusk views Asia has to offer, with the golden glow of the sun being the highlight of many trips.
To see the best that Phu Quoc Island and its surroundings have to offer, we recommend embarking on our 4-day, 3-night Phu Quoc Island experience that includes island hopping excursions. With trips to Hon Mong Tay, May Rut Island, and Dam Ngang Island all included, it’s a paradise for snorkelling enthusiasts and fans of a relaxing break alike. Beyond the sand and sea, the area of Phu Quoc is just as beautiful when viewed from the skies, making the Hon Thom Cable Car Ride that connects you to Pineapple Island a must-try.
Walk in the footsteps of history in Siem Reap, Cambodia
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Set in northwestern Cambodia, Siem Reap has been rising in popularity as a holiday hotspot. Home to numerous historic temples, such as the Bayon Temple and the Ta Prohm Temple, which was featured in the 2001 film “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” featuring Angelina Jolie, this resort town is a gorgeous place that you have to visit at least once in your life.
However, perhaps one of the most famous temples of all is the Angkor Wat, a Hindu-Buddhist temple measuring over 162 hectares in the ancient Khmer capital city. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, Angkor Wat is the largest religious structure in the world and is even depicted on the Cambodian national flag.
Though not difficult to explore, the best way to walk in the footsteps of history in Siem Reap is to stay for several nights to give yourself plenty of exploration time. If you’d like to treat yourself to a luxurious getaway while staying close to the action of all that Siem Reap has to offer, then booking your holiday at the Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa will be your best bet. Featuring contemporary-styled rooms that blend seamlessly with its Khmer royal heritage, this 5-star home away from home will take you through the most authentic cultural experiences while enjoying your well-deserved break.