Holiday Guide for Malaysia in 2021

Malaysia 2021
Malaysia
2021

Malaysia information

Population: 32.37m
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Calling Code: (60)
Time Zone: +8 UTC
Currency: Malaysian ringgit
Language: Malaysian

List of National Holidays in Malaysia in 2021

New Year's Day

 Long Weekend! 
New Year's Day

Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor: New Year's Day is a public holiday in all countries that observe the Gregorian calendar, with the exception of Israel

Birthday of the Sultan of Negeri Sembilan


Birthday of the Sultan of Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan: The Birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, the Sultan of Negeri Sembilan is a public holiday on January 14th

Thaipusam


Thaipusam

Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya, Selangor: Thaipusam is celebrated in honour of Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Murugan

Federal Territory Day

 Long Weekend! 
Federal Territory Day

Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Putrajaya: Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Putrajaya only. Anniversary of the formation of the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory in 1974

Chinese New Year

 Long Weekend! 
Chinese New Year

Malaysia: The Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar new year, which occurs sometime between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. Also known as the Spring Festival, it is considered one of China’s most important celebrations, with each year being named after one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Festivities include fireworks, parades, and performances. The holiday closes with a lantern festival.

Chinese New Year Holiday


Chinese New Year Holiday

Malaysia: The Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar new year, which occurs sometime between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. Also known as the Spring Festival, it is considered one of China’s most important celebrations, with each year being named after one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Festivities include fireworks, parades, and performances. The holiday closes with a lantern festival.

Anniversary of Installation of the Sultan


Anniversary of Installation of the Sultan

Terengganu: On March 4th 1999, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin was installed as the 17th Sultan of Terengganu

Isra and Miraj


Isra and Miraj

Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis, Terengganu: Isra and Mi'raj marks the Night Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and the ascent into heaven

Birthday of the Sultan of Johor


Birthday of the Sultan of Johor

Johor: Johor only. Celebrated on March 23rd from 2015

Good Friday

 Long Weekend! 
Good Friday

Sabah, Sarawak: Good Friday occurs on the Friday before Easter. The day commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus.

Beginning of Ramadan


Beginning of Ramadan

Johor, Kedah, Melaka: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims fast

Declaration of Malacca as a Historical City


Declaration of Malacca as a Historical City

Melaka: Malacca City was declared as a UNESCO Historic City on April 15th 1989.

Birthday of the Sultan of Terengganu

 Long Weekend! 
Birthday of the Sultan of Terengganu

Terengganu: The current Sultan of Terengganu, Mizan Zainal Abidin, is the 18th Sultan and became ruler in May 1998 following the death of his father.

Nuzul Al-Quran Day


Nuzul Al-Quran Day

Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Putrajaya, Selangor: Nuzul Quran

Nuzul Al-Quran Day

 Long Weekend! 
Nuzul Al-Quran Day

Terengganu: Nuzul Quran

Labour Day


Labour Day

Malaysia: This holiday is most commonly associated as a commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement

Hari Raya Aidilfitri


Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Malaysia: Marks the end of the fasting period of the Islamic month of Ramadan

Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday

 Long Weekend! 
Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday

Malaysia: Marks the end of the fasting period of the Islamic month of Ramadan

The Sultan of Pahang Hol


The Sultan of Pahang Hol

Pahang: A holiday since 1974 to commemorate the death of the fourth Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Abu Bakar.

Wesak Day


Wesak Day

Malaysia: Marks three key events in Buddhas life - his birthday, the enlightenment and his achievement of Nirvana

Pesta Kaamatan


Pesta Kaamatan

Labuan, Sabah: Pesta Kaamatan is a harvest festival celebrated annually in the state of Sabah and territory of Labuan

Pesta Kaamatan

 Long Weekend! 
Pesta Kaamatan

Labuan, Sabah: Pesta Kaamatan is a harvest festival celebrated annually in the state of Sabah and territory of Labuan

Gawai Dayak


Gawai Dayak

Sarawak: Sarawak. Dayak Festival is a major harvest festival celebrated over two days

Gawai Dayak


Gawai Dayak

Sarawak: Sarawak. Dayak Festival is a major harvest festival celebrated over two days

Birthday of SPB Yang di Pertuan Agong

 Long Weekend! 
Birthday of SPB Yang di Pertuan Agong

Malaysia: This holiday celebrates the birthday of SPB Yang di Pertuan Agong, the King of Malaysia

Birthday of the Sultan of Kedah


Birthday of the Sultan of Kedah

Kedah: This regional public holiday in Kedah marks the ceremonial birthday of the Sultan.

George Town Heritage Day


George Town Heritage Day

Penang: Anniversary of the recognition of George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Birthday of the Governor


Birthday of the Governor

Penang: Penang. Birthday Of His Excellency the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang

Birthday of the Raja of Perlis


Birthday of the Raja of Perlis

Perlis: The Raja of Perlis , Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin was born in Arau, Perlis on May 17th 1943

Arafat Day

 Long Weekend! 
Arafat Day

Terengganu: Second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and the day before Eid al Adha. Named after the geographical area Arafa where the Prophet gave his Farewell Sermon.

Hari Raya Haji


Hari Raya Haji

Malaysia: This festival is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abrahams willingness to sacrifice everything for God

Hari Raya Haji Holiday


Hari Raya Haji Holiday

Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Terengganu: This festival is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abrahams willingness to sacrifice everything for God

Sarawak Day


Sarawak Day

Sarawak: On July 22nd 1963, the British granted Sarawak self-government on the condition that it joined Malaya, North Borneo and Singapore to form Malaysia

Birthday of the Sultan of Pahang

 Long Weekend! 
Birthday of the Sultan of Pahang

Pahang: July 30th is a state public holiday in Pahang for the birthday of the Sultan, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Awal Muharram


Awal Muharram

Malaysia: Marks Islamic New Year and the Prophet's journey from Mecca to Medina in 622AD.

Melaka Governor's Birthday


Melaka Governor's Birthday

Melaka: The official birthday of the Governor of Melaka is observed on August 24.

National Day


National Day

Malaysia: 31st August marks Malaysia's Independence Day. Also known as Merdeka Day

The Sultan of Johor Hol

 Long Weekend! 
The Sultan of Johor Hol

Johor: 6 Safar. Johor only. Marks the death of the previous state Sultan, Al-Mutawakkil Alallah

Malaysia Day


Malaysia Day

Malaysia: In 1963, the former British colony of Singapore and the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, joined the Federation of Malaya

Birthday of the Governor of Sabah


Birthday of the Governor of Sabah

Sabah: Sabah only. This ceremonial date is observed on the first Saturday in October

Birthday of the Governor of Sarawak


Birthday of the Governor of Sarawak

Sarawak: The birthday of the Governor of Sarawak is a regional public holiday in Malaysia on the second Saturday in October.

Maulidur Rasul


Maulidur Rasul

Malaysia: Celebrated by Muslims on the twelfth day of the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar

Deepavali


Deepavali

Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Putrajaya, Sabah, Selangor, Terengganu: Celebrations revolve around the triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity, light over darkness

Birthday of the Sultan of Perak

 Long Weekend! 
Birthday of the Sultan of Perak

Perak: The first Friday of November is the Birthday of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak

Birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan


Birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan

Kelantan: The birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan is always celebrated on November 11th

Birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan Holiday

 Long Weekend! 
Birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan Holiday

Kelantan: Second day of public holidays to mark the birthday of the Sultan of Kelantan

Special Public Holiday


Special Public Holiday

Melaka: A special public holiday in Melaka to allow voting in the state election.

Public Holiday

 Long Weekend! 
Public Holiday

Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Putrajaya: A public holiday for all three federal territories in celebration of KL City winning the Malaysia Cup.

Birthday of The Sultan of Selangor


Birthday of The Sultan of Selangor

Selangor: The Birthday of The Sultan of Selangor is always celebrated on December 11th.

Christmas Eve

 Long Weekend! 
Christmas Eve

Sabah: Christmas Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that started on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day


Christmas Day

Malaysia: Christmas celebrates the Nativity of Jesus which according to tradition took place on December 25th 1 BC

Notes

  • National holidays are normally observed by most governmental and private organizations.
  • State holidays are normally observed by certain states in Malaysia or when it is relevant to the state itself.
  • The main holy days of each major religion are public holidays, taking place on either the western calendar or religious ones.