A Guide To 2026 Malaysia Public Holidays & Long Weekends
If there is one thing Malaysian’s love more than our food it has to be our holidays! Just as we start thinking about dinner while having lunch, it is also perfectly Malaysian to ask “when’s the next cuti?” while you’re still on a break. And honestly, it’s no surprise. After all, Malaysia ranks among the countries with the highest number of public holidays in the world, hovering around 25 days a year, depending on your state.
But it’s not just about the number of public holidays. Here, being on holiday is practically a national pastime. It doesn’t matter what race or religion you are —if there’s a celebration, you’ll find everyone enjoying the break together. Nobody bats an eye if a Chinese family takes leave during Deepavali, or if a Malay colleague heads off for a getaway during Christmas. That’s just the culture. We’re all in it together, and any reason to take a cuti is a good one. And let’s be real: if there’s one national incentive that unites Malaysians, it’s a day off. Win an Olympic gold medal? Cuti. A new Prime Minister sworn in? Cuti. General elections? Probably some form of cuti. At this point, it’s a wonder we get anything done at all!
With that in mind, of course it pays to plan ahead. With the right combination of public holidays and perfectly timed annual leaves, you could turn a few long weekends into a mini vacation. Here’s a cheat sheet of the best long weekend opportunities in 2026:
If you’re already thinking about your next beach trip, a good time to balik kampung, or just a chance to do absolutely nothing, 2026’s holiday calendar is on your side. With a bit of planning (and some well-timed leave), those public holidays can turn into proper breaks— not just a day to catch up on errands.
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