Table of Contents
- Why the Malaysian holiday calendar surprises new teachers
- National public holidays
- Islamic holidays and their variable dates
- Chinese New Year and the lunar calendar
- Deepavali, Wesak, and other community holidays
- State-specific holidays
- School holidays versus public holidays
- Planning travel and lessons around the calendar
- Common Mistakes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to Teach in Malaysia?
- Related Topics
- References
Malaysia Public Holidays is an important consideration for foreign teachers in Malaysia. Malaysia has 12 federal (national) public holidays per year, with additional state-specific holidays varying by state. Including state holidays, most Malaysians observe 14 to 17 public holidays annually. The federal holidays include New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year (2 days), Hari Raya Aidilfitri (2 days), National Day, Malaysia Day, Hari Raya Aidiladha, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday, Deepavali, and Christmas. The exact list and any replacement holidays for those falling on weekends vary annually.
Do international school teachers in Malaysia get all public holidays off?
Generally yes — public holidays that fall during the school term are typically observed as non-school days for both students and teaching staff. However, the specific treatment of public holidays that fall during school breaks, or the number of replacement holidays offered when a public holiday falls on a weekend, varies by school and is typically specified in the employment contract. Check your contract and school handbook for the precise holiday entitlement, rather than assuming full federal holiday observance in all cases.
What are the main cultural holidays foreign teachers should know about in Malaysia?
The key culturally significant holidays that affect daily life and school community for foreign teachers include: Chinese New Year (January or February, 2-day federal holiday, major celebration for Chinese Malaysian community), Hari Raya Aidilfitri (end of Ramadan, 2-day federal holiday, most significant holiday for the Malay community), Deepavali (October or November, 1-day federal holiday, significant for the Indian Malaysian community), and National Day / Merdeka Day (31 August, independence day). Christmas is also a federal holiday and widely celebrated by Christian and non-Muslim communities.
When is Chinese New Year in Malaysia and how does it affect school?
Chinese New Year falls in January or February (the exact date shifts annually as it follows the lunar calendar). It is a 2-day federal public holiday, but celebrations typically extend for 15 days in Chinese Malaysian communities. School attendance among Chinese Malaysian students may be lower in the days immediately before and after the public holiday as families travel for reunion dinners and hometown visits. International schools typically plan their academic calendar around this, avoiding major assessments immediately before or after the Chinese New Year break.
Does Malaysia celebrate Christmas as a public holiday?
Yes — Christmas Day (25 December) is a federal public holiday in Malaysia, reflecting the country’s constitutional provision of religious freedom and the significant Christian communities in East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and among Chinese and Indian Christian Malaysians. Christmas is widely celebrated in shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels across KL, making it a more visible celebration than many new teachers expect in a majority-Muslim country. International schools are typically closed on Christmas Day and may have an extended school break around the date.
Are school holidays in Malaysia aligned with international school calendars?
No — Malaysian national school holidays follow a term structure tied to the national curriculum calendar (which runs January to November), while international schools follow their own academic calendar (typically September to June or August to May). The school break periods do not align, which means international school teachers are often in school during Malaysian national school holidays and on break at different times from Malaysian school parents and their local contacts. This misalignment is important to understand when planning family visits or travel that involves relatives in local schools.
What state-specific holidays affect teachers in KL and Selangor?
Kuala Lumpur is a Federal Territory and observes the Federal Territory Day on 1 February as a specific public holiday not observed in other states. Selangor has its own state holidays including the Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday (May) and Agong’s Birthday (replacement for the national holiday). Teachers in Putrajaya observe Federal Territory Day on 1 February. Schools located in or near state borders should specify which state’s holiday calendar applies — most international schools publish their specific holiday list in the school handbook.
Assuming the school calendar matches the national public holiday schedule exactly
Malaysian international school academic calendars are set by the school and do not necessarily follow national school holiday dates. International schools typically run a September-to-June or August-to-May academic year aligned with British, IB, or other international frameworks. National public holidays that fall during a school term give students the day off, but the overall school holiday periods differ significantly from Malaysian government school holidays. Check your school’s specific academic calendar rather than relying on national school holiday schedules.
Not distinguishing between federal and state public holidays
Malaysia has both federal (national) public holidays observed across all states, and state-specific holidays that vary by state. Teachers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor observe different state holidays from teachers in Penang, Johor, or Sabah. A holiday that applies in Selangor may not apply in KL (which is a Federal Territory with its own holiday calendar) and vice versa. Know which state or territory your school is in to understand which state holidays apply to you.
Not planning travel around school holiday windows in advance
International school teachers in Malaysia have defined school break periods during which they can travel — typically 3 to 4 school breaks per year plus the summer. Flights and accommodation within the region fill up and become expensive quickly during school holidays (particularly for popular destinations like Bali, Bangkok, and the Maldives). Teachers who leave travel planning until the week before a break frequently find limited availability and high prices. Plan and book regional travel at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead of school holiday periods.
Missing the significance of Islamic holidays in the school social calendar
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr), Hari Raya Aidiladha, and the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Maulidur Rasul) are national public holidays with significant cultural weight in Malaysia. School attendance among Muslim students is typically lower in the days around these holidays, school social rhythms shift, and some school events are planned around rather than over them. Understanding the significance of these holidays — not just their occurrence as days off — is part of functioning effectively within the Malaysian school community.
Not using public holidays strategically to extend short breaks into longer trips
Malaysia’s public holiday calendar includes 12 to 15 federal holidays per year. When a public holiday falls adjacent to a weekend or near a school break, it creates an opportunity for extended travel with minimal annual leave. Teachers who plan their travel calendar around these extensions get significantly more travel time from their school breaks than those who do not. Review the annual public holiday calendar alongside the school calendar at the start of each year to identify these opportunities.
Why the Malaysian holiday calendar surprises new teachers: Malaysia Public Holidays Essentials
Most foreign teachers arrive knowing Malaysia is multicultural. Fewer arrive knowing exactly how that multiculturalism translates into a working calendar — until the first time a school day disappears because of a state holiday they had not noticed, or a major festival reshapes two weeks of lesson planning. Malaysia has one of the most holiday-rich calendars in the world, spanning federal, state, Islamic, Chinese, Hindu, and Christian observances. Understanding it early is a practical advantage, not just a cultural one.
National public holidays
Malaysia observes a set of federal public holidays that apply across all states. These include New Year’s Day (1 January), Thaipusam (in states where observed), Federal Territory Day (1 February, for KL, Putrajaya, and Labuan), Labour Day (1 May), Wesak Day (variable), Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday (first Monday of June), National Day or Merdeka (31 August), Malaysia Day (16 September), Deepavali (variable), Christmas Day (25 December), and the major Islamic holidays — Hari Raya Aidilfitri (two days, variable) and Hari Raya Aidiladha (variable), the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, and Awal Muharram.
Federal holidays are the consistent baseline. On top of these sit state-specific holidays and school-holiday periods that vary by state and school calendar.
Islamic holidays and their variable dates
The Islamic calendar is lunar, which means Islamic holidays shift approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar. Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr), which marks the end of Ramadan, and Hari Raya Aidiladha (Eid al-Adha), the Festival of Sacrifice, are the two major Islamic public holidays. Both are observed for at least two federal public-holiday days, and school holidays typically extend around them.
The exact dates of Islamic holidays are confirmed only when the moon is sighted, which means they are announced a day or two in advance at most. Schools and employers work from announced government guidance once it is issued. As a teacher, this means you cannot finalise plans for the days immediately after Ramadan ends until the moon-sighting is confirmed — build flexibility into lesson plans and travel bookings around this period.
Chinese New Year and the lunar calendar
Chinese New Year falls in late January or February, with the exact date determined by the Chinese lunar calendar. It is a two-day federal public holiday, but in practice many businesses close for several days, and the period is one of the busiest travel seasons in Malaysia. International schools typically build their holiday schedule around it, giving students and teachers a break aligned with the festive period.
The weeks leading up to Chinese New Year see significant social activity — open houses, visiting, travel home for families — that can affect student focus and attendance. The run-up is worth factoring into your teaching calendar for assessed units. The celebration itself is joyful and worth experiencing: lion dances, fireworks in some areas, and the distinctive atmosphere of a genuinely important cultural occasion.
Deepavali, Wesak, and other community holidays
Deepavali (Diwali), the Hindu Festival of Lights, is a federal public holiday falling in October or November. It is a warm and visually spectacular occasion, with open houses, traditional sweets, and oil lamps. Wesak Day, the Buddhist holiday commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, is observed in May or June and is particularly significant in states with large Buddhist communities. Both are worth engaging with rather than simply treating as days off.
Thaipusam, the Tamil Hindu festival observed with the famous Batu Caves procession in KL, is a public holiday in certain states. Christmas is a federal public holiday; while Malaysia is majority Muslim, the Christmas public holiday reflects the country’s inclusive approach to its multi-religious population.
State-specific holidays
Each of Malaysia’s 13 states and 3 federal territories observes additional public holidays specific to that state — typically the State Ruler’s birthday, an Islamic observance on a different date from the federal one, or a specific cultural or state occasion. These mean that a public holiday in Selangor is not necessarily a holiday in Penang or Johor, and vice versa. For teachers whose school is in one state and whose family is in another, this can create scheduling complexity.
Download the specific public holiday list for your state and compare it to your school’s academic calendar. Discrepancies between state public holidays and school holidays are the most common source of unexpected days off that catch new teachers unprepared.
School holidays versus public holidays
International schools set their own academic calendars, which are informed by but not identical to Malaysian public holiday schedules. A school following the British academic year (September to June) will structure its holidays differently from a school following the Malaysian government calendar. Your school’s specific term dates govern when you are in school; the Malaysian public holiday list governs additional single days off within those terms.
Get both lists at the start of each academic year, overlay them, and identify the key dates for your planning. The interaction between Islamic holidays (which shift annually), Chinese New Year (which shifts), and fixed school-term dates creates a different pattern every year.
Planning travel and lessons around the calendar
The practical implications for teachers: book flights for major holidays as early as possible, because Hari Raya and Chinese New Year periods see the highest airfare prices of the year. Plan assessed unit timelines to avoid landing major deadlines immediately after long holiday breaks. Use the multi-holiday calendar as a cultural teaching resource — the range of festivals observed in a Malaysian school year is a genuine opportunity to build intercultural understanding into the curriculum.
Teachers who engage with the festivals — attending open houses when invited, learning something about each occasion, acknowledging them in the classroom — build the kind of cultural credibility with students and parents that pays dividends across the year.
Common Mistakes
Assuming the school calendar matches the national public holiday schedule exactly
Malaysian international school academic calendars are set by the school and do not necessarily follow national school holiday dates. International schools typically run a September-to-June or August-to-May academic year aligned with British, IB, or other international frameworks. National public holidays that fall during a school term give students the day off, but the overall school holiday periods differ significantly from Malaysian government school holidays. Check your school’s specific academic calendar rather than relying on national school holiday schedules.
Not distinguishing between federal and state public holidays
Malaysia has both federal (national) public holidays observed across all states, and state-specific holidays that vary by state. Teachers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor observe different state holidays from teachers in Penang, Johor, or Sabah. A holiday that applies in Selangor may not apply in KL (which is a Federal Territory with its own holiday calendar) and vice versa. Know which state or territory your school is in to understand which state holidays apply to you.
Not planning travel around school holiday windows in advance
International school teachers in Malaysia have defined school break periods during which they can travel — typically 3 to 4 school breaks per year plus the summer. Flights and accommodation within the region fill up and become expensive quickly during school holidays (particularly for popular destinations like Bali, Bangkok, and the Maldives). Teachers who leave travel planning until the week before a break frequently find limited availability and high prices. Plan and book regional travel at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead of school holiday periods.
Missing the significance of Islamic holidays in the school social calendar
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr), Hari Raya Aidiladha, and the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Maulidur Rasul) are national public holidays with significant cultural weight in Malaysia. School attendance among Muslim students is typically lower in the days around these holidays, school social rhythms shift, and some school events are planned around rather than over them. Understanding the significance of these holidays — not just their occurrence as days off — is part of functioning effectively within the Malaysian school community.
Not using public holidays strategically to extend short breaks into longer trips
Malaysia’s public holiday calendar includes 12 to 15 federal holidays per year. When a public holiday falls adjacent to a weekend or near a school break, it creates an opportunity for extended travel with minimal annual leave. Teachers who plan their travel calendar around these extensions get significantly more travel time from their school breaks than those who do not. Review the annual public holiday calendar alongside the school calendar at the start of each year to identify these opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays does Malaysia have per year?
Malaysia has 12 federal (national) public holidays per year, with additional state-specific holidays varying by state. Including state holidays, most Malaysians observe 14 to 17 public holidays annually. The federal holidays include New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year (2 days), Hari Raya Aidilfitri (2 days), National Day, Malaysia Day, Hari Raya Aidiladha, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday, Deepavali, and Christmas. The exact list and any replacement holidays for those falling on weekends vary annually.
Do international school teachers in Malaysia get all public holidays off?
Generally yes — public holidays that fall during the school term are typically observed as non-school days for both students and teaching staff. However, the specific treatment of public holidays that fall during school breaks, or the number of replacement holidays offered when a public holiday falls on a weekend, varies by school and is typically specified in the employment contract. Check your contract and school handbook for the precise holiday entitlement, rather than assuming full federal holiday observance in all cases.
What are the main cultural holidays foreign teachers should know about in Malaysia?
The key culturally significant holidays that affect daily life and school community for foreign teachers include: Chinese New Year (January or February, 2-day federal holiday, major celebration for Chinese Malaysian community), Hari Raya Aidilfitri (end of Ramadan, 2-day federal holiday, most significant holiday for the Malay community), Deepavali (October or November, 1-day federal holiday, significant for the Indian Malaysian community), and National Day / Merdeka Day (31 August, independence day). Christmas is also a federal holiday and widely celebrated by Christian and non-Muslim communities.
When is Chinese New Year in Malaysia and how does it affect school?
Chinese New Year falls in January or February (the exact date shifts annually as it follows the lunar calendar). It is a 2-day federal public holiday, but celebrations typically extend for 15 days in Chinese Malaysian communities. School attendance among Chinese Malaysian students may be lower in the days immediately before and after the public holiday as families travel for reunion dinners and hometown visits. International schools typically plan their academic calendar around this, avoiding major assessments immediately before or after the Chinese New Year break.
Does Malaysia celebrate Christmas as a public holiday?
Yes — Christmas Day (25 December) is a federal public holiday in Malaysia, reflecting the country’s constitutional provision of religious freedom and the significant Christian communities in East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and among Chinese and Indian Christian Malaysians. Christmas is widely celebrated in shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels across KL, making it a more visible celebration than many new teachers expect in a majority-Muslim country. International schools are typically closed on Christmas Day and may have an extended school break around the date.
Are school holidays in Malaysia aligned with international school calendars?
No — Malaysian national school holidays follow a term structure tied to the national curriculum calendar (which runs January to November), while international schools follow their own academic calendar (typically September to June or August to May). The school break periods do not align, which means international school teachers are often in school during Malaysian national school holidays and on break at different times from Malaysian school parents and their local contacts. This misalignment is important to understand when planning family visits or travel that involves relatives in local schools.
What state-specific holidays affect teachers in KL and Selangor?
Kuala Lumpur is a Federal Territory and observes the Federal Territory Day on 1 February as a specific public holiday not observed in other states. Selangor has its own state holidays including the Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday (May) and Agong’s Birthday (replacement for the national holiday). Teachers in Putrajaya observe Federal Territory Day on 1 February. Schools located in or near state borders should specify which state’s holiday calendar applies — most international schools publish their specific holiday list in the school handbook.
Ready to Teach in Malaysia?
Teaching in Malaysia offers a genuinely rewarding combination of competitive salaries, low living costs, and a unique base for exploring Southeast Asia. Whether you are researching your first international posting or planning your next career move, every aspect of the process is covered on this site — from Employment Pass applications and salary negotiation to accommodation, tax, and life in Kuala Lumpur. Browse the related guides below to build the full picture before you commit.
Related Topics
- Malaysia Gazetted Public Holidays vs School Holidays: What’s the Difference?
- Malaysia’s Multi-Faith Calendar: How Festivals and Observances Affect School Life
- How State Public Holidays Affect Teachers in Different Parts of Malaysia
- Malaysia vs UK School Holidays: How the Calendar Compares for British Teachers
- Malaysia School Calendar and Term Dates: A Foreign Teacher’s Planning Guide
References
- Malaysian government public holiday schedule — malaysia.gov.my
- State government official calendars
- Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (JAKIM) — jakim.gov.my
