Public Holidays in Sabah 2026–2027 (Full Calendar)
What are the public holidays in Sabah 2026?
Sabah observes 20 gazetted public holidays in 2026, including federal holidays and Sabah-specific ones: Sabah Governor's Birthday (30 March), Good Friday (3 April), Pesta Kaamatan / Harvest Festival (30–31 May), and Christmas Eve (24 December). The full list is below, sourced directly from the official Sabah Government Gazette.
Sabah observes all Malaysian federal public holidays plus several state-specific holidays that Peninsular Malaysia doesn't get. In total, Sabah enjoys 18–20 public holidays per year — one of the highest in the country.
Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival, 30–31 May), Good Friday, Christmas Eve, and the Sabah Governor's Birthday (30 March) are unique to Sabah. That's 5 extra days off most other Malaysian states don't get.
Sabah Public Holidays 2026 (Full List)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type | Bridge Day? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thu | New Year's Day | Federal | Take Fri 2 Jan → 4-day weekend |
| 17 Feb | Tue | Chinese New Year (Day 1) | Federal | Take Mon 16 Feb → 5-day break |
| 18 Feb | Wed | Chinese New Year (Day 2) | Federal | |
| 21 Mar | Sat | Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Day 1) | Federal* | Take Thu 19 + Fri 20 Mar → 5-day break |
| 22 Mar | Sun | Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Day 2) | Federal* | |
| 23 Mar | Mon | Hari Raya Aidilfitri (in-lieu) | Replacement† | |
| 30 Mar | Mon | Sabah Governor's Birthday | Sabah | 3-day weekend! (Take Tue 31 Mar → 4 days) |
| 3 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | Sabah | 3-day weekend! |
| 1 May | Fri | Labour Day | Federal | 3-day weekend! (Take Mon 4 May → 4 days) |
| 27 May | Wed | Hari Raya Haji | Federal* | Take Thu 28 + Fri 29 May → 6-day break! Combines Haji + Kaamatan + Vesak + Agong's Birthday |
| 30 May | Sat | Pesta Kaamatan (Day 1) | Sabah | |
| 31 May | Sun | Pesta Kaamatan (Day 2) + Wesak Day | Sabah Federal | |
| 1 Jun | Mon | Agong's Birthday | Federal | |
| 17 Jun | Wed | Awal Muharram | Federal* | Take Mon 15 + Tue 16 Jun → 5-day break |
| 25 Aug | Tue | Maulidur Rasul | Federal* | Take Mon 24 Aug → 4-day weekend |
| 31 Aug | Mon | Merdeka Day | Federal | 3-day weekend! |
| 16 Sep | Wed | Malaysia Day | Federal | Take Thu 17 + Fri 18 Sep → 5-day break |
| 8 Nov | Sun | Deepavali | Federal | Mon 9 Nov likely in-lieu† → 3-day weekend |
| 24 Dec | Thu | Christmas Eve | Sabah | 4-day break with no leave needed (Thu–Sun) |
| 25 Dec | Fri | Christmas Day | Federal |
* Islamic holiday dates are based on astronomical estimates and may shift by 1–2 days based on official moon sighting. The Malaysian government confirms dates via the Federal Gazette.
† In-lieu (replacement) days for holidays falling on Sunday are automatic for private-sector employees under the Employment Act 1955. Government servants follow separate JPA circulars and the replacement is not always gazetted.
Thaipusam, Israk & Mikraj, and Nuzul Al-Quran are not gazetted as public holidays in Sabah. They are observed only in certain Peninsular states (e.g. Selangor, Penang, Perak, Kuala Lumpur).
Sabah-Specific Holidays
Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival)
30–31 May every year
The most important cultural celebration in Sabah. The Kadazan-Dusun people give thanks to the spirit of rice (Bambaazon) for a bountiful harvest. Main celebrations at KDCA Penampang with traditional dancing, tapai (rice wine), the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant, and cultural performances. Each district holds their own celebrations throughout May.
Good Friday
Varies (March/April)
Only observed in Sabah and Sarawak. About 30% of Sabah's population is Christian, mainly among the Kadazan-Dusun and Murut communities. Churches hold special services. Many businesses in KK remain open.
Sabah Governor's Birthday
30 March (from 2025 onwards)
The official birthday of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah (TYT). From 2025, this is gazetted on 30 March — the actual birthday of TYT Tun Musa Aman (appointed 1 January 2025). An investiture ceremony is held at the Istana. A state-level celebration — most government offices and many businesses close.
Long Weekend Planner
Strategically time your annual leave to stack onto public holidays. Here are the best bridge day opportunities in 2026:
| Take Leave On | Total Days Off | Leave Used | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 2 Jan | 4 days | 1 day | Thu 1 Jan (NY) → Sun 4 Jan |
| Mon 16 Feb | 5 days | 1 day | Sat 14 → Wed 18 Feb (Mon leave + CNY1 + CNY2) |
| Thu 19 + Fri 20 Mar | 5 days | 2 days | Thu 19 → Mon 23 Mar (Aidilfitri Sat–Sun + auto in-lieu Mon) |
| Tue 31 Mar | 4 days | 1 day | Sat 28 → Tue 31 Mar (Sabah Governor's Birthday on Mon 30 Mar) |
| Mon 4 May | 4 days | 1 day | Fri 1 May (Labour) → Mon 4 May |
| Thu 28 + Fri 29 May ⭐ | 6 days | 2 days | Wed 27 May (Haji) → Mon 1 Jun (Agong's) — stacks Haji + Kaamatan + Vesak + Agong's |
| Mon 15 + Tue 16 Jun | 5 days | 2 days | Sat 13 → Wed 17 Jun (Awal Muharram) |
| Mon 24 Aug | 4 days | 1 day | Sat 22 → Tue 25 Aug (Maulidur Rasul) |
| Thu 17 + Fri 18 Sep | 5 days | 2 days | Wed 16 Sep (Malaysia Day) → Sun 20 Sep |
| No leave (Christmas) | 4 days | 0 days | Thu 24 (Xmas Eve) → Sun 27 Dec |
The Hari Raya Haji + Kaamatan + Vesak + Agong's Birthday combo (27 May – 1 Jun) is the jackpot of 2026. Take just 2 days of leave (Thu 28 + Fri 29 May) to get a 6-day break. Perfect for an island hop or a Mount Kinabalu climb.
2027 Public Holidays
2027 dates are preliminary estimates — the Sabah Gazette typically confirms the official calendar in late December of the preceding year. Islamic holidays shift approximately 11 days earlier than 2026, and the moon-sighting confirmation may move them by 1–2 days.
| Date (est.) | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Fri | New Year's Day | Federal |
| 6 Feb | Sat | Chinese New Year (Day 1) | Federal |
| 7 Feb | Sun | Chinese New Year (Day 2) | Federal |
| ~10 Mar | Wed | Hari Raya Aidilfitri* | Federal |
| ~11 Mar | Thu | Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Day 2)* | Federal |
| 26 Mar | Fri | Good Friday | Sabah |
| ~30 Mar | Tue | Sabah Governor's Birthday‡ | Sabah |
| 1 May | Sat | Labour Day | Federal |
| ~17 May | Mon | Hari Raya Haji* | Federal |
| Vesak Day | — | Date pending — typically full moon of Vaisakha month (around 20–21 May 2027) | Federal |
| 30 May | Sun | Pesta Kaamatan (Day 1) | Sabah |
| 31 May | Mon | Pesta Kaamatan (Day 2) | Sabah |
| ~6 Jun | Sun | Awal Muharram* | Federal |
| 7 Jun | Mon | Agong's Birthday | Federal |
| ~15 Aug | Sun | Maulidur Rasul* | Federal |
| 31 Aug | Tue | Merdeka Day | Federal |
| 16 Sep | Thu | Malaysia Day | Federal |
| ~9 Nov | Tue | Deepavali | Federal |
| 24 Dec | Fri | Christmas Eve | Sabah |
| 25 Dec | Sat | Christmas Day | Federal |
* Islamic dates are estimates and will be confirmed by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal closer to the date. ~ indicates approximate date pending official gazette. ‡ Sabah Governor's Birthday on 30 March is gazetted for TYT Tun Musa Aman's tenure (from 2025) — date may change if the office-holder changes.
How Replacement Holidays Work
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is almost always a gazetted replacement holiday. When a holiday falls on Saturday, replacement is less consistent and must be specifically gazetted by the government.
For private sector employees: Under the Employment Act, if a holiday falls on your rest day, the next working day is automatically a paid holiday — regardless of whether the government gazettes a replacement.
For government servants: JPA (Public Service Department) issues specific circulars for replacement holidays.
What Closes on Public Holidays
| Service | Major Holidays | Minor Holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Government offices | Closed | Closed |
| Banks | Closed | Closed (follow federal calendar) |
| Shopping malls | Open (reduced hours on CNY Day 1, Raya Day 1) | Open |
| Restaurants | Many close CNY Day 1, Raya Day 1 | Usually open |
| Supermarkets | Open (reduced hours) | Open |
| Public transport | Reduced schedule | Normal or slightly reduced |
| Tourist attractions | Usually open | Open |
| Hospitals (A&E) | 24/7 always open | 24/7 always open |
Q How many public holidays does Sabah get per year?
Sabah typically gets 19–20 gazetted public holidays per year — more than most other Malaysian states. In 2026 specifically, there are 20 gazetted dates but only 19 distinct days off because Wesak Day and Pesta Kaamatan (Day 2) both fall on 31 May. This includes all federal holidays plus Sabah-specific ones: Good Friday, Pesta Kaamatan (2 days), Sabah Governor's Birthday (30 March), and Christmas Eve (24 December). With automatic in-lieu replacements for weekend holidays, some years reach 22+ paid days off.
Q Do Islamic holiday dates change every year?
Yes. Islamic holidays follow the Hijri (lunar) calendar, which is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Dates like Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Haji, Awal Muharram, and Maulidur Rasul shift earlier each year.
Official dates are confirmed by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal based on moon sighting, sometimes just 1–2 days before the actual holiday. The dates listed here are estimates based on astronomical calculations.
Q What is Pesta Kaamatan and can tourists attend?
Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) is celebrated on 30-31 May every year. It's the most important cultural celebration for the Kadazan-Dusun people, giving thanks for the rice harvest.
Yes, tourists are welcome! The main celebrations happen at the KDCA (Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association) in Penampang, about 15 minutes from KK. Highlights include traditional dancing, rice wine (tapai/lihing) tasting, the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant, and cultural performances.
Individual districts also hold their own celebrations throughout May. Tambunan and Ranau have particularly lively events.
Q Is Good Friday a holiday everywhere in Malaysia?
No. Good Friday is only a public holiday in Sabah and Sarawak. Both states have large Christian populations, particularly among indigenous communities (Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Iban, Bidayuh). Peninsular Malaysia does not observe Good Friday as a public holiday.
Q Do I get a replacement holiday if a public holiday falls on my rest day?
Under the Employment Act 1955 (as amended), if a public holiday falls on a rest day, the next working day is a paid holiday. This applies to private sector employees. For public holidays falling on Saturday, the government must gazette a replacement — this is usually Monday but not always guaranteed.
Government servants follow separate rules set by JPA (Public Service Department).
Q When should I avoid visiting Sabah due to crowds?
Peak travel periods in Sabah:
- Pesta Kaamatan week (late May) — Hotels in KK fill up, especially Penampang area
- Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) — 3-4 days of busy hotels and full restaurants
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri (21–22 March in 2026) — Major traffic on highways, especially KK–Interior routes
- School holidays (especially November–December) — Accommodation prices spike 30-50% at tourist spots
- Year-end holidays (Christmas–New Year) — Peak season across all of Sabah
Best value periods: February (post-CNY), March, June (post-Kaamatan), September.
Sources & References 6 sources
Last verified: 13 May 2026
Official Government Sources
- Sabah Government — Public Holidays (Primary Source) Official Sabah Gazette — full 2026 list
- Malaysia Government Gazette (Federal Holidays) Official gazetted federal public holidays
- Prime Minister's Office — Holiday Announcements Holiday policy announcements
- Employment Act 1955 (Amended) Legal framework for public holidays