Blessed with stunning islands, lush rainforests, and Mount Kinabalu as its crown jewel, Sabah is also one of Malaysia’s best states for maximizing your time off. Thanks to a blend of national celebrations and unique state holidays, you can turn just a few days of annual leave into multiple long weekends or extended getaways.
This guide to Sabah public holidays for 2025 and 2026 includes not only the full holiday calendar but also insider tips and clever leave-planning hacks to help you enjoy more travel adventures, cultural experiences, and quality time with loved ones.
Sabah Public Holidays 2025
| Holiday | Date | Day | Leave Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 | Wed | Take Dec 30–31, 2024 for a 5-day holiday |
| Chinese New Year | Jan 29–30 | Wed–Thu | Take Jan 31 (Fri) → 5-day break |
| Good Friday (Sabah only) | Apr 18 | Fri | 3-day weekend |
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri | Mar 31–Apr 1 | Mon–Tue | Take Apr 2–4 for 9 days with weekends |
| Labour Day | May 1 | Thu | Take May 2 (Fri) → 4-day break |
| Kaamatan Festival | May 30–31 | Fri–Sat | Add June 2 (Mon) Agong’s Birthday for a 5-day break |
| Agong’s Birthday | Jun 2 | Mon | Overlaps with Kaamatan |
| Malaysia Day | Sep 16 | Tue | Take Sep 15 (Mon) → 4-day break |
| Deepavali | Oct 21 | Tue | Take Oct 20 & 22 → 5 days off |
| Christmas | Dec 25 | Thu | Take Dec 26 (Fri) → 4-day festive break |
Quick Hacks for 2025
🎯 April Double Win – Combine Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Mar 31–Apr 1) with Good Friday (Apr 18) for two big breaks in one month.
🎯 Kaamatan + Agong Combo – Celebrate Sabah’s biggest festival and enjoy back-to-back public holidays.
🎯 Chinese New Year Boost – 1 leave day (Jan 31) = 5 days off.
Sabah Public Holidays 2026
| Holiday | Date | Day | Leave Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 | Thu | Take Jan 2 (Fri) → 4-day weekend |
| Chinese New Year | Feb 17–18 | Tue–Wed | Take Feb 19–20 → 6-day break |
| Good Friday (Sabah only) | Apr 3 | Fri | 3-day weekend |
| Hari Raya Aidilfitri | Mar 29–30 | Sun–Mon | Take Mar 31–Apr 1 → 6-day holiday |
| Labour Day | May 1 | Fri | 3-day weekend |
| Kaamatan Festival | May 30–31 | Sat–Sun | Add June 1–2 for a 5-day break |
| Agong’s Birthday | Jun 8 | Mon | 3-day weekend |
| Malaysia Day | Sep 16 | Wed | Take Sep 17–18 → 5-day trip |
| Deepavali | Oct 20 | Tue | Take Oct 19 & 21 → 5 days off |
| Christmas | Dec 25 | Fri | 3-day festive weekend |
Quick Hacks for 2026
🎯 Chinese New Year Jackpot – Just 2 leave days (Feb 19–20) for a 6-day holiday.
🎯 Kaamatan Extended – Link with Agong’s Birthday for extra rest days.
🎯 Malaysia Day Stretch – 2 leave days in September = 5-day trip to Asia destinations.
Travel Ideas by Month – 2025
🗓 January
Trip Idea: Island hop to Sipadan, Mabul, or Kapalai.
Tip: Chinese New Year (Jan 29–31) is perfect for family reunions or short getaways to Kota Kinabalu’s islands.
🗓 March/April
Trip Idea: Celebrate Hari Raya in coastal towns or dive in Semporna.
Tip: Combine Hari Raya (Mar 31–Apr 1) with Good Friday (Apr 18) for two major trips.
🗓 May/June
Trip Idea: Immerse yourself in the Kaamatan Festival in Penampang.
Tip: Extend your trip with Agong’s Birthday for a 5-day getaway.
🗓 September
Trip Idea: 5-day Malaysia Day break → fly to Seoul, Taipei, or Bali.
🗓 October–December
Trip Idea: Enjoy Deepavali markets, then end the year with a beach retreat in Kudat or Christmas in Kota Kinabalu.
Travel Ideas by Month – 2026
🗓 January
Trip Idea: Kick off the year with a Kundasang highlands escape.
🗓 February
Trip Idea: Chinese New Year (Feb 17–20) → great for island hopping or overseas trips to Bangkok or Hanoi.
🗓 March/April
Trip Idea: Combine Hari Raya (Mar 29–Apr 1) with Good Friday (Apr 3) for a week-long vacation.
🗓 May/June
Trip Idea: Celebrate Kaamatan in traditional villages, then enjoy Mount Kinabalu trekking.
🗓 September
Trip Idea: Malaysia Day holiday → Tokyo, Osaka, or Hong Kong.
🗓 October–December
Trip Idea: Deepavali with family, followed by a Christmas dive trip to Sipadan.
Key Festive & Seasonal Highlights (Sabah)
🌾 Kaamatan Festival (May) – Sabah’s vibrant harvest celebration, filled with traditional dances, cultural performances, and local delicacies.
🐢 Turtle Nesting Season (May–September) – Head to Selingan Turtle Island to witness endangered turtles nesting and hatchlings making their way to the sea.
🌊 Dry Season (February–August) – The best window for outdoor adventures such as diving in Sipadan, island hopping in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, and climbing Mount Kinabalu. The peak climbing months are March to May, when skies are clearest and weather is most stable.
🌧 Rainy Season (November–January) – Ideal for slower-paced activities like river cruises along the Kinabatangan River, wildlife spotting in lush rainforests, and exploring Sabah’s indoor cultural attractions.
✈️ Start Planning Your Sabah Getaways Now!
With the right strategy, just a few well-placed leave days can turn your year into a series of memorable adventures. Whether you’re soaking in Kaamatan festivities, relaxing on pristine islands, or exploring new countries, early planning means better prices and choices.
📅 Bookmark this Sabah public holiday guide for 2025 and 2026 so you can apply for leave at the right time.
🔗 Check our full Malaysia Public Holiday Calendar for other states and nationwide events.
💡 Your dream holiday is just one leave application away—start planning today!
