Deepavali 2026 in Malaysia: Date, States Observing It & the Monday Replacement Holiday
Deepavali 2026 in Malaysia: Date, States Observing It & the Monday Replacement Holiday
Deepavali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November — a nationwide public holiday in every state except Sarawak. Because it lands on a Sunday, which is already a rest day for most Malaysians, the question everyone's asking is whether they still get a proper day off. Here's the full picture.
Deepavali 2026 Date & Public Holiday Status
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
| Also known as | Diwali, Festival of Lights, Hari Deepavali |
| Type | Federal public holiday — observed nationwide except Sarawak |
| Significance | Marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil |
| Replacement holiday | Monday, 9 November 2026 in most states (see below) |
Deepavali is gazetted as a public holiday in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. In Sarawak, it is not observed as a public holiday, and businesses and government offices there operate as normal on 8 November.
Falls on a Sunday: Do You Get Monday Off?
Yes — in most states. Because Deepavali 2026 lands on a Sunday, which is the gazetted paid rest day in most of Malaysia, Monday, 9 November 2026 has been gazetted as a replacement public holiday in the majority of states. This follows the standard practice under the Employment Act 1955 (Section 60D): when a public holiday coincides with an employee's paid rest day, the next working day becomes a substitute paid holiday.
There's a catch, though — it doesn't apply everywhere:
| State/Situation | Monday 9 Nov 2026 Off? |
|---|---|
| Most states (Selangor, KL, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, etc.) | Yes — gazetted replacement holiday |
| Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu | No — these states use a Friday–Saturday weekend, so Sunday isn't their paid rest day, and Deepavali itself already fell on a genuine day off for them |
| Sarawak | No — Sarawak doesn't observe Deepavali as a public holiday at all |
Employers and schools generally follow their state's official holiday circular, so double-check with your HR department or your state education department closer to the date to confirm — some private employers may also have their own policy.
What Is Deepavali? A Brief Background
Deepavali — literally "a row of lights" in Sanskrit — is the Hindu Festival of Lights, one of the most important dates on the Hindu calendar. In Malaysia, where the festival is celebrated mainly by the ethnic Indian community (predominantly Tamil Hindus), it commemorates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, most commonly linked to the story of Lord Rama's return to his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, having defeated the demon king Ravana. Villagers are said to have lit rows of oil lamps (vilakku) to guide him home — the origin of the festival's name and its signature imagery.
Deepavali has been a public holiday in Malaysia since before independence, reflecting the long-established presence of the Indian community in the country.
How Malaysians Celebrate Deepavali
- Oil lamps and decorations: Homes are lit with rows of oil lamps and fairy lights, and decorated with kolam (intricate rice-flour floor patterns) at the entrance
- Prayers at the kovil: Families visit Hindu temples for special prayers, such as Kuala Lumpur's Sri Mahamariamman Temple
- New clothes and family visits: Many buy new traditional outfits and visit relatives, similar to open-house customs during other Malaysian festivals
- Festive food: Sweets and snacks like murukku, laddu, and payasam are prepared and shared with neighbours of all backgrounds
- Little India light-ups: Areas like Brickfields (Kuala Lumpur), Little India in Penang, and Ipoh's Indian enclaves are strung with lights and host street festivities in the weeks leading up to the day
What's Open and Closed on Deepavali 2026?
| Category | Status (states observing the holiday) |
|---|---|
| Government offices | Closed |
| Schools | Closed |
| Banks | Closed |
| Shopping malls | Open, often with Deepavali sales |
| Hindu temples | Open with special prayers and extended hours |
| Restaurants & cafes | Most open |
| Public transport | Operating on holiday/Sunday schedules |
| Clinics & hospitals | Emergency services only; major hospitals operate 24/7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What date is Deepavali in Malaysia in 2026?
Deepavali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November.
Is Deepavali a public holiday in every Malaysian state?
It's a public holiday in every state except Sarawak, where it is treated as a normal working day.
Do I get Monday, 9 November 2026 off?
In most states, yes — it's gazetted as a replacement holiday because Deepavali falls on a Sunday. Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu (which use a Friday–Saturday weekend) and Sarawak (which doesn't observe Deepavali) are exceptions. Confirm with your employer or state gazette closer to the date.
Is Deepavali the same as Diwali?
Yes — Deepavali is the name commonly used in Malaysia and Singapore for the festival known as Diwali in India and elsewhere.
Why doesn't Sarawak observe Deepavali as a public holiday?
Sarawak sets its own list of state public holidays, and Deepavali has historically not been on that list, unlike Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
Planning further ahead? Check our complete 2026 Malaysia public holiday calendar for every gazetted date and long-weekend opportunity this year, or head to our holiday calendar homepage to see what's coming up next.