Sultan of Perak's Birthday 2026 + Deepavali: How Perak Gets a Free 4-Day Weekend in November
Sultan of Perak's Birthday 2026 + Deepavali: How Perak Gets a Free 4-Day Weekend in November
The Sultan of Perak's Birthday falls on Friday, 6 November 2026 — a Perak-only state holiday. Because it lands right before the weekend, and Deepavali on Sunday, 8 November 2026 triggers a Monday, 9 November replacement holiday in Perak, the two holidays chain together into four straight days off (6–9 November) for Perak-based employees and students — without touching a single day of annual leave.
Key Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Sultan of Perak's Birthday 2026 | Friday, 6 November 2026 |
| Type | Perak state public holiday only |
| Reigning Sultan | Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah |
| Deepavali 2026 | Sunday, 8 November 2026 (federal holiday, nationwide except Sarawak) |
| Deepavali replacement holiday | Monday, 9 November 2026 (most states, including Perak) |
| Result for Perak | 4 consecutive days off — Fri 6 to Mon 9 Nov — zero annual leave used |
Why Is 6 November 2026 a Public Holiday in Perak?
Every Malaysian state gazettes its own ruler's birthday as a state public holiday, and the date is set independently by each Istana and state government — it isn't fixed on the calendar and can shift from year to year. For 2026, the Perak state government has gazetted Friday, 6 November as the birthday holiday for Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who has reigned as the 35th Sultan of Perak since 2014.
This holiday applies to Perak only. Employees, schools and government offices in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and every other state operate as normal on 6 November — this is not a nationwide holiday.
How Deepavali's Sunday Landing Creates the Bonus
Deepavali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, which is already a rest day for most Malaysians. Under Section 3 of the Holidays Act 1958 (and the equivalent rest-day substitution rule under the Employment Act 1955), when a gazetted public holiday coincides with a paid weekly rest day, the next working day becomes a substitute holiday. That pushes Deepavali's day off to Monday, 9 November 2026 in Perak and most other states (the exceptions are Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, which run a Friday–Saturday weekend, and Sarawak, which doesn't gazette Deepavali at all).
Because Perak already has its own holiday on the Friday immediately before that weekend, the two unrelated holidays — one royal, one religious — end up bookending the same four-day stretch.
The Four-Day Weekend, Day by Day
| Day | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 6 November | Sultan of Perak's Birthday (Perak state holiday) |
| Saturday | 7 November | Weekend |
| Sunday | 8 November | Deepavali (nationwide holiday, except Sarawak) |
| Monday | 9 November | Deepavali replacement holiday (Perak and most states) |
Want a Longer Break? Add One Day of Leave
Take Tuesday, 10 November off and Perak-based employees get five consecutive days free (Fri 6–Tue 10) on a single day of annual leave, returning to work on Wednesday, 11 November.
Employees Outside Perak: What You Actually Get
If you don't work or study in Perak, 6 November is a normal working day for you. Most other Malaysians (outside Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Sarawak) still get the Deepavali long weekend — Saturday 7 to Monday 9 November, a three-day break — but not the extra Friday. For the full state-by-state breakdown of Deepavali itself, see our Deepavali 2026 guide.
What's Open and Closed
| Category | 6 Nov (Perak only) | 8–9 Nov (nationwide, except Sarawak/exceptions) |
|---|---|---|
| Government offices | Closed in Perak | Closed |
| Schools | Closed in Perak | Closed |
| Banks | Closed in Perak | Closed |
| Shopping malls | Open | Open, often with Deepavali sales |
| Restaurants & cafes | Open | Mostly open |
| Public transport | Normal schedule | Holiday/Sunday schedule |
Where to Go: Perak Long-Weekend Ideas
- Ipoh Old Town heritage walk — the Birch Memorial Clock Tower, Concubine Lane, and Ipoh's famous white coffee and hor fun
- Kellie's Castle — the unfinished colonial-era mansion near Batu Gajah, one of Perak's most photographed landmarks
- Pangkor Island — a short ferry ride from Lumut for beaches at Teluk Nipah and Pasir Bogak
- Bukit Larut (Maxwell Hill), Taiping — Malaysia's oldest hill station, reachable only by Land Rover, with cool weather and views over Taiping Lake Gardens
- Gua Tempurung — one of Peninsular Malaysia's largest limestone cave systems, near Gopeng
Book accommodation early — a four-day weekend for an entire state pushes demand for Ipoh and Pangkor hotels noticeably higher than a normal weekend.
Two Very Different Celebrations, One Long Weekend
The Sultan of Perak's Birthday honours the constitutional ruler of the state, marked with official ceremonies, a Istana reception and community events across Perak. Deepavali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, is unrelated in origin and significance — it commemorates the triumph of light over darkness and is celebrated nationally by the Malaysian Indian community with oil lamps, prayers and family visits. Their only connection in 2026 is a coincidence of the calendar, but for Perak residents, that coincidence is worth planning around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 6 November 2026 a public holiday nationwide?
No. It's a state public holiday in Perak only, marking the Sultan of Perak's birthday. Every other state works as normal that day.
Do all employees in Perak automatically get 6–9 November off?
Government offices, schools and most private-sector employers in Perak follow the state gazette and close on 6 November, then observe the Deepavali weekend as usual. Some private employers set their own policies, so confirm with HR if you're unsure.
Does the Deepavali replacement holiday on 9 November apply everywhere?
No. It applies in most states, including Perak, but not in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu (which have a Friday–Saturday weekend) or Sarawak (which doesn't observe Deepavali). See our Deepavali 2026 guide for the full state-by-state list.
Who is the current Sultan of Perak?
Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who has been the 35th Sultan of Perak since 2014.
Does this long weekend apply to Perak-based businesses too?
Under the Holidays Act 1958, gazetted state holidays apply to private-sector employees in that state, subject to each employer's specific arrangements — check your company's leave policy to confirm.
Live in a different state or want the bigger picture? Check our complete Malaysia public holidays calendar for every 2026 date, or read the full Deepavali 2026 guide for how the festival is observed across the country.