Thaipusam 2027 in Malaysia: Friday 22 January, Which States Get the Holiday & How to Plan a 3-Day Weekend
Thaipusam 2027 falls on Friday, 22 January 2027. It is a state-level public holiday in the Klang Valley and several other Peninsular states, and because it lands on a Friday, residents of those states get a three-day weekend (22–24 January) without using any annual leave. Add one day of leave on Thursday 21 January and it becomes a four-day break.
Key Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Thaipusam 2027 | Friday, 22 January 2027 |
| Type | State public holiday (not a nationwide holiday) |
| States observing it | Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang, Johor |
| Long weekend | Friday 22 – Sunday 24 January (3 days) |
| With 1 day of leave | Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 January (4 days) |
Note: State holiday lists are gazetted separately from the national calendar, and a few calendars show Kedah as an additional state for Thaipusam in some years. Check your own state government's gazette closer to the date.
What Is Thaipusam?
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Murugan, celebrated on the full-moon day of the Tamil month of Thai (January–February), when the star Pusam is in ascendance. Devotees give thanks, fulfil vows and seek blessings, often after weeks of fasting and prayer. Because it follows the Tamil lunar calendar, the date moves each year on the Gregorian calendar — in 2026 it fell on 1 February, and in 2027 it comes about ten days earlier, on 22 January.
Which States Get the Day Off?
Thaipusam is not a federal holiday. It is observed as a public holiday in:
- Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya
- Selangor — home to Batu Caves, the festival's best-known site
- Negeri Sembilan
- Perak
- Penang — with its own famous celebrations at the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple and Waterfall Hilltop Temple
- Johor
If you work or study in Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan or Perlis, 22 January is a normal working day.
Your Long Weekend, Day by Day
| Day | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 21 January | Working day (optional leave day) |
| Friday | 22 January | Thaipusam (state holiday) |
| Saturday | 23 January | Weekend |
| Sunday | 24 January | Weekend |
Stacking It With the New Year Break
Thaipusam is not the only Friday holiday at the start of 2027. New Year's Day, 1 January 2027, is also a Friday, giving most of the country a 3-day weekend from 1–3 January. That means two separate three-day weekends within three weeks of each other for residents of Thaipusam states — and Chinese New Year follows on 6–7 February, as covered in our Chinese New Year 2027 guide. January and early February 2027 are a generous stretch for anyone planning short trips.
What's Open and Closed on Thaipusam
| Category | In Thaipusam states |
|---|---|
| Government offices | Closed |
| Schools | Closed |
| Banks | Closed |
| Shopping malls | Open |
| Restaurants & cafes | Mostly open |
| Batu Caves & Hindu temples | Open, very crowded |
| Public transport | Special services, heavy crowds around Batu Caves |
Where Thaipusam Is Celebrated in Malaysia
- Batu Caves, Selangor — the largest celebration in the country. The 272 rainbow-coloured steps up to the Temple Cave and the towering Murugan statue draw hundreds of thousands of devotees and visitors.
- Penang — a chariot procession carries the deity from Little India to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple (Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani).
- Ipoh, Perak — the Sri Subramaniar Temple at Gunung Cheroh holds one of the largest festivals outside Selangor.
- Negeri Sembilan and Johor — local temples hold processions, kavadi offerings and community meals.
Tips If You're Visiting Batu Caves
- Arrive early. Crowds build fast from dawn; many visitors begin before sunrise.
- Dress modestly and be prepared to remove your shoes at temple areas.
- Use public transport. The KTM Komuter Batu Caves station is the easiest route; roads nearby are heavily congested.
- Be respectful of devotees carrying milk pots (paal kudam) or kavadi — keep a clear path and ask before photographing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thaipusam 2027 a nationwide public holiday?
No. It is a state public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang and Johor.
What date is Thaipusam in 2027?
Friday, 22 January 2027.
Do I need to take leave to get a long weekend?
No. Because 22 January is a Friday, the holiday plus the weekend gives you three days off. Taking Thursday 21 January as leave stretches it to four days.
Is the holiday moved if Thaipusam falls on a weekend?
In most states a public holiday that falls on a Sunday is replaced by the following Monday, but that doesn't apply here since 2027's Thaipusam is a Friday.
Can private-sector employees claim the day?
Gazetted state holidays generally apply to employees in that state, subject to the Employment Act and your employer's arrangement. See our guide to public holiday pay in Malaysia if you are asked to work.
Planning the rest of the year? Browse the full Malaysia public holidays calendar and our 2027 early preview & long weekend planner.