Malaysian Schools Get Extra Deepavali Holidays In November. Here’s The Schedule
The additional school holidays vary by state, with students in most Group B states getting 9 and 10 November off while Sarawak gets just one extra day.
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The Ministry of Education (MOE) has allocated additional school holidays for Deepavali 2026, giving students in most states a longer break around the Festival of Lights
Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November, this year. As such, Monday, 9 November, will be a replacement public holiday.
Meanwhile, schools that fall under Group B in the 2026 academic calendar will get an additional day off on Tuesday, 10 November.
This means families can plan their celebrations and travel ahead of the festive period.
A Hindu devotee holds a diya (small decorative clay lamp) by idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh during the festival of Diwali at a Hindu temple.
Image via Creative Touch Imaging Ltd/NurPhoto/AFPHere's when schools will be off for Deepavali 2026
According to the 2026 Academic Calendar published by the ministry, the Deepavali holidays are as follows:
- Group A: Schools in Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu will get a replacement public holiday on Monday, 9 November.
- Group B, excluding Sarawak: Schools in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya will be off on 9 and 10 November (Monday and Tuesday).
- Sarawak: Schools will get a replacement public holiday on Monday, 9 November.
The dates are set out in MOE's official academic calendar under its 2026 festive holiday provisions.
How to get a longer Deepavali break in 2026
For families in Group B states outside Sarawak, the school holidays offer an opportunity to plan a longer family getaway.
Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November, followed by the additional school holidays on Monday and Tuesday, 9 and 10 November.
For those working a regular Monday to Friday schedule, the break can be extended to four consecutive days by taking annual leave on Tuesday, 10 November.
Here's how the dates line up:
- Saturday, 7 November: Weekend
- Sunday, 8 November: Deepavali
- Monday, 9 November: Replacement public holiday
- Tuesday, 10 November: Additional school holiday; take annual leave if required by your employer
This gives parents an opportunity to spend more time with their children during the festive period, whether they are returning to their hometowns or planning a short holiday.
However, the additional school holidays announced by the ministry do not automatically apply to private-sector employees. Workers should check their applicable public holidays, employment terms, and company leave policies before making plans.
