Kandungan
Part of our Malaysia public holidays guide, see the federal calendar and all 16 state observances.
Kedah residents observe 13 federal gazetted holidays plus state-specific days for the Sultan of Kedah's Birthday, Awal Ramadan, and Israk and Mikraj. New Year's Day (1 January) is NOT observed in Kedah, in line with the Friday-Saturday weekend convention historically followed in the state. Kedah switched to the standard Saturday-Sunday weekend in 2022, but the New Year's Day exclusion remains.
Public holiday Kedah 2026 (federal + state)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb | Tue | Chinese New Year | Federal |
| 18 Feb | Wed | Chinese New Year (Day 2) | Federal |
| 11 Feb | Wed | Israk and Mikraj | Kedah state |
| 20 Feb | Fri | Awal Ramadan | Kedah state |
| 21 Mar | Sat | Hari Raya Aidilfitri (subject to moon sighting) | Federal |
| 1 May | Fri | Labour Day | Federal |
| 27 May | Wed | Hari Raya Haji | Federal |
| 1 Jun | Mon | Agong's Birthday | Federal |
| 15 Jun | Mon | Sultan of Kedah's Birthday | Kedah state |
| 17 Jun | Wed | Awal Muharram | Federal |
| 26 Aug | Wed | Maulidur Rasul | Federal |
| 31 Aug | Mon | National Day (Merdeka) | Federal |
| 16 Sep | Wed | Malaysia Day | Federal |
| 8 Nov | Sun | Deepavali | Federal |
| 25 Dec | Fri | Christmas Day | Federal |
Source: kedah.gov.my. Islamic dates subject to moon sighting confirmation by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal.
Kedah state-specific holidays
- Sultan of Kedah's Birthday (15 June 2026): celebrates the reign of Sultan Sallehuddin. Date adjusts annually based on the third Sunday of June convention.
- Awal Ramadan (20 February 2026): first day of the Islamic fasting month. Observed by Kedah as a religious holiday, not gazetted federally.
- Israk and Mikraj (11 February 2026): commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's night journey. Observed in Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, and Perlis.
Replacement holiday rule
If a federal gazetted holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a replacement under Section 8 of the Holidays Act 1951. State-level Kedah holidays do not automatically get replacement days unless declared by the Sultan or the state government.
Why the Sultan of Kedah's Birthday matters
The reigning Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, ascended the throne on 12 September 2017 after the passing of his elder brother. The official birthday observance falls on the third Sunday of June, with the Monday adjacent declared a public holiday in Kedah only.
Planning around Kedah holidays
Kedah is a major destination for Langkawi tourism and a feeder state for Penang and Thailand border crossings. Long weekends including Sultan of Kedah's Birthday (mid-June) tend to be peak for ferry bookings to Langkawi. Book accommodation in Kuah, Pantai Cenang, and Pantai Tengah at least 4-6 weeks ahead during these periods. Neighbouring state calendars: Perlis, Penang.
FAQ: Kedah public holidays 2026
Does Kedah observe New Year's Day in 2026?
No. Kedah is one of five states that do not observe New Year's Day (with Johor, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu), even though it switched to the Saturday-Sunday weekend in 2022.
When is the Sultan of Kedah's Birthday 2026?
15 June 2026 (Monday). Date adjusts annually based on the third Sunday of June convention.
Are Hari Raya Aidilfitri dates fixed in Kedah?
No. Aidilfitri follows the Islamic lunar calendar and is subject to moon sighting confirmed by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal. The 2026 indicative date is 21 March (Saturday).
What's the difference between Kedah and Perlis state holidays?
Both observe Israk and Mikraj plus their ruler's birthday, but Perlis adds Nuzul Al-Quran while Kedah adds Awal Ramadan. Both skip New Year's Day.
Summary: Kedah public holidays 2026
Kedah residents in 2026 observe 12 federal holidays (excluding New Year's Day) plus 3 state-specific holidays: Sultan of Kedah's Birthday (15 June), Awal Ramadan (20 February), and Israk and Mikraj (11 February). The Friday-Saturday weekend convention applies to state offices despite the official 2022 shift to Saturday-Sunday. For the full Malaysia public holiday picture, see the federal calendar.