Part of our Malaysia public holidays guide, see the federal calendar and all 16 state observances.
Kelantan observes a Friday-Saturday weekend (not Saturday-Sunday) and recognises additional Islamic religious holidays beyond the federal gazette: Arafat Day, Nuzul Al-Quran, and Sultan of Kelantan's Birthday across two consecutive days (11-12 November 2026). New Year's Day is not observed in Kelantan. The Friday-Saturday weekend also applies in Johor, Kedah (officially since 2022), and Terengganu.
Public holiday Kelantan 2026 (federal + state)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb | Tue | Chinese New Year | Federal |
| 18 Feb | Wed | Chinese New Year (Day 2) | Federal |
| 11 Mar | Wed | Nuzul Al-Quran | Kelantan state |
| 21 Mar | Sat | Hari Raya Aidilfitri (subject to moon sighting) | Federal |
| 1 May | Fri | Labour Day | Federal |
| 26 May | Tue | Arafat Day | Kelantan state |
| 27 May | Wed | Hari Raya Haji | Federal |
| 1 Jun | Mon | Agong's Birthday | Federal |
| 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 |
| 11 Nov | Wed | Sultan of Kelantan's Birthday (Day 1) | Kelantan state |
| 12 Nov | Thu | Sultan of Kelantan's Birthday (Day 2) | Kelantan state |
| 25 Dec | Fri | Christmas Day | Federal |
Source: kelantan.gov.my. Islamic dates subject to moon sighting.
Kelantan state-specific holidays
- Sultan of Kelantan's Birthday (11-12 November 2026): two consecutive days, the only state in Malaysia to observe a 2-day ruler's birthday. Honours Sultan Muhammad V.
- Arafat Day (26 May 2026): day before Hari Raya Haji, observed by Kelantan and Terengganu as a state holiday.
- Nuzul Al-Quran (11 March 2026): commemorates the revelation of the Quran. Observed in Kelantan, Pahang, Perlis, Selangor, and Federal Territories.
Friday-Saturday weekend in Kelantan
Kelantan government offices, schools, and most businesses close on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday as a regular working day. This is unique to four Malaysian states: Johor, Kedah (since 2022), Kelantan, and Terengganu, reflecting the Muslim-majority cultural pattern. Federal offices and banks in Kelantan generally follow the standard Monday-Friday pattern with Friday afternoon closure for Jumaat prayers.
Replacement holiday rule in Kelantan
If a federal gazetted holiday falls on a Friday (Kelantan's weekend day), the following Sunday is observed as a replacement, in line with the state's weekend pattern. This is different from Saturday-Sunday weekend states where Monday replacement applies after Sunday holidays.
Planning around Kelantan holidays
Kelantan is famous for its handicrafts, batik, and Pantai Cahaya Bulan beach. The Sultan's Birthday period (mid-November) coincides with cooler monsoon-shoulder weather and is a prime time for cultural tourism. Note that Kota Bharu's main shopping streets close on Fridays, not Sundays. Neighbouring state calendars: Terengganu, Pahang.
FAQ: Kelantan public holidays 2026
When is the Sultan of Kelantan's Birthday 2026?
11-12 November 2026 (Wednesday and Thursday). Kelantan is the only Malaysian state to observe a 2-day ruler's birthday.
Are Kelantan businesses open on Sunday?
Yes. Sunday is a regular working day in Kelantan. State offices and many private businesses close on Friday and Saturday instead.
Does Kelantan observe Deepavali in 2026?
Yes. Deepavali is a federal gazetted holiday observed in 15 of 16 states (only Sarawak excludes it). Deepavali 2026 falls on 8 November (Sunday).
What is Arafat Day and why is it a holiday in Kelantan?
Arafat Day (9 Zulhijjah in the Islamic calendar, 26 May 2026) is the day before Hari Raya Haji and commemorates the Prophet's farewell sermon at Mount Arafah. Kelantan and Terengganu observe it as a state holiday for religious significance.
Summary: Kelantan public holidays 2026
Kelantan residents in 2026 observe 12 federal holidays (excluding New Year's Day) plus 4 state-specific holidays: Sultan of Kelantan's Birthday across 2 days (11-12 November), Arafat Day (26 May), and Nuzul Al-Quran (11 March). The Friday-Saturday weekend convention is the most distinctive feature of Kelantan's calendar. For the full Malaysia public holiday picture, see the federal calendar.