Part of our Malaysia public holidays guide, see the federal calendar and all 16 state observances.
Perak observes 13 federal gazetted holidays plus two state-specific days: Sultan of Perak's Birthday (first Friday of November) and Thaipusam (5 February 2026). Perak is one of nine Malaysian royal states governed by a Sultan, and operates under a unique succession arrangement where Sultans alternate between three royal lineages (Raja Bendahara, Raja Muda, and Raja Di Hilir) rather than strict primogeniture.
Public holiday Perak 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thu | New Year's Day | Federal |
| 5 Feb | Thu | Thaipusam | Perak state |
| 17 Feb | Tue | Chinese New Year | Federal |
| 18 Feb | Wed | Chinese New Year (Day 2) | Federal |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 6 Nov | Fri | Sultan of Perak's Birthday | Perak state |
| 8 Nov | Sun | Deepavali | Federal (9 Nov Mon replacement) |
| 25 Dec | Fri | Christmas Day | Federal |
Source: perak.gov.my. Islamic dates subject to moon sighting.
Perak state-specific holidays
- Sultan of Perak's Birthday (6 November 2026): honours the reigning Sultan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who acceded to the throne in 2014. Date is the first Friday of November (variable annually).
- Thaipusam (5 February 2026): the Hindu festival commemorating Lord Murugan. Observed in Perak, where significant Hindu populations reside in Ipoh, Taiping, and the former tin-mining towns.
Perak's unique succession tradition
Unlike Johor or Kelantan where the Sultanate passes father-to-son, Perak rotates the throne among three royal lineages: Raja Bendahara, Raja Muda (Crown Prince), and Raja Di Hilir. Each Sultan typically holds the throne for life, and upon his passing, the throne does not necessarily pass to his son but to the next senior royal in the rotation. This makes Perak's royal succession one of the most complex in the Commonwealth and is followed closely by historians and constitutional scholars.
Replacement holiday rule in Perak
Standard Section 8 replacement applies for federal gazetted holidays falling on Sundays. State holidays do not automatically get replacement days. In 2026:
- Deepavali (8 Nov Sun): replacement on 9 Nov Mon
Planning around Perak holidays
Ipoh is a major weekend destination for KL residents, and the Sultan's Birthday long weekend (first Friday of November) drives bookings at Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Lost World of Tambun, and Concubine Lane hotels. Cameron Highlands (straddling Pahang and Perak) is busy during the federal long weekends, particularly Hari Raya and Christmas. Pangkor Island bookings spike during the May Hari Raya Haji and August Merdeka weekends. Neighbouring state calendars: Penang, Kedah, Selangor.
FAQ: Perak public holidays 2026
When is the Sultan of Perak's Birthday 2026?
6 November 2026 (Friday). The date follows the first Friday of November convention.
Why does Perak's Sultan title pass between three lineages?
Perak operates a unique alternating succession among Raja Bendahara, Raja Muda, and Raja Di Hilir lineages rather than father-to-son inheritance. This makes Perak's royal succession one of the most complex in the Commonwealth.
Does Perak observe Thaipusam?
Yes. Perak observes Thaipusam (5 February 2026) due to significant Hindu populations in Ipoh, Taiping, and former tin-mining towns.
Is Cameron Highlands a public holiday destination?
Cameron Highlands is administered by Pahang, not Perak, but is accessed mainly via Tapah in Perak. Whichever state calendar applies, hill-station traffic spikes around all federal long weekends and Sultan's Birthdays in either state.
Summary: Perak public holidays 2026
Perak residents in 2026 observe 13 federal holidays plus 2 state-specific holidays: Sultan of Perak's Birthday (6 November) and Thaipusam (5 February). The alternating-lineage royal succession makes Perak's Sultanate structurally distinct from other Malaysian royal states. For the full Malaysia public holiday picture, see the federal calendar.