Part of our Malaysia public holidays guide, see the federal calendar and all 16 state observances.
Perlis observes 13 federal gazetted holidays (minus New Year's Day) plus three state-specific days: Raja of Perlis' Birthday (17 May), Israk and Mikraj, and Nuzul Al-Quran. Perlis is Malaysia's smallest state and uniquely uses the title "Raja" rather than "Sultan" for its monarch. It is one of five states that do not observe New Year's Day (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Terengganu).
Public holiday Perlis 2026
| 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 | Perlis state |
| 11 Mar | Wed | Nuzul Al-Quran | Perlis state |
| 21 Mar | Sat | Hari Raya Aidilfitri (subject to moon sighting) | Federal |
| 1 May | Fri | Labour Day | Federal |
| 17 May | Sun | Raja of Perlis' Birthday | Perlis state (18 May Mon replacement) |
| 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 (9 Nov Mon replacement) |
| 25 Dec | Fri | Christmas Day | Federal |
Source: perlis.gov.my. Islamic dates subject to moon sighting.
Perlis state-specific holidays
- Raja of Perlis' Birthday (17 May 2026, Sun with 18 May Mon replacement): honours Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, the current Raja Perlis since 2000. Date fixed at 17 May, with Monday replacement when it falls on Sunday.
- Israk and Mikraj (11 February 2026): commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's night journey. Observed by Perlis along with Kedah and Negeri Sembilan.
- Nuzul Al-Quran (11 March 2026): commemorates the revelation of the Quran. Observed by Perlis, Pahang, Kelantan, Selangor, and Federal Territories.
Why "Raja" and not "Sultan"
Perlis is the only Malaysian royal state where the monarch holds the title "Raja" rather than "Sultan." This dates to 1843 when Perlis was carved out of Kedah and elevated to a separate state under the suzerainty of Siam, with its first ruler installed as Raja. The title is preserved by tradition even after Perlis joined the Federation of Malaya in 1957. The Raja of Perlis is one of the nine rulers who elect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong every five years.
Replacement holiday rule in Perlis
Standard Section 8 replacement applies for federal gazetted holidays falling on Sundays. The Raja's Birthday (17 May) is one of the few state holidays that also gets Monday replacement when it falls on a weekend, applicable in 2026. In 2026:
- Raja's Birthday (17 May Sun): replacement on 18 May Mon
- Deepavali (8 Nov Sun): replacement on 9 Nov Mon
Planning around Perlis holidays
Perlis is a quiet state with low tourist density compared to neighbouring Kedah. Kuala Perlis is the main jumping-off point for Langkawi ferries, and during the Raja's Birthday long weekend (mid-May), ferry bookings to Langkawi tighten significantly. Wang Kelian Sunday Market and Padang Besar (Thai border town) see weekend cross-border activity from Hatyai shoppers; check Thai-Malaysia border hours during state holidays. Neighbouring state calendar: Kedah.
FAQ: Perlis public holidays 2026
When is the Raja of Perlis' Birthday 2026?
17 May 2026 (Sunday) with 18 May Monday replacement. Date is fixed at 17 May with weekend-replacement applied.
Why is Perlis' monarch called "Raja" and not "Sultan"?
Perlis was separated from Kedah in 1843 under Siamese suzerainty, with its first ruler installed as "Raja." The title has been preserved by tradition since Perlis joined the Federation of Malaya in 1957.
Does Perlis observe New Year's Day?
No. Perlis is one of five Friday-Saturday-tradition states (with Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu) that do not gazette New Year's Day as a public holiday.
Is the Raja of Perlis the smallest royal state's ruler?
Perlis is the smallest Malaysian state by area (821 km²). The Raja of Perlis is one of the nine rulers who elect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong every five years, equal in constitutional standing to Sultans of larger states.
Summary: Perlis public holidays 2026
Perlis residents in 2026 observe 12 federal holidays (excluding New Year's Day) plus 3 state-specific holidays: Raja of Perlis' Birthday (17 May with 18 May replacement), Israk and Mikraj (11 February), and Nuzul Al-Quran (11 March). The Raja title and small state size make Perlis the most distinctive of Malaysia's nine royal states. For the full Malaysia public holiday picture, see the federal calendar.