Part of our Malaysia public holidays guide, see the federal calendar and all 16 state observances.
Sabah observes 13 federal gazetted holidays plus four state-specific days: Pesta Kaamatan / Harvest Festival (30-31 May, 2 consecutive days), Good Friday, Sabah Governor's (TYT) Birthday, and Christmas Eve. Sabah is one of two East Malaysian states (with Sarawak) that recognises Good Friday as a public holiday, reflecting historical Christian minorities and the indigenous Kadazan-Dusun-Murut peoples.
Public holiday Sabah 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thu | New Year's Day | Federal |
| 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 |
| 3 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | Sabah state |
| 1 May | Fri | Labour Day | Federal |
| 27 May | Wed | Hari Raya Haji | Federal |
| 30 May | Sat | Pesta Kaamatan / Harvest Festival (Day 1) | Sabah state |
| 31 May | Sun | Pesta Kaamatan / Harvest Festival (Day 2) | Sabah state (1 Jun Mon replacement clashes with Agong) |
| 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 |
| 3 Oct | Sat | Sabah Governor's (TYT) Birthday | Sabah state |
| 8 Nov | Sun | Deepavali | Federal (9 Nov Mon replacement) |
| 24 Dec | Thu | Christmas Eve | Sabah state |
| 25 Dec | Fri | Christmas Day | Federal |
Source: sabah.gov.my. Islamic dates subject to moon sighting.
Sabah state-specific holidays
- Pesta Kaamatan / Harvest Festival (30-31 May 2026): celebrates the rice harvest in Kadazan-Dusun and Murut traditions. The festival peaks with the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant at Hongkod Koisaan, Penampang. Sabah is the only state to observe Pesta Kaamatan as a public holiday (Labuan also observes 30-31 May).
- Sabah Governor's (TYT) Birthday (3 October 2026): honours the reigning Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, the first Saturday of October.
- Good Friday (3 April 2026): Christian commemoration of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Observed in Sabah and Sarawak.
- Christmas Eve (24 December 2026): rare in Malaysia, Sabah extends Christmas to a 2-day observance.
Pesta Kaamatan: more than a holiday
Pesta Kaamatan is the most culturally significant holiday for Sabah's indigenous communities. The Kadazan-Dusun word "kaamatan" translates as "rice harvest," and the festival rituals trace back to the Bobohizan high priestess tradition of honouring Bambaazon, the rice spirit. The state holiday is observed on 30-31 May regardless of the actual harvest cycle. The Tadau Kaamatan (literally "Harvest Day") features traditional dances (Sumazau), music, food (linopot, hinava), and the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen) crowning at KDCA Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang.
Replacement holiday rule in Sabah
Standard Section 8 replacement applies for federal gazetted holidays falling on Sundays. The Pesta Kaamatan Day 2 falling on Sunday 31 May 2026 normally would trigger a Monday replacement, but 1 June 2026 is already the Agong's Birthday, so the calendar effectively shows no replacement for Kaamatan in 2026.
Planning around Sabah holidays
Pesta Kaamatan (30-31 May) is THE peak tourism period for Sabah. KK hotels (Kota Kinabalu), Sutera Harbour, Shangri-La Rasa Ria, and Kinabalu Park accommodations book out 8-12 weeks in advance. Mount Kinabalu climb permits should be booked 4 months ahead during this period. Kundasang's terraced vegetable farms and Ranau's hot springs see day-tripper crowds during the long weekend. For divers, Pulau Sipadan and Mabul resorts hit annual capacity around Kaamatan and Hari Raya periods. East Malaysia state calendars: Sarawak, Labuan.
FAQ: Sabah public holidays 2026
When is Pesta Kaamatan 2026?
30-31 May 2026 (Saturday and Sunday). Pesta Kaamatan is observed on the same dates every year regardless of the actual harvest cycle.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday everywhere in Malaysia?
No. Christmas Eve (24 December) is a public holiday only in Sabah. Other states observe only Christmas Day (25 December).
Why does Sabah have Good Friday but not other states?
Good Friday is gazetted in Sabah and Sarawak due to historical Christian populations among Kadazan-Dusun, Murut (Sabah), and Iban, Bidayuh (Sarawak) communities. Peninsular Malaysia states do not observe Good Friday.
Does Sabah have a Sultan?
No. Sabah is governed by a Yang di-Pertua Negeri (TYT / Governor) appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Sabah is one of four non-royal states (with Penang, Melaka, Sarawak).
Summary: Sabah public holidays 2026
Sabah residents in 2026 observe 13 federal holidays plus 4 state-specific holidays: Pesta Kaamatan over 2 days (30-31 May), Sabah Governor's (TYT) Birthday (3 October), Good Friday (3 April), and Christmas Eve (24 December). Pesta Kaamatan is the largest single Sabah tourism event, drawing visitors to the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang. For the full Malaysia public holiday picture, see the federal calendar.