Christmas Day 2026, School Holiday & Public Holiday Dates

The date of Christmas Day 2026, the celebration of Christmas Day, school holidays and public holidays, reminds us that Christmas Day is the biggest celebration for Christians which is celebrated every year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Date of Christmas Day 2026

Announcement of the Official Date of Christmas Day 2026

If you refer to the 2026 federal and state public holiday schedule by kabinet.gov.my, Christmas Day will be celebrated in Malaysia on:

December 25, 2026 (Friday) – Christmas (All States)

December 2026

School Holidays in Conjunction with Christmas Day Public Holiday 2026

All students in Malaysia will enjoy Christmas Day holidays based on their school group in 2026. These dates will help students, parents, and even teachers plan their celebrations and travel arrangements effectively.

Group A

(Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu)

25 December 2026 (Friday) – During the final school holidays of the 2026/2027 Session. School holidays in all states.

Group B

(Mellaka, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, WP Kuala Lumpur, WP Labuan and WP Putrajaya)

25 December 2026 (Friday) – During the final school holidays of the 2026/2027 Session. School holidays in all states.

If you plan ahead, keep in mind that the school will follow the government's public holiday schedule without additional holidays.

The Ministry of Education has not announced any special/additional arrangements for the celebration of Christmas Day 2026. You can check the official MOE portal for any latest information on the academic calendar as the celebration date approaches.

Christmas Day Celebration in Malaysia

Christmas Day is celebrated by Christians in December to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas celebrations are enlivened by candlelight, Christmas tree decorations with colorful lights, and so on. Gift packages are placed under the tree to be opened on Christmas Day.

On the day before Christmas (Christmas Eve), Christmas Carols are sung in Christian homes by invited choirs. The hosts give donations to the choir. That night, they have fun by singing and dancing.

Children are not encouraged to follow them but are instead told to sleep because while they sleep, they believe that Santa Claus will come and bring them gifts. Santa Claus is a famous mythical figure who is often associated with the custom of giving gifts on Christmas Day.

On Christmas morning they will visit churches for religious services.

Celebrating Christmas Day in this country truly provides a unique experience for foreigners, especially those around the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

Most foreigners, whether they come to Malaysia for work or tourism, also gather at churches as early as 7am for religious services or to perform their usual rituals every time they celebrate Christmas.

For Christians, Christmas Day is a holy day.

Modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, religious celebrations in churches, and the display of various decorations, including Christmas trees, decorative lights, mistletoe leaves, holi, or reenactments of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Families gather for a special feast that combines Western foods (like roast turkey) with Malaysian favorites, including rendang and the like.

Shopping malls compete with fabulous decorations, ice skating rinks, caroling and Secret Santa exchanges, keeping the festive spirit alive until the end of the year.

Midnight fireworks illuminate city skylines, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kuching, marking Christmas with festive light.

Date of Christmas Day by Year

2025 December 25 Thursday
2026 December 25 Friday
2027 December 25 Saturday

These dates, combined with the final school holidays for the 2026/2027 session, make annual planning easier. The Christmas Day public holiday enhances social cohesion, symbolising Malaysia's respect for its diverse religious traditions while strengthening the unity of Malaysia's multi-racial society.