Deepavali Day 2026, School Holiday & Public Holiday Dates

Deepavali 2026 dates, Deepavali celebrations, school holidays and public holidays, further enliven the Deepavali celebrations in Malaysia which is a testament to the country's cultural diversity. Deepavali is one of the main festivals of Hindus around the world and is a public holiday in Malaysia. This celebration is also called the 'festival of lights'.

Deepavali -Light of the Lamp/Lamp- symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It is rooted in ancient Hindu mythology.

Although this festival is celebrated according to Hindu origins, it has evolved into one that helps to strengthen interesting relationships among Malaysians from all backgrounds.

Deepavali Day 2026 Date

Announcement of the Official Date of Deepavali Holiday 2026

Following references from several sources regarding the 2026 federal and state public holiday schedule, Deepavali will be celebrated in Malaysia on:

• November 8, 2026 (Sunday) – Deepavali Day (All States except Sarawak)

School Holidays in Conjunction with Deepavali Public Holiday 2026

All students in Malaysia will enjoy the Deepavali 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)

• 8 November 2026 (Sunday) – School holiday in all states

Group B

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

• 8 November 2026 (Sunday) – School holiday in all states except Sarawak

The dates listed above are from various sources and are for initial reference only. Please check this page from time to time for the latest updates on public holidays in 2026 after the official announcement by the cabinet and the Ministry of Education.

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 Deepavali 2026 celebration. You can check the official MOE portal for any latest information on the academic calendar as the celebration date approaches.

Deepavali Celebration in Malaysia

Deepavali, -Light of the Lamp/Lamp- symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It is rooted in ancient Hindu mythology.

The Deepavali festival is a festival among Hindus that marks the victory of the forces of good over the forces of evil, symbolically intended in the sense of light illuminating the darkness. The implicit meaning is to instill positive values in us to become better individuals by overcoming negative values in us for spiritual development.

A few days before Deepavali, homes are deeply cleaned, decorated with pond designs, and special lamps are lit to invite purity and prosperity.

Light breaks the darkness and welcomes purity and prosperity, symbolized through the illumination of lamps lit with festive decorations.

The night before Deepavali is a day to commemorate deceased grandparents with a small prayer ceremony at home among immediate family only.

Deepavali begins with a traditional sesame oil bath – applying sesame oil from head to toe (the entire body), and a bath using a mixture of “shikakai” powder, an Ayurvedic herb. This practice is believed to eliminate all feelings of ego, hatred and as a symbol of purification and cleansing oneself of all negative things. When viewed from a health perspective, the practice of ‘oil bathing’ using pure sesame oil can improve skin health, is good for the nerves, reduces physical and mental stress, treats diseases such as depression, migraines, stomach disorders, diabetes, jaundice, cancer, and other diseases.

After the oil bath, there is a prayer ceremony with family members at home and blessings from parents and elders before heading to the temple. Everyone will wear new clothes, share sweets prepared especially for Deepavali and visit the homes of relatives and friends. At night, rows of lamps are lit and fireworks and firecrackers enliven the celebration.

In Malaysian society, the festivals celebrated by Hindus are inclusive, with open houses welcoming neighbours of all faiths to join in the celebrations. They share delicious feasts such as murukku, thosai/idli, sweets and various other delicacies.

Most of the streets around Little India in Kuala Lumpur, especially in Brickfields and along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, become lively with various attractive decorations, while temples such as Batu Caves host special prayer ceremonies and celebrations that attract both devotees and visitors, which certainly highlights the spirit of cultural diversity in Malaysia.

This festival celebrates moral values, harmony, and strengthens unity among the community.

Deepavali Date by Year

2025 October 20 Monday
2026 November 8 Sunday
2027 October 28 Thursday

Deepavali changes every year according to the Hindu calendar.

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