Gawai Day 2026, School Holiday & Public Holiday Dates

The date of Gawai Day 2026, the celebration of Gawai or Gawai Dayak, school holidays and public holidays, reminds us that Gawai Day is a major cultural celebration celebrated by the Dayak community—especially the Iban, Bidayuh, and other indigenous people of Sarawak.

This lively and meaningful celebration marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new year in the traditional Dayak calendar. Gawai Day is also declared a public holiday in Sarawak.

Gawai Day is a symbol of unity, gratitude and strong Sarawakian cultural pride.

Gawai Day Date 2026

Announcement of the Official Date of Gawai Day Holiday 2026

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

June 1, 2026 (Monday) – Gawai Day (Sarawak) & YDP Agong's Birthday (All States)
June 2, 2026 (Tuesday) – Gawai Day 2 (Sarawak)
June 3, 2026 (Wednesday) – Alternative Holiday for Gawai Day

June 2026

School Holidays in Conjunction with Gawai Day Public Holiday 2026

All students in Malaysia will enjoy the Gawai holiday 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)

June 1, 2026 (Monday) – School holidays in conjunction with the YDP Agong's Birthday (All States)
June 2, 2026 (Tuesday) – Regular school day on that day. No additional holidays.

Group B

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

June 1, 2026 (Monday) – School holidays in conjunction with the YDP Agong's Birthday (All States)
June 2, 2026 (Tuesday) – School holiday in Sarawak only. Normal school day for other states on that day. No additional holidays
June 3, 2026 (Wednesday) – Replacement school holiday in Sarawak only. Normal school day for other states on that day. No additional holiday

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

Gawai Day Celebration in Malaysia

Gawai Day, also known as the Gawai Dayak Festival, is a major cultural festival celebrated by the Dayak community—particularly the Iban, Bidayuh, and other indigenous Sarawak people. Gawai Day was officially recognized as a public holiday in Sarawak in 1965, following a push by Dayak leaders who wanted an annual celebration to celebrate their traditions.

The word “Gawai” means celebration or ceremony in the Iban language, and Gawai Day symbolizes gratitude for the harvest produced and hope for a bountiful season in the future.

Gawai Day is celebrated to mark the end of the rice harvest season, as well as to express gratitude and thanks to the "petara" for the rice harvest that season. Therefore, Gawai Day is a day for the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Asli tribes to party and have fun to celebrate the rice harvest because the word "gawai" means party.

Actually, Gawai Dayak is a month-long festival season that starts from the end of May until the end of June every year. They hold several large ceremonies that are carried out in longhouses and towns. The first day of the festival falls on the 1st of June and the second day on the 2nd of June every year and will officially end with a closing ceremony at the end of June called menggulun or ngiling tikar.

Gawai Day honors the spirit of the rice crop and asks for blessings for the harvest and prosperity of the coming year.

Gawai Day is a symbol of unity, gratitude and strong Sarawakian cultural pride.

It reaffirms Dayak heritage, language, and customs—preserving them for future generations.

Gawai Day helps revive oral traditions, dances, and spiritual rituals unique to the Dayak people.

Gawai Day strengthens family and community bonds. Many Sarawakians return to their hometowns and longhouses for Gawai Day, reuniting with family and elders. Families prepare traditional dishes such as pansoh (bamboo stewed meat), manok lemantak, and tuak (rice wine) to share with guests from near and far.

On Gawai Day, the custom of open houses allows all races and religions to participate in the celebration, strengthening multi-racial harmony in Sarawak.

Gawai Day Date by Year

2025 June 1 Sunday & June 2 Monday
2026 June 1 Monday & June 2 Tuesday
2027 June 1 Tuesday & June 2 Wednesday

Gawai Day is celebrated every year on June 1 and 2 in Sarawak.

Visit the Longhouse – Whether you are invited by a friend or part of a cultural tour, visiting a Dayak longhouse during Gawai is an unforgettable experience.
Enjoy Cultural Performances – Watch traditional dance, music and costume performances at public events or community centers.
Ready to try local dishes and drinks which is rich in a warm and lively atmosphere.
Join the Open House – Many Dayak longhouses and families welcome guests into their homes during festivals with food, games and music.
Cultural centers and shopping malls host Gawai exhibitions, performances and educational programs.
Sarawak's Indigenous Heritage Celebration, Gawai Day is a source of pride for the Dayak community and a symbol of the resilience of the culture passed down through generations and mutual respect among the multi-ethnic population of Sarawak.

Happy Gawai Day!!!