Dates checked in October 2026 against official organiser, tourism and government sources. Islamic holiday dates can shift by a day with the moon sighting, so always confirm on the official page before you book.
Jan 2027
- 1Jan 2027
New Year’s Day 2027
A public holiday in most of Malaysia, but not in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis or Terengganu. Expect big countdown crowds in KL on New Year's Eve, so book beds early.
Official details for New Year’s Day 2027 ↗ - 6Jan 2027
Israk and Mikraj 2027 (January)
Marks the Prophet Muhammad's night journey and is a state holiday in Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Terengganu. Government offices close there, but daily life elsewhere is unaffected.
Official details for Israk and Mikraj 2027 (January) ↗ - 22Jan 2027
Thaipusam 2027
Devotees carry kavadi up the 272 steps of Batu Caves in one of Malaysia's most striking festivals. It is a public holiday in several states, including Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang; arrive before dawn to beat the crowds.
Official details for Thaipusam 2027 ↗ - 23Jan 2027
Twincity Marathon 2027
The 12th edition offers everything from a 3 km kids' dash to a full marathon through Putrajaya and Cyberjaya. Easy to reach from KL by ERL or MRT.
Official details for Twincity Marathon 2027 ↗ - 31Jan 2027
Borneo Half Marathon 2027
A community half marathon co-organised by the Kinabalu Running Club and Kota Kinabalu City Hall. Pair it with island hopping in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.
Official details for Borneo Half Marathon 2027 ↗
Feb 2027
- 1Feb 2027
Federal Territory Day 2027
A holiday in the three federal territories only, falling just before Chinese New Year. Offices in KL close, so allow for some closures if you have visa or embassy errands.
Official details for Federal Territory Day 2027 ↗ - 6Feb 2027
Chinese New Year 2027
The biggest travel rush of the year, with long-distance buses, trains and flights selling out weeks ahead. Penang and Melaka put on great celebrations, but many small shops close for several days.
Official details for Chinese New Year 2027 ↗ - 8Feb 2027
Start of Ramadan (Awal Ramadan) 2027
The first day of the fasting month, a state holiday in Johor and Kedah only. Ramadan bazaars pop up across the country for a month, a brilliant way to eat cheaply at sunset, though some daytime stalls close.
Official details for Start of Ramadan (Awal Ramadan) 2027 ↗ - 24Feb 2027
Nuzul Al-Quran 2027
Commemorates the revelation of the Quran and is a holiday in most states, including KL and Selangor, but not in Johor, Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah or Sarawak. It falls mid-Ramadan, so expect lively evening bazaars.
Official details for Nuzul Al-Quran 2027 ↗
Mar 2027
- 10Mar 2027
Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2027
Marks the end of Ramadan (expected to begin around 8 Feb 2027), with open houses and a mass exodus to hometowns. Official dates are subject to moon sighting; book transport very early and expect closures.
Official details for Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2027 ↗ - 26Mar 2027
Good Friday 2027
A public holiday in Sabah and Sarawak only, where Easter services and processions are common. Borneo flights and buses can be busier over the long weekend.
Official details for Good Friday 2027 ↗
Apr 2027
- 3Apr 2027
Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM) 2027
Trail races of 105, 55, 34 and 9 km through the hills and villages of rural Sabah. The 2027 start and finish is at SMK Tun Fuad Stephens while the usual Kiulu Riverside Park venue is under construction.
Official details for Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM) 2027 ↗ - 13Apr 2027
Songkran 2027
Thai New Year and its famous water fights, biggest on Khao San Road, Silom and in Chiang Mai. Keep your phone and passport in a dry bag; buses out of Bangkok fill up days ahead.
Official details for Songkran 2027 ↗ - 30Apr 2027
MATTA Fair Kedah 2027
Postponed from 2026, this state MATTA Fair brings travel deals to the north. Venue not yet listed by MATTA, so check closer to the date.
Official details for MATTA Fair Kedah 2027 ↗
May 2027
- 1May 2027
Labour Day 2027
A national holiday that falls on a Saturday in 2027. It overlaps with MATTA Fair Kedah, so domestic travel can be busy that weekend.
Official details for Labour Day 2027 ↗ - 17May 2027
Hari Raya Haji (Aidiladha) 2027
The Festival of Sacrifice, a national holiday with a second day in some states. The date is subject to moon sighting and falls just before Wesak, so expect a busy week for travel.
Official details for Hari Raya Haji (Aidiladha) 2027 ↗ - 20May 2027
Wesak Day 2027
Buddhists mark the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing with temple visits and candlelit processions. Penang and KL's Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields are good places to watch.
Official details for Wesak Day 2027 ↗ - 30May 2027
Pesta Kaamatan 2027
Sabah's harvest festival, with the main celebrations and the Unduk Ngadau pageant at the KDCA cultural centre in Penampang. A great time to try tapai rice wine and local food.
Official details for Pesta Kaamatan 2027 ↗
Jun 2027
- 1Jun 2027
Hari Gawai Dayak 2027
Sarawak's Dayak harvest festival, when longhouses welcome visitors with tuak, music and dancing. Flights to Kuching and Miri fill up as people head home.
Official details for Hari Gawai Dayak 2027 ↗ - 6Jun 2027
Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) 2027
The Islamic New Year, a national holiday that falls on a Sunday and runs straight into the Agong's Birthday on Monday 7 June. Expect a busy long weekend for buses and flights.
Official details for Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) 2027 ↗ - 7Jun 2027
Agong’s Birthday 2027
The official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia's king, is a national holiday. Combined with Awal Muharram the day before, it makes a long weekend, so book transport early.
Official details for Agong’s Birthday 2027 ↗ - 25Jun 2027
Rainforest World Music Festival 2027
The 30th anniversary edition of this world music festival in the rainforest at the foot of Mount Santubong. Book Kuching or Damai stays early and use the festival shuttle.
Official details for Rainforest World Music Festival 2027 ↗
Jul 2027
- 7Jul 2027
George Town World Heritage Day 2027
A Penang state holiday marking George Town's UNESCO listing, usually with free cultural performances and heritage walks in the old town. Government offices in Penang close for the day.
Official details for George Town World Heritage Day 2027 ↗ - 22Jul 2027
Sarawak Independence Day 2027
A Sarawak state holiday marking self-government in 1963, with parades and events in Kuching. Offices close, so plan any permit or park bookings around it.
Official details for Sarawak Independence Day 2027 ↗
Aug 2027
- 15Aug 2027
Maulidur Rasul 2027
The Prophet Muhammad's birthday, a national holiday marked by processions in many towns. It falls on a Sunday in 2027, so check whether your state gives a replacement day off.
Official details for Maulidur Rasul 2027 ↗ - 31Aug 2027
Merdeka Day (National Day) 2027
Malaysia's independence day, with a parade in Putrajaya or KL and fireworks the night before. Roads near the parade route close early.
Official details for Merdeka Day (National Day) 2027 ↗
Sep 2027
- 4Sep 2027
Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB 2027
A UTMB World Series event with 100, 50, 25 and 13 km trails through rainforest around Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut). Taiping is a cheap, laid-back base reachable by ETS train.
Official details for Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB 2027 ↗ - 11Sep 2027
The Most Beautiful Thing (TMBT) Ultra-Trail 2027
Ultra-trail races from 7.5 km to 109 km along the ridges and valleys around the base of Mount Kinabalu. Book Kundasang accommodation early, as it fills with runners.
Official details for The Most Beautiful Thing (TMBT) Ultra-Trail 2027 ↗ - 16Sep 2027
Malaysia Day 2027
Celebrates the formation of Malaysia in 1963 and is especially significant in Sabah and Sarawak. Expect a busy long weekend for domestic travel.
Official details for Malaysia Day 2027 ↗
Oct 2027
- 28Oct 2027
Deepavali 2027
The Festival of Lights is a public holiday everywhere except Sarawak. Visit Little India in Brickfields (KL) or George Town for lights, kolam art and festive sweets.
Official details for Deepavali 2027 ↗
Dec 2027
- 25Dec 2027
Christmas Day 2027
A national holiday that falls on a Saturday in 2027; Sabah also has Christmas Eve on 24 Dec as a state holiday. Malls go big on decorations, and year-end school holidays make buses and hostels busy.
Official details for Christmas Day 2027 ↗ - 26Dec 2027
Israk and Mikraj 2027 (December)
Because of the lunar calendar, Israk and Mikraj falls twice in 2027 and is again a state holiday in Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Terengganu. It lands the day after Christmas, in the busy year-end travel period.
Official details for Israk and Mikraj 2027 (December) ↗
2027: date to be announced
These usually run at the time shown. Check back or follow the organiser for the official date.
- TBCDate to come
Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2027
Bangkok's international marathon, run in the cooler season through the city centre. The 2027 date is not announced; the 2026 edition is on 28–29 November.
Official details for Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
Borneo International Marathon 2027
Sabah's biggest road race with 10 km, half and full marathon options along the Kota Kinabalu coast. The 2027 date is not announced; the 2026 edition ran 7–10 May.
Official details for Borneo International Marathon 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
George Town Festival 2027
Penang's annual arts festival, with most of its 40-plus programmes free to attend in the heritage zone. 2027 dates are not announced; the 2026 edition ran 1–9 August.
Official details for George Town Festival 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
Loy Krathong 2027
Thailand's festival of floating krathong baskets on rivers and lakes, with the biggest celebrations in Sukhothai and Chiang Mai. The 2027 date is not yet officially published; the 2026 main night is 24 November.
Official details for Loy Krathong 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
MATTA Fair Pahang 2027
The Pahang edition of the MATTA travel fair was postponed from June 2026 to 2027, and no new date has been set. Worth watching if you are based on the east coast and want cheap fares.
Official details for MATTA Fair Pahang 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon 2027
The famous up-and-down skyrace on Mount Kinabalu, hosted by Sabah Tourism Board. The 2027 date is not announced; the 2026 edition is on 18 October, and Kinabalu Park gets busy that weekend.
Official details for Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
NATAS Travel Fair 2027
Singapore's main consumer travel fair, run by the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, with free entry. 2027 dates are not yet out; the 2026 fairs ran 27–29 March and 21–23 August.
Official details for NATAS Travel Fair 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
National MATTA Fair 2027 (Kuala Lumpur)
Malaysia's largest travel fair runs twice a year at MITEC, packed with airfare and package promotions. 2027 dates have not been announced; the 2026 editions ran 3–5 April and 4–6 September.
Official details for National MATTA Fair 2027 (Kuala Lumpur) ↗ - TBCDate to come
Outdoor Expo Malaysia 2027
Billed as Malaysia's biggest outdoor exhibition, with camping, hiking and adventure gear sales. Good for stocking up on backpacking kit; the 2026 edition ran 7–9 August at Stadium Titiwangsa.
Official details for Outdoor Expo Malaysia 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
Outdoor Fest Bangkok 2027
Thailand's large outdoor and camping trade show with consumer days and gear deals. 2027 dates are not announced; the 2026 edition ran 21–24 May at QSNCC.
Official details for Outdoor Fest Bangkok 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
Penang Bridge International Marathon 2027
Penang's biggest running event, with races across the Penang bridges and very early morning starts. The 2027 date is not announced; the 2026 edition is on 13 December, so plan accommodation early.
Official details for Penang Bridge International Marathon 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
Singapore International Marathon 2027
Singapore's national marathon, traditionally held on the first weekend of December. The 2027 date is not announced; the 2026 edition runs 4–6 December, so book a bed early if you are going.
Official details for Singapore International Marathon 2027 ↗ - TBCDate to come
Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon 2027
Malaysia's biggest city marathon, with full, half, 10 km and 5 km races through central KL. The 2027 date is not announced; the 2026 edition was held on 3–4 October, and roads in the city centre close early on race morning.
Official details for Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon 2027 ↗
Kate’s events
Meetups and talks
There are no Kate Blog meetups or talks scheduled for 2027 yet. When there are, they will be listed here first.