Dates checked in October 2026 against official organiser, tourism and government sources. 36 events this year have already taken place and are marked Past. Islamic holiday dates can shift by a day with the moon sighting, so always confirm on the official page before you book.
Jan 2026
- 1Jan 2026
New Year’s Day 2026
A national public holiday, with countdown fireworks at KLCC, Merdeka Square and other city centres the night before.
Official details for New Year’s Day 2026 ↗ - 17Jan 2026
Twincity Marathon 2026
An annual road race through Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, with categories from short fun runs up to the full marathon. Both cities are easy to reach from KL by ERL or MRT.
Official details for Twincity Marathon 2026 ↗
Feb 2026
- 1Feb 2026
Thaipusam 2026
Devotees carry kavadi up the steps of Batu Caves in one of Malaysia's most striking festivals. A public holiday in Kedah, KL, Labuan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak and Selangor.
Official details for Thaipusam 2026 ↗ - 7Feb 2026
Borneo Half Marathon 2026
A community road race in Kota Kinabalu with 21 km and 11 km categories and pre-dawn starts. The 2026 edition sold out.
Official details for Borneo Half Marathon 2026 ↗ - 17Feb 2026
Chinese New Year 2026
The busiest travel period of the year, with long-distance buses, trains and flights selling out weeks ahead. Penang, Melaka and KL's Chinatown hold the liveliest celebrations.
Official details for Chinese New Year 2026 ↗
Mar 2026
- 7Mar 2026
Nuzul Al-Quran 2026
Commemorates the first revelation of the Quran and falls during Ramadan. A public holiday in Johor, KL, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Selangor and Terengganu.
Official details for Nuzul Al-Quran 2026 ↗ - 21Mar 2026
Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026
Marks the end of Ramadan, with open houses and a mass exodus to hometowns. The date was confirmed by the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal after moon sighting.
Official details for Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026 ↗ - 27Mar 2026
NATAS Travel 2026 (March)
Singapore's main consumer travel fair, run by the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, with free entry. Agencies and airlines offer fair-only fares and packages.
Official details for NATAS Travel 2026 (March) ↗ - 28Mar 2026
MATTA Fair Sarawak 2026
A state edition of the MATTA Fair, with travel agents, airlines and tourism boards offering discounted packages and fares. It returns to BCCK again in August.
Official details for MATTA Fair Sarawak 2026 ↗
Apr 2026
- 3Apr 2026
National MATTA Fair 2026 (April)
The first of the year's two national MATTA Fairs, Malaysia's largest consumer travel fair. Airlines and agencies use it to launch their biggest fare and package promotions.
Official details for National MATTA Fair 2026 (April) ↗ - 10Apr 2026
MATTA Fair Johor 2026
A southern state edition of the MATTA Fair with flight, hotel and tour deals. Johor hosts further editions in Batu Pahat in July and at AICC in August.
Official details for MATTA Fair Johor 2026 ↗ - 11Apr 2026
Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM) 2026
The 10th anniversary edition of this trail race through the hills and villages around Kiulu, with 100 km and 50 km headline distances. It counts towards the Asia Trail Master championship.
Official details for Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon (BUTM) 2026 ↗ - 13Apr 2026
Songkran 2026
Thai New Year and its famous water fights, with big celebrations on Silom Road, Khao San Road and Siam Square in Bangkok. Organised festival events ran from 11 to 15 April in 2026.
Official details for Songkran 2026 ↗ - 17Apr 2026
MATTA Fair Sabah 2026 (April)
Sabah's edition of the MATTA Fair, with travel packages and airfare promotions for East Malaysian travellers. A second Sabah edition is held at SICC in September.
Official details for MATTA Fair Sabah 2026 (April) ↗ - 25Apr 2026
MATTA Fair Penang 2026
The northern edition of the MATTA Fair, bringing airline, agency and tourism board booths to Penang. A useful stop for deals if you are based in the north.
Official details for MATTA Fair Penang 2026 ↗
May 2026
- 1May 2026
Labour Day 2026
A national public holiday that fell on a Friday in 2026, creating a long weekend for domestic travel.
Official details for Labour Day 2026 ↗ - 7May 2026
Borneo International Marathon 2026
Sabah's biggest road race, held under the Alliance Bank name, with 10 km, half and full marathon options along the Kota Kinabalu coast.
Official details for Borneo International Marathon 2026 ↗ - 21May 2026
Outdoor Fest 2026 (Bangkok)
Thailand's major outdoor and adventure tourism exhibition, covering camping, trekking, climbing and nature stays. Held each year at QSNCC with gear sales and travel deals.
Official details for Outdoor Fest 2026 (Bangkok) ↗ - 27May 2026
Hari Raya Haji (Aidiladha) 2026
The Festival of Sacrifice, a national holiday with a second day observed in some states. The date was confirmed after moon sighting.
Official details for Hari Raya Haji (Aidiladha) 2026 ↗ - 30May 2026
Pesta Kaamatan 2026
Sabah's harvest festival, with the state-level celebration and the Unduk Ngadau pageant final held at the KDCA cultural centre in Penampang. A public holiday in Sabah and Labuan.
Official details for Pesta Kaamatan 2026 ↗ - 31May 2026
Wesak Day 2026
Buddhists mark the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing with temple visits and candlelit processions, notably in Penang and at the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, KL.
Official details for Wesak Day 2026 ↗
Jun 2026
- 1Jun 2026
Agong’s Birthday 2026
A national public holiday marking the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. In 2026 it fell straight after Wesak, Kaamatan and Aidiladha, making for a busy holiday week.
Official details for Agong’s Birthday 2026 ↗ - 1Jun 2026
Hari Gawai Dayak 2026
Sarawak's Dayak harvest festival, when longhouses welcome guests with tuak, music and dancing. A public holiday in Sarawak.
Official details for Hari Gawai Dayak 2026 ↗ - 17Jun 2026
Awal Muharram 2026
The Islamic New Year, a national public holiday.
Official details for Awal Muharram 2026 ↗ - 26Jun 2026
Rainforest World Music Festival 2026
The 29th edition of this world music festival, held in the rainforest at the foot of Mount Santubong. Workshops and evening stage shows draw visitors from across the region.
Official details for Rainforest World Music Festival 2026 ↗
Jul 2026
- 17Jul 2026
Cameron Ultra 2026
A highland trail running weekend with distances from 100 km down to a 4 km junior race, through tea estates and mossy forest. Cooler temperatures make it a favourite with Malaysian trail runners.
Official details for Cameron Ultra 2026 ↗
Aug 2026
- 1Aug 2026
George Town Festival 2026
The 17th edition of Penang's annual arts festival, with more than 40 programmes by artists from 10 countries across the heritage city. Light installations, theatre and exhibitions run across the week.
Official details for George Town Festival 2026 ↗ - 7Aug 2026
Outdoor Expo Malaysia 2026
Billed as Malaysia's biggest outdoor exhibition, with more than 200 booths covering camping, hiking and adventure travel gear. A popular place to stock up on backpacking kit at show prices.
Official details for Outdoor Expo Malaysia 2026 ↗ - 21Aug 2026
NATAS Holidays 2026 (August)
The mid-year edition of Singapore's NATAS travel fair, held over a weekend at Singapore EXPO. Free to enter, with deals on flights, cruises and tour packages.
Official details for NATAS Holidays 2026 (August) ↗ - 25Aug 2026
Maulidur Rasul 2026
Marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, a national public holiday with processions in many towns.
Official details for Maulidur Rasul 2026 ↗ - 29Aug 2026
The Most Beautiful Thing (TMBT) Ultra-Trail 2026
The 14th edition of Malaysia's oldest long-distance ultra-trail, with races from 7.5 km to 100 km around the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. Race packs are collected in Kota Kinabalu beforehand.
Official details for The Most Beautiful Thing (TMBT) Ultra-Trail 2026 ↗ - 31Aug 2026
Merdeka Day (National Day) 2026
Malaysia's independence day, with a national parade and fireworks the night before. It fell on a Monday in 2026, giving a long weekend.
Official details for Merdeka Day (National Day) 2026 ↗
Sep 2026
- 4Sep 2026
National MATTA Fair 2026 (September)
The second national MATTA Fair of the year, held at MITEC with discounted flights, tour packages and hotel deals. Many travellers use it to book year-end and early next-year trips.
Official details for National MATTA Fair 2026 (September) ↗ - 11Sep 2026
Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB 2026
A UTMB World Series event with 100, 50, 25 and 13 km trails through the Lake Gardens, Maxwell Hill and virgin jungle reserves, plus a kids' race. Taiping is reachable by ETS train.
Official details for Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB 2026 ↗ - 16Sep 2026
Malaysia Day 2026
Celebrates the formation of Malaysia in 1963 and is especially significant in Sabah and Sarawak.
Official details for Malaysia Day 2026 ↗
Oct 2026
- 3Oct 2026
Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon 2026
Malaysia's biggest city marathon, with 10 km, 5 km and kids' races on the Saturday and the full and half marathons on the Sunday. Expect road closures across central KL.
Official details for Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon 2026 ↗ - 18Oct 2026
33rd Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon
A brutal 24.5 km up-and-down race on Mount Kinabalu. Registration has closed, but it is a spectacle worth timing a Kundasang visit around. Expect Kinabalu Park to be busier than usual that weekend.
Official details for 33rd Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon ↗
Nov 2026
- 6Nov 2026
MATTA Fair Terengganu 2026
A state edition of Malaysia's biggest consumer travel fair, with discounted flights, tour packages and hotel deals. Handy if you are on the east coast and want to lock in cheap fares for 2027.
Official details for MATTA Fair Terengganu 2026 ↗ - 8Nov 2026
Deepavali 2026
The Hindu festival of lights, with open houses and lively scenes in Little India areas such as Brickfields in KL and Lebuh Queen in Penang. Expect busy roads and buses around the long weekend.
Official details for Deepavali 2026 ↗ - 13Nov 2026
MATTA Fair Negeri Sembilan 2026
Regional MATTA Fair with airline, travel agency and tourism board booths. A quick trip from KL by KTM Komuter if you missed the September fair at MITEC.
Official details for MATTA Fair Negeri Sembilan 2026 ↗ - 15Nov 2026
Loy Krathong 2026 (Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival)
Thailand's lantern and floating krathong festival, celebrated most beautifully among the ruins of Sukhothai. Rooms in Sukhothai and Chiang Mai sell out, so book well ahead.
Official details for Loy Krathong 2026 (Sukhothai Loy Krathong and Candle Festival) ↗ - 28Nov 2026
Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2026
Bangkok's flagship city marathon, with a half marathon on Saturday and full, 10 km and family runs on Sunday past the Grand Palace area. Expect road closures around Rattanakosin.
Official details for Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2026 ↗
Dec 2026
- 4Dec 2026
BYD Singapore International Marathon 2026
Singapore's national marathon weekend, held under a new name from 2026, with categories for first timers through to experienced runners. Book beds early, as the city fills up with runners.
Official details for BYD Singapore International Marathon 2026 ↗ - 13Dec 2026
Penang Bridge International Marathon 2026
Run across the Penang Second Bridge in the full, half or 10 km categories, with very early starts to beat the heat. A fun excuse for a Penang food trip afterwards.
Official details for Penang Bridge International Marathon 2026 ↗ - 25Dec 2026
Christmas Day 2026
A national public holiday, with big light-ups in KL malls and lively celebrations in Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Book buses and island trips early for the year-end peak.
Official details for Christmas Day 2026 ↗
Kate’s events
Meetups and talks
There are no Kate Blog meetups or talks scheduled for 2026 yet. When there are, they will be listed here first.