Every public holiday, long weekend, school break, festival and event for 2027 — one page to plan your Penang trip, with sources.
Last checked Mon 5 Oct 2026
60 dates confirmed by official sources · 18 expected Expected*
Twelve months, one view: Penang’s public holidays, festivals, school holidays in Malaysia and Singapore, recurring events and business events, with the usual crowd and hotel-price level for each month.
Penang’s own holidays and festivals always show — they drive local crowds. The filter adds Malaysian or Singapore school holidays and Singapore public holidays. School holidays 2027 for families →
Crowd and price levels are the typical pattern for each month from our hotel booking calendar, not a 2027 forecast.
Worked out from the public holidays and the Saturday–Sunday weekend, including replacement days. Long weekends that fall in school holidays carry a “book early” warning, because families travel then.
No leave needed (6)
Fri 1 Jan – Sun 3 Jan
3 days off
New Year’s Day
Fri 22 Jan – Sun 24 Jan
3 days off
Thaipusam
Sat 6 Feb – Mon 8 Feb
3 days off
Chinese New Year
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Chinese New Year school break (5–14 Feb).
Sat 15 May – Mon 17 May
3 days off
Hari Raya Aidiladha (Haji)
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Hari Raya Haji & Wesak school break (15–21 May).
Sat 5 Jun – Tue 8 Jun
4 days off
Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) + Agong’s Birthday
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Mid-year break (Cuti Pertengahan Tahun) (22 May – 6 Jun); Singapore school holidays — June holidays (mid-year) (29 May – 27 Jun).
Sat 14 Aug – Mon 16 Aug
3 days off
Maulidur Rasul (Prophet’s Birthday)
With one day of leave (5)
Wed 10 Mar – Sun 14 Mar
5 days off
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Take Fri 12 Mar off to get all 5 days.
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Term 1 break (Cuti Penggal 1) (6–14 Mar); Singapore school holidays — March holidays (Term 1–2 break) (13–21 Mar).
Thu 20 May – Sun 23 May
4 days off
Wesak Day
Take Fri 21 May off to get all 4 days.
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Hari Raya Haji & Wesak school break (15–21 May); Malaysian school holidays — Mid-year break (Cuti Pertengahan Tahun) (22 May – 6 Jun).
Sat 28 Aug – Tue 31 Aug
4 days off
National Day (Merdeka)
Take Mon 30 Aug off to get all 4 days.
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Term 2 break (Cuti Penggal 2) (28 Aug – 5 Sep).
Thu 16 Sep – Sun 19 Sep
4 days off
Malaysia Day
Take Fri 17 Sep off to get all 4 days.
Thu 28 Oct – Sun 31 Oct
4 days off
Deepavali
Take Fri 29 Oct off to get all 4 days.
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Deepavali school break (27–31 Oct).
No leave needed (5)
Fri 1 Jan – Sun 3 Jan
3 days off
New Year’s Day
Sat 6 Feb – Mon 8 Feb
3 days off
Chinese New Year
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Chinese New Year school break (5–14 Feb).
Fri 26 Mar – Sun 28 Mar
3 days off
Good Friday
Sat 15 May – Mon 17 May
3 days off
Hari Raya Haji
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Hari Raya Haji & Wesak school break (15–21 May).
Sat 7 Aug – Mon 9 Aug
3 days off
National Day
With one day of leave (2)
Thu 20 May – Sun 23 May
4 days off
Vesak Day
Take Fri 21 May off to get all 4 days.
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Hari Raya Haji & Wesak school break (15–21 May); Malaysian school holidays — Mid-year break (Cuti Pertengahan Tahun) (22 May – 6 Jun).
Thu 28 Oct – Sun 31 Oct
4 days off
Deepavali
Take Fri 29 Oct off to get all 4 days.
Book early: overlaps Malaysian school holidays — Deepavali school break (27–31 Oct).
The 2027 dates when Penang is busiest — holidays that land in both Malaysia and Singapore, school breaks, the big festivals and the largest business events — with where the action is, which area to base yourself in, and how early to book. Every date comes from this page’s sourced calendar and keeps its status.
Booking advice follows from the holiday and school-break overlaps; we don’t publish occupancy or price forecasts. Typical-month notes come from our booking calendar, which describes a normal year rather than 2027.
22–24 Jan 2027
Thaipusam is a Penang state holiday, and in 2027 it falls on a Friday — a three-day weekend for anyone working in Penang. It is not a Singapore holiday, and no school break in either country overlaps it.
The kavadi procession runs from Sri Mahamariamman Temple on Queen Street (Little India) along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Jalan Penang and Transfer Road to the hilltop Waterfall Temple on Jalan Kebun Bunga, starting the evening before and continuing through the night and the day.
Where to stay
Our Thaipusam guide notes that roads around the procession route are closed on the eve and the day itself: walk, or park well away from the route.
When to book
Book George Town early if you want to walk to the procession — Thaipusam lands on a Friday, so 22–24 Jan is a Penang long weekend.
In a typical January: usually busy, peak hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
5–14 Feb 2027
Chinese New Year falls on Sat 6 – Sun 7 Feb, so Mon 8 Feb is a replacement holiday in both Penang and Singapore — a three-day weekend in both countries. Malaysian schools are off 5–14 Feb and Singapore schools also close on 9 Feb.
Kek Lok Si in Air Itam is lit up from Chinese New Year’s Eve until Chap Goh Mei. In George Town, clan temples, the Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Teng) and streets such as Armenian Street, Lebuh Chulia and Jalan Penang carry the decorations and lion dances; Gurney Drive and Gurney Plaza celebrate too.
Where to stay
Some family-run shops and hawker stalls close over the first days of the New Year — check our Chinese New Year guide before relying on a particular stall.
When to book
Book as early as you can: 6–8 Feb is a three-day public-holiday weekend in Malaysia and Singapore at once, inside a Malaysian school break that runs 5–14 Feb.
In a typical February: usually busy, peak hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
Sat 20 Feb 2027
Chap Goh Mei, the 15th and last night of Chinese New Year, is expected on Saturday 20 Feb. It is not a public holiday, and schools in both countries are back in session — so it is a busy weekend night rather than a holiday.
Penang’s tradition is single women throwing mandarin oranges into the sea at the Esplanade. It is also the last night of the Kek Lok Si light-up.
Where to stay
When to book
Book ahead mainly if you want to walk to the Esplanade. The date comes from published lunar tables and rarely moves, but it is not yet confirmed by a Penang authority — prefer free-cancellation rates.
In a typical February: usually busy, peak hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
6–21 Mar 2027
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a two-day national holiday on Wed 10 – Thu 11 Mar (moon-sighting can move it by a day), and Hari Raya Puasa is a Singapore holiday on 10 Mar. Malaysian schools are off 6–14 Mar and Singapore’s March holidays run 13–21 Mar, so both are off on 13–14 Mar.
Hari Raya prayers at Masjid Kapitan Keling and the State Mosque in George Town; open houses and village celebrations in Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar. In the month before, Ramadan bazaars run across the island.
Where to stay
Many Malay-run restaurants and stalls close for the first days of Syawal; our Hari Raya guide suggests booking restaurants ahead or planning on Chinese, Indian and hotel restaurants.
When to book
Book early for 10–14 Mar: one day of leave on Fri 12 Mar turns Hari Raya into a five-day break inside the Malaysian school holidays, and Singapore’s March holidays begin on 13 Mar.
In a typical March: usually quiet, low hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
9–11 Apr 2027
An international community conference at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), Friday to Sunday. No public or school holiday overlaps it, but it runs over a weekend.
PWCC sits inside The Light City development on the Gelugor waterfront, with a rooftop overlooking the Penang Bridge.
Where to stay
When to book
If you are attending, book as soon as you have your ticket — a conference of this size over a weekend competes with ordinary weekend demand for rooms near the venue.
In a typical April: usually quiet, low hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
24–25 Apr 2027
MATTA’s consumer travel fair at PWCC, open to the public on a Saturday and Sunday. No public or school holiday overlaps it.
Penang Waterfront Convention Centre, in The Light City on the Gelugor waterfront.
Where to stay
When to book
MATTA says its calendar dates may change — book a free-cancellation rate until the fair is confirmed closer to the date.
In a typical April: usually quiet, low hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
15–23 May 2027
Hari Raya Haji (Mon 17 May) and Wesak (Thu 20 May) are public holidays in both Malaysia and Singapore. That makes 15–17 May a long weekend in both, and 20–23 May another one with a day of leave on Fri 21 May. Malaysian schools are off from 15 May and go straight into the mid-year break.
Wesak is marked at Buddhist temples across the island, with processions and candle-lit ceremonies at Kek Lok Si.
Where to stay
When to book
Book early — both long weekends (15–17 May and 20–23 May) fall in Malaysia and Singapore alike, while Malaysian schools are off the whole time.
In a typical May: usually moderate, low hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
29 May – 8 Jun 2027
Malaysian and Singapore schools are both off 29 May – 6 Jun — the longest double school holiday before December. Awal Muharram (Sun 6 Jun), the Agong’s Birthday (Mon 7 Jun) and a replacement holiday (Tue 8 Jun) then make 5–8 Jun a four-day Malaysian weekend. Singapore’s June holidays carry on to 27 Jun.
Island-wide — this is a family-holiday window rather than one event.
Where to stay
When to book
Book family rooms and beach resorts early — both countries’ schools are off 29 May – 6 Jun, with a Malaysian four-day weekend on 5–8 Jun.
In a typical May: usually moderate, low hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
21–23 Jul 2027
Three co-located trade expos for electronics, semiconductors and manufacturing at Setia SPICE, Wednesday to Friday. The organiser does not publish an attendance figure we can cite, and no public or school holiday overlaps it.
Setia SPICE Convention Centre, in Relau, Bayan Lepas.
Where to stay
When to book
Book once your attendance is confirmed. Midweek dates mean you are competing with other business travellers rather than holidaymakers.
In a typical July: usually busy, high hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
August 2027 (dates not announced)
George Town Festival usually runs in early August; its 2027 dates are not announced yet. The Hungry Ghost month is expected 2–31 Aug. Three long weekends land this month too: Singapore’s National Day, Malaysia’s Maulidur Rasul, and Merdeka with a day of leave.
Festival venues are spread across George Town’s heritage core. During the Hungry Ghost month, getai stages and offerings centre on temples such as Kuan Yin Teng and the Tua Pek Kong temple on Armenian Street.
Where to stay
When to book
Hold a free-cancellation George Town room for early August now and lock it in once the festival announces its 2027 dates. The long weekends (7–9, 14–16 and 28–31 Aug) add holiday demand on top.
In a typical August: usually moderate, medium hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
30 Sep – 8 Oct 2027
The first nine days of the 9th lunar month, expected 30 Sep – 8 Oct. It is not a public holiday and no Malaysian school break overlaps it; Singapore primary schools are off on 8 Oct for Children’s Day.
The biggest celebrations and the firewalking are on the mainland, at Tow Boo Kong temple in Butterworth and the Nine Emperor Gods Temple in Ampang Jajar. On the island, Tua Pek Kong temple in Air Itam celebrates too.
Where to stay
When to book
No public or school holiday overlaps it in 2027, so usual October booking applies — the bigger decision is which side of the channel to stay on.
In a typical September: usually quiet, low hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
27–31 Oct 2027
Deepavali (Thu 28 Oct) is a public holiday in Malaysia and Singapore. With one day of leave on Fri 29 Oct it becomes a four-day weekend in both, and Malaysian schools are off 27–31 Oct.
Little India around Sri Mariamman Temple on Queen Street, plus the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple on Jalan Kebun Bunga.
Where to stay
When to book
Book early for 28–31 Oct: it is a four-day weekend in Malaysia and Singapore (with Fri 29 Oct as leave), during a Malaysian school break.
In a typical October: usually moderate, low hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
4–31 Dec 2027
Malaysian schools are off 4–31 Dec and Singapore’s year-end holidays run from 20 Nov to 31 Dec — the longest stretch of 2027 when both are off. Christmas Day is a Saturday.
Island-wide — a holiday-season window rather than one event.
Where to stay
When to book
Book as early as your plans allow — especially beach resorts over Christmas and New Year, when schools in both countries are out.
In a typical December: usually busy, high hotel prices (our booking calendar).
Sources
Not sure which area suits you? Compare Penang’s stay areas · Conferences and trade fairs: business events calendar.
Penang’s festivals follow the Chinese lunar, Tamil, Islamic and Buddhist calendars, so they move every year. Festivals that are public holidays are confirmed by the 2027 gazette; the rest are expected.
Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
Expected*Usually February (2026 edition: 13–15 Feb)
George Town Festival
Expected*Usually early August (2025: 2–10 Aug; 2026: 1–9 Aug)
Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta
Expected*Recent editions in late November (2025: 28–30 Nov, Straits Quay)
Penang Bridge International Marathon
Expected*Late in the year (2026 edition: Sun 13 Dec)
Full festival guide with descriptions: Penang festival calendar 2026 & 2027.
Big conferences fill George Town and Bayan Lepas hotels — check these dates before booking.
Worked out from this page’s data: the typical crowd and price level from our booking calendar, plus how many days of each month are Malaysian or Singapore school holidays in 2027.
When Malaysian and Singapore schools are both off:
* Expected — to be confirmed. The date has not been published by the official body yet. Lunar festival dates come from the Hong Kong Observatory’s published lunar-calendar tables; Tamil festivals from calendar computations for George Town; recurring events show only their usual month. They rarely move, but we label them until a Penang or Malaysian authority confirms them. Islamic holidays can shift by a day after the official moon-sighting, even when they are on the gazette.
Penang observes 19 gazetted public holidays in 2027 (federal plus Penang state), plus 3 replacement days when a holiday falls on a Sunday: New Year’s Day (Fri 1 Jan); Thaipusam (Fri 22 Jan); Chinese New Year (Sat 6 Feb); Chinese New Year (2nd day) (Sun 7 Feb); Replacement holiday for Chinese New Year (2nd day) (Mon 8 Feb); Nuzul al-Quran (Wed 24 Feb); Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Wed 10 Mar); Hari Raya Aidilfitri (2nd day) (Thu 11 Mar); Labour Day (Sat 1 May); Hari Raya Aidiladha (Haji) (Mon 17 May); Wesak Day (Thu 20 May); Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) (Sun 6 Jun); Agong’s Birthday (Mon 7 Jun); Replacement holiday for Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) (Tue 8 Jun); George Town World Heritage City Day (Wed 7 Jul); Penang Governor’s Birthday (Sat 10 Jul); Maulidur Rasul (Prophet’s Birthday) (Sun 15 Aug); Replacement holiday for Maulidur Rasul (Prophet’s Birthday) (Mon 16 Aug); National Day (Merdeka) (Tue 31 Aug); Malaysia Day (Thu 16 Sep); Deepavali (Thu 28 Oct); Christmas Day (Sat 25 Dec). Source: the 2027 list published by the Prime Minister’s Department in August 2026. Islamic holidays and Deepavali are marked “subject to change” by the government.
6 long weekends need no leave: 1–3 Jan (New Year’s Day); 22–24 Jan (Thaipusam); 6–8 Feb (Chinese New Year); 15–17 May (Hari Raya Aidiladha (Haji)); 5–8 Jun (Awal Muharram (Maal Hijrah) + Agong’s Birthday); 14–16 Aug (Maulidur Rasul (Prophet’s Birthday)). Take one day of leave and you get 5 more breaks of four or five days: 10–14 Mar (take Fri 12 Mar off); 20–23 May (take Fri 21 May off); 28–31 Aug (take Mon 30 Aug off); 16–19 Sep (take Fri 17 Sep off); 28–31 Oct (take Fri 29 Oct off).
For Penang and the other Kumpulan B states, the 2027 school year runs 4 January to 3 December. Breaks: Chinese New Year school break, 5–14 Feb; Term 1 break (Cuti Penggal 1), 6–14 Mar; Hari Raya Haji & Wesak school break, 15–21 May; Mid-year break (Cuti Pertengahan Tahun), 22 May – 6 Jun; Term 2 break (Cuti Penggal 2), 28 Aug – 5 Sep; Deepavali school break, 27–31 Oct; Year-end break (Cuti Akhir Persekolahan), 4–31 Dec. Source: the Ministry of Education (KPM) 2027 academic calendar.
MOE Singapore’s 2027 school holidays: CNY school off-in-lieu day, 9 Feb; March holidays (Term 1–2 break), 13–21 Mar; Labour Day school off-in-lieu day, 3 May; June holidays (mid-year), 29 May – 27 Jun; Youth Day school holiday, 5 Jul; Day after National Day (school holiday), 10 Aug; September holidays (Teachers’ Day + Term 3–4 break), 3–12 Sep; Children’s Day (primary schools only), 8 Oct; Year-end holidays, 20 Nov – 31 Dec. Singapore has 5 long weekends in 2027.
Chinese New Year 2027 falls on 6–7 Feb (Saturday and Sunday), so Monday 8 February is a replacement public holiday in Penang. Malaysian schools in Penang are off 5–14 February. Chap Goh Mei, the 15th night, is expected on Sat 20 Feb.
It means the date has not yet been published by the official body. These dates come from published lunar-calendar tables (Hong Kong Observatory) and Tamil-calendar computations for George Town, and rarely move — but we label them until a Penang or Malaysian authority confirms them. Business events and recurring festivals without announced dates show only their usual month.
For fewer crowds and lower hotel prices, our data points to April, November, September: typically quiet months in our booking calendar, with 0 Malaysian or Singapore school-holiday days in April, 11 Malaysian or Singapore school-holiday days in November, 12 Malaysian or Singapore school-holiday days in September. The busiest, most expensive stretches are December, February, July. For festivals, February (Chinese New Year, Chap Goh Mei) and October (Deepavali, the Nine Emperor Gods) are the highlights.
Build your itinerary
Turn your dates into a day-by-day Penang plan.
School holidays 2027 for families
Every school system, busiest and quieter weeks.
When to visit Penang
Weather, crowds and prices by month.
Penang with kids
Family planner: best months, where to stay, things to do by age.
Penang 2028 — early outline
Expected holidays and festivals for 2028.
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