Chinese New Year in Malaysia
The most anticipated celebration for Malaysians of Chinese ancestry.
Chinese New Year is the most anticipated holiday period each year for the millions of Malaysians of Chinese ancestry. Also called the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, it is dated according to the Chinese lunar calendar and therefore falls on a different Gregorian date each year, somewhere in January or February.
Families clean their homes thoroughly beforehand to sweep out bad luck, buy new clothes, and gather for an elaborate reunion dinner on the eve of the new year. Traditions include tossing the prosperity salad "Yee Sang", giving ang pow (red packets of money), lion and dragon dances, and lighting firecrackers. The festival is celebrated over fifteen days, concluding with Chap Goh Mei.
It is observed nationally, making it one of only a handful of festivals that closes the entire country for two consecutive days.
When is Chinese New Year?
| Year | Date | Observed in | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tue, 17 February 2026 | National | |
| 2027 | Sat, 6 February 2027 | National | |
| 2028 | Wed, 26 January 2028 | National |
Planning around Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is a nationwide public holiday observed across Malaysia. If you are planning travel or annual leave, check the dates above for 2026 and the following years, because the weekday changes each year and determines whether the holiday creates a natural long weekend.
Within the years listed, Chinese New Year falls next to a weekend in at least one year, so taking one or two days of annual leave can stretch your break further. See our long-weekend pages for the best leave suggestions in each state.