Merdeka Day in Malaysia
Malaysia's National Day, marking independence in 1957.
Merdeka Day, celebrated on 31 August, commemorates the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. It is a national public holiday marked by parades, flag-raising ceremonies and patriotic events, most prominently at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.
When is Merdeka Day?
| Year | Date | Observed in | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mon, 31 August 2026 | National | |
| 2027 | Tue, 31 August 2027 | National | |
| 2028 | Thu, 31 August 2028 | National |
Planning around Merdeka Day
Merdeka Day 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, Merdeka Day 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.