Wesak Day in Malaysia
Commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of Buddha.
Wesak Day is the most important festival in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha. Temples across Malaysia are decorated with flowers and lights, and devotees gather for prayers, the bathing of Buddha statues, candlelit processions and acts of charity.
It is a national public holiday in Malaysia.
When is Wesak Day?
| Year | Date | Observed in | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sun, 31 May 2026 | National | |
| 2027 | Thu, 20 May 2027 | National | |
| 2028 | Tue, 9 May 2028 | National |
Planning around Wesak Day
Wesak 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, Wesak 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.