2026 Hari Raya Puasa: Date and Public Holiday Status in Malaysia
Most Malaysians do not need a wall calendar to feel when Hari Raya Puasa is close — the baju raya advertisements and bus ticket prices appear before the fasting month ends. In 2026, the public holiday falls on Saturday, 21 March, and the first day of fasting is listed as Thursday, 19 February, according to Time and Date’s Malaysia holiday calendar.
Date: 21 Mar 2026 · Hijri: 1 Syawal 1447 AH · First fast: 19 Feb 2026 · Status: Federal public holiday (Time and Date)
Planning gets easier once the date is separated from the noise. These are the details that appear consistently across Malaysian public-holiday calendars for 2026.
| Confirmed date | Saturday, 21 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| First day of fasting | Thursday, 19 February 2026 |
| Islamic month of Hari Raya | 1 Syawal 1447 AH |
| Official status in Malaysia | National public holiday |
| Source confirming date | Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Malaysia |
| Duration of public holiday | 1 day; 2 days in certain states |
| Common greetings | Selamat Hari Raya, Eid Mubarak |
| Also observed in | Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia |
These dates line up with Time and Date’s Malaysia holiday page and the 2026 public-holiday roundup from Human Resources Online. Malaysian holiday listings also point to the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal as the office that confirms the date.
What date is Hari Raya in 2026?
Has Hari Raya Puasa 2026 been officially confirmed?
Hari Raya Puasa, also called Aidilfitri in Malay, is the first day of Syawal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. In 2026, Time and Date lists the public holiday on Saturday, 21 March, with 1 Syawal 1447 AH beginning at sunset on the evening before. Malaysian holiday portal PublicHolidays.com.my also places the public holiday on that date.
Is Eid on Friday or Saturday in 2026?
The federal public holiday falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026. Some state calendars list a second day on Sunday, 22 March, but the main holiday is Saturday.
- Hari Raya Puasa: 21 March 2026
- Second day in some states: 22 March 2026
- Federal status: National public holiday
The implication: the federal date is consistent; the length of the holiday is where the calendar changes.
Is Hari Raya Puasa a Public Holiday Across All of Malaysia?
Malaysia’s official public-holiday status applies nationwide, but “nationwide” does not automatically mean two full days off in every state. Human Resources Online’s 2026 table lists both 21 and 22 March as Hari Raya Puasa with broad state coverage, while Time and Date records 21 March as the main federal date.
There is also a separate state-level holiday earlier in the year. According to Trip.com’s Malaysia blog, Johor and Kedah observe Awal Ramadan, the first day of fasting, on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
- Johor and Kedah: Awal Ramadan public holiday on 19 Feb 2026
- All states: Hari Raya Puasa on 21 Mar 2026
- Some states: Second day on 22 Mar 2026
What this means: for anyone planning leave or travel, the safest reading is that 21 March is the universal date, and 22 March applies widely but not in every state.
How Is the Date for Hari Raya Puasa Confirmed?
Islamic months in Malaysia follow the lunar calendar, and the official start of Syawal is announced by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal after the crescent moon is sighted. That is why calendars mark the holiday as 1 Syawal 1447 AH. The date becomes an official public holiday ahead of the new month, and the public holiday listing for 2026 already shows 21 March.
Some international and aggregator sites treat the date as a forecast rather than an official listing. Malaysian holiday portal PublicHolidays.com.my also warns that some online lists can be unreliable when the date is more than a few months away. The most reliable approach is to compare three sources: the federal holiday list, the state-level list for Johor and Kedah, and the current Islamic calendar before booking anything non-refundable.
What are Ramadan dates for 2026?
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on Thursday, 19 February 2026, based on the official Islamic calendar from the Mufti of the Federal Territory. The first day of fasting aligns with 1 Ramadan 1447 AH. Johor and Kedah declare Awal Ramadan as a state public holiday on that date. Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, ending with the sighting of the Syawal crescent.
The pattern: the federal date for the start of Ramadan is settled, but state-level observances vary.
How many days is Eid holiday 2026?
How long is Hari Raya?
The official public holiday in Malaysia is one day for most states. Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu observe a second day on 22 March 2026. Private companies may also grant additional leave or replacement holidays when the date falls on a weekend. In practice, celebrations often span three days, but the legal public holiday is 1-2 days depending on the state.
- Federal: 1 day (21 March)
- Additional day in some states: 22 March
- Typical celebration: 3 days (21-23 March)
The catch: always check the state-specific holiday list before booking leave.
Can Non-Muslims Take Part in Hari Raya Celebrations?
Yes. Hari Raya Puasa is a national public holiday, and the greetings “Selamat Hari Raya” and “Eid Mubarak” are used by Malaysians of all backgrounds. A non-Muslim does not need to do anything complicated: a simple Selamat Hari Raya to a Muslim colleague or neighbour is appropriate and appreciated in both English and Malay.
The “open house” style of celebration is also common in Malaysia. Many workplaces and community groups mark the occasion with meals and gatherings, and the public-holiday nature of the day makes it a shared occasion rather than something closed off. PublicHolidays.com.my describes the day in official public-holiday terms, which is exactly how most Malaysian institutions treat it: as a date on the national calendar, not just a religious event.
- Say: “Selamat Hari Raya” or “Eid Mubarak”
- Avoid assuming: not every Muslim fasts, and not every fasting person is free to host a meal
- Follow the host’s lead: if invited to an open house, the host decides the arrangement
What is forbidden during Eid al-Fitr?
Fasting is prohibited on the day of Eid al-Fitr. Muslims are encouraged to eat before the prayer. Common practices include attending the Eid prayer, visiting family, giving charity (zakat fitrah), and exchanging greetings. Firecrackers and grave visits are cultural customs, not religious requirements.
The implication: the day is one of celebration and community, not restriction.
Can I say Happy Eid?
Yes. “Happy Eid”, “Selamat Hari Raya”, and “Eid Mubarak” are all appropriate and widely used regardless of the speaker’s faith. A simple greeting in Malay or English is the correct way to take part.
What this means: the clearest non-Muslim entry point is language.
Are There Any Travel Restrictions During Hari Raya Puasa?
There are no official travel restrictions tied to Hari Raya Puasa in Malaysia. The practical complication is traffic. Because the federal holiday falls on Saturday, 21 March, many workers and families will travel before the date, and some states with 22 March as a second holiday will spread the return journey over a longer weekend.
The 2026 holiday therefore creates three separate travel periods: the day before the fast begins, the Hari Raya quiet period, and the return flow after the second day in states that observe it. Trip.com’s holiday guide treats the date as a nationwide public-holiday event, not a border-control issue. The main point for travellers is to book early, expect crowded buses and trains, and confirm the number of public holiday days in the specific state you are travelling to.
Confirmed Facts and What to Treat with Caution
Date Confirmed
- Hari Raya Puasa falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026 according to Time and Date.
Public Holiday Status
- The public holiday is nationwide for one day. Some states add 22 March as a second day, and Human Resources Online’s table shows broad state coverage for the second date.
- Johor and Kedah also observe Awal Ramadan on 19 February 2026, according to Trip.com’s Malaysia blog.
Caution – Unreliable Online Lists
- Some online lists project the date instead of reporting it. PublicHolidays.com.my warns that some sources can be unreliable.
Caution – Date Shift Possible
- 22 March is not automatically a public holiday in every state. It depends on local state listings.
- Far-dated Islamic holidays can shift by one day if the official moon-sighting announcement changes Syawal’s start.
What the 2026 Calendars Are Saying
Hari Raya Puasa is listed as a federal public holiday in Malaysia on Saturday, 21 March 2026.
Time and Date, international calendar reference
For 2026, Hari Raya Puasa is listed on 21 and 22 March, with broad state coverage.
Human Resources Online, regional HR publication
In Johor and Kedah, Awal Ramadan is listed as a state holiday on 19 February 2026.
Trip.com, travel booking platform
What all three sources share is the same message: the federal date is settled enough to plan around, while the state-level question of the second day needs a local check. For most Malaysians, the more useful takeaway is practical rather than religious. The holiday is Saturday, the fast begins in February, and the second day is a bonus in some states but not everywhere.
Related reading: Singapore Calendar 2026 with Public Holidays: Full List · Niat Puasa Ramadhan Sebulan: Bacaan, Hukum, dan Tata Cara
timeanddate.com, calendarific.com, truecalendar.com, public-holidays.iamrohit.in, muftiwp.gov.my, my.trip.com, trip.com, nottingham.edu.my, dataon.com, humanresourcesonline.net, kalsel.antaranews.com
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the moon-sighting announcement be made for Hari Raya 2026?
The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal typically announces the date a few days before 1 Syawal, after the crescent moon is sighted. In 2026, expect the announcement around 19–20 March.
Which states have a second day of Hari Raya as a public holiday?
Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu are the states that usually observe 22 March as a second public holiday. Check the state gazette for confirmation.
What factors can cause the Hari Raya date to shift by one day?
The date depends on the actual sighting of the Syawal crescent moon. If the moon is not visible on the expected evening, the start of Syawal moves to the following day. PublicHolidays.com.my warns that far-dated listings can be unreliable for this reason.
Is it appropriate for non-Muslims to visit Muslim homes during Hari Raya?
Yes, many Muslims host open houses. A simple greeting and following the host’s lead is welcome. Avoid bringing non-halal food unless offered.
What are the peak travel times during the Hari Raya period?
The busiest travel days are the Friday before Hari Raya (20 March) and the Sunday after (22 March) in states that observe the second day. Book long-distance bus and train tickets early and expect congestion on major highways.
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