If you are trying to map out your long weekends in Sarawak for 2027, you have come to the right place. I have done the heavy lifting so you do not have to waste time digging through government gazettes.
Sarawak is unique. We get our own special state holidays that the rest of Malaysia often ignores. Planning your annual leave around these dates is the only way to survive the grind. If you play your cards right, you can snag several extended breaks without burning through your entire leave balance.
Key Public Holiday Dates for Sarawak 2027
Here are the dates you need to mark in your planner immediately. Remember, some of these dates are subject to change based on the lunar calendar or official government announcements.
- January 1 (Friday): New Year’s Day – A perfect start to the year for a long weekend.
- January 29 (Friday): Chinese New Year – Expect major festivities and heavy traffic in Kuching and Sibu.
- January 30 (Saturday): Second Day of Chinese New Year – Most businesses will remain shuttered.
- March 31 (Wednesday): Hari Raya Aidilfitri – The first day of celebration.
- April 1 (Thursday): Second Day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri – Plan your travel accordingly.
- June 1 (Tuesday): Gawai Dayak – The most important holiday for Sarawakians.
- June 2 (Wednesday): Second Day of Gawai Dayak – Recovery day after the festivities.
- June 7 (Monday): Agong’s Birthday – A solid mid-year public holiday.
- July 22 (Thursday): Sarawak Independence Day – A state-specific holiday that gives us extra pride.
- August 31 (Tuesday): Merdeka Day – Malaysia’s national day.
- September 16 (Thursday): Malaysia Day – Celebrate the formation of our nation.
- November (TBC): Deepavali – Date to be confirmed based on the Hindu calendar.
- December 25 (Saturday): Christmas Day – Time to head home or travel.
Tips for Strategic Leave Planning
Look at those mid-week holidays in July and September. If you take Friday off, you instantly get a four-day mini-vacation. Most people forget to check the specific Sarawak state holidays like Gawai and Sarawak Independence Day, which gives us a massive advantage over colleagues in the peninsula.
Be warned: flight prices skyrocket during Gawai. If you plan to fly back to your hometown, book your tickets at least six months in advance. Do not wait until the last minute unless you enjoy paying triple the standard fare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Gawai Dayak holidays always two days in Sarawak?
Yes, the Sarawak government officially gazettes both June 1st and June 2nd as public holidays to allow for proper celebration and travel.
How does the 2027 calendar affect school holidays?
School terms usually align with the major festive seasons, but keep an eye on the Ministry of Education’s specific announcements for Sarawak as they occasionally adjust term breaks to accommodate local events.
Will I get a replacement holiday if a public holiday falls on a Saturday?
In Sarawak, if a gazetted public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is usually declared a replacement holiday, but Saturday holidays generally do not trigger a replacement unless otherwise stated by the employer or state government.
Start booking your flights now before the prices hit the roof. A little bit of planning today saves you a massive headache later this year.
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