Going Home Calendar Oct 2026–Feb 2027: Deepavali, Christmas, School Holidays and CNY for Sabah and Sarawak Workers

Flights home to Sabah or Sarawak sell out fastest in the weeks around long holidays. If you work in a factory or on shifts in Senai, knowing the dates early lets you apply for leave and book before fares climb. This guide lays out the holidays from October 2026 to February 2027, as of 30 Sep 2026.

This is a general reference. Your actual days off depend on your contract and your company calendar. Always confirm with your employer or HR.

Key Dates at a Glance

| Date | Holiday | Note | |---|---|---| | Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Deepavali | Replacement holiday Mon 9 Nov in most states; Sarawak does not gazette Deepavali | | 5–31 Dec 2026 | Year-end school holidays (Group B) | Group A (Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu) starts 4 Dec | | Thu 24 Dec 2026 | Christmas Eve | State holiday in Sabah only | | Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day | Public holiday | | Sat 6 and Sun 7 Feb 2027 | Chinese New Year (CNY) | Both days fall on a weekend |

Deepavali: A Long Weekend on 8–9 November

Deepavali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026. According to Wego and Office Holidays, Monday 9 November is the replacement holiday in most states, so most workers get three days in a row (Saturday to Monday).

Two things for Sarawak workers:

• Sarawak does not gazette Deepavali. Your factory in Johor follows its own company calendar, but your family's days off in Sarawak may differ. Talk to them before fixing dates.
• Wego notes that taking four days of annual leave after Monday 9 Nov can stretch the break to nine days in a row. That is an illustration only: Saturday 7 to Sunday 15 Nov. Make sure your leave is approved first.

Senai International Airport, Kulai, Johor. Photo: Chongkian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Year-End School Holidays and Christmas

The Ministry of Education academic calendar (KPM Circular No. 3 of 2025) sets the 2026 year-end break as follows, as summarised by school-calendar sites and Wego:

• Group B (including Johor, Sabah and Sarawak): 5 to 31 December 2026
• Group A (Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu): starts 4 December

If your children are in school back home, or you want to travel with family, this is usually the busiest period. According to Office Holidays, Christmas Day is Friday 25 December 2026 (public holiday) and 24 December is a state holiday in Sabah only. Sabah workers therefore have a long weekend on paper, but not every employer in Peninsular Malaysia follows Sabah's state holiday. Ask HR.

CNY: 6–7 February 2027

Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February and Sunday 7 February 2027 (Office Holidays). The source we read does not mention a replacement holiday, so do not assume a Monday off. Wait for the official announcement or ask your employer before buying tickets.

Terminal 1, Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Photo: Jahurz93, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Flights from Senai to Sabah and Sarawak

The official Senai Airport site lists AirAsia with domestic destinations including Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Tawau. For Malaysia Airlines, the same page only mentions Kuala Lumpur connections. Schedules, fares and frequencies change, so we quote no figures. Check directly with the airline.

If a direct flight does not fit your dates, some workers connect via Kuala Lumpur. Compare total travel time and price before you buy.

Kuching International Airport, Sarawak. Photo: Medelam, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ticket Planning Checklist

1. Apply for leave first, buy the ticket second. Factories often have peak production periods; ask HR when leave is allowed.
2. Fix your outbound and return dates before looking at fares. Colleagues will want the same days, so agree turns early.
3. Compare nearby dates. Leaving a day earlier or returning a day later is sometimes cheaper. Check in the airline's own app.
4. Count baggage. Many low fares exclude checked bags. Travel with cabin luggage only if the trip is short.
5. Bring your MyKad. Peninsula to Sabah/Sarawak is a domestic flight. (See flying home from Senai Airport.)
6. Share a Grab to the airport with housemates flying the same day.

A Senai road sign, near our rental area. Photo: Bilik Sewa Senai

Common Mistakes

• Buying the ticket before leave is approved. If leave is refused, even a cheap ticket is a loss.
• Assuming every state has the same holidays. Deepavali is not gazetted in Sarawak, and Christmas Eve is a state holiday in Sabah only.
• Assuming CNY has a replacement holiday. Both days fall on a weekend and we found no statement of a replacement day.
• Waiting too long. Dates around school holidays and festivals fill first; fix your dates early.

Before You Leave: Room and Belongings

If you will be away for a few weeks, talk to your landlord and housemates:

• The month's rent is still due; ask in advance how to pay while you are away.
• Unplug appliances, close the gas valve and lock your room door.
• Take photos of your room before you go so there is a record of its condition.
• Tell housemates when you are back, especially if someone must open the gate late at night.

For more preparation tips, see arranging your room in Senai before you arrive.

Tidy your room before you go home. Photo: Bilik Sewa Senai

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is 9 November a holiday for everyone? Monday 9 Nov is the Deepavali replacement holiday in most states. Sarawak does not gazette Deepavali, and some states (Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu) get no extra day. Confirm with your employer.

2. When do the 2026 year-end school holidays start? Group B (including Johor, Sabah, Sarawak) runs 5 to 31 December 2026. Group A starts 4 December.

3. Is there a replacement holiday for CNY 2027? Both CNY days fall on a weekend (6 and 7 Feb 2027). We found no statement of a replacement holiday, so wait for the official announcement.

4. Can I fly directly from Senai to Sabah and Sarawak? The airport's official page lists AirAsia to Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Tawau. Check current schedules with the airline.

Sumber / Sources

All checked as of 30 Sep 2026.

• Deepavali 2026 Malaysia travel plan — Wego
• Malaysia Public Holidays 2026 — Office Holidays
• Malaysia Public Holidays 2027 — Office Holidays
• KPM Circular No. 3 of 2025 (Academic Calendar 2026)
• Airlines & Destinations — Senai Airport

Looking for a room in Senai? See the rooms at House 172, Taman Senai Baru, check rent, deposit & house rules, or go straight to today's vacant rooms.