School Holidays 2026: Official Calendar & CNY Leave Hack
The School Holidays 2026 are officially shifting back to the original cycle! If you are a parent planning your Balik Kampung trips or a family vacation, you need to update your calendar immediately.
The Ministry of Education (KPM) has confirmed that the 2026 School Session will revert to January. This is a huge change from the previous March cycle, meaning the holiday structures have shifted.
Here is the expected academic calendar for 2026 and the “Leave Strategy” to maximize your Chinese New Year break.
Key Dates: School Session 2026
(Based on KPM’s announcement to revert the academic calendar to January-December)
- New School Year Begins: 12 January 2026 (Monday) for Kumpulan B (KL, Selangor, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak).
- Chinese New Year (CNY): 17 & 18 February 2026 (Tuesday & Wednesday).
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri: Expected 20-21 March 2026.
The “Golden” CNY 2026 Holiday Hack
This is the most important date to mark. Chinese New Year falls on 17th & 18th February 2026.
The Good News for Students:
Historically, KPM grants “Cuti Peristiwa” or “Cuti Tambahan” for the days surrounding CNY to allow for travel. It is highly likely schools will be closed for the entire week (Feb 16 – Feb 20).
The Strategy for Parents:
While your kids might be off for 9 days, you are not. To match their schedule, here is your leave plan:
| Date | Day | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb | Monday | Work Day | Apply Leave |
| 17 Feb | Tuesday | CNY Day 1 | Public Holiday |
| 18 Feb | Wednesday | CNY Day 2 | Public Holiday |
| 19-20 Feb | Thu-Fri | Work Day | Apply Leave (Optional) |
The Result: If you take just Monday (Feb 16) off, you get a 5-day continuous break. If you clear the whole week, you get a 9-day holiday (Feb 14 to Feb 22).
Prepare for the “Back to School” Rush (January 2026)
Since school starts in January 2026, parents need to do their shopping in December 2025. Do not wait until the last minute!
If you haven’t bought your school supplies yet, check out our guide on upcoming warehouse sales to buy shoes and bags at clearance prices before the December rush starts.
Disclaimer: The dates above are based on the latest KPM announcements regarding the 2026 Academic Calendar reversion. Actual “Cuti Peristiwa” (Special Leave) is subject to final approval by the Ministry of Education. We recommend verifying with your child’s school before booking non-refundable tickets. If you spot an update, feel free to contact us.
