Take the opportunity to travel and sightsee during the extended public holidays in 2023. Travel takes us out of our comfort zones and challenges us to try new things and adapt to new surroundings. During your travels, you can also meet new friends and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
If you are working or staying in Sabah, we have compiled a helpful guide with recommendations on hotels, things to do, and must-visit locations to include in your holiday plans. Here is a guide to Sabah’s Public Holidays in 2023 to help you plan your holidays.
Sabah Public Holiday 2023
Here is a summary of the upcoming Sabah public holidays in 2023:
| Date | Day | Holiday | Wishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 Jan | Sun – Mon | New Year | https://myweekendplan.asia/best-new-year-wishes-and-greetings/ |
| 22-24 Jan | Sun – Tues | Chinese New Year | https://myweekendplan.asia/best-chinese-new-year-wishes-and-greetings/ |
| 7 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | |
| 22-24 Apr | Sat – Mon | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | |
| 1 May | Mon | Labour Day | |
| 4 May | Thurs | Wesak Day | |
| 30-31 May | Tues- Wed | Harvest Festival | |
| 5 Jun | Mon | Agong’s Birthday | |
| 29 Jun | Thurs | Hari Raya Haji | https://myweekendplan.asia/hari-raya-haji-wishes-for-friends-and-family/ |
| 19 Jul | Wed | Awal Muharram | |
| 31 Aug | Thurs | Merdeka Day | https://myweekendplan.asia/best-merdeka-wishes-and-greetings/ |
| 16 Sept | Sat | Malaysia Day | |
| 28 Sept | Thurs | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | |
| 7 Oct | Sat | Sabah Governor’s Birthday | |
| 12-13 Nov | Sun – Mon | Deepavali | https://myweekendplan.asia/50-best-deepavali-wishes-and-greetings/ |
| 24 Dec | Sun | Christmas Eve | |
| 25 Dec | Mon | Christmas Day | https://myweekendplan.asia/best-christmas-wishes-and-greetings/ |
Planning Your Long Holidays For 2023:
1. New Year (January)
- 1/1/2023 – 2/1/2023; Sunday – Monday; 3 days (including Saturday)
The new year holidays span three days. During your break, you can go for a staycation in Genting Highlands. Genting Highlands is a hill station located on the peak of Mount Ulu Kali, and one of the best ways to go up to the top of Genting Highlands would be to take the Awana SkyWay gondola.
While at Genting Highlands, you can purchase hand-picked strawberries from the Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm. If you are a fan of “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!”, try visiting their fantastic display of bizarre room setups and items. Also, do not forget the Genting SkyWorlds Outdoor Theme Park, which has a variety of roller coasters, adventure rides, and attractions to suit all age groups. Check out these 9 best things to do in Genting Highlands.
2. Chinese New Year (January)
- 22/1/2023 – 24/1/2023; Sunday – Tuesday; 4 days (including Saturday)
You will have four days of holiday for the Chinese New Year. If you want to escape the city’s hustle and bustle and have some quiet time alone or with your loved ones, consider these 8 best glamping and camping sites in Malaysia. You can choose from the four themed domes of Umea Glam Kundasang in Sabah to the Time Capsule Retreat in Sungai Lembing, Pahang. No matter which glamping or camping site you choose, you will return from your trip feeling inspired and refreshed.
3. Good Friday (April)
- 7/4/2023; Friday; 3 days (including Weekends)
If you are looking for an exciting location to visit during your three-day Good Friday holiday, why not go on a vacation to Kuala Kubu Bharu? Kuala Kubu Bharu is rich with towering mountains, gushing rivers and streams. This small town has historic buildings, murals, scenic views and adventurous nature activities such as hiking up Bukit Kutu or going whitewater rafting.
4. Hari Raya Aidilfitri (April)
- 22/4/2023 – 24/4/2023; Saturday – Monday; 3 days
During the Raya holidays, you can go on a trip to Melaka. You can do many things in Melaka, such as taking a River Cruise, visiting the Baba Nonya Heritage Museum or strolling along the Melaka Dutch Square. Here is a list of the 9 best things to do in Melaka.
Don’t miss out on trying the food at the 10 best restaurants in Melaka. On the other hand, if you are searching for Halal restaurants, here are the 10 best halal buffet restaurants in Melaka to choose from. If you are bringing your pets with you on vacation, Melaka also has an excellent selection of pet cafes, so take your pick.
5. Labour Day (May)
- 1/5/2023; Monday; 3 days (including Weekends)
During the three-day labour day holidays, why not go for a local holiday and stay at one of the best staycations in Sandakan? Staycations at places such as the Sepilok Jungle Resort or the Sepilok Forest Edge Resort will take you back to nature, where the chalets are surrounded by lush forest greenery and hills. Here, hotel guests would have an exciting time trying to catch glimpses of Broadbills, Kingfishers, Pittas, and Orangutans.
6. Harvest Festival (May)
- 30/5/2023 – 31/5/2023; Tuesday – Wednesday; 5 days (including Weekends if you take leave on Monday)
The Harvest Festival holidays fall in the middle of the week. Consider taking Monday off so you can have five whole days to embark on an adventure to Janda Baik. Here you can enjoy a staycation in private villas that are airy and bright, with large windows overlooking lush greenery.
While at Janda Baik, you should take advantage of a wholesome lunch at A Little Farm on the Hill. You can also go fishing at Radiant Retreats or shoot your heart out with SWAT Paintball. To help you plan your trip better, here are the 8 best things to do in Janda Baik.
7. Agong’s Birthday (June)
- 5/6/2023; Monday; 3 days (including Weekends)
You will be having three days of holiday during Agong’s birthday. You can consider a staycation in Kuching. You and your family can create fun memories at the upside-down house in Kuching or go on a river cruise at the Kuching Wetlands National Park. Check out these 8 best family activities in Kuching.
If you are on a budget, here are the 8 best budget-friendly staycations in Kuching for you to choose from. While there, you can also dine at one of these 10 best restaurants in Kuching and visit these 16 best cafes in Kuching.
8. Merdeka Day (August)
- 31/8/2023; Thursday; 4 days (including Weekends if you take leave on Friday)
Merdeka day falls on a Thursday. It would be best if you considered taking leave on Friday so you can have four days to go on an island trip. The most popular months to visit Pulau Perhentian are in July and August. So this is the perfect chance for you to go on a staycation in Pulau Perhentian.
Pulau Perhentian is known for its green turtle population, which includes the Hawksbill and Green turtles. You can visit Turtle beach to catch a glimpse of the sea turtles. You can also go diving with the Turtle Bay Divers’ experienced instructors. Learn more about the 8 best things to do in Pulau Perhentian and enjoy your long-awaited vacation.
9. Deepavali (November)
- 12/11/2023 – 13/11/2023; Sunday – Monday; 3 days (including Saturday)
The best month to visit Cameron Highlands for a staycation is in November. Enjoy your three-day break during the Deepavali holidays by vacationing in the cool mountain air of Cameron Highlands. Stay at the Cameron Highland Resort, which consists of Tudor-style cottages and colonial design rooms surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Here, you can enjoy a relaxing massage at the resort’s spa and delight your taste buds with a mixture of English and Asian cuisine.
10. Christmas (December)
- 24/12/2023 – 25/12/2023; Sunday – Monday; 3 days (including Saturday)
Celebrate your end-of-the-year Christmas holidays with a relaxing vacation to a venue located alongside a beautiful scenic lake. Imagine waking up to the smell of fresh air, then looking out your private balcony and enjoying the calm waters glistening in the sun’s rays. That’s what lies in store for you at these 8 best lakefront staycations in Malaysia.
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Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
