Travelling allows you to build a stronger bond with your travel companions, be it your family members or your friends. While travelling, you can learn about culture, history, music, and food, making travelling the best and most fun learning experience.
If you are working or residing in Sarawak, we have compiled a helpful guide that contains recommendations on hotels, things to do, and must-visit locations to include in your holiday plans. Here is a guide to Penang’s Public Holidays in 2023 to help you plan ahead.
Penang Public Holiday 2023
Here is a summary of the upcoming Penang public holidays in 2023:
| Date | Day | Holiday | Wishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 Jan | Sun – Mon | New Year | https://www.myweekendplan.asia/best-new-year-wishes-and-greetings/ |
| 22-24 | Sun – Tues | Chinese New Year | https://www.myweekendplan.asia/best-chinese-new-year-wishes-and-greetings/ |
| 5-6 Feb | Sun – Mon | Thaipusam | https://www.myweekendplan.asia/thaipusam-wishes-greetings-for-friends-and-family/ |
| 8 Apr | Sat | Nuzul Al-Quran | |
| 22-24 Apr | Sat – Mon | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | |
| 1 May | Mon | Labour Day | |
| 4 May | Thurs | Wesak Day | |
| 5 Jun | Mon | Agong’s Birthday | |
| 29 Jun | Thurs | Hari Raya Haji | https://www.myweekendplan.asia/hari-raya-haji-wishes-for-friends-and-family/ |
| 7 Jul | Fri | Georgetown World Heritage City Day | |
| 8 Jul | Sat | Penang Governor’s Birthday | |
| 19 Jul | Wed | Awal Muharram | |
| 31 Aug | Thurs | Merdeka Day | https://www.myweekendplan.asia/best-merdeka-wishes-and-greetings/ |
| 16 Sept | Sat | Malaysia Day | |
| 28 Sept | Thurs | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | |
| 12-13 Nov | Sun – Mon | Deepavali | https://www.myweekendplan.asia/50-best-deepavali-wishes-and-greetings/ |
| 25 Dec | Mon | Christmas | https://www.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)
Go on an island vacation during the New Year as you would have a long three-day holiday. January to February would be the best time to have a staycation at Pangkor Island as the days would be warm and sunny, perfect for hiking, beach games or underwater activities such as snorkelling and diving. Seafood in Pangkor Island is fresh and cheap, and there is also duty-free shopping for you to enjoy.
2. Chinese New Year (January)
- 22/1/2023 – 24/1/2023; Sunday – Tuesday; 4 days (including Saturday)
Escape the Chinese New Year heat with a staycation in the cool climate of Fraser’s Hill. Fraser’s Hill is a mountain village in Pahang, and it is a popular holiday retreat where you can go bird-watching, boating, horseback riding, or cycling. Here, you can stay at the quaint quarters of Green Acres Fraser’s Hill, located over an acre of land on a hilltop of Fraser’s Hill.
Follow our guide to the 8 best things to do in Fraser’s Hill and have fun paddle boating at Allan’s Water. You can hike up Bishop Trail, have a delicious meal at Breakfast @ Green Roses Fraser’s Hill, and take a memorable photo at the Fraser’s Hill Clock Tower.
3. Thaipusam (February)
- 5/2/2023 – 6/2/2023; (Sunday – Monday); 3 days (including Saturday)
Go on a nature retreat to Serendah during your three-day Thaipusam holidays. Serendah may be a lesser-known staycation destination, but it has many unique and exciting things to do and sights to visit, such as the Serendah Recreational Waterfall.
As Serendah is located in Selangor, you can also do some fun activities within the Selangor area, such as hiking up Broga Hill or going for a fun photoshoot at the Sky Mirror, which is a seabed that appears above water during low tide. Check out these 8 best activities you can do in Selangor.
4. Hari Raya Aidilfitri (April)
- 22/4/2023 – 24/4/2023; Saturday – Monday; 3 days
During the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays, you can go on a vacation to Port Dickson, a seaside town with many beautiful beaches where you can watch gorgeous sunsets. Here, you can stay at the Thistle Port Dickson Resort, which offers a breathtaking view of the Tanjung Tuan lighthouse and a picturesque view of the Straits of Malacca.
You can check out these 8 best things to do in Port Dickson, such as exploring the Army Museum or marvelling at the architecture of Wan Loong Chinese Temple. You can also go fishing at Grand Lexis Port Dickson and charter a speed boat to bring you to the middle of the sea for deep-sea fishing. For your meals, you and your family can dine at these 10 best restaurants in Port Dickson and 9 must-visit cafes in Port Dickson.
5. Labour Day (May)
- 1/5/2023; Monday; 3 days (including Weekends)
Reward yourself for all your hard work with a staycation in Genting Highlands, a hill station located on the peak of Mount Ulu Kali. Visitors to Genting Highlands can stop by the Genting Highlands Premium Outlets for a fun shopping experience where branded goods are sold at discounted prices. While there, check out these 9 best things to do in Genting Highlands and have fun riding adventure rides at the Genting SkyWorlds Outdoor Theme Park.
6. Agong’s Birthday (June)
- 5/6/2023; Monday; 3 days (including Weekends)
Take a road trip to Melaka during Agong’s birthday, as there will be a three-day holiday. Spend quality time with your family doing these 8 best family activities in Melaka, such as learning about sea creatures at The Shore Oceanarium or riding horses, camels, and elephants at the A’Famosa Safari Wonderland.
You can also check out the 9 best things to do in Melaka for more fun ideas for spending your long weekend. You can bring your friends and family to one of these 10 best restaurants in Melaka. In addition, if you love cafe hopping, drop by these 9 best cafes in Melaka for some fragrant coffee and delectable pastries.
7. Georgetown World Heritage City Day (July)
- 7/7/2023; Friday; 3 days (including Weekends)
Celebrate Georgetown World Heritage Day by doing a local staycation at a colonial hotel in Penang. The Eastern & Oriental Hotel has been around for 135 years since the British colonial era and has undergone comprehensive restoration and refurbishment. Their hotel rooms have an old-world charm, and their Java Tree restaurant serves the best Nonya cuisine to its guests.
During your extended break, treat yourself to a facial or a Spa session while you relax and forget all your daily worries. Since you are holidaying within your own state, you can also afford to splurge a little extra and indulge in some fine dining with your loved ones.
8. Merdeka Day (August)
- 31/8/2023; Thursday; 4 days (including Weekends if you take leave on Friday)
Merdeka day falls on a Thursday. Consider taking leave on Friday, and you will be able to enjoy a four-day vacation to Kuching. Aside from Penang and Ipoh, Kuching is one of the best food capitals in Malaysia. Their local delicacies include the delicious Kolo Mee and Sarawak Layer Cake.
While at Kuching, check out these best places to visit in Sarawak, such as the Darul Hana Bridge, an S-shaped pedestrian suspension bridge that offers you a stunning 360- degree panoramic view of the Sarawak River. If you are vacationing with your family, check out these 8 best family activities in Kuching.
9. Deepavali (November)
- 12/11/2023 – 13/11/2023; Sunday – Monday; 3 days (including Saturday)
A road trip to Janda Baik for a staycation during the three-day Deepavali holiday would be an excellent idea, as Janda Baik has the most beautiful waterfalls, white sandy beaches, and scenic hilltop views. Consider staying at least a night in Embun Luxury Villas. Its villas range from rainforest to pool villas. There is also a Clubhouse and pool for guests to enjoy with their family and friends.
Here, you can go fishing at Radiant Retreats, picnic by the Riverside Janda Baik, camp in style at the Tiarasa Escape Glamping Resort, or sit back and relax at Pintô Coffee+. Check out these 8 best things to do in Janda Baik.
10. Christmas (December)
- 25/12/2023; Monday; 3 days (including Weekends)
Cameron Highlands is one of the best staycations you can have during Christmas. If you love cold weather, this is the place to be. Another reason why Cameron Highlands is perfect for visiting during Christmas is that you can spend Christmas morning enjoying delicious traditional cream tea, melt-in-your-mouth puddings, and tasty desserts at the Smokehouse Hotel.
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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 [email protected] For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
