Malaysia Year-End School Holidays 2026: Group A & B Dates and 4 January 2027 Reopening

Checked on 29 October 2026. If you are planning a family trip, a balik kampung visit or childcare around Malaysia's year-end break, the KPM dates are straightforward: Group A starts its 2026 year-end school holiday on 4 December, while Group B starts on 5 December. Both official holiday periods run through 31 December 2026. For government and government-aided schools, both groups return for the new academic year on Monday, 4 January 2027. These dates are from the Ministry of Education, not a social-media holiday estimate. KPM official 2026 calendar and KPM 2027 school-opening notice.

Malaysia year-end school holidays 2026 at a glance

The last scheduled 2026 school day is Thursday, 3 December for Group A and Friday, 4 December for Group B. The dates above follow Annex A and Annex B of KPM's published 2026 calendar. This national calendar covers government and government-aided schools; private and international schools may use different schedules.

Is Johor Group A or Group B?

Johor is Group B. So are Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

Group A contains exactly three states: Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

The group is determined by the state's KPM school calendar, not by a student's age, examination result or year level. Parents who remember an older classification should check the current official PDF rather than relying on previous years' lists.

The next school term begins on 4 January 2027

The Ministry has established 4 January 2027 (Monday) as the 2027 school-opening date for both Groups A and B. This is worth pointing out: although the 2026 year-end holiday table officially ends on 31 December, that does not imply school resumes on New Year's Day.

For the separate full-year 2027 term breaks, see JomGuide's existing KPM 2027 academic calendar guide. This article focuses on the late-2026 to early-2027 planning window, rather than duplicating another year's full calendar.

Five practical things for families to check

1. The school's own notices. KPM gives the national calendar, but schools can have presentations, awards ceremonies or other events around the final week. Check the teacher or school-issued schedule.

2. Parents' leave is a separate matter. Your child's school holiday is not automatically your employer's paid holiday. Align annual leave, shift schedules and any official company closure notices before committing to travel.

3. Childcare and transport availability. If adults are working in December, check the actual operating dates of your usual childcare arrangement, fees during school breaks, pickup and drop-off requirements, and reliable alternatives.

4. Overall family costs. An itinerary budget can include accommodation, transport, baggage, meals, activity fees and potential cancellation charges. Prices can change, so don't use an illustrative travel price as a quote.

5. Rainy-season flexibility. The northeast monsoon period may affect some travel routes. Check current official weather and road conditions close to your departure, and have a sensible alternative plan.

A simple October-to-January planning timeline

Late October / early November: Confirm your school group and whether parents are available on the same days. Mark any periods that need childcare or family support.

During November: Check school events, childcare operating dates and any booking terms. Keep copies of relevant confirmations.

During December: Use current weather and transport alerts if travelling. Avoid assuming all journeys will run as usual during adverse conditions.

Before 4 January 2027: Review the school's reopening notice, relevant transport arrangements and any documents or supplies needed for the first day back.

Frequently asked questions

Is 4 December a holiday for Johor KPM schools? Under the national Group B calendar, 4 December is the final school day, with the holiday beginning 5 December.

When do Group A states finish school? Their final listed school day is 3 December 2026.

Do all KPM schools have the same holiday start date? No. Group A and B differ by one day.

Does the 2027 school year start on 1 January? No. KPM's announced reopening date for both groups is Monday, 4 January 2027.

Do international schools follow these dates? Not necessarily. Check each school's academic calendar.

Sources: KPM Kalendar Akademik Tahun 2026 (Annexes A and B), KPM official notice confirming the 2027 opening date.