Fri 25 – Sun 27 Dec 2026 · #2 pick for Christmas & New Year

Penang over Christmas & New Year

Malaysia’s food capital, with street art and old shophouses. 3 days off with no leave.

  • Good weather that month
  • No leave needed
  • Also a holiday in Malaysia, so book early
Days off
3
Leave
0
Flight
1h 25m

Why Penang suits Christmas & New Year

  • December is a good month

    December is one of the best months for Penang, with its most reliable weather of the year.

  • No leave needed

    Penang needs about 3 days, and the 3 free days cover it without taking leave.

  • 1h 25m away

    Flight from Changi, about 1h 25m. Short enough to leave on the evening before the holiday.

  • Holiday there too

    Christmas & New Year is also a holiday in Malaysia, so hotels fill up and prices rise. Book early.

#2 of 14 destinations we rank for Christmas & New Year 2026, on weather, leave needed and crowds.

Leave to apply for

Every way to take Christmas & New Year. Our pick is the least leave that gives Penang enough time.

  • Public holiday
  • Take leave
  • Weekend
  • Workday
  1. No leave3 days offFri 25 – Sun 27 DecOur pick
    1. T24Thursday, 24 December: workday
    2. F25Friday, 25 December: public holiday
    3. S26Saturday, 26 December: weekend
    4. S27Sunday, 27 December: weekend
    5. M28Monday, 28 December: workday
  2. 1 leave4 days offThu 24 – Sun 27 Dec
    1. W23Wednesday, 23 December: workday
    2. T24Thursday, 24 December: take leave
    3. F25Friday, 25 December: public holiday
    4. S26Saturday, 26 December: weekend
    5. S27Sunday, 27 December: weekend
    6. M28Monday, 28 December: workday

    Apply for Thu 24 Dec

  3. 2 leave5 days offWed 23 – Sun 27 Dec
    1. T22Tuesday, 22 December: workday
    2. W23Wednesday, 23 December: take leave
    3. T24Thursday, 24 December: take leave
    4. F25Friday, 25 December: public holiday
    5. S26Saturday, 26 December: weekend
    6. S27Sunday, 27 December: weekend
    7. M28Monday, 28 December: workday

    Apply for Wed 23 Dec, Thu 24 Dec

  4. 3 leave6 days offTue 22 – Sun 27 Dec
    1. M21Monday, 21 December: workday
    2. T22Tuesday, 22 December: take leave
    3. W23Wednesday, 23 December: take leave
    4. T24Thursday, 24 December: take leave
    5. F25Friday, 25 December: public holiday
    6. S26Saturday, 26 December: weekend
    7. S27Sunday, 27 December: weekend
    8. M28Monday, 28 December: workday

    Apply for Tue 22 Dec, Wed 23 Dec, Thu 24 Dec

  5. 4 leave10 days offFri 25 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
    1. T24Thursday, 24 December: workday
    2. F25Friday, 25 December: public holiday
    3. S26Saturday, 26 December: weekend
    4. S27Sunday, 27 December: weekend
    5. M28Monday, 28 December: take leave
    6. T29Tuesday, 29 December: take leave
    7. W30Wednesday, 30 December: take leave
    8. T31Thursday, 31 December: take leave
    9. F1Friday, 1 January: public holiday
    10. S2Saturday, 2 January: weekend
    11. S3Sunday, 3 January: weekend
    12. M4Monday, 4 January: workday

    Apply for Mon 28 Dec, Tue 29 Dec, Wed 30 Dec, Thu 31 Dec

  6. 5 leave11 days offThu 24 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
    1. W23Wednesday, 23 December: workday
    2. T24Thursday, 24 December: take leave
    3. F25Friday, 25 December: public holiday
    4. S26Saturday, 26 December: weekend
    5. S27Sunday, 27 December: weekend
    6. M28Monday, 28 December: take leave
    7. T29Tuesday, 29 December: take leave
    8. W30Wednesday, 30 December: take leave
    9. T31Thursday, 31 December: take leave
    10. F1Friday, 1 January: public holiday
    11. S2Saturday, 2 January: weekend
    12. S3Sunday, 3 January: weekend
    13. M4Monday, 4 January: workday

    Apply for Thu 24 Dec, Mon 28 Dec, Tue 29 Dec, Wed 30 Dec, Thu 31 Dec

Add Christmas & New Year to my calendarIncludes a reminder six weeks ahead to apply for leave.

Don't miss

  • Char kway teow and assam laksa hawker runs
  • George Town street art and clan houses
  • Sunset at Batu Ferringhi

More on Penang: when to go and other long weekends

Other trips for Christmas & New Year

Penang on other long weekends