If there’s one thing worth planning early, it’s your holidays. And in 2026, the public holidays calendar is surprisingly generous with plenty of long weekends to take advantage of. According to trip.com, short getaways (four days or less) saw a 45% increase in bookings in the first quarter of the year, with Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Penang among the most popular picks. But don’t worry, you’re not too late yet. With seven long weekends scattered across the year, you won’t have to worry about burning through your annual leave to escape the city.

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21 March 2026, Saturday (Hari Raya Puasa) & 3 April 2026, Friday (Good Friday)

Late March to early April are sweet spots for Southeast Asia. Phuket and Phu Quoc are still in their dry season so expect clear skies, calm waters and minimal “why is it raining again” moments. More of a city girl? Ho Chi Minh City brings café hopping, shopping streets and nightlife that stretches till sunrise. If you can spare a few extra days, pair it with Phu Quoc. Domestic flights are short and you’ll get city and beach in one trip. Pro tip: Avoid flying in and out on the actual public holiday for cheaper fares. 

Best for: Phuket, Bali, Krabi, Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, El Nido

Avoid: Bangkok

1 May 2026, Friday (Labour Day)

May is a shoulder month in many parts of Southeast Asia, which means thinner crowds and (sometimes) lower hotel prices. Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi are perfect for a short food-and-shopping spree. Koh Samui and Bali are popular spots for a quick beach getaway before peak summer crowds. Three to four days is more than enough to reset, recharge and come back glowing.

Best for: Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Bali, Koh Samui

Avoid: Bangkok, Manila, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh

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27 May 2026, Wednesday (Hari Raya Haji) & 31 May 2026, Sunday (Vesak Day)

This is the calendar hack of the year. With two public holidays just days apart, this is the perfect opportunity to take a long holiday while optimising leaves. Take two days of leave and you get six days off. Take four days and you unlock a whopping 10-day holiday. We love a calendar hack. Japan is a great pick for May. The weather is still comfortable before summer humidity hits. Cherry blossoms have mostly fallen, but fields of nemophila and roses—just as gorgeous—are in full bloom. Feeling ambitious? Late spring is also a great time for a European escape—fewer crowds, longer days and better photos.

Best for: Japan, China, Korea, Europe, Bali, Australia

Avoid: Bangkok, Manila, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur

9 August 2026, Sunday (National Day)

This long weekend falls right in the heart of summer. It’s the perfect time to go on your beach vacation and everyone knows that Bali is the spot for soft sandy beaches and beach clubs. Other key island spots include Langkawi, Perhentian Islands, Nha Trang, Koh Samui and even Sri Lanka. Don’t feel like dealing with airport chaos? No problem. Batam and Bintan are less than an hour away by ferry—great for inexpensive massages, delicious seafood and fun water activities. Heads up: Parts of Southwest Thailand like Phuket and Krabi experience cold showers this month, while cities like Tokyo and Seoul can be insanely humid—not impossible to visit, but just be prepared.

Best for: Bali, Langkawi, Koh Samui, Batam, Bintan

Avoid: Phuket, Krabi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Tokyo, Seoul

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8 November 2026, Sunday (Deepavali)

November is another great shoulder month for many popular locations. Cities like Hong Kong and Bangkok offer great shopping streets and nightlife. It’s also a great time to be in Japan, where the autumn season showers the cities with orange and deep red leaves. The cool weather also makes it the perfect month to explore desert spots like Rajasthan, Dubai or Egypt that are otherwise at insanely high temperatures.

Best for: Bangkok, Hong Kong, Dubai, Rajasthan, Egypt, Phuket, Krabi

Avoid: Bali, Da Nang, Perhentian Islands

25 December 2026, Friday (Christmas) & 1 January 2027, Friday (New Year’s)

Finally, we end the year with a jack pot: Two consecutive Friday public holidays. Split them into two short trips or merge them into one long 11-day escape with just four days of leave. Yes, 11. It would be a great opportunity to ring in the new year someplace different. Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City typically enjoy great weather during this period—perfect for rooftop countdowns and fireworks. Bali will technically be in its rainy season, but showers are often short-lived. If you don’t mind the occasional downpour, their New Year’s Eve energy is still unmatched. Want something slower? Penang, Langkawi and Koh Samui offer a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of Singapore.

Best for: Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Phuket, Koh Samui, Penang, Langkawi

Avoid: Bali, Perhentian Islands, Da Nang, Batam, Bintan, Hoi An