November sits at the peak of Malaysia’s northeast monsoon, which shapes the whole month more than any single event does. It is also when Deepavali, one of the country’s biggest public holidays, falls, alongside a strong running and sailing calendar on the west coast that takes advantage of conditions the east coast simply doesn’t have this time of year.

If you are planning a trip to Malaysia in November 2026, these are the confirmed events and dates worth knowing about, along with what the weather is actually doing and where that leaves your options.

Best Malaysia Events in November 2026

Date	Event	Location	Type
November 7	Bank Rakyat Johor International Marathon	Iskandar Puteri, Johor	Sporting Event
November 8–9	Deepavali	Nationwide (holiday varies by state)	Public Holiday & Religious Festival
November 13–21	Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta	Port Klang, Pangkor, Penang & Langkawi	Sailing Regatta
November 27–29	George Town Literary Festival	George Town, Penang	Literary & Cultural Festival

1. Bank Rakyat Johor International Marathon — November 7, 2026

Location: Iskandar Puteri, Johor
Date: November 7, 2026
Type: International road race

The Bank Rakyat Johor International Marathon takes place in Iskandar Puteri, part of the fast-developing Johor Bahru metropolitan area just across the causeway from Singapore. The race offers full marathon, half marathon and shorter categories, with prize money that draws competitive runners from across the region alongside local participants.

Because Iskandar Puteri sits close to the Johor–Singapore border, the race is a realistic option even for travelers based in Singapore who want to combine a weekend run with a short Malaysia trip. Early starts and road closures are typical for races this size, so factor that into any morning plans nearby.

For a wider look at the area, see our Johor Bahru complete guide for where to stay and what else to see around race weekend.

2. Deepavali — November 8–9, 2026

Location: Nationwide
Dates: November 8 (main holiday), November 9 (additional holiday in most states), 2026
Type: Public holiday and religious festival

Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights, falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, and is a public holiday nationwide except in Sarawak. A second holiday on Monday, November 9 applies in most states, though Kedah, Kelantan, Sarawak and Terengganu are excluded from that extra day.

In the days around Deepavali, Malaysia’s Indian communities decorate homes and temples with oil lamps and colorful kolam patterns, and areas such as Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur (often called “Little India”) light up with festive markets, food stalls and street decorations. It’s a good time to visit these neighborhoods for the atmosphere, though some businesses elsewhere may run shorter hours over the holiday weekend.

Because this is one of the country’s most widely observed holidays, transport and popular restaurants can get busier than usual. For the wider picture of Malaysia’s public holidays and how they can affect a trip, see our public holidays and festival calendar.

3. Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta — November 13–21, 2026

Location: Port Klang, Pangkor Island, Penang and Langkawi
Dates: November 13–21, 2026
Type: International sailing regatta

The Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta is Malaysia’s best-known offshore sailing event, organized by the Royal Selangor Yacht Club. The 36th edition in 2026 runs as a point-to-point series along the west coast, starting from Port Klang and calling at Pangkor Island, Penang and finishing in Langkawi.

For travelers, the regatta is really several smaller events strung along the coast over more than a week — the most accessible way to watch is around the start and finish ports, where boats gather before and after each leg. It also doubles as a showcase of Selangor’s and the northern west coast’s maritime scenery, timed for exactly the part of the year when the west coast still has calm, sailable conditions.

If you’re following the regatta toward its Langkawi finish, our Langkawi 4-day beach itinerary covers where to stay and what to do around the island.

4. George Town Literary Festival — November 27–29, 2026

Location: George Town, Penang
Dates: November 27–29, 2026
Type: Literary and cultural festival

The George Town Literary Festival is one of Southeast Asia’s most respected literary events, bringing together writers, poets and thinkers from Malaysia and abroad for a weekend of talks, readings and discussions set inside George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage core.

The festival typically uses a mix of heritage buildings, cafes and cultural venues around the old town rather than a single conference center, which makes it an easy event to combine with general sightseeing — sessions are often free or low-cost and open to the public, not just industry attendees.

Since the festival falls right at the end of the month, it’s a good anchor for a longer Penang trip. See our Penang & George Town complete guide for the rest of what to see in the old town.

November in Malaysia: What Travelers Should Know

November is when the northeast monsoon is at its strongest, and the split between coasts is even sharper than in October. The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia — Kuantan, Terengganu, Kota Bharu, and the islands of Tioman, Redang and the Perhentians — sees heavy rain and rough seas, and resorts on those islands are fully closed for the season. This is not the month to plan an east-coast beach trip.

The west coast fares noticeably better: Langkawi, Penang and Melaka see daytime highs around 24–31°C (75–88°F), with showers that tend to be brief rather than day-long, which is exactly why the sailing regatta runs along this coast in November rather than the east. Cameron Highlands turns cooler and mistier, closer to 19°C (67°F) in the day, while Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in East Malaysia stay warm and humid with persistent but generally manageable rain.

A few practical points for November 2026 specifically:

Skip Tioman, Redang and Perhentian entirely this month — resorts are closed for the season.
Build some flexibility around Deepavali (Nov 8–9) if you’re relying on intercity transport or expect to visit government offices.
Pack proper rain gear for the west coast, and expect Cameron Highlands to need a light jacket in the evenings.
If you’re following the regatta or heading to George Town late in the month, book Penang accommodation ahead — the literary festival weekend draws a steady crowd of repeat visitors.

For a full regional breakdown across the year, see our best time to visit Malaysia guide.

Where to Stay for Malaysia Events in November

Penang is the strongest choice this month — it puts you within reach of both the Raja Muda Regatta’s Penang leg and the George Town Literary Festival at month’s end. Basing yourself in George Town keeps you inside walking distance of most festival venues. See our guide to the best heritage boutique hotels in George Town.

Johor Bahru or nearby Iskandar Puteri is the practical base if the marathon is the focus of your trip, particularly if you’re coming from Singapore for the weekend. Our Johor Bahru complete guide has the rest of what’s worth seeing while you’re there.

Malaysia Events November 2026: Quick Summary

November 7: Bank Rakyat Johor International Marathon — Iskandar Puteri, Johor
November 8–9: Deepavali — nationwide (varies by state)
November 13–21: Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta — Port Klang, Pangkor, Penang & Langkawi
November 27–29: George Town Literary Festival — George Town, Penang

Malaysia Events November 2026: Deepavali, Regatta & Literary Festival