Few things annoy a customer more than driving across town, finding a parking spot and arriving at a closed shutter. It's worse when your listing said you were open.

The next few months are busy in Malaysia. Deepavali falls on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Christmas Day is Friday, 25 December. New Year's Day 2027 is a state holiday in many states, and Chinese New Year falls on 6 and 7 February 2027. Each one changes when many businesses open, close or take a break.

This guide walks through how to plan your holiday hours, where to update them, and how to tell customers without confusing them.

Why holiday hours matter more than you think

Customers check before they come. If your details say "open" and you're closed, you lose more than one sale. That customer may not trust your hours again, and some will leave a frustrated review.

Accurate hours also help you when you are open. If most shops on your row close for a festival and you stay open, customers searching that day need a way to know. A clear "open as usual" message can win you extra business.

Google's own guidance for business owners says it's a good idea to confirm your hours for official holidays even if they don't change, so customers know your hours are accurate.

Step 1: Decide your hours early

Before you update anything, sit down with your team and agree on the plan for each date. Write it down in one place.

List the dates that affect you. Use the official public holiday list for your state, because some holidays apply only in certain states. When a holiday lands on a weekend, check whether your state has a replacement day.
Decide what changes. For each date, are you closed, open shorter hours, or open as usual?
Think about the days around the holiday. Many businesses close for a few extra days around Chinese New Year or wind down before Christmas. Customers need those dates too.
Check deliveries and bookings. If you take appointments or orders, decide your last booking or order date before the break.

Once your hours are agreed, every update below becomes a simple copy-and-paste job.

Step 2: Update every place customers look

Customers find you in different ways, so your holiday hours need to be correct in every one of them. Here's a checklist.

Your Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile lets you set "special hours" for particular dates without changing your regular hours. You can mark a day as closed or enter different opening times, and your normal hours return automatically afterwards.

According to Google, special hours cover changes of up to six days in a row. If you're closing for seven days or more, Google suggests marking the business as temporarily closed instead, then switching back when you reopen.

Your website

Add a short notice to your home page and contact page. Keep it simple: the dates, what changes, and when you're back. Remove it once the holiday is over, because an old notice looks just as bad as a missing one.

Your social media pages

Post your holiday hours a week or so before, then remind followers a day or two before. Pin the post if your page allows it so new visitors see it first.

Your messaging apps

If customers contact you on WhatsApp, set an away message for the closure. Say when you're back and how urgent requests will be handled, if at all.

Your directory listings

Check every directory where your business appears, including the Toppages Directory. Make sure your phone number and WhatsApp are correct, so that customers who do get in touch can reach someone. If your listing description mentions your hours, update the wording too.

Step 3: Write a clear holiday notice

A good notice answers three questions in a few seconds: when are you closed, when are you open, and how can customers reach you. Here's a simple format you can adapt:

What: "Our shop will be closed for Chinese New Year."
When: the exact dates, with days of the week.
Back: "We reopen on [day, date] at [time]."
Contact: "For urgent enquiries, WhatsApp us and we'll reply when we're back."

A few tips:

Use dates, not phrases like "next week" that go stale.
Write it in the language your customers use.
Keep the same wording everywhere so customers don't see different dates on different pages.
Add a festive greeting if you like, but keep the practical details first.

Step 4: Don't forget the shopfront

Online updates matter, but walk-in customers still read your door. Put up a printed notice with the same dates you posted online. If you're a service business that travels to customers, send a quick message to regular clients with your schedule.

Step 5: Switch back after the holiday

The most common mistake is forgetting to remove holiday notices. Set a reminder on your phone for the day you reopen to:

remove the website banner,
turn off your WhatsApp away message,
update or archive your social post,
check that Google shows your regular hours again.

Plan ahead for the next few months

Here's a quick view of the major dates coming up. Always confirm against the official list for your state.

Deepavali: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026
New Year's Day: Friday, 1 January 2027 (a state holiday in many states, but not all)
Chinese New Year: Saturday, 6 February and Sunday, 7 February 2027

If you note these in your calendar now, you can update your hours in a few minutes each time.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to update my hours if I'm open as usual on a public holiday?

It helps. Customers often assume businesses close on public holidays. Confirming that you're open as usual tells them it's safe to visit, and Google recommends confirming holiday hours even when they don't change.

What if I close for more than a week?

On Google Business Profile, special hours cover up to six days in a row. For longer closures, Google suggests marking your business as temporarily closed and switching it back when you reopen. Elsewhere, post a clear notice with your reopening date.

How far ahead should I announce holiday hours?

About a week ahead works well for most businesses, with a reminder a day or two before. If customers book or order in advance, announce your last booking or order date earlier.

Is my business listed on the Toppages Directory?

You can search for your business on toppages.net. If it isn't there, you can add it for free in about a minute. Every submission is reviewed before it goes live.

Get found all year round. List your business on the Toppages Directory for free so customers can find your phone, WhatsApp and address in one place.