Malaysia is home to some of the world’s most incredibly unique cultural festivals. For an authentic experience of the country’s festivities, you should celebrate them the way the locals do. It’s time to immerse yourself in the Malaysian way of life.

Join us in exploring Peninsular Malaysia’s major festivals in the upcoming months of 2023 as well as 2024!

12th November 2023 in Kuala Lumpur: Take a trip to Little India for Deepavali

Location:
Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Google Maps location)

Staying in Kuala Lumpur during Deepavali? Stop by Little India, Brickfields, in the days leading to the festival of lights. Getting there is easy with Grab e-hailing rides. You can also hop on the LRT or Monorail train to KL Sentral Station, and it’s just a short walk to Little India.

The boutiques, textile shops, jewellery stores, flower vendors, and spice businesses here will be bustling as Hindu devotees shop for Deepavali. Explore the brightly decorated streets of Little India, join in the shopping fun, and bring home special mementoes for your loved ones.

You’ll also see colourful kolam (exquisite floor drawings made with coloured rice and flour) in hotels, malls, and various public places in Brickfields and throughout Malaysia.

As you soak up the festive atmosphere, treat yourself to fantastic Indian food like Briyani Rice, Banana Leaf Rice, Naan, Chicken Varuval, Tandoori Chicken, and Mutton Parathal. You’ll find lots of authentic Indian restaurants and stalls in Little India.

25th January 2024 in Perak: Join the Thaipusam festival at the majestic Kallumalai

Location:
140, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (Google Maps location)

For Hindus, Thaipusam is one of the biggest festivals of the year, alongside Deepavali. The Malaysian destination that has become synonymous with Thaipusam celebrations is Batu Caves, a well-known temple and tourist hotspot in Selangor.

However, there are other equally memorable places in the country where you can celebrate Thaipusam together with the locals.

You ought to include Kallumalai Temple in your travel itinerary when you visit Ipoh, the capital city of Perak. Located near the scenic Cheroh limestone hills in northern Peninsular Malaysia, this temple features a magnificent 70-foot tower.

Every statue here is meticulously crafted to represent the Hindu gods and goddesses. The presence of colourful peacocks, different species of birds, and a few monkeys adds to the temple’s serene and beautiful ambience.

The Kallumalai Temple is a popular place among devotees and visitors, especially during Thaipusam. The four-day Thaipusam festival occurs on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (which is usually during January or February).

Experience the awe-inspiring sight of devotees carrying milk pots on their heads or bearing kavadis with body and facial piercings. This is an important occasion for Hindus as they fulfil their vows and offer thanks to Lord Murugan.

Headed to Kallumalai Temple? Be sure to check out the Visit Perak website for additional details.

While you’re in Ipoh, don’t miss out on exploring the city’s other attractions. Since its development during the tin mining boom of the late 1800s, Ipoh has withstood the passage of time – from British colonial rule to World War 2.

You can follow the Ipoh Heritage Trail, which comprises a series of signs posted along a walking route throughout the city. This journey can be completed within a few hours. Don’t forget to swing by the Ipoh Railway station’s tourist office to grab a free map before beginning your stroll.

Some of the historical monuments on the Ipoh Heritage Trail include the Ipoh War Memorial, Royal Ipoh Club, and Straits Trading Building. During your journey, drop by Ipoh’s wide range of coffee shops and restaurants. Treat yourself to delicious Ipoh food such as bean sprouts chicken rice (taugeh chicken rice), hakka mee, salted chicken, and white coffee.

10th-24th February 2024: A Penang-style Chinese New Year

There are several Chinese New Year festive events in Penang that you will rarely find elsewhere.

During this period, many Penangites who are working in other Malaysian states and overseas will be returning home for the holidays. Thus, it’s best to take a flight there as the highways leading to Penang will be congested.

You can also plan a trip to Penang on the third or fourth day of the Chinese New Year to avoid traffic jams. It’s a 15-day celebration so you will have plenty of time to enjoy the festivities!

Besides, most Chinese and Peranakan hawker stalls might be closed for the first few days of Chinese New Year. So, if you wish to enjoy Chinese and Peranakan street food along with Malay and Indian cuisines, try visiting Penang after the third day of Chinese New Year.

10th February 2024 in Penang: Kek Lok Si Temple’s annual light display

Location:
Kek Lok Si Temple, Jalan Balik Pulau, Ayer Itam, Penang, Malaysia (Google Maps location)

Constructed in 1905, the Kek Lok Si Temple is one of Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temples. Every Chinese New Year, this historical landmark will be adorned with thousands of beautifully arranged, colourful lanterns and lights. The picturesque light display usually starts on Chinese New Year’s Eve and continues to illuminate the temple for over a month.

18th February 2024 in Penang: One of the grandest Jade Emperor’s birthday celebrations ever

Location:
Pengkalan Weld, George Town, Penang, Malaysia (Google Maps location)

The clan jetties area in Weld Quay, George Town (Pengkalan Weld in Malay) consists of 19th-century houses built on stilts over the water. Each year, on the night of the eighth day of Chinese New Year, a huge celebration is held here to commemorate the upcoming Jade Emperor’s birthday (Thni Kong Seh in Hokkien).

The Jade Emperor’s birthday takes place on the ninth day of Chinese New Year. This particular day is also known as the Hokkien New Year. In Penang, the festival is celebrated on a majestic scale due to the state’s large Hokkien Chinese community.

On the eighth day, thousands of devotees will start gathering for prayers along a grand altar in Weld Quay from 6 pm onwards. Offerings such as rice wine, roasted meat, cakes, and fruits are placed on the altar.

Throughout the night, there will be fascinating cultural performances by singers, drummers, and dancers on a stage in front of Chew Jetty. Visitors can look forward to dragon and lion dance acts on the streets. At midnight, prepare to be dazzled by a fireworks display. This signifies the start of the Hokkien New Year.

24th February 2024 in Penang: Celebrate Chap Goh Meh with oranges and an abundance of entertainment

Location:
Esplanade Road, George Town, Penang, Malaysia (Google Maps location)

Chap Goh Meh (the fifteenth night of Chinese New Year) is also regarded as Chinese Valentine’s Day. During the Chap Goh Meh celebration at the Esplanade waterfront in George Town, single women will continue the tradition of throwing mandarin oranges into the sea (tim kam in Hokkien).

In this modern era, the ladies will write their names and phone numbers or social media handles on the oranges. Eligible suitors will then use long-handled scoops to retrieve the oranges and get in touch with the women. The sight of hundreds of oranges floating in the sea is incredible.

Thousands of visitors, comprising families, couples, friends, and travellers, have been known to join the gathering at the Esplanade. The event organisers and state government always have a list of entertaining attractions lined up, so get ready for a night to remember:

• A variety of food stalls that serve tasty Penang treats and refreshments
• A concert featuring local pop stars, which is open to the public
• A Chingay procession (a cultural event where participants balance colourful, gigantic flags attached to 40-foot bamboo poles on their foreheads and other parts of their bodies)
• More dragon dance and lion dance performances
• A breathtaking fireworks extravaganza at the end of the night

For more information about Chinese New Year events in Penang, please visit the Penang Global Tourism site.

March 2024: Visit Ramadan bazaars during the fasting month

Location: All over Malaysia

It’s a great idea to visit Malaysia during the Ramadan fasting month. You can find Ramadan bazaars in every city, town, and village throughout the country. Each Malaysian Ramadan Bazaar features a gathering of food stall operators, who will be serving some of the finest authentic Malay and Muslim dishes ever!

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn till dusk for 29 or 30 days. This is followed by the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration (Eid al-Fitr), one of the biggest festivals in Malaysia.

Throughout Ramadan, Malaysians of all religions enjoy the breaking of fast sessions (waktu berbuka puasa in Malay) during the evening. In the late afternoon, food stall operators will set up their businesses in specific spaces allocated for Ramadan bazaars.

Many Malaysians visit these bazaars after work to shop for their breaking of fast meals and dinners. The following buka puasa dishes are a treat for the tastebuds, so look out for them:

• Satay: A kebab-style dish made of skewered beef or chicken meat that is grilled and served with peanut sauce)
• Murtabak: Fried bread stuffed with minced beef or chicken, egg, garlic and onion
• Ayam Percik: Marinated chicken coated in coconut milk and grilled with local spices
• Bubur Lambuk: Traditional Malaysian porridge cooked with pieces of boneless beef and coconut milk
• Roti Jala: Bread with net-like designs, which is made using flour, eggs, milk, as well as turmeric powder; and served with curry
• Apam Balik: A crispy pancake filled with roasted peanuts, sweet corn, and butter

The stall owners also sell many other irresistible Malaysian delicacies. If you happen to be in Kuala Lumpur during the Ramadan month, check out these top-rated Ramadan bazaars:

• Bukit Bintang Ramadan Bazaar
  Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• TTDI Ramadan Bazaar
  Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 2, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Bangsar Ramadan Bazaar
  Jalan Bangsar Utama 1, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Seksyen 14 Ramadan Bazaar
  Jalan 14/20, Seksyen 14, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
• Stadium Shah Alam Ramadan Bazaar
  Seksyen 13, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

If you are travelling to other Malaysian states throughout the fasting month, feel free to ask your local friends and acquaintances about the best Ramadan bazaars in the area. Remember to refer to Malaysian news portals such as The Star, New Straits Times, and Free Malaysia Today to find out the breaking of fast time (waktu berbuka puasa in Malay).

Looking for further details on the Ramadan fasting month and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration in Malaysia? Find out more at the Islamic Tourism Centre website.

 

Whenever you visit Peninsular Malaysia during the festive season, let this guide be your travel companion. Embrace the traditions, savour the merriment, and immerse yourself in the country’s multicultural celebrations!