Top Ten Events and Festivals to Visit in Malaysia
Photo credit: UN Women Asia & the Pacific via Flickr
(By Tsem Rinpoche and Kenneth Chan)
Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity is reflected in the country’s packed calendar of events and festivals. Most of these celebrations have religious or cultural origins and many are also designated as either state or national holidays.
Celebrated by everyone in the country, the colourful festivities which observe the ethnic traditions and beliefs of the varied backgrounds of the population are what gives Malaysia the label of “Truly Asia” that it is so well known for.
The national events and festivals of Malaysia are occasions for family reunions and for joyful community get-togethers. They are world-class examples of how diversity can be inclusive and celebrated.
Many of these days of observation follow the lunar calendar, thus the dates they fall on vary from year to year.
Thaipusam
One of the most important days for the Hindu Tamil community, Thaipusam which falls on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (late January to early February) gets its moniker from the name of the month combined with ‘Pusam’, a star which is at its highest point during the festival.
The Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Subramaniam (also known as Lord Murugan), is famous for the processions which start with the silver chariot of the Hindu God of War travelling from one temple to another (on the eve of the holiday) followed the next day by devotees carrying large milk pots and ornate frames — called ‘kavadis’ — as an act of repentance, to keep a vow or as an offering of thanks. Many of the ‘kavadi carriers’ have their skin pierced with long spears, spikes, skewers and hooks as further acts of penance.
Celebrated in large-scale in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the festival attracts more than 1.5 million devotees, visitors and tourists.
When:
Between mid-January to mid-February
Where:
Kuala Lumpur — From Sri Mahamariaman Temple at Jalan Tun HS Lee (Chinatown/Petaling Street area) to Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple, a hillside temple at Batu Caves.
Penang — from Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple or the Shree Muniswarar Temple located at the junction of Jalan Utama and Jalan Gottlieb to Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani (Waterfall Hilltop) Temple along Jalan Kebun Bunga.
More Information:
- Thaipusam – The Festival of Lord Murugan
- Thaipusam – Perayaan Dewa Murugan
- 大宝森节——战神穆卢干之节
- தைப்பூசம் – முருகப்பெருமானின் விழா
The Silver Chariot carrying the vel (divine javelin) of Lord Subramaniam (Lord Murugan) is prepared for its journey — marking the start of the Thaipusam procession from the Shree Muniswarar Temple to Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Waterfall Hilltop in Penang. Photo credit: Altai World Photography
Chinese New Year
Marking the start of the new lunar year, the Spring Festival or more popularly called ‘Chinese New Year’ is the biggest festival for Chinese everywhere. Lasting a total of 15 days, Chinese New Year is one of the two official two-day holidays in Malaysia — the other being Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The celebrations start with a family reunion dinner on the eve of the new year and continue until the day of the full moon. Many days within this period have special significance, with great emphasis placed on receiving blessings for longevity and prosperity for the coming year.
A sight not to be missed – Thean Hou Temple is one of the most beautiful temples to visit during Chinese New Year. On New Year’s Eve, a countdown begins to welcome the God of Prosperity.
There are many compulsory customs and rituals observed during this period, among them are the giving of ‘ang paus’ (red packets or envelopes containing money), lion dances and tossing ‘yee sang’, a Chinese New Year dish that is unique to the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia and Singapore.
When:
Between late-January to early-February (New Year’s Day in the Chinese lunar calendar)
Where:
Nationwide
More Information:
Meaning “Increasing Prosperity”, tossing Yee Sang (or “lo hei” in Cantonese) is a compulsory Chinese New Year custom.
Wesak Day
Known as Wesak Day in Malaysia, Vaisakha or Buddha Purnima Day or just simply Buddha Day is one of the most important days for Buddhists. The occasion is a day for remembering the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, his birth, his achieving Enlightenment and his passing.
The day is observed with a visit to the temple and making plentiful offerings. Buddhists believe that the act of making offerings is not just to please the Buddhas but also a symbolic act of practising generosity and selflessness to collect positive karma and merits.
Wesak Day Parade, one of the highlights of this Buddhist festival
Temples all over Malaysia conduct special prayers and meditations, and devotees take vows to observe moral conduct, feed the poor and homeless, liberate animals by setting them free from captivity, and other virtuous activities held throughout the day.
In Malaysia and Singapore, this special day for Buddhism is observed on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month. Among the most popular temples for Wesak Day prayers and activities are the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur and Kechara Forest Retreat, located on the outskirts of Bentong town in Pahang.
When:
May
Where:
Buddhist temples nationwide
More Information:
‘Bathing the Buddha’ is a favourite act of devotion for celebrating Wesak in Malaysia.
Photo credit: Kechara
East Malaysia Harvest Festivals
Sharing the island of Borneo with Indonesia and Brunei, East Malaysia consists of the two largest states in land size, Sarawak and Sabah along with the islands of Labuan. Once separate British colonies from Malaya, these states have a distinct demographic with indigenous people making up more than half the population. Thus, the indigenous cultural and animist religious traditions celebrated here make East Malaysian festivals unlike any other.
Ka’amatan (Sabah)
Formerly British North Borneo, Sabah is home to nearly 30 different ethnic groups. Out of all these, the Kadazan-Dusun are the largest group, forming a third of the total population. The Ka’amatan Festival is celebrated by the Kadazan-Dusun and Murut communities to give thanks to and honour the rice spirit, Bambaazon, for a good harvest while other ethnic groups celebrate their own versions of the festival respectively. Over the years, Ka’amatan’s popularity has increased and it is now the state’s biggest festival and celebrated by all.
Traditionally, merry-making festivities take place throughout the entire month of May along with cultural performances, traditional sporting games as well as cooking and drinking competitions. Highlights include the famous Harvest Beauty pageant called ‘Unduk Ngadau’ and a singing competition, ‘Sugandoi‘.
When:
May 30 – 31
Where:
Kota Kinabalu and throughout the state of Sabah
The climax of the Ka’amatan Harvest Festival is the selection of the ‘Unduk Ngadau’, the Harvest Festival Queen, as a symbol of giving homage to the rice spirit. Photo credit: NST Online
Gawai Dayak (Sarawak)
The Gawai harvest festival celebrates the traditions and spiritual customs of the Dayak community
Originally celebrated by the Dayak tribe, the largest indigenous community in the state, Gawai — which translates to “festival” — has become a symbol of unity, aspiration and hope for the Dayaks and the many different ethnic groups in Sarawak. A day of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest, the celebration is also a time for making offerings to the native land deities for good fortune in the coming season and future endeavours.
The festival customarily takes place in community longhouses and villages, with open house celebrations involving plenty of food and drink along with music and song accompanying month-long prayers and rituals.
When:
June 1
Where:
Kuching and throughout the state of Sarawak
More Information:
- Gawai Dayak – The Celebration of Bountiful Harvest
- Perayaan Gawai Dayak
- காவாய் டாயாக் – அறுவடை திருநாள் கொண்டாட்டம்
A traditional Gawai Dayak ceremony. Photo credit: Wikipedia.org
Ramadhan / Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Ramadhan, the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar, is when Muslims celebrate the revealing of the Quran with abstinence of food and drink from sunrise. Only when the sun sets does the day of fasting end with prayers and feasting.
A beautiful aspect of Hari Raya is that it is also a time for children and family to show gratitude and seek forgiveness for any wrongdoings.
Malaysia is known all over the world as a food haven. With Islam being the official religion of the country, Ramadhan is a glorious month-long celebration of Malaysian food in massive street food fiestas — known as “Bazaar Ramadhan” — that take place everywhere in the country starting from the late afternoon for ‘Iftar’, the ceremonial breaking of fast. Some bazaars stretch kilometres long!
The month of Ramadhan fasting culminates with Eid al-Fitr (or Aidilfitri), the joyous thanksgiving celebration for Muslims and one of the biggest holidays in Malaysia.
When:
Between July to early September (ninth lunar month of the Islamic Calendar)
Where:
Nationwide
More Information:
Malaysia’s bazaar Ramadhan has stalls offering nearly every kind of local food and delicacy. Photo credit: zafigo.com
Festa San Pedro
Melaka’s Portuguese settlement is a heritage fishing village where Festa San Pedro or Feast of St. Peter — an ancient tradition with European origins — has been held annually since the arrival of the Portuguese in the Malay Peninsula 600 years ago.
For four full days, prayers and rituals for offering devotions to St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, including the blessing of decorated fishing boats are held with festivities that showcase the unique culture and traditions of the Portuguese-Eurasian community.
A lit statue of St Peter being blessed by ritual before it is taken out to sea during Festa San Pedro. Photo credit: The Star Online
This community – called Kristang – is a creole ethnic group of people of mixed Portuguese and Melakan descent. They speak a distinctive Kristang language or Melaka-Portuguese, a form of creole based on Old Portuguese. Melaka’s Portuguese settlement is believed to be the only such Kristang community still in existence.
Among the most popular activities for visitors at Festa San Pedro are the fragrant curries and the musical performances.
When:
End June
Where:
Portuguese Settlement Village, Melaka
The boat blessing is a 500-year-old ceremony from the time when Portugal launched its seafaring crusade. Although fishing is no longer the main occupation for Portuguese descendants living in the settlement, feast celebrations like San Pedro and San Juan (St John the Baptist) are kept alive. Photo credit: travel3sixty
George Town Festival
Ranked in ‘best-of’ lists alongside events such as Japan’s Summer Sonic Music Festival and Singapore’s F1 Night GP, Penang’s George Town Festival is a contemporary arts and culture festival held to celebrate the island city’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photo credit: George Town Festival, Facebook
The annual event features a wide range of performing and visual arts from renowned international guests alongside established and upcoming local talents in the creative fields. The exciting festival has a month-long schedule with a large selection of programs, centred in and around George Town’s World Heritage Zone, to choose from.
When:
Between June to July
Where:
UNESCO World Heritage Zone and surrounding areas in George Town, Penang
The George Town Festival has established Penang as an international destination for contemporary arts and culture. Photo credit: The Star Online
Rainforest World Music Festival
From the inaugural event held 20 years ago, the Rainforest World Music Festival has since garnered worldwide recognition and numerous awards. This international music stage brings together renowned world music performers and indigenous musicians from every continent for three days complete with concerts, workshops and talks.
The Rainforest World Music Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2017
With the state’s famed Mount Santubong providing the backdrop for the festival, this family-friendly event attracts tens of thousands of music lovers from every corner of the world.
When:
Mid-July
Where:
Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching, Sarawak
A band performing on the main stage of the Rainforest World Music Festival, known simply by fans as the “RWMF”. Photo credit: The Star Online
Hungry Ghost Festival
Predominantly observed by Chinese Buddhists and Taoists, this ancient festival held for appeasing wandering spirits and hungry ghosts is celebrated all over Malaysia with outdoor shrines featuring massive paper effigies of the Taoist deity Tai Su Yeh, long counters for offerings of food and drink, and an assortment of paper offerings complete with a festival stage for nightly entertainment performances.
The Hungry Ghost Festival culminates in a spectacular ceremonial burning of paper offerings. Photo credit: Vulcan Post
Rituals are conducted on special days throughout the month with some involving Taoist mediums in trance. The month-long public festival concludes with a large feast (usually open to the public) and the concluding ritual burning of the paper effigies and offerings.
When:
Between August to September (seventh month of the lunar calendar)
Where:
Nationwide
During the Chinese seventh lunar month, Hungry Ghost Festival altars are set up for prayers and offerings to Tai Su Yeh, the Taoist guardian deity of hell. Photo credit: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Christmas / New Year
Christmas in Malaysia is celebrated just like anywhere else in the world, observed by Christians with elaborate church and religious rituals as well as by non-Christians as a time for joy and giving. This popular holiday has become a universal celebration, and shopping centres decked out with spectacular decorations become a major destination for year-end sales with stores offering huge discounts.
The weeks in December leading up to the New Year are filled with plenty of activities and events — from pop-concerts to formal dinners to functions for charitable-giving. The year-end festivities climax with hundreds of thousands of people flooding the city and town centres for the New Year’s countdown and massive firework displays.
When:
December until early-January
Where:
Nationwide
Christmas is celebrated by everyone as a time for joy and giving. Photo credit: ExpatGo
Useful Links
- Thousands celebrate Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves
- Thaipusam: Golden chariot to debut after 231 years
- 11 Things About Kaamatan And Gawai You Should Know Before Going To Sabah Or Sarawak
- 5 Bazaar Ramadan to visit in KL
- The Portuguese Settlement in Melaka
- Malaysia`s Portuguese community a living legacy of colonial era
- The Eurasian Community’s Contribution to Malaysia
- The 10 Unmissable Festivals And Events This Summer In Penang, Malaysia
- Beginner’s Guide to the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak, Malaysia
- 7 Things We Bet Even Chinese People May Not Know About The Hungry Ghost Festival
- Ullambana: The Original Hungry Ghost Festival
For more interesting information:
- Top 10 Spiritual Power Places in Malaysia
- Top 10 Island Holidays
- Top 10 Hill and Jungle Adventures in Malaysia
- Celebrating Ullambana: The Original Hungry Ghost Festival
- Deepavali: The Festival of Lights
- Chinese New Year
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri
- Traditional Clothes of Malaysia
- The Dragon Boat Festival: A Fusion of Traditional and Modern Culture
- Wesak Day In Malaysia
- Thaipusam – The Festival of Lord Murugan
- Gawai Dayak – The Celebration of Bountiful Harvest
- Monarchy System in Malaysia
- 25 Mouthwatering Dishes Of Malaysia
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Malaysia is a wonderful country with many races, religions and all living under one roof. Malaysian therefore are so fortunate to be able to enjoy all sorts of festival by all the different races and cultures. While, I may not know all the festivals but this article itself give a good overview of all the important and main festivals celebrated by Malaysian. May Malaysia continue to prosper and people all living in peace and unity.
Thank you Rinpoche and Kenneth Chan for composing and sharing the article about our Malaysian events and festivals, which are being celebrated by local folks as well as visitors from other countries during the respective months or seasons. I am fortunate to be born in a multi-racial country, Malaysia where I can learn other traditions and cultures especially from my Malay and Indian friends or colleagues. This has given me the opportunity to practice mutual respect on other traditions and cultures although they can be different from my Chinese traditions and cultures that can enable us to live peacefully and harmonious in our beautiful country for more 60 years since our country has achieved independence in 1957. Discrimination on other races and rejection of other religion practice will never happen in our country because our government allows for religious freedom and most importantly, all Malaysians from different races understand each other well as one big family. Kindness, tolerance and acceptance are some of the key values instilled by our education system in our country. May our beautiful country continue to grow and strengthen in all aspects for the benefits of many new generations to come.
Humbly with folded hands,
kin hoe
Multiculturalism is the name of the game, and although we are from different backgrounds we are all human beings. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness. I like to say lets always agree to disagree. We don’t need to agree on everything, to get along.
One of the reason why I like Star Trek is that, it was way ahead of its time. In the US whereby at that period civil rights movements was at its height, the TV was a medium whereby it had the freedom to broadcast tv shows according to its creativity, and Star Trek was a future whereby there was humans and there were aliens. To the aliens, no matter what colour or racial background one were, we were all human beings, and not separated by our skin or race.
Malaysia is uniquely with people from many different cultures and nationalities. All festivals are celebrated with equal joy and favor in this beautiful land. During Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali, it is very common to have open house welcoming friends from different races. As for religious celebrations, not only the locals will join, it attracts many foreigners to be fascinated with the respect, harmony and unity in Malaysian
In Malaysia, we celebrate all the festival together. There was never any issue of this festival is exclusively for this group and that outsiders are not welcomed. It’s always a together gather kind of affair that promotes so much understanding and unity.
We would look forward to all the celebration and be one big family. We may not know all the ins and outs of the faith, religion, or ethnicity cultures or the celebration but we knew the basics of respect, harmony and unity, and that was enough for us.
Thank you, Rinpoche and Kenneth for highlighting this multi faceted society with its many faceted celebrations.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this article. The festival that I wanted to join the most is the Rainforest World Music Festival because I’m a music lover and I would able to see the world music performers and indigenous musicians there. Besides the festival that are from this article, I would also like to join the Songkran Festival because I always love to play with water and did’t try it before.
Wow!!!…I didn’t know there are so many festival eevents in my own country. It’s really interesting and educational to know about these festival events and their traditional background. Thank you very much Rinpoche and Kenneth for this interesting write up??
mazing …..we are fortunate living in Malaysia …..truly a land of multi cultures where we have so many festival celebrated by different faiths ,religions and race. At times all people of different races comes together joining the celebration of one another. Even tourist too are welcome to join in, learning about festivals and cultures. Each an individual festival having their unique traditional way and beliefs. . We as Malaysian do always enjoyed ourselves been invited to the open event or house whereby a varities of local delicacies will be offered to the guest. Those days when I am much younger I loved visiting and joined in the celebration.
All the festivals and event celebrated are more of family members coming together . Well,we are proud as we are example of how diversity can be celebrated.
Thank you Rinpoche and Kenneth Chan for sharing with us. I will be sharing with my oversea friends these article to let them .