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Comes to Malaysia, a country of countless festivals deeply rooted in its cultural identity. Let’s explore the 5 most famous Malaysian festivals in early 2025!
People are watching fireworks on New Lunar Year's Eve (Source: Xinhua)
Each year, Malaysia welcomes numerous tourists from all over the world. From the Chinese to India, this country's festivals are immersed with the vibrant colors of diverse cultures. Annually, hundreds of festivals are celebrated across the nation. In this article, Asiakingtravel would like to introduce you to the most significant Malaysian festivals to experience when traveling to Malaysia.
Time: Late January to early February (Depending on the Lunar calendar)
Location: Nationwide - most popular in Kuala Lumpur
The Spring Festival, also called Chinese New Year, was held by many Asian countries and marks the start of the Lunar calendar. The celebrations usually last for several days and end with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month. (29th January - 12 February 2025).
The New Year is a time for everyone to reunite and reconnect after a year of hard work (Source: Wonderfulmalaysia)
Chinese New Year has many forms of festivals based on different local traditions, but the common things include the New Year's Eve dinner, exchanging Hongbao (the red envelopes with money inside ), pasting couplets, and the most popular activities - fireworks and firecrackers.
In Malaysian festivals, they tend to add a local touch to the festival such as wearing red clothes, joining “open house” events, and playing a traditional Malay instrument for a local atmosphere.
Activities for tourists in Kuala Lumpur:
Visit China Town - The origin of Chinese New Year in Malaysia, you can experience the authentic vibe of the festival, wander in colorful Petaling Street, and buy some Chinese souvenirs.
China Town is the most bustling street in Kuala Lumpur during New Year preparations (Source: Traveloka)
Watch the Lion and Dragon Dance - Involves a long dragon puppet carried by multiple performers. The dragon is often beautifully decorated with bright colors, and its smooth movements are coordinated to mimic a serpent-like slithering motion.
Lion Dance Performances at Petaling Street (Source: Ivivu)
Enjoy the sea of lights and red lanterns - Numerous temples and streets across Malaysia will be adorned with stunning lights and lanterns. For the best light-filled views, you can visit temples such as Kek Lok Si Temple on Penang Island or Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur.
Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur (Source: Thrillophilia)
Read more: West Coast Malaysia Tour 7 days: Malaysia in your heart
Time: 15/10 of Tamil month Pusam (05 February 2025)
Location: Batu Caves temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Thaipusam originated in Tamil Nadu, is the largest Hindu festival in the world, celebrated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The festival honors Lord Murugan, the Hindu god representing virtue, youth, and power. This two-day event always attracts a large number of visitors.
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Dancers performing traditional dances during the Thaipusam Festival (Source: Shoot Planet)
Tens of thousands of believers gather at a temple at this Malaysian festival every year to celebrate the Thaipusam events and honor the birth of the Hindu god Murugan. Many of them climb 272 steps to reach the top of the Batu Caves temple, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
They often bring offerings like milk pots and carry intricately decorated wooden “kavadis” adorned with flowers and peacock feathers.
At the summit, pilgrims stop to pray at the towering 42-meter statue of Lord Murugan, located at the foot of the steps in the Batu Caves.
Activities for tourists:
Heading Batu Caves: Join the journey up the 272 steps to visit the temple at the top of the hill, where the towering statue of Lord Murugan stands. This is a key part of the Thaipusam celebration and attracts large numbers of visitors each year.
Many people climb 272 steps to reach the top of the Batu Caves temple (Source: CK Travels)
Traditional food: Try some Indian dishes such as dosai, idli, sambal, and kothu parotta at the surrounding areas of the festival. These dishes are not only delicious but also reflect the rich culinary culture of the Tamil community.
Dosai - Traditional Indian food at Thaipusam Festival (Source: Istock)
Explore Batu Caves: A famous limestone cave system with towering statues and breathtaking landscapes. It is an ideal destination for those interested in religious culture in Malaysian festivals.
Inside the Batu Caves, the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Source: Corona Todays)
Time: Around May (Varies based on the Islamic calendar)
Location: Nationwide, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu.
The term "Hari Raya" means "a day of celebration." Hari Raya Aidilfitri marks the conclusion of Ramadan and the beginning of a new month in the Islamic calendar. This Malaysian festival is also a celebration that symbolizes the completion of the fasting period and personal struggles during this time.
Locals are celebrating the End of Ramadan (Source: Malaysia Travel)
You may notice that residential homes, restaurants, shopping malls, and other places are beautifully adorned with Hari Raya-themed decorations in anticipation of the festivities. Be sure to look out for the vibrant light displays at night, which are sure to leave you in awe throughout Hari Raya.
Traditional Activities:
Culinary Events: Enjoy traditional Malaysian Muslim dishes such as rendang (spiced beef), ketupat (rice wrapped in palm leaves), satay (grilled meat skewers), and lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo). Visitors can join family or community events to taste these dishes.
Community event at Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Source: Vninvestment)
Street shopping: Stroll around shopping malls, neighborhoods, and mosques to admire the vibrant and festive atmosphere.
Many malls and shopping streets have post-Raya sales, attracting people looking for great deals (Source: Malaysia Await)
Open House Customs: A traditional activity that appears in many Malaysian festivals, Visitors are welcome to participate in community activities such as visiting local homes, exchanging gifts, wearing “baju kurung” (a traditional costume), and enjoying meals with local families.
Malaysian people visit their friends to exchange gifts, share meals, and reconnect with each other (Source: Everbest)
Time: Around May (Depending on the Buddhist calendar)
Location: Fo Guang Shan in Kuala Lumpur
In Malaysia, Vesak Day is considered one of the national holidays. It is truly a grand celebration. On this significant day, those who follow the Buddhist faith gather at various temples before dawn to hold ceremonies. At these locations, Buddhist flags are raised, and chants are recited to praise the three sacred jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
Vesak Celebrations in Malaysia (Source: Malaysia News)
Buddhists often bring simple offerings such as fresh flowers, candles, and incense to place at the feet of the Buddha. The burning or withering of these symbolic offerings represents the fragility of life.
The Vesak Festival in Malaysia typically begins early in the morning, at sunrise. The main activities of the festival include visiting temples, praying, and lighting candles. In addition, people also participate in charitable activities such as distributing food and clothing to the poor. The festival often features parades and traditional cultural and artistic performances.
Activities:
Community activities: During the Malaysian Festival, many temples organize vegetarian meals. Tourists can participate in these meals as a way to embody purity and compassion.
People are organizing the vegetarian meal for Vesak festival (Source: Nalanda)
Release lanterns: Tourists can also take part in lighting lamps or lanterns at temples, an act symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the pursuit of enlightenment.
People release lanterns to wish for good luck and blessings (Source: Vietnamplus)
Charity Activities (Dana): Tourists can engage in charitable activities, including making donations or giving food and supplies to those in need.
Buddha Bathing Ceremony in Malaysia (Source: Malaysia News)
Time: Around March
Location: Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia
The Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival in Malaysia is one of the most prominent and exciting events that attract tourists from around the world with many international participants like Singapore, England, Ukraine,... This festival is held annually in Pasir Gudang, a city in Johor, southern Malaysia, usually in March.
Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival in Malaysia (Source: The Stars)
One of the focal points of the Malaysian celebration is the massive kites in the sky. These kites can be several meters long and come in a variety of shapes, including boats, animals, and cultural symbols. It will be a breathtaking sight for visitors.
The Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival is an opportunity for visitors to experience many different cultures from the national participants, enjoy local cuisine, and admire the art of kite making. It is one of the must-visit festivals in Malaysia.
Activities:
Night market: Visit the night market stalls around the kite-flying area to enjoy local dishes such as satay, nasi lemak, roti john, and special desserts.
Night market at Pasir Gudang, Malaysia (Source: Johorfoodie)
Watching kites: Admire the works of experienced kite makers and their expert kite-flying skills.
Participants are performing kites at the festival (Source: Xinhua)
Kite Museum: Visit the Kite Museum for those who are interested in kites and want to learn about the history and art of kite-making.
Kite Museum in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia (Source: Tripadvisor)
With a population that is religiously and ethnically diverse - 24% Chinese, 8% Indian, and other ethnic groups - Malaysia's festivals provide a vibrant and alluring experience that draws many visitors from around the globe to come and explore. With Asian King Travel, your journey to a new land will be more exciting than ever.
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