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Apr 2, 2021 · Learn about the vibrant cultural diversity and rich traditions of Malaysia through its festivals. Find out the dates, highlights and places of Thaipusam, Chinese New Year, Water Festival, Harvest Festival and more.
- Sindhu Pandey
- Thaipusam (late January/ early February) Malaysia has a sizable Tamil population in the western parts of the country, especially around Kuala Lumpur.
- Chinese New Year (February) Chinese New Year is the largest Chinese Festival in Malaysia. During the event, you’ll see lion and dragon dances around the city, which involve people dressing in costumes to perform ritualist dances for good luck and to chase evil spirits away.
- Wesak Day (May) Malaysian Buddhists celebrate Wesak Day, or Buddha’s Birthday, on Sunday closest to the May’s full moon. Buddhists around the country will go to the temple and attend a service.
- Kaamatan Harvest Festival in Sabah (30th and 31st May) Sabah’s most significant cultural event takes place annually on the 30th and 31st May. The Kaamatan Harvest Festival is an ancient pagan celebration to honour the successful harvest by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusun, a tradition that dates back centuries.
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri. When: No fixed date. Where: All over the country. Malaysia is a country with more than 50% population practicing Islam. One of the most joyful festivals celebrated by Muslims all over the nation is Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
- Thaipusam. When: No fixed date. Where: Kuala Lumpur and Penang. One of the most important religious festivals in Malaysia and often referred to as the Mardi Gras of Malaysia’s celebrations, Thaipusam is a colorful festival celebrating Lord Murugan’s victory over Soorapadam.
- Chinese New Year. When: No fixed date. Where: All over the country. The second largest racial community in the country is Chinese, hence the Chinese New Year is also a significant celebration in Malaysia and stretches for 15 days.
- Deepavali. When: No fixed date. Where: All over the country. Also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, Deepavali is another colorful festival celebrated by Hindus.
- Thaipusam. A staple festival of the Tamil Hindu community, Thaipusam is a festival commemorating the victory of good over evil. Honouring the vanquishing of the evil demon Surapadman by Lord Muruga, Thaipusam is celebrated at Batu Cave in Kuala Lumpur.
- Chinese New Year. One of the major festivals of Malaysia, the Chinese New Year festivities go on for a whole fortnight. The entire city is decked up in red and gold, and traditional lion and dragon dances can be found aplenty in parades.
- Malaysia Water Festival. Ride the waves and play by the beach at the Malaysia Water Festival, a month-long festive extravaganza along the many beaches of the country.
- Wesak Day. This Buddhist festival in Malaysia marks the birth, enlightenment, and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. A day of introspection and contemplation, Wesak Day is marked by serene prayer ceremonies and parades throughout the day.
In the heart of Southeast Asia lies Malaysia, a country celebrated for its rich cultural diversity and harmonious coexistence of various ethnicities. At the core of this cultural tapestry are the major festivals that punctuate the Malaysian calendar, offering a vibrant spectacle of traditions, rituals, and communal celebrations.
While the Malaysian calendar is dotted with a number of cultural new years, religious celebrations, and harvest festivals that take place all over the country, we have listed the five most important festivals and celebrations in Malaysia.
Apr 3, 2021 · Major Festivals in Malaysia. The different kinds of festivals in Malaysia show its diverse culture. Explore this beautiful country and enjoy some of the Malaysian festivals and celebrations. Hari Raya Aidilfitri The most joyful of Muslim celebrations, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated after Ramadhan, the fasting month.
