Malaysia has a number of festivals and celebrations, most of which are either religious or

cultural in origin, and are swathed in traditions and rituals, where one can experience a multitude of
cultural celebrations and festivals, as well as, and most importantly, good food (!) all year round.
Almost every month of the year, tourists and locals alike immerse themselves in one celebration or
another, thanks to the diverse cultural practices we have. To help our foreign friends have a better
overview of the festivities to look forward to when visiting Malaysia, and also for the benefit of locals,
here is a list of the cultural celebrations and festivities Malaysia has to offer.

Thaipusam
Celebrated by the Tamil community, the manifestation of Thaipusam is best witnessed at Batu Caves
in Selangor, or in Penang. The jaw-dropping sight of devotees carrying ornately decorated frames,
better known as kavadis, would stay with you long after you've experienced it; this unique festival is a
sight to behold.

Chinese New Year

Celebrated worldwide by the Chinese to mark the first day of the New Year in the Chinese lunar
calendar, the celebrations last for 15 days. Expect fireworks, lion dances, the prominence of the
colour red, and open houses with scrumptious Chinese meals!

Chap Goh Mei, or the 15th night of Chinese New Year, symbolises the end of the festival. To celebrate
the Chinese version of Valentine's Day, young women inscribe messages or well-wishes on oranges
and throw them into lakes or ponds.

Wesak Day
Celebrated by Buddhists to pay homage to Buddha and to mark the three significant events in
Buddha's life (his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana) the festival begins with
meditation and prayers. Donations are made to the poor and needy.

Harvest Festival
Known to Sabahans as Pesta Ka'amatan, it is a thanksgiving festival to celebrate the rice harvest. The
festivities include traditional sports such as the buffalo race, the best tapai (rice wine) competition, and
the "Unduk Ngadau" or Ka'amatan Queen Competition.

Hari Gawai
The Gawai Dayak is celebrated in Sarawak to mark the end of the paddy harvesting season. It also
marks the beginning of the new planting season, and activities such as dancing, singing, and a
considerable amount of drinking tuak (rice wine) take place in the longhouses.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Also known as Hari Raya Puasa, it marks the culmination of Ramadhan, during which Muslims the
world over fast for a whole month. Traditional Malay food such as rendang, ketupat, and lemang is
served. This is also a time to forgive and forget past quarrels, where family members ask for
forgiveness from friends and family members.

Deepavali
Also commonly referred to as Diwali or Festival of Lights, the festival is significant to all Hindus as it
symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Oil lamps are lit to ward off darkness and evil, and like every
other major cultural festivals in Malaysia, open houses are held.
 Malaysia has a number of festivals and celebrations, most of which are either religious or
cultural in origin, and are swathed in traditions and rituals, where one can experience a multitude
of cultural celebrations and festivals, as well as, and most importantly, good food (!) all year
round. Almost every month of the year, tourists and locals alike immerse themselves in one
celebration or another, thanks to the diverse cultural practices we have. To help our foreign
friends have a better overview of the festivities to look forward to when visiting Malaysia, and
also for the benefit of locals, here is a list of the cultural celebrations and festivities Malaysia has
to offer.

Thaipusam
Celebrated by the Tamil community, the manifestation of Thaipusam is best witnessed at Batu
Caves in Selangor, or in Penang. The jaw-dropping sight of devotees carrying ornately decorated
frames, better known as kavadis, would stay with you long after you've experienced it; this
unique festival is a sight to behold.
Chinese New Year
Celebrated worldwide by the Chinese to mark the first day of the New Year in the Chinese lunar
calendar, the celebrations last for 15 days. Expect fireworks, lion dances, the prominence of the
colour red, and open houses with scrumptious Chinese meals!
Chap Goh Mei, or the 15th night of Chinese New Year, symbolises the end of the festival. To
celebrate the Chinese version of Valentine's Day, young women inscribe messages or well-wishes
on oranges and throw them into lakes or ponds.
Wesak Day
Celebrated by Buddhists to pay homage to Buddha and to mark the three significant events in
Buddha's life (his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana) the festival begins with
meditation and prayers. Donations are made to the poor and needy.
Harvest Festival
Known to Sabahans as Pesta Ka'amatan, it is a thanksgiving festival to celebrate the rice harvest.
The festivities include traditional sports such as the buffalo race, the best tapai (rice wine)
competition, and the "Unduk Ngadau" or Ka'amatan Queen Competition.
Hari Gawai
The Gawai Dayak is celebrated in Sarawak to mark the end of the paddy harvesting season. It
also marks the beginning of the new planting season, and activities such as dancing, singing, and
a considerable amount of drinking tuak (rice wine) take place in the longhouses.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Also known as Hari Raya Puasa, it marks the culmination of Ramadhan, during which Muslims
the world over fast for a whole month. Traditional Malay food such as rendang, ketupat, and
lemang is served. This is also a time to forgive and forget past quarrels, where family members
ask for forgiveness from friends and family members.
Deepavali
Also commonly referred to as Diwali or Festival of Lights, the festival is significant to all Hindus
as it symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Oil lamps are lit to ward off darkness and evil, and
Adapted from http://www.thestar.com.my/travel/malaysia/2012/11/12/festivals-and-celebrations-in-malaysia/