If you’re planning a trip from the Philippines to Malaysia, timing matters. The country’s biggest parties aren’t just “events”—they’re lived traditions.
With a multicultural mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Indigenous communities, you can build an entire itinerary around the Malaysia festival calendar, from food-filled open houses to lantern-lit streets and harvest celebrations in Borneo.
This guide is designed to be simple, practical, and travel-planning friendly. You’ll get a clear Malaysia festivals calendar view, the best months to go, where to be, and what to expect—especially for the “Big Five”: Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Gawai, and Kaamatan.
Note: Some major celebrations follow lunar calendars (Islamic and Chinese), so dates change yearly. Others (like Kaamatan) are fixed.
Malaysia Festival Calendar at a Glance
Think of this as your quick Malaysia cultural calendar—a snapshot that makes it easy to decide when to visit Malaysia for the biggest vibes.
| Month / Season | Festival highlight | Best places | What you’ll feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Feb | Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) | Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melaka | lanterns, lion dances, family feasts |
| Mar–Apr (varies) | Ramadan + Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid) | KL, Putrajaya, Penang | bazaars, “open house Malaysia” culture, festive food |
| May (fixed) | Kaamatan (Sabah harvest festival) | Kota Kinabalu, Penampang | Indigenous culture, music, competitions |
| Jun (fixed) | Gawai Dayak festival (Sarawak harvest festival) | Kuching, Sibu + longhouse areas | community feasts, dance, gratitude rituals |
| Oct–Nov (varies) | Deepavali (Diwali / Festival of Lights) | Brickfields KL, Penang, Ipoh | lights, kolam/rangoli art, sweets |
If you want a more official planning anchor, keep a tab open for Malaysia public holidays because it’s essentially a traveler-friendly Malaysia public holiday calendar and Malaysia holiday dates reference.
Best Time to Visit Malaysia for Festivals
When people search “best time to visit Malaysia for festivals,” they usually want one of these three travel styles:
1) You want the biggest crowd energy (and don’t mind peak prices)
Aim for Chinese New Year or Hari Raya week. You’ll see bigger mall installs and public performances, plus the most festive “city mood.” (Just expect fuller hotels and busier flights.)
2) You want cultural immersion, not just city decor
Go for Borneo. The harvest festivals—Kaamatan and Gawai—feel community-rooted and can be a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. Kaamatan is a public holiday in Sabah and Labuan on 30–31 May , while Gawai is celebrated yearly on 1 June in Sarawak (often with celebrations spanning multiple days).
3) You want “nice weather + festivals + manageable crowds”
Try Deepavali season (Oct/Nov) in the city, and pair it with food and culture stops. It’s festive without always being as logistically intense as CNY.
Festivals in Malaysia by Month: What to Expect + Where to Go
Below is the heart of this festivals in Malaysia calendar—with simple descriptions, best destinations, and practical travel notes.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr Malaysia): Best for Open House Culture
What it is: Hari Raya Aidilfitri marks the end of Ramadan (a fasting month), and it’s one of Malaysia’s biggest celebrations. Because it follows the Islamic calendar, the date changes every year.
What to experience
- Open houses: This is peak open house Malaysia culture—people host friends, neighbors, and visitors with food and welcome vibes.
- Ramadan bazaars before Raya (great for food tripping)
- Festive outfits and family visits
Best places
- Kuala Lumpur festivals vibe: Kampung Baru for a classic Malay neighborhood atmosphere
- Putrajaya for wide boulevards and official-feeling celebrations
- Penang for a “heritage + food” version of the holiday mood
Travel tips (Pinoy-friendly)
- Book early. Flights MNL–KUL and hotels can climb around major holiday weeks.
- Some services may run on holiday hours, but malls and tourist areas still stay active.
- If you’re visiting as a tourist, dress modestly when joining community events or visiting mosques.
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Chinese New Year Malaysia (Lunar New Year Malaysia): Best for Lanterns, Lion Dances, and Heritage Streets
What it is: Chinese New Year (CNY) is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, so dates fall around late January to February and shift year to year. Tourism Malaysia often highlights arrivals and festive promotions around this period.
What to experience
- Lion dances and street performances
- Lantern displays and temple visits (temple celebrations Malaysia)
- Food and market energy—great for content creators and vloggers
Best places (easy itinerary picks)
- Kuala Lumpur: Chinatown (Petaling Street) + mall displays
- Penang festivals: George Town for heritage streets and food
- Melaka cultural events: Jonker Street for a compact, photogenic experience
If you want a quick “where should I be?” reference, check 7 Malaysian cities you should visit during Chinese New Year for ideas and local angles.
Practical notes
- Hotels can fill quickly in major city areas.
- Expect heavier traffic and crowds near temples and night markets.
- If you’re mapping a Malaysia events calendar, put CNY as a top “peak travel” marker.
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Deepavali in Malaysia (Diwali Malaysia): Best for the Festival of Lights
What it is: Deepavali (also called Diwali) is the Hindu Festival of Lights. In Malaysia, it’s celebrated widely, especially in Indian-majority neighborhoods. Tourism content from Malaysia often frames it as a shared celebration in a multiracial community.
What to experience
- Bright lights and home decor
- Kolam/rangoli-style floor art
- Temple visits and family gatherings
- Sweets and snacks (perfect for foodie blogs)
A good reference page for context is Celebrating the Festival of Lights (Malaysia’s official tourism site).
Best places
- Brickfields (Little India), Kuala Lumpur: the classic Deepavali street vibe
- Penang’s Little India
- Ipoh (nice if you want a slower pace)
Travel tips
- Great season for pairing culture + food + shopping.
- Be respectful at temples: cover shoulders/knees, remove shoes where required.
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Kaamatan Festival (Sabah Harvest Festival): Best for Indigenous Culture in Borneo
What it is: Kaamatan (also called Tadau Kaamatan / Pesta Kaamatan) is a harvest festival celebrated in Sabah on 30–31 May annually.
What to experience
- Cultural performances, music, dance, and competitions
- Traditional costumes and community gatherings
- Major celebration hubs (often including events and schedules throughout May)
For planning, these are helpful:
- Sabah State Library: Kaamatan Festival for a simple explanation
- Sabah Tourism Board event listing (useful for schedules, when available)
Best places
- Sabah festivals base: Kota Kinabalu (easy access, more hotel choices)
- Penampang (a key cultural hub for celebrations)
Travel tips (from a Filipino traveler mindset)
- Flights to Sabah (via Kota Kinabalu) may be pricier than KL—book early.
- Plan at least 4–6 days if you want culture + island hopping.
- If you’re building a Malaysia holiday calendar itinerary, Kaamatan is one of the easiest to schedule because it’s fixed on the same dates yearly.
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Gawai Dayak Festival (Hari Gawai Sarawak): Best for Longhouse Celebrations
What it is: Gawai Dayak is celebrated yearly on 1 June in Sarawak, and it’s both social and religious in nature. In 2026 specifically, PublicHolidays lists it falling on Monday, 1 June 2026.
A reliable overview is Tourism Malaysia’s page on GAWAI DAYAK FESTIVAL.
What to experience
- Community feasts, dancing, and “thank you” harvest rituals
- Potential longhouse visits (best done with an ethical tour operator)
- Strong cultural storytelling feel (more than “performance,” it’s community life)
Best places
- Sarawak festivals base: Kuching (easy entry point)
- Sibu (for additional local flavor)
- Sri Aman and other areas (often with local community celebrations)
Travel tips
- Respect is everything: ask before filming people, especially in community spaces.
- If you’re doing longhouse visits, choose tours that explain etiquette and give back to communities.
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Where to Go for Festival Vibes: Quick City & Region Guide
If you’re building a Malaysia events calendar based on places (not only dates), here’s a simple map:
Kuala Lumpur (best for first-timers)
- Easy transport, lots of hotel options
- Great for Kuala Lumpur festivals energy during Hari Raya, CNY, and Deepavali
Penang (best for heritage + food)
- Street food, heritage streets, and strong Chinese community influence
- Ideal for Penang festivals during Chinese New Year and other cultural periods
Melaka (best for compact heritage content)
- Great for Melaka cultural events and photogenic holiday decor
Sabah (best for Kaamatan + nature)
- Pair Kaamatan with islands and nature trips
- Use Kaamatan month for a broader Sabah festivals content plan
Sarawak (best for Gawai + cultural depth)
- Kuching as your base
- Gawai gives you a uniquely Sarawak identity (different from KL/Penang vibes)
Practical Trip Planning Tips (So You Don’t Get Surprised)
1) Use a holiday reference early
Before you book, check a Malaysia holiday calendar view (and filter by state if needed), because some holidays are state-based.
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- Malaysia public holidays
- national holidays Malaysia
- Malaysia long weekend holidays
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2) Book around peak movement days
- Hari Raya and CNY often trigger major domestic travel. Book flights and accommodations earlier than you think.
- For Borneo festivals, flights can be limited—plan ahead.
3) Expect different “holiday closures” depending on the area
Government offices and banks close on official holidays; tourist-facing businesses may stay open with holiday hours.
4) Pack smart (simple checklist)
- Light, breathable clothes + a modest layer for temple/mosque visits
- Comfortable walking shoes (festival streets = lots of walking)
- A foldable umbrella (tropical rain doesn’t care about your itinerary)
5) Food planning for festival travel
If you’re a foodie (and many Pinoy travelers are!), festivals are the best time for:
- Ramadan bazaars
- Temple area snacks
- Community feasts (with the right etiquette)
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- cultural celebrations in Malaysia
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- night markets during festivals (pasar malam)
Sample Festival-Based Itineraries
Itinerary A: 3 Days in KL During Festival Week (CNY / Deepavali / Raya)
Day 1: Chinatown + night market + temple area
Day 2: Little India / Brickfields + food crawl + cultural street photos
Day 3: Museums, shopping displays, and a relaxed café day
Works for: first-time travelers, short vacations, content creators.
Itinerary B: 5 Days Penang + Melaka for Chinese New Year Vibes
Days 1–3: Penang (heritage walk, food, night markets)
Days 4–5: Melaka (Jonker Street, museums, river walk)
Works for: heritage + food + festival aesthetics.
Itinerary C: 7 Days in Borneo for Kaamatan or Gawai
Pick one:
- Kaamatan: Kota Kinabalu + Penampang + island day trips
- Gawai: Kuching base + cultural tours + day trips
Works for: deeper culture travel, slower pace, documentary-style content.
FAQs
Do festivals in Malaysia have fixed dates every year?
Some do, some don’t. Kaamatan is fixed on 30–31 May every year. Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri shift yearly because they follow lunar calendars.
Is it okay for tourists to join open houses?
Often yes—Malaysia’s Raya “open house” tradition is famously welcoming, but always be respectful (dress modestly, follow house rules, and be polite with photos).
What’s the best festival for first-time visitors?
If you want easy logistics, go for Chinese New Year or Deepavali in Kuala Lumpur. If you want something unique and deeply cultural, plan for Kaamatan (Sabah) or Gawai Dayak (Sarawak).
Sabah vs Sarawak: which is better for cultural festivals?
For Kaamatan, choose Sabah (Kota Kinabalu / Penampang). For Gawai, choose Sarawak (Kuching and nearby areas). Both are harvest festivals, but with different communities and traditions.
Are festival seasons expensive?
They can be—especially around CNY and Hari Raya peak travel periods. Booking early usually saves a lot.
I’m John Michael Palmes, an SEO practitioner with over three years of hands-on experience in search engine optimization and digital marketing. I help websites improve visibility, build effective SEO content strategies, and rank better on Google using practical, data-driven approaches.
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