4 min reads
1.Thaipusam (28thJanuary , 2021)
One of the most important Tamil festivals of Malaysia, Thaipusam commemorates the victory of Lord Muruga over the evil spirit Soorapadam with great pomp and show. Celebrated with fervour for 3 days at the famous Batu Caves shrine around the full moon day, you can witness the grand procession that kicks off from Kuala Lumpur. Lord Muruga is carried in a silver chariot to the sound of chants & drums while over a million devotees throng the temple to seek his blessings. It is a sight to watch ardent devotees carry ‘kavadis’ yoked to their body through metal spikes.
2.Chinese New Year (12th February, 2021)
The most important Chinese festival in Malaysia is a grand cultural celebration that lasts 15 days starting from the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar and ending with the Lantern Festival. Chinese New Year is celebrated through out the country. The festivities kick off with the reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve and paying a visit to the temple to seek blessings from the God of Prosperity.
3.Malaysia Water Festival (April 2021)
Water Festival in Malaysia is just like Holi in India, except that they play it with clean uncoloured water and do not use dry colours as well. It’s among the most enjoyable cultural festivals in Malaysia celebrated in the gap year where people from different ages and walks of life gather to heartily throw water on each other. The festival commences in Kuantan and ends in Labuan. Activities involve an international fishing tournament, kayaking challenge, sandcastle building, and much more.
4.Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (Eid) (12-14May 2021)
One of the most joyful festivals in Malaysia celebrated by Muslims across the country, Eid marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of abstinence and fasting. Muslims working in bigger cities head back home to join the festivities and participate in special prayers held at mosques. Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is marked with feasting and house-visits as well as asking for forgiveness from friends and family members. The most wonderful part is the Open House where Malaysians open their doors and shower warm hospitality on all guests, with traditional delicacies and desserts.
5.Tadau Ka’amatan Harvest Festival (30 & 31st May 2021)
This native festival of Kadazan-Dusun, Sabah’s largest ethnic group is essentially a celebration to thank the holy spirits for a bountiful harvest making it to the list of famous festivals in Malaysia. Padi farmers congregate to honour ‘Bambaazon’, the spirit of rice padi through traditional rites and customs followed by festivities. The headquarters of Kadazan Dusun Cultural Organisation hold ethnic dance performances as well as display of traditional sports like arm-wrestling, blowpipe shooting etc.
6.Sarawak Gawai Festival(1st June 2021)
Celebrated by the indigenous Dayak’s race of Swarawak, Malaysia’s largest state, this Malaysia festival is one of the most important harvest festivals in Malaysia that begins on 1st June and goes on for a whole month. The Dayak’s dress in their traditional attire, indulge in a fascinating ceremonial offering and welcome the New Year with gusto. The best place to witness the celebrations in their full glory is a longhouse, the traditional Dayak home with over 40 families residing under the same roof!
7.The Dragon Boat Festival (14th June 2021)
One of the most interesting festivals in Malaysia, Penang International Dragon Boat Festival is an annual event held at the Teluk Bahang dam near Georgetown. It’s exciting to witness more than 40 competitors from Malaysia and across the world participate in the race with their colorful traditional boats to the beats of the drums.
8.Hari Raya Haji( 17-22 July 2021)
Hari Raya Haji is just like Eid, but the procedure to celebrate this is different from the other festivals and celebration in Malaysia. In order to commemorate the famous Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, the muslim community in Malaysia engages in religious practices like the sacrificial-slaughtering (korban), praying and greeting fellow friends and family in mosques, and distributing food to the poor and needy. This is among the traditional festivals in Malaysia that is marked by lights, music, laughter, and food.
9.National Day(31st August 2021)
Celebrating the country’s independence from British rule on this day in 1957, Hari Merdeka is one of the most glorious festivals in Malaysia that must not be missed if you’re in Kuala Lumpur around this time. Spectacular fireworks on the eve of Independence Day, a grand parade at Merdeka Square in the morning and concerts as well as performances all through the day mark this important day in the life of Malay people. Parades, stage shows and exhibitions are held across the country, but the fervour at Kuala Lumpur can’t be beat. If you want to witness the grand celebrations in Malaysia, then you must attend this festival.
10.Deepavali(4th November 2021)
The ‘Festival of Lights’ is celebrated in Malaysia with just as much enthusiasm and vigor as in India. It is, in fact, one of the most important festivals celebrated in Malaysia.
11.Christmas(25th December 2021)
Christmas is popular the world over and there’s no way Malaysia would fall behind in celebrating such an important festival. Malaysia may have their own ways of commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, but it’s still one of the jolliest festivals in Malaysia 2021 as everywhere else in the world. Though you won’t find a traditional “white Christmas” here, the celebrations here involve everything from lights, Christmas displays and hoardings, carols, food, plum cakes, decorations, and crazy shopping deals for locals and tourists alike!