Calendar of Events & Festivals in Penang
Highlights of the year in Penang
Penang island is renown for being filled with multi-cultural diversity and fantastic festivals throughout the year. Listed below are some of the main highlights that visitors to Penang should enjoy.
Do note that many religious festivals are lunar based so exact dates differ every year. However those dates have been noted below.
January in Penang
| Event: Pongal Festival | Date: 13-16 January | Location: Penang (little India) |
Pongal is a Hindu “thanksgiving” festival dedicated to the Sun God Surya. The term pongal literally means "boiling over". This refers to pots of rice and milk which are heated up until they boil over. The moment the mixture spills people shout out "Ponggalo Pongo"
The festival lasts for four days from the last day of the Tamil month Maargazhi to the fourth day of Thai.
| Event: Maulidur Rasul | Date: 24 January | Location: Penang |
This celebration commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad. It's a state level festival and a public holiday in Penang. Activities are largely organized around the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
| Event: Thaipusam | Date: 24 - 28 January | Location: George Town, Little India |
Thaipusam is an annual Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai and commemorates the Lord Muruga, a hindu deity.
Over the course if three days there are many celebrations around Little India in George Town. With highlights including a procession on the 26th with a statue to Lord Muruga on a silver chariot. On the 27th up to 800,000 visitors can be expected to attend another precession to the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani temple. On the 28th the statue of Lord Muruga returns to Penang street in a large precession. Throughout the festival there are many colorful stalls lining the streets. Expect large crowds!
February in Penang
| Event: Chinese New Year | Date: February | Location: Penang |
Chinese New Year is usually celebrated in the month of February but the date changes within February every year. A countdown to Chinese New Year takes place in the days beforehand. Then on New Years there's a large celebration involving many street parades and fireworks.
| Event: Kek Lok Si Display of Lights | Date: February 6 - March 9 | Location: Air Itam |
The 120 year old Temple of Supreme Bliss puts on an annual lighting ceremony. Well worth attending as the temple is one of the most ornate in all South East Asia.
| Event: Chor Soo Kong's Birthday | Date: 15th February | Location: Snake Temple |
Chor Soo Kong is known as the protector of snakes. As the snake temple has been inhabited by snakes since the middle of the 19th century the celebration is best attended from there.
| Event: Hokkien New Year | Date: 17th February | Location: Chew Jetty |
The Hokkien Clan celebrate their forefathers escape from China with a night celebration. This also coincided with the Jade Emperor God's birthday.
| Event: Chinese Valentines Day | Date: Late February | Location: Jetty's |
During in the evening young unmarried ladies throw oranges into the sea wishing for a good soul mate. Street food, fireworks and street parades take place.
April Events in Penang
| Event: Songkran | Date: 13th April | Location: Penang |
A water festival where throwing bags of water at to wash away bad luck. After that having good fun is the aim of the day. Good fun but be prepared to be very wet!
| Event: Harvest Festival | Date: 20th April | Location: Penang |
A Sikh festival which is celebrated with singing and dancing in Penang Times Square. Open houses are popular and give you an insight into what a traditional Sikh household is like.
May Events in Penang
| Event: Wesak Day | Date: 24th May | Location: George Town |
June Events in Penang
| Event: Penang Durian Festival | Date: 1st June - 15th July | Location: George Town |
The huge sticky fruit known as Durian is celebrated during this period. Some of Penang's most prized Durian fruits are exhibited here. During the festival there will be plenty of occasions to try the "king of fruits".
| Event: George Town Festival | Date: 7th June - 7th July | Location: George Town |
A month long cultural, theatrical and musical performances celebrating Penang's prized heritage town.
| Event: Dragon Boat Festival | Date: 8th- 9th June | Location: Teluk Bahang Dam |
A recently new sport in Penang Dragon boat racing can be a good and exciting spectator sport. Colorful team boats race to a finish line with a mixture of speed, discipline and teamwork.
July Events in Penang
| Event: George Town World Heritage Day | Date: 7th July | Location: George Town |
George Town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage city on the 7th of July 2008. Now the date is commemorated as a public holiday on the entire state of Penang.
| Event: St. Anne's Festival | Date: 22nd - 28th July | Location: Bukit Mertajam |
St. Anne's Church is the center point to the carnival like celebration of the 10 day Novena. Masses and prayers are said throughout the day which are open to all believers.
| Event: Nuzul Al-Quran | Date: July | Location: Penang |
On the 17th day of Ramadan there is a celebration to commemorate the day Prophet Muhammad first received the Scriptures from Heaven. This is a national public holiday.
| Event: Ramadan Bazaar | Date: July/August | Location: George Town |
During Ramadan (the Muslim fasting month) the streets around Komtar are filled with with night stalls selling a huge variety of food and shopping bargains.
August Events in Penang
| Event: Hungry Ghost Festival | Date: 7th August - 4th September | Location: George Town |
Falling on the seventh lunar month it is believed that the gates of hell are thrown open for spirits from the netherworld to roam freely in search of food. Makeshift altars are erected on streets where giant joss sticks are lit and food is offered to appease the gods. Opera and puppet shows are also conducted on a nightly bases.
| Event: Hari Raya Aidilfitri | Date: 8th - 8th August | Location: George Town |
Muslim households celebrate by opening their houses for family and friends. Traditional Malay food is cooked for all to enjoy. Money is given to children, elderly or the poor in little green envelopes.
| Event: Malaysian Independence Day | Date: 31st August | Location: George Town |
A national holiday there is often a street parade consisting of government offices to the military.
October Events in Penang
| Event: Nine Emperor Gods Festival | Date: 5th - 13th October | Location: Butterworth |
Celebrating when the spirits of the Nine Gods descend to earth by possessing spirit mediums by putting them in a trance. Throughout the festival activities like skewering and fire walking ceremonies are carried out.
| Event: Navratri Festival | Date: 5th - 13th October | Location: George Town |
A Hindu festival where devotees pray to the Goddess Thurga, Laxmi and Sarawathy for power, wealth and education. There's also a chariot procession.
| Event: Halloween Festival | Date: 31st October | Location: War Museum |
A huge halloween festival is celebrated at the open air war museum. A low key local event over a historical British fort.
November Events in Penang
| Event: Deepavali | Date: 2nd November | Location: Little India |
A colorful festival also known as "The Festival of Lights" is celebrated with many oil lamps. This is to thank the gods for happiness, knowledge, peace and wealth.
| Event: Penang Bridge Marathon | Date: 17th November | Location: Second Penang Bridge |
The Penang International Marathon has been held ever year since 1985. Covering 13.5km across one of South East Asia's longest bridges it attracts over 34,000 participants.
December Events in Penang
| Event: Jazz Festival | Date: 5th- 8th December | Location: Batu Ferringhi |
International & national jazz musicians come to play at many establishments. The main venue is usually at the Bayview Beach Resort.
| Event: Christmas Eve parties | Date: 24th December | Location: Penang Road |
Live bands and dance shows line the area along with a host of lights and christmas decorations.
| Event: New Year Countdown | Date: 31st December | Location: See below |
A New Year countdown is held every year at Esplanade Penang, Queensbay Mall and Penang Pesta. Live bands play along with many performances as the countdown to the New Year is marked in celebration. A huge fireworks display is then held for all to enjoy.
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