Christmas in Penang: what to expect

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Forget snow and log fires, Christmas in Penang is all about palm trees, beach views, and grand festive displays at hotels and malls.

Christmas in Penang can be a disorientating time of year for many overseas visitors and expats, especially if they’re originally from a country where late-December is traditionally the main holiday period, characterised by cold weather, family time and too much food.

There’s no doubt the lack of winter magic can feel a little strange at first, with the only chill in the air coming from the shopping malls and their ever-present air conditioning operating on full blast. Even though Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, multi-cultural Penang has always found space to celebrate all religions, and Christmas is certainly not ignored here.

If you know where to look, there’s still a sprinkle of festive magic among the palm trees and blue skies, and our guide has you covered…

What to expect for Christmas in Penang

The larger shopping malls such as Gurney Paragon and Gurney Plaza have long since realised the commercial benefits of Christmas. You’ll find them decked out in festive decorations from early-December (if not earlier) and many shops have Christmas promotions and stock on offer.

Similarly, many of the larger chain-hotels and luxury hotels in Penang cater to guests looking for a taste of Christmas, and most of them have decorations, special room rates and lavish Christmas dinners on the 24th and 25th December.

As you’d expect, all of Penang’s churches celebrate Christmas with traditional services throughout December, including the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, St. George’s Church, and the Church of the Assumption.

Where to find a traditional Christmas lunch in Penang

Since the nineteenth century, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in George Town has been at the centre of traditional Christmas celebrations in Penang, and is the place where you’ll probably feel most in the Christmas spirit. Each of its four restaurants offer elegant Christmas lunches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and are exceptionally popular with Penang locals and visitors. Click here for more information.

Most of the other high-end hotels also have Christmas meals on the menu, usually in the form of a buffet lunch on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You can choose to pay extra for unlimited drinks (known as free-flow here), to really get into the Christmas spirit.

Making the most of a tropical Christmas

Of course, for many people, it can be conscious choice to shun the busyness of Christmas and fly away to a tropical island to forget it all. A tropical Christmas can be a magical experience, especially if you have a plan to make the most of it:

• Embrace the difference; swap cold, dark evenings and log fires for 30 degrees, palm trees and sea views.
• Start the day with a morning jungle hike or coastal walk, before heading out to Christmas dinner.
• Spend the afternoon with a resort day pass, such as PARKROYAL, for poolside cocktails and beach vibes.
• End the day watching the sunset with a festive drink in hand at Frandys Beach Bar.
• Skip the traditional (and sometimes indigestion-inducing) Christmas lunch and treat yourself to a local meal at one of Penang’s best restaurants.

Tips for visiting Penang over Christmas

• Book hotel dining and day passes in advance, this is a busy time of year on the island.
• Christmas is just at the end of the rainy season and so don’t be surprised if you encounter the occasional heavy downpour, this is the tropics after all.
• Bring something festive from home if you want a touch of tradition (stockings, advent calendars, Elf on the Shelf). However, you will be able to purchase Santa hats and tinsel at the mall (DAISO, which can be found at both Gurney Paragon Mall and Gurney Plaza Mall, is good for cheap festive decorations). Advent calendars can be found at the Western food shops at a premium, and Elf on the Shelf is rather difficult to find on the island.

Final thoughts on Christmas in Penang

Christmas is a special time of year in many parts of the world, often associated with cold weather, presents around a log fire, and plenty of family time. If you’re worried about missing out on this while in Penang, rest assured this is one year you won’t forget.

Penang offers a combination of local Malaysian experiences and festive treats at the malls and hotels. With some careful planning you can experience the best of both worlds, one where you still open presents under a tree and enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch, but then sunbathe under a palm tree on a tropical beach afterwards. By embracing an alternative style of Christmas in the tropics, you’re guaranteeing it’ll be one to remember.

You may also like to read our guide on visiting Penang in December.