Penang festivals: key celebrations and dates to plan your trip around

• Instagram
• Facebook

Penang’s annual calendar is packed with vibrant festivals; discover when they take place and why they’re worth timing your trip around.

Penang’s multicultural makeup means there’s almost always something to celebrate. From temple processions and street parades to contemporary arts events, the island’s calendar reflects its rich blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Eurasian influences.

Festivals here aren’t just for locals; visitors are warmly welcomed to join the celebrations, observe centuries-old rituals and experience Penang’s community spirit at its most vibrant. Here we detail the key festivals, when they take place, and why they’re worth planning your trip around.

Thaipusam

Friday 22nd January 2027
READ OUR GUIDE: Thaipusam in Penang

The three day festival of Thaipusam is one of the busiest times of the year in Penang and if you don’t mind the crowds, it’s also its most memorable. Dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Murugan, the festival features a giant procession that makes its way to the Waterfall Hill Temple, with devotees climbing the hundreds of steps to reach the top.

Two elements of the procession are well known; the piercings of some devotees and the smashing of coconuts on the city streets. If you can get close enough to one of the processions to witness the piercings, it’s guaranteed to be a sight you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

This is an extremely busy time to visit Penang, especially on ferries and roads onto Penang Island. Accommodation and transport is booked up well in advance, so make sure you plan ahead.

Chinese New Year

Tuesday 17th Feb 2026 to Tuesday 3rd March 2026
READ OUR GUIDE: Chinese New Year in Penang

Chinese New Year is Penang at its most vibrant and atmospheric, with fifteen days of celebrations running from New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival. If you’re visiting during this period (beginning 17th February in 2026), you can expect crowds, fireworks, cultural experiences and a whole lot of lanterns.

As there’s a large Chinese community in Penang, the New Year celebrations here are some of the most impressive in Southeast Asia, none more so than at Kek Lok Si Temple, which transforms into a kaleidoscope of light throughout the festivities and is an absolute must-see. Elsewhere on the island, look out for traditional lion dances bringing good fortune to homes and businesses.

Penang is busy during Chinese New Year, so make sure to book all accommodation and transport in advance. Restaurants and food courts will be doing a roaring trade, but that’s all part of the fun.

Ramadan and Hari Raya

Ramadan dates are dependent on moon sightings, expected to be: 18th February to 19th March 2026. Hari Raya will begin 20th March 2026.
READ OUR GUIDE: Ramadan in Penang

If you’ve visited other predominately Muslim countries during Ramadan, you’ll recognise how the rhythm of life in Penang’s Muslim community slightly alters during this holy month. Muslim shops, businesses and restaurants are likely to keep different hours at this time of year, but will stay open later in the evening. This is most apparent when iftar is taken at sunset and families come together to break their fast. It’s a vibrant time of the day and an exciting one for visitors to witness and take part in, with many restaurants putting on special events and dishes.

In the rest of Penang, the pace of life is largely unaffected; visitors should be mindful of people fasting and stay respectful, but the Indian, Chinese and international businesses will be largely going about business as usual. If you wish to drink alcohol for example, this is still permitted and widely available, but you should be especially aware of your surroundings.

The end of Ramadan is marked by Hari Raya, known as Eid al-Fitr in some other parts of the world. This joyous celebration is a special time in Penang, characterised by families getting together for elaborate meals. People often travel back to their hometowns to spend time with loved ones, so it can be a busy time on the transport networks and roads. You can expect plenty of noise, joy and excitement during Hari Raya, making it a fantastic time to be in Penang.

Interestingly, Ramadan and Chinese New Year overlap in 2026. The last time this happened was 1996.

Easter

Easter Sunday: 5th April 2026

The Christian festival of Easter isn’t a major celebration in Penang, though you’ll notice small touches of it around the island. Most international schools close for the Easter break, although some shift their holidays to later in April to align with exam schedules.

Churches hold Easter services, and Western supermarkets such as Sam’s Groceria and Village Grocer stock chocolate eggs and seasonal decorations. You’ll also find regular eggs in all supermarkets for kids to decorate at home. Just remember to tell the Easter Bunny to leave any chocolate eggs in the fridge overnight, otherwise they’ll melt quickly in Penang’s heat!

Wesak Day

Sunday 31st May 2026 (public holiday on Monday 1st June 2026)

Celebrating Buddha’s birthday, Wesak Day is a colourful festival centred around Penang’s Buddhist community on Burmah Road. Dozens of floats depart from the Malaysian Buddhist Association and make their way around the surrounding streets, followed by hundreds of devotees and onlookers.

The parade is only part of the day’s events, with Buddhists spending the day praying at temples, offering donations and reflecting on their faith. Although the festivities are focused around Burmah Road, it’s still a national holiday and a significant day in Penang’s calendar.

George Town World Heritage City Day

Tuesday 7th July 2026

Everyone associated with George Town is justifiably proud of the Unesco World Heritage designation in 2007, so it seems fitting that the day itself (7th July) is now a public holiday in the state of Penang. With a strong focus on George Town and its history, a series of events are laid out, often around a specific theme.

Many of the heritage buildings are opened to the public, offering a once-in-a-year opportunity to peer into these iconic buildings. There are also cultural workshops, parades, artistic performances, cooking classes, guided tours, batik painting lessons, and much more besides.

Although George Town is very busy around the 7th July, it’s an incredibly vibrant and exciting to visit, with many unique experiences to this time of year. As long as you’ve booked your transport and accommodation in advance, you’re in for a real treat.

George Town Festival

1st to 9th August 2026

While not a public holiday, the George Town Festival is a special time in the city, particularly for the artistic and literary communities. If you’re interested in the arts and culture, it’s the perfect time to visit, especially as the arts scene can be limited at other times of the year.

Spread across some of the most well-known venues in George Town, the festival line-up includes poetry, workshops, literary discussions, puppetry, dance, and film showings. The events themselves are always well thought-out and curated, and the clever use of George Town’s iconic buildings adds to the enjoyment. Some of the events are ticketed and should be booked in advance, but many more are free and welcome to all.

National Day

Monday 31st August 2026

Also known as Merdeka Day and Independence Day, National Day is a celebration of the day Malaysia gained independence from the United Kingdom on the 31st August 1957. Although the main national celebrations take place at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur, it’s still a special and proud day in Penang, with many events and celebrations taking place across the island.

In the days leading up to the big day, you can expect to see many Malaysian flags proudly on display from windows, cars and buildings. There are also usually free celebratory events put on at key sites, including the Esplanade and Straits Quay.

For visitors to Penang, you won’t notice too much difference to daily life, other than perhaps Malaysians being in (even) happier spirits than usual. Keep an ear out for fireworks around this time, especially on the evening of the 30th August; it makes for quite the patriotic show.

Malaysia Day

Wednesday 16th September 2026

Celebrating the formation of Malaysia in 1963, Malaysia Day has a slightly more relaxed vibe than Merdeka Day, but it’s still a public holiday when locals will be in high spirits.

You can expect public transport to be busier around this time as many people take extra days off work to spend time with family. Tourist hotels and restaurants will have special deals on around this time, so keep an eye out for them when booking accommodation and planning your days out.

Hungry Ghost Festival

Thursday 27th August 2026

Each year during the Hungry Ghost Festival, legend says the gates of the underworld open to release restless spirits to wander among the living. Across Penang, offerings of food, incense and paper effigies are laid out to keep them happy, while temporary stages appear in neighbourhoods for Chinese opera and live performances (front rows left empty for unseen guests).

In George Town and at the Clan Jetties, you’ll spot glowing candles, towering joss sticks and elaborate paper effigies being set alight. It’s a fascinating mix of reverence and spectacle, a time when locals pay respect to ancestors and wandering souls alike, keeping Penang’s spiritual traditions very much alive.

Deepavali

Sunday 8th November 2026
READ OUR GUIDE: Deepavali in Penang

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is the Hindu festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It is one of the most important festivals of the year for Hindus, marked by family gatherings, prayers, and traditional rituals. Small clay lamps are lit to symbolise the victory of light over darkness, and colourful kolam designs are created outside homes and in public spaces. In the lead-up to the holiday, shopping for new clothes, sweets, spices, and decorations is a key part of the celebrations.

In Penang, George Town’s Little India is the heart of Deepavali festivities. The streets are beautifully decorated and lively in the days before the holiday, though many shops and restaurants close on the actual day. Unlike Thaipusam, there are no formal parades, but you may see impromptu fireworks and hear firecrackers as families mark the occasion.

Christmas

Thursday 25th December 2025
READ OUR GUIDE: Christmas in Penang

Christmas might be the biggest religious festival of the year in other parts of the world, but it’s an altogether different experience in Penang. Although many hotels and shopping malls make an effort to capture the Christmas spirit, for the most part you won’t notice any signs of December 25th approaching. If you prefer Christmas Day spent swimming or sunbathing in 30C heat under palm trees, this is the place to do it.

However, if you still need your festive fix, it’s easy enough to find it in multi-cultural Penang. The Eastern & Oriental Hotel in George Town offers Christmas lunches at its four restaurants, the shopping malls are decked out in tinsel and trees from early December, and the churches offer services throughout Advent. If you’re planning to recreate your traditional Christmas experience in Penang, staples such as advent calendars, Elf on the Shelf, and crackers are harder to find here, but some of the Western-orientated supermarkets and stores usually have some stock.

New Years Eve

Wednesday 31st January 2025

Penang knows how to welcome the new year in style, with celebrations taking place across the island. Straits Quay is one of the most popular spots, hosting a vibrant countdown market with live bands, DJs, dance performances, and a spectacular waterfront fireworks display at midnight. For something a little livelier, the Hard Rock Hotel in Batu Ferringhi throws one of the island’s biggest parties, or walk along the beach to nearby Ferringhi Bay for fire shows, live music, and crowds toasting by the sea.

In George Town, The Top offers an unforgettable experience, with a buffet dinner, DJ sets, live music, and panoramic views of the fireworks bursting from Penang’s iconic Komtar Tower. Those after a more refined celebration can book one of the elegant New Year’s Eve dinners at the E&O Hotel.