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Travel Treat Together is a travel blog for working professionals who want to see the world without quitting their jobs. Explore destination guides, itineraries and stories from across Asia and beyond.
Four big festivals, three major religions, and one country that takes a public holiday for all of them. Here is why festival season in Malaysia feels like one big open house.
Hey there, fellow festival lovers! š
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to celebrate four completely different cultures in one single country ā pack your bags, because Malaysia is about to blow your mind.
I still remember my first trip to Kuala Lumpur back in May 2016. I landed there thinking I’d just explore the Petronas Towers, eat some good nasi lemak, and maybe do a bit of shopping at Bukit Bintang. But during that trip, I got talking to a local taxi driver ā a Malay uncle ā and he told me something that completely changed how I saw this country.
He said, “Bro, in Malaysia, we get public holidays for Deepavali, public holidays for Chinese New Year, AND public holidays for Hari Raya. Every religion, every culture ā the government gives us a day off to celebrate together.”
I was stunned. Think about that for a second. One country. Three major religions. And ALL of them get national public holidays. Not just one community celebrating while the rest carry on with work. No. The entire country pauses. The entire country celebrates.
That’s when I realized ā Malaysia isn’t just a travel destination. It’s a festival paradise.
Today, I’m going to walk you through the four biggest festivals in Malaysia that make this country one of the most culturally rich places on the planet. Whether you’re planning your first Malaysia trip or you’re just curious, this one’s for you.
Let’s dive in! š
Here’s the thing about multicultural Malaysia ā it’s not just a buzzword they use in tourism brochures. It’s real life.
Malaysia is home to Malays, Chinese, Indians, and dozens of indigenous communities, all living side by side. And what does that mean for you as a traveler? It means almost every month, there’s something incredible to celebrate.
You won’t just watch these Malaysian festivals from the sidelines. You’ll be pulled into them. Someone will offer you food. Someone will explain the rituals. Someone will ask you to join the dance.
And the best part? The government officially recognizes all major festivals with public holidays. Deepavali? Holiday. Chinese New Year? Holiday. Hari Raya? Holiday. That’s not just tolerance ā that’s genuine respect. And when I experienced this firsthand during my 2016 KL trip, it hit me hard.
That’s the magic of this country. And the four festivals I’m covering today ā Deepavali, Thaipusam, Chinese New Year, and Hari Raya ā are the absolute crown jewels.
Okay, let me paint you a picture.
Imagine walking through Brickfields in KL during Deepavali Malaysia celebrations. The entire street is glowing with thousands of oil lamps. The air smells like jasmine flowers and fresh murukku. Colorful kolam (rangoli) designs cover every doorstep, and shop windows are bursting with gold jewelry and silk sarees.
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is the Hindu Festival of Lights, and in Malaysia, it’s a public holiday. That alone tells you how seriously this country takes its multicultural identity. Malay and Chinese colleagues get the day off too ā and most of them use it to visit their Indian friends’ open houses!
Don’t just visit during the main day. Go a week before Deepavali to see the preparations. The energy in the markets is electric, and you’ll get the best photos before the big-day crowds arrive.
I’ll be honest with you ā Thaipusam in Malaysia was the most intense, emotional, and unforgettable experience of my entire travel life.
If you haven’t heard of it, Thaipusam is a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Murugan. Devotees carry elaborate structures called kavadis ā some decorated with peacock feathers, some literally pierced through their skin with hooks and skewers ā as an act of devotion and penance.
And the main event? It all happens at the iconic Batu Caves, just outside Kuala Lumpur. Over one million people gather there. One. Million.
Arrive at Batu Caves before sunrise. The procession starts early, and the golden morning light hitting the giant golden Lord Murugan statue is a photographer’s dream. Also, wear comfortable shoes and bring water ā it gets hot and crowded fast.
Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival) is HUGE in Malaysia. The Chinese community makes up about 23% of the population, and they go all out. And yes ā the entire country gets a holiday for it, not just the Chinese community. Malay and Indian Malaysians get to enjoy the lion dances and yee sang tossing right alongside their Chinese friends.
Head to Penang for Chinese New Year if you can. George Town’s heritage streets decorated with red lanterns and the famous Kek Lok Si Temple lit up with 10,000+ lights is pure magic. It’s easily one of the best Malaysia travel experiences you can have.
If Deepavali is about light, Thaipusam is about devotion, and CNY is about energy ā then Hari Raya in Malaysia is about warmth. Pure, genuine, heart-melting warmth.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri (also known as Eid al-Fitr) marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. And in Malaysia, this is the biggest celebration of the year for the Malay Muslim majority. And guess what? Everyone gets the holiday. Chinese and Indian Malaysians celebrate right alongside their Malay friends, visiting open houses and stuffing themselves with rendang.
If you’re a non-Muslim traveler, don’t feel shy about joining an open house. Malaysians are famously hospitable, and they genuinely love sharing their culture. Just dress modestly, remove your shoes at the door, and come hungry. Very hungry. š
Okay, I want to take a moment to talk about something that really struck me during my May 2016 trip to Kuala Lumpur ā and honestly, it’s something I think about even today.
When that taxi uncle told me that Deepavali, Chinese New Year, AND Hari Raya are all public holidays in Malaysia, I actually asked him to repeat it. I thought I misheard.
Because let’s be real ā in most countries around the world, only the majority religion gets the big holidays. The rest? Maybe a day off here and there, if you’re lucky.
But in Malaysia?
| Festival | Community | Public Holiday? |
|---|---|---|
| šŖ Deepavali | Hindu (Indian) | ā All states except Sarawak |
| š® Chinese New Year | Chinese | ā National (2 days) |
| š Hari Raya Aidilfitri | Muslim (Malay) | ā National (2 days) |
| š Thaipusam | Hindu (Tamil) | ā Several states |
| š Christmas | Christian | ā National |
| šŖ· Wesak Day | Buddhist | ā National |
Every major faith gets its day.
This means that when Deepavali comes around, the Malay Muslim guy and the Chinese Buddhist woman both get the day off ā and they’ll probably spend it eating murukku at their Indian neighbor’s house. When Hari Raya arrives, the Indian and Chinese families are right there at the Malay open house, loading their plates with rendang.
The public holiday isn’t just a day off from work. It’s a message. It says: Your culture matters. Your faith matters. You belong here.
And as a traveler, when you witness this in real life, it hits different. It’s not something you read about in a textbook. It’s something you feel.
This is the part that makes Malaysia truly special, and I want you to really absorb this.
In most countries, festivals are celebrated by specific communities, and everyone else just watches. In Malaysia? Everyone joins in.
This isn’t forced. It isn’t performative. It’s just… normal life in Malaysia.
The Malaysian government even promotes the concept of “Open House” at the national level, where the Prime Minister and government leaders host massive multi-racial celebrations. It’s beautiful, and honestly, the rest of the world could learn a thing or two from it.
Before you book your tickets, here are some quick tips from my personal experience:
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| šļø Check dates early | Most of these festivals follow lunar calendars, so dates change every year. Double-check before planning. |
| šØ Book accommodation in advance | Hotels fill up FAST during CNY and Hari Raya, especially in Penang and KL. |
| š Dress respectfully | Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples and mosques. It’s basic respect, and locals will appreciate it. |
| š Expect traffic | Hari Raya and CNY cause massive highway jams. Use trains (KTM, ETS) when possible. |
| šø Ask before photographing | Especially during Thaipusam. Devotees are in deep spiritual focus. Be respectful. |
| š½ļø Eat everything | Seriously. Festival food in Malaysia is next-level. Don’t miss it. |
| š° Carry cash | Street vendors and small stalls during festivals often don’t accept cards. |
| š Plan around public holidays | Banks, government offices, and some shops may be closed. Plan accordingly! |
Malaysia isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you feel.
Ever since that May 2016 trip to Kuala Lumpur, I’ve been telling everyone who’ll listen ā if you want to see what true multicultural harmony looks like, go to Malaysia during a festival. Watch a Malay family light a Deepavali lamp. Watch a Chinese family break fast during Ramadan. Watch an Indian family toss yee sang during Chinese New Year.
Whether you’re standing in the crowd at Batu Caves during Thaipusam, tossing yee sang during Chinese New Year, lighting a lamp during Deepavali, or hugging a stranger at a Hari Raya open house ā you’ll realize that festivals in this country aren’t just about tradition. They’re about connection.
And the fact that these festivals are public holidays for the whole nation? That’s not just policy. That’s love.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your Malaysia trip around one of these festivals, and I promise you ā you’ll go home with a full camera roll, a full stomach, and a very full heart. ā¤ļø
Honestly, all four are incredible. But if I had to pick one, Chinese New Year is the most visually stunning and easiest to enjoy as a tourist. Hari Raya is a close second for the warmth and food.
Yes! This is one of the most unique things about Malaysia ā the government officially recognizes festivals from all major religions and cultures. (Deepavali is the one exception in Sarawak.) Even as a tourist, you’ll feel the festive energy everywhere because the whole country is celebrating.
Absolutely. Malaysia is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia. Just use common sense in large crowds, keep your belongings secure, and you’ll be totally fine.
Not at all! These festivals are cultural celebrations as much as religious ones. Everyone is welcome, and locals love sharing their traditions with visitors.
Kuala Lumpur is the most convenient because of its diversity. But Penang is my personal favorite for CNY, and Ipoh is underrated for Deepavali.
It depends on the festival! CNY and Thaipusam fall in Jan/Feb, Hari Raya shifts every year based on the Islamic calendar, and Deepavali is usually in Oct/Nov. My first trip was in May 2016, and even without a major festival, the cultural energy in KL was incredible.
Did you love this post? Share it with your travel buddies, and drop a comment below ā which Malaysian festival is on your bucket list? šāØ
We’re three friends who met in Malaysia and turned our love for travel and food into Travel Treat Together. Full-time professionals who never quit our jobs ā just found a way to make every trip count.
Travel Treat Together is a travel blog for working professionals who want to see the world without quitting their jobs. Explore destination guides, itineraries and stories from across Asia and beyond.
