Malaysia Events Calendar 2024
Major Events & Festivals

There's always something going on Malaysia whatever the month. With this Malaysia Events Calendar 2024 you can see month by month all the major festivals and activities planned for this year. 

Of course Malaysia, with its year-round tropical climate, does not have the seasonal variations that many countries experience. Most of the top attractions appearing on this website are available all year round such as climbing Mt. Kinabalu, exploring the national parks and caves, or just relaxing on the beach.

Some of the East Coast beaches and islands have a low season when the northeast monsoon makes the seas too choppy (November to February) but beaches elsewhere in the country are enjoyable throughout the year.

If you are planning a trip to Malaysia it is always sensible to check what events are scheduled for your proposed dates. Even if you don't want to participate in the events yourself they might affect hotel room and air ticket availability and prices.

School holidays also affect hotel prices and availability. These are the school holiday dates for Malaysia in 2024 as announced by the Ministry of Education:

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS CALENDAR FOR 2024

For schools in Perlis, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya

Academic Calendar 2024/2025

• First Day of School 11 Mar 2024 (Mon)
• Term 1 Holidays 25 May 2024 (Sat) - 2 Jun 2024 (Sun)
• Term 2 Holidays 14 Sep 2024 (Sat) - 22 Sep 2024 (Sun)
• Term 3 Holidays 21 Dec 2024 (Sat) - 29 Dec 2024 (Sun)
• End of School Year Holidays 18 Jan 2025 (Sat) - 16 Feb 2025 (Sun)

 

NB Schools in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan & Terengganu begin and end a day earlier or later.

Source: Education Ministry (www.moe.gov.my)

Other School & Public National Holidays

• New Year's Day Sun 1 Jan 2024 (all states except Kedah, Johor, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu)
• Chinese New Year: 10 - 12 February 2024
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri * 10 Apr - 11 Apr 2024
• Labour Day 1 May 2024
• Vesak Day 22 May 2024
• Yang di Pertuan Agong's Birthday 3 Jun 2024
• Hari Raya Haji * 17 Jun 2024
• Awal Muharram 7 Jul 2024
• National Day Mon 31 Aug 2024
• Malaysia Day Wed 16 Sep 2024
• Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 16 Sep 2024
• Deepavali (all states except Sarawak)*: 31 October 2024
• Christmas Day 25 Dec 2024

* Subject to change

In addition to the above there are a number of state holidays which apply in specific states only. 

One venue which has different events going on all year is Istana Budaya, Malaysia’s national performing arts theatre, home to cultural events such as classical music concerts, local and international theatre shows, traditional local music, opera, dance performances and so on.

Malaysia Events Calendar 2024 Month by Month

Some of the dates are tentative at this stage. I shall be updating the page throughout the year as and when timings are confirmed.

This year Thaipussam falls on 25 January 2024. Every year huge crowds witness a 15km chariot procession from Kuala Lumpur up to the amazing Batu Caves. Festivities will take place elsewhere in Malaysia including Little India in Penang.

Another Hindu thanksgiving event is Ponggal, which this year falls from 14-17 January 2024. Festivities will no doubt be held at Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Penang and at various locales around the country.

The 20th Royal Langkawi International Regatta makes a return this year and will be held from 15 - 20th January 2024 at the yacht club on Langkawi Island.

Chinese New Year falls on 10 February this year.  You can see how Malaysians welcome in the Year of the Dragon with joyful celebrations, lion dances, fireworks and lots of food. Some of the main temples have splendid light and lantern displays at this time of year, including Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang  and Thean Hou Temple in KL. In Jenjarom, Selangor, the FGS Dong Zen Temple is holding its Chinese New Year Lantern & Flora Festival from 8 - 25 February 2024 from 10am to 10pm with a lighting ceremony and cultural performance taking place at 8pm on the 7 February 2024.

Surfing is always popular and the Cherating Surf Festival is planned to take place at Pantai Cherating from 16 to 18 February 2024.

The garden city of Putrajaya showcases its attractions during the Putrajaya Open Day 2024, scheduled to be held from 1st - 4th February 2024 with events including a mini tourism fair, shopping sales, art and cultural performances, gala concert, food fest, beauty and health, sports activities and more.

An international women's cycling race, Le Tour de Femina, will race over some of Malaysia's most scenic spots over 6 days from 27th February to 3rd March 2024.

If you want to see some traditional Malay cultural activities you can head off to Perlis from 1 - 3 March 2024 for the Perlis East Wind Festival (Pesta Angin Timur Perlis). This festival marks the change in weather and end of the harvest season

MATTA Fair, Malaysia's largest consumer travel fair is taking place at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur from 22 - 24 March 2024 and always attracts a big crowd.

The fasting month of Ramadan is one of the highlights of the annual calendar and special food stalls and bazaars spring up all over Malaysia during this time. Ramadan this year will last approximately from 12 March - 9 April 2024.

March sees the return of Raptor Watch, Malaysia's biggest and best eco-tourism event. Organized by the Malaysian Nature Society, it is scheduled to be held from 9 - 10 March 2024 at Tanjung Tuan Wildlife Reserve  (Cape Rachado). 

The 15th of April 2024 marks Proclamation Day of Melaka as a UNESCO World Heritage City and various programmes and activities will be staged in the city to mark the event.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a nationwide celebration marking the end of the fasting month. This year it falls around 10 -11 April 2024.

ANZAC Day, 25 Apr 2024, is to be marked as usual in a poignant ceremony at Sandakan Memorial Park, the starting point of the infamous Death Marches, restrictions permitting.

Wesak Day marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. This year, Wesak Day falls on 22 May 2024 and activities will be held in Buddhist temples all over the country such as at Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple in Brickfields.

Tadua Ka'Amatan or harvest festival will be marked in Sabah and Labuan on 30 - 31 May 2024.

Super-fit athletes can take on the 100 km round island Langkawi Ultra race from 25 - 26 May 2024. Shorter formats of 50km, 26km, 21km, 10km and ultra kids and will also be held.

Also this month is Ironman 70.3 Desaru Coast, a triathlon event with swim, bike and run sections. It takes place on 19 May 2024.

More relaxing is the International Beauty Expo at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 11 - 14 May 2024, aimed for those in the beauty industry.

Fraser's Hill International Bird Race is a regular bird watching highlight of the Malaysia Events Calendar. It is to take place at Fraser's Hill, Pahang from 7 - 9 June 2024.

Another event in Pahang this month is the Janda Baik Ultra from 8 - 9 June 2024 with races planned for 100km, 50km, 30km and 14km.

Gawai Dayak, 1st - 2nd Jun 2024, is a harvest festival celebrated all over Sarawak by the state's indigenous people in traditional costumes.

The Rainforest World Music Festival, one of the largest musical events in Malaysia, will be held in the shadow of legendary Mt. Santubong near Kuching, Sarawak from 28 - 30 June 2024.

July 4th has been declared Agnes Keith Day (her birthday) and visitors are invited to visit the famous author’s former residence in Sandakan which has been turned into a museum.

On 8th July 2024, Penang will celebrate the anniversary of George Town being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage city. Street festivals and events will be held to mark the occasion.

St. Anne's Church in Bukit Mertajam, Penang is the focal point for the annual 10-day St Anne's Novena and Feast Day celebrations which takes place at the end of July annually. 

A popular Japanese-themed event is the Bon Odori Festival held annually at the Panasonic Sports Complex, Shah Alam.  Dates for this year's event are still to be confirmed but usually take place in July.

National Day, or Hari Merdeka, is on 31st August 2024 and parades and other activities will be held to celebrate the day on which the country achieved its independence from Britain.

After disappointing fans last year, it is hoped that Royal Floria , Putrajaya's highly popular annual flower and garden festival, will make a comeback this year. If so,  it should not be missed by garden lovers. Dates for this year's event are still to be announced. The venue is likely to be Anjung Floria, Putrajaya, Presint 4.

The 15th September 2024 has been earmarked for Keretapi Sarong 2024, a repeat of last year's event in which around 10,000 people gathered in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate Malaysia's ethnically diverse culture and heritage.

Le Tour de Langkawi is Malaysia's leading cycling event and is scheduled to take place this year from 29 September - 6 October 2024.

Vinayagar Chaturthi is when thousands of Hindu worshippers gather at temples such as Kortumalai Pillayar Temple in Jalan Pudu Lama to make offerings to the deity Lord Ganesh. This festival will fall on 7 Sep 2024.

Those who missed the Ironman event in Desaru earlier this year can compete in Ironman 70.3 Langkawi with a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2 km run to be held from 11 - 12 October 2024.

The Tamu Besar traditional open-air market is usually held in October in Kota Belud, Sabah. Highlights include Bajau Horsemen (known as Cowboys of the East), a beauty pageant and water buffalo race. Watch out for the dates to be announced.

Over in Sarawak, the Siniawan Heritage Fiesta, usually held during October each year, is when this small town about 20km away from Kuching shows off its cultural heritage. Look out for dates.

Deepavali (Diwali) or the 'Festival of Lights' falls on 31 October 2024 this year. Open houses are held where family and friends visit each other and enjoy delicious traditional food.

Looking for the perfect night out with your team? Enjoy an iconic musical experience as the Al McKay Allstars perform legendary Earth, Wind & Fire hits like September, Boogie Wonderland and Let's Groove on Tuesday 12 November 2024 at Mega Star Arena Kuala Lumpur. Find more details of the Earth Wind & Fire Experience here.

The Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia 2024 will see powerful motorbikes igniting the Sepang International Circuit during the race weekend 1 - 3 November 2024.

Enduro mountain biking enthusiasts will not want to miss the Langkawi Geopark Enduro Challenge 2024 scheduled for 17 November 2024.

Annual Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held at the Labuan Commonwealth War Graves on 11 Nov 2024 to remember those who fell in the defence and liberation of Borneo during WWII.

Earth Symphony – Green Cirque Fest 2024 presents a visually stunning and emotionally powerful cirque show that combines breathtaking performances with a strong message of sustainability. 23 & 24 November 2024 at Sunway Lagoon.

Pesta Gendang Nusantara 2024 highlights the art of Malaysia's traditional drumming techniques and will be held at Melaka's Dataran Ayer Keroh from 7 - 8 December 2024.

In the run up to Christmas, i-City in Shah Alam, with its forest of digital lights and Snowalk attractions, is especially popular at this time of year. Homeowners in the Portuguese Settlement in Melaka take pride in decorating their houses inside and out at Christmas. Elsewhere, some of the best Xmas decoration displays can be found in KL's top shopping malls such as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysians like to see in the New Year with enthusiastic celebrations and plenty of cheer. Lavish firework displays are held in major towns all over the country. Light and Motion Putrajaya LAMPU illuminates Putrajaya with a spectacular sound and light display projected on some of the city’s major landmarks and this year is set to return  from 30 December 2024 - 1 January 2025.

That's it! I'll add more items to this Malaysia Events Calendar as the year progresses.

If you are organising any events in Malaysia this year which you would like to publicise, feel free to provide details on my Contact page and I will include them on this calendar free of charge.

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