MAJOR TOURISM EVENTS IN KUALA LUMPUR


JANUARY

Annual Tourism Event for KL
January 2009
New Year's Day
1 January 2009
Venue : ALL
Phone:1-300-88-5050 (within Malaysia)
E-mail: enquiries@tourism.gov.my


Cosmopolitan Malaysia ushers the New Year with celebrations that are held in hotels, restaurants, discotheques, nightclubs and of course in individual homes. To the more religious, the New Year is ushered at churches, temples, and shrines where New Year Eve services are held. On New Year’s Eve, night revelry is a common sight at Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka Square or Penang’s Gurney Drive, for both the young and the old. As the clock chimes at midnight, jubilant shouts of “Happy New Year” fill the air. The “Auld Lang Syne” is sung sentimentally by many reminiscing the year gone by. Motorists crowd the streets shouting, yelling and tooting their horns away.



Chinese New Year

26 January 2009 Until 27 January 2009
Venue: ALL
Phone:603 2612 7600
Fax: 603 2693 5114
Email : info@heritage.gov.my
Website: www.heritage.gov.my

Chinese New Year marks the first day of the lunar calendar and is celebrated over a 15-day period. Mandarin oranges and plum blossom stalks are used as decorations in Chinese homes and shopping complexes for prosperity and good luck. Animated lion and dragon dance performances accompanied by energetic drums, gongs and cymbals add to the festive air. On Chinese New Year's eve, family members hold reunion dinners followed by
'open houses' for relatives and friends.

Organiser:
Ministry of Unity, Culture Arts & Heritage, Malaysia


FEBRUARY 2009

Thaipusam
8 February 2009
Venue: Batu Caves, Selayang Selangor
Phone:603 6189 6284
Fax: 603 6187 2404
Email : info@heritage.gov.my
Website: www.heritage.gov.my


This day of penance and thanksgiving for Hindu devotees is held in honour of Lord Muruga or Lord Subramaniam. The festival is best experienced in Kuala Lumpur where the deity's jeweled chariot is led in a mass procession through the streets of the city, culminating at the Batu Caves in Selangor. An unforgettable sight is the thousands of devotees in a trance-like state carrying body-piercing kavadis or ornate frames. Thaipusam is celebrated on a big scale in Selangor, Penang, Melaka, Johor and Perak.

Organiser:
Hindu Association Batu Caves, Selayang


MARCH 2009

Malaysia Flora Fest 2009
1 March 2009 Until 31 May 2009
Venue: Kuala Lumpur

Witness splendid display of Flowers as Putrajaya transforms into a veritable paradise of breathtaking, colourful blossoms. Themed as ‘Colours of Harmony’, the event will feature Floral Parade which showcases beautifully decorated floats from nationwide and the neighbouring countries. Bazaars, competitions, exhibitions and workshops are also available.

Flora Photography Competition March – May 2009
Flora Photography Exhibition 26 Jun - 5 July 2009
Flora Design Arrangement/Decoration Competition 4 – 26 July 2009
Flora Run (Florathon) 17-19 July 2009
Floral Parade andFlora Bazaar 19 July 2009
Static Display Of Floats 25 July 2009


APRIL 2009


Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix 2009
3 April 2009 Until 5 April 2009
Venue: Sepang International Circuit
Selangor
Phone:603 8778 2222
Fax: 603 8778 2227
Website: http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/

Catch the 10th edition of F1 action in Malaysia! Witness the blazing action at one of the most high-tech circuits in the world. With the extreme hot and wet conditions at the Sepang International Circuit, the skills of the world’s finest drivers will be tested to the limit! Don’t miss it, be there in Sepang!

Organiser:
Sepang International Circuit Sdn. Bhd.

Malaysia Flora Fest 2009
1 March 2009 Until 31 May 2009
Venue: Kuala Lumpur

Witness splendid display of Flowers as Putrajaya transforms into a veritable paradise of breathtaking, colourful blossoms. Themed as ‘Colours of Harmony’, the event will feature Floral Parade which showcases beautifully decorated floats from nationwide and the neighbouring countries. Bazaars, competitions, exhibitions and workshops are also available.

Flora Photography Competition March – May 2009
Flora Photography Exhibition 26 Jun - 5 July 2009
Flora Design Arrangement/Decoration Competition 4 – 26 July 2009
Flora Run (Florathon) 17-19 July 2009
Floral Parade andFlora Bazaar 19 July 2009
Static Display Of Floats 25 July 2009


MAY 2009

Wesak Day

9 May 2009 Until 9 May 2009
Venue: ALL
Phone: 603 2612 7600
Fax: 603 2693 5114
Email: info@heritage.gov.my
Website: www.heritage.gov.my

The Buddhists celebrate the day with religious offerings and rituals which usually occur in Buddhist temples. Grand processions take place during the night in cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Seremban, Melaka and Penang.

Organiser:
Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts & Heritage, Malaysia

Malaysia Flora Fest 2009
1 March 2009 Until 31 May 2009
Venue: Kuala Lumpur

Witness splendid display of Flowers as Putrajaya transforms into a veritable paradise of breathtaking, colourful blossoms. Themed as ‘Colours of Harmony’, the event will feature Floral Parade which showcases beautifully decorated floats from nationwide and the neighbouring countries. Bazaars, competitions, exhibitions and workshops are also available.

Flora Photography Competition March – May 2009
Flora Photography Exhibition 26 Jun - 5 July 2009
Flora Design Arrangement/Decoration Competition 4 – 26 July 2009
Flora Run (Florathon) 17-19 July 2009
Floral Parade andFlora Bazaar 19 July 2009
Static Display Of Floats 25 July 2009

JUNE 2009

Citrarasa Kuala Lumpur
12 June 2009 Until 14 June 2009
Venue: Tasik Titiwangsa
Kuala Lumpur


JULY 2009
- No Event Listing -


AUGUST 2009

Merdeka Month Celebration
31 August 2009
Venue: Through Out Malaysia
Phone: 603 2615 8188 / 8888 1957
Fax: 603 2693 5884 / 8888 3904
Email: Email: enquiries@tourism.gov.my
Website: www.tourism.gov.my

The date marks a commemoration of Malaysia’s 52nd year of Independence, celebrated in a joyous mood by all Malaysians. Highlights include parades, fireworks displays and much more! Join in the merriment!

Ramadan Bazaar
22 August 2009 Until 19 September 2009
Venue: Through Out Malaysia

During the month of Ramadan, bazaars (food stalls) will be set up
throughout the whole country. Savour the wonderful smells and sights!



SEPTEMBER 2009

Ramadan Bazaar
22 August 2009 Until 19 September 2009
Venue: Through Out Malaysia

During the month of Ramadan, bazaars (food stalls) will be set up throughout the whole country. Savour the wonderful smells and sights!

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri
20 September 2009 Until 21 September 2009
Venue: Through Out Malaysia
Phone: 603 2612 7600
Fax: 603 2693 5114
Email: info@heritage.gov.my
Website: www.heritage.gov.my

A day to rejoice after a month long fast, Muslims nationwide celebrate in colourful traditional attire, having open houses offering an array of delicious food fare and cookies. Everyone is welcomed to join in the harmonious celebration and revel in the joyous mood.

Organiser :
Ministery of Culture, Arts & Heritage, Malaysia



OCTOBER 2009

Deepavali
17 October 2009
Venue: Through Out Malaysia
Phone: 603 2612 7600
Fax: 603 2693 5114
Email: info@heritage.gov.my
Website: www.heritage.gov.my

A festival of lights, Deepavali is celebrated universally by Hindus with prayers and festivities during the day. They also hold open houses where family and friends visit and enjoy delicious traditional cuisines.

Organiser:
Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts & Heritage, Malaysia


NOVEMBER 2009

City Fringe Festival
29 November 2009 Until 31 December 2009
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Phone:603 2698 1033
Fax: 603 2691 6122
Website: www.malaysiamegasale.com.my

Enjoy musical acts, clowns and interesting performances from participants throughout the world as they perform their acts! Held at Bukit Bintang shopping district, Fridays and Saturdays from 6 pm - 11 pm.


DECEMBER 2009


Christmas
Dec 25 2009
Venue: Through Out Malaysia
Phone: 603 2612 7600
Fax: 603 2693 5114
Email:  info@heritage.gov.my
Website: www.heritage.gov.my

Our tropical weather and the friendly nature of Malaysians guarantee that Christmas in multi-cultural Malaysia will always be a very warm affair. Like others around the world, Malaysian Christians attend church services, hold family dinners, sing carols and exchange gifts. Visitors will find the spirit of Christmas very much alive at the many Christian homes as well as the myriad shopping centres, hotels and restaurants catering for this joyous occasion.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in the town of Bethlehem two thousand years ago.  In a week prior to Christmas, many Christians visit homes to sing Christmas carols.  Visitors will find the spirit of Christmas very much alive at the many Christian homes as well as the shopping centres and department stores that are adorn with beautifully decorated Christmas trees and glittering lights. Like others around the world, Malaysian Churches throughout the country hold special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services to commemorate this auspicious day.