List of all festivals in Malaysia in 2026 / 2027 to join, including celebrations, anniversaries, carnivals, religious, cultural, music, art festivals and more.
Malaysia Day Celebration 2026 (Sambutan Hari Malaysia 2026), commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the formation of the Malaysian federation, will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Sarawak on 16 September 2026. Due to the haze affecting Sarawak, this year’s celebration will be held at night and entirely indoors.
Karnival Jom Heboh 2026, recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records as Malaysia's longest-running outdoor carnival, is set to make its way to the carpark beside Boulevard Shopping Mall in Miri, Sarawak, from 25 - 27 September 2026. Visitors can indulge in a mouth-watering variety of street food and local favourites while exploring an extensive marketplace offering everything from groceries, personal care products, frozen foods and instant beverages to telecommunications services and more.
Nihon Matsuri 2026 (日本祭り), the fourth edition of Malaysia's annual Japanese cultural festival, returns from a one-year hiatus from 22 - 25 October 2026 at its new home, XOX Arena in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, strategically located next to the Tun Razak Exchange MRT station. Over four exciting days, festivalgoers can immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and flavours of Japan through an exciting line-up of cultural showcases, live performances and authentic Japanese cuisine. A curated marketplace will also feature a selection of premium Japanese products, artisanal crafts and specialty goods.
George Town Literary Festival 2026 (GTLF 2026), the 16th edition of Penang's annual literary arts festival, is back in Georgetown from 27 - 29 November 2026. Held under the theme, COSMOPOLIS, this edition explores identity in cities shaped by different languages, cultures, faiths, migration and shared experiences. It reflects on how people, ideas and traditions continually influence one another through contact, adaptation and exchange. Through literature, translation, history and food culture, the festival explores how people from different backgrounds build shared communities.
