This year, Ramadan falls almost wholly within the month of June. Accordingly, there’s not a great deal going on in Malaysia, but we still found some very interesting and exciting events you can check out for some fun.
1. 1Malaysia Mega Sale Shopping Carnival, Malaysia
Malaysia is home to one of the best shopping destinations in the world, Kuala Lumpur – a city where one shopping mall is within walking distance to the next. Now, with the thrice-yearly 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival, the rest of the country can get in on the action to promote Malaysia as a world-class shopping destination. This year, Malaysia’s 500 or so shopping venues are taking parts in the carnival to offer all shoppers discounts of up to 70% – an absolute this month just in time for Hari Raya and Deepavali shopping.
Date: 1st June to 31st August 2017
Venue: Various shopping malls around the country
2. Exhibition Gaumont : 120 years of cinema, Penang
As part of The French Festival in Malaysia, there will be an exhibition by the first film company in the world, Gourmont. Founded in 1895 by Frenchman Léon Gaumont, the company is just over 120 years old now. In honour of this milestone, an exhibition on Gaumont’s 122 years of experience in the industry is being held in Paris. An adaptation of that exhibition is also making its way to Penang with the help of the Alliance Française of Kuala Lumpur who have brought various film posters and extracts from Gaumont, including many classics like Charlie Chaplin’s The Dictator and Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element.
Date: 1st to 18th June 2017
Venue: AFKL, Lorong Gurney, Penang
Tickets: Free
Website: lefrenchfestival.com.my
3. Malaysia Percussion Festival, Kuala Lumpur
Aiming to provide a creative environment for people from all walks of life and various skill levels, the Malaysia Percussion Festival encourages exploration, innovation, and education. The festival bridges musical traditions by bringing together percussionists from around the world for concerts, workshops, ensemble experiences, clinics, community drumming, and competitions open to all who are interested. Some of the percussionists featured this year include Kevin Field, Iskandar Rashid, and Max Riefer, as well as bands such as Batteryheads and PENSO.
Date: 16th to 18th June 2017
Venue: The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Sentul West, Kuala Lumpur
Tickets: RM25 – RM189
Website: klpac.org
4. St. Peter’s Festival, Melaka
The St. Peter’s Festival, better known as Fiesta San Pedro, is organized by the Portuguese Settlement Regedor’s Panel to commemorate the patron saint of fishermen. The Portuguese settlement in Melaka celebrates this event on a grand scale since fishing was one of their biggest trades. The Settlement will come alive in a cacophony of sounds, smells, and music for the week-long fiesta which features amusement rides, games, food bazaars, live performances, and cultural shows to showcase the community’s blended Asian and European heritage.
Date: 23rd to 29th June 2017
Venue: Portuguese Settlement, Melaka
Tickets: Free
5. An Evening of Lights at Khoo Kongsi Temple, Penang
Once a month, the Khoo Kongsi Temple in Penang turns on all its lights in the courtyard for one evening as they host Chinese arts and cultural performances. As Khoo Kongsi is usually closed in the evening, this twinkling spectacle is one you don’t want to miss. There will be cultural dances, acrobatic performances, and stalls selling handmade knick-knacks and Penang street food. Enjoy the evening at Khoo Kongsi with twinkling lights in the background and traditional music in the air.
Date: 24th June 2017
Venue: Khoo Kongsi Temple, Penang
Tickets: Free
6. BookFest @ Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Since 2006, BookFest has served as a gathering of bibliophiles and literary enthusiasts in the country. Recognised in 2016 by the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest trilingual book exposition in the country, BookFest hosts more than 700 booths featuring publishers as well as books and stationery distributors from around the globe. There will be millions of books you can pick up from the latest and best of Chinese, English, and Malay titles at the Chinese and English Pavilions. Also, you can find a whole host of stationery items, audio-visual products, gadgets, and IT thingamajigs at the Lifestyle Pavilion. For literary nuts, you will have a chance to check out international and local authors who will be present to showcase their works to the audience.
Date: 24th June – 2nd July
Venue: Hall 1 to 5 (Ground Floor), Grand Ballroom, and Banquet Hall in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Tickets: Free entry
Website: www.bookfestmalaysia.com
7. Hari Raya Aidilfitri
For most of the month, many members of the community will be fasting as they observe the Islamic month of Ramadan. However, at the end of a month of fasting, it will be time for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a day that signifies a new month and the end of Ramadan. On this day, Muslims begin by attending special prayers in mosques and visiting the cemeteries of their loved ones. Dressed in new Raya outfits, there will be plenty of house visits and general revelry as the whole country joins in the celebration of Hari Raya and enjoys a two-day public holiday.
Date: 25th and 26th June 2017
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