March madness: this month is filled with cultural fun and challenging runs for the young and young at heart. K-pop fans can look forward to EXO’s return to KL while racers can take part in a number of different abstacle races and fun runs.

Here’s to an eventful month ahead!

1. Food & Arts of the Middle East (FAME) Festival 2017, Kuala Lumpur

The Food and Arts of the Middle East Festival is a two-day event aimed at highlighting the talent and heritage of displaced refugees from Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Palestine currently residing in Malaysia.

The festival will showcase the refugees’ artistic skills, heritage, and stories through presentations of craft, culture, and cuisine. There will be a food & crafts bazaar, theatre performance entitled ‘We Are Human’, and cooking workshops. To catch the performance and take part in the workshop, register at the link below.

The festival will be a great place to learn about Middle Eastern culture and heritage while supporting the refugee families taking part in the festival.

Date: 4th & 5th March 2017
Venue: The Black Box, Publika, Solaris Dutamas
Tickets: RM99 (Performance ticket), RM149 (cooking workshop) | Fame Festival Sign up Form
Website: FAME Festival, Facebook event

2. East Wind Festival 2017, Perlis

The festival promotes the unique farming lifestyle by highlighting routine activities occurring after each harvest while showcasing interesting performing arts and culture which are attractive to both local and international tourists.

This festival is an endearing and interactive community activity where tourists have the opportunity to participate and experience a taste of these daily activities. Some of the activities to be held during the festival are padi field fishing, duck catching, buffalo races, and the decorated buffalo contest.

Date: 4th & 5th March 2017, 10am – 11.30pm
Venue: Kampung  Alu Pauh, Arau, Perlis
Tickets: Free entry
Website: www.jkkn.gov.my/ms/pesta-angin-timur-2017

3. Powerman Duathlon Asia Championships 2017, Putrajaya

The Malaysian leg of the Powerman Asia Duathlon Championships are in Putrajaya this year. Regarded as one of the biggest duathlon competitions in the region, the event is expected to draw over 3,000 athletes from around the globe participating in various categories.

The categories include Powerman Classic, comprising 10km run – 60km bike – 10km run, Powerman Short with 5km run – 30km bike – 5km run, and relay events for both categories. Registration for race is close, but spectators are welcome.

Date: 4th & 5th March 2017
Venue:  Dataran Putrajaya, Putajaya
Tickets: Spectators may watch for free
Website: www.powermanmalaysia.com

4. 9th MyBalloon Fiesta, Kuala Lumpur

This hot air balloon festival, usually held in Putrajaya, is on its 9th run this year. This time, it’ll be held in the neighbourhood of Desa ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur. Themed ‘Balloon in the Park’, visitors will be treated to a view of 18 colourful balloons from 11 countries.

There will be plenty of exciting activities to do at the festival, such as the night glow show, cold inflation activities, and plenty of other fun side activities in the fun zone.

Date: 10th to 12th March 2017
Venue: Desa ParkCity, Kuala Lumpur
Tickets: RM16 (Children), RM20 (adults), RM300 (MyBalloon Club Membership) | Get tickets
Website: myballoonfiesta.squarespace.com

5. Raptor Watch Week 2017, Melaka

Organised by the MNS, this is a festival to celebrate the return of the migratory birds of prey or better known as raptors on their journey back to their breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere. Staple favourites include guided walks, arts and crafts activities, and games. Don’t forget to also visit the main stars of the event – the majestic raptors who will be circling around the iconic Cape Rachado lighthouse at the top of the hill.

Date: 11th to 17th March 2017
Venue: Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve, Melaka
Tickets: Free
Website: mnsraptorwatch.wordpress.com

6. Spartan Sprint, Selangor

The shortest distance of a Spartan Race, the Spartan Sprint, is great for athletes of all levels – from beginners to seasoned racers. The 5km track will include over 20 obstacles meant to challenge you physically. If you’d rather watch the run instead, spectators are welcomed to cheers on athletes for free with prior registration.

Date: 12th March 2017, 7am
Venue: Semenyih Eco Venture Resort & Recreation, Semenyih, Selangor
Tickets: From RM179 onwards | Get tickets
Website: www.spartan.com

7. MATTA Fair 2017, Kuala Lumpur

MATTA Fair is back to help you plan your next holiday, by picking the best offers from various airlines, tourism boards, and travel agencies from around the world. Just be sure to double check if the package you’re looking to buy is ‘ground-only’, which means flight tickets are not included in the tour package. You should also be prepared to face a massive crowd of people who are also hunting for great travel deals.

Date: 17th to 19th March 2017, 10am – 9pm
Venue: Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Tickets: Free entry
Website: www.mattafair.org.my

8. EXO Planet #3 – EXO’RDIUM, Kuala Lumpur

K-Pop fans rejoice! South Korean boyband EXO are bringing their third tour, EXO Planet #3 The EXO’RDIUM, to Malaysia in March. This marks their third solo concert tour since their debut.

The band visited KL in 2016 and performed to a crowd of over 15,000 fans, and this concert is expected to be even bigger.

Date: 18th March 2017, 8pm
Venue: Stadium Merdeka, KL
Tickets: RM232 – RM699 | Get tickets
Website: EXO in KL, Facebook event

9. Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2017, Langkawi

LIMA is the largest show of its kind within the Asia Pacific region. Held biennially since its debut in 1991, LIMA boasts an impressive list of international exhibitors and suppliers and is more than matched by the supportive presence of industry elites, which range from senior government officials, and military and civil delegates, to industry movers and shakers and more.

Hosted at one of the most strategic locations in Asia Pacific, LIMA is the world’s only showcase that combines commercial, civil and defence sectors of both the maritime and aerospace industries into a single event.

Date: 21st to 25th March 2017
Venue: The Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre, Langkawi  (Aerospace) and Resorts World, Langkawi (Maritime)
Tickets: Free entry
Website: limaexhibition.com

10. Global Transformation Forum 2017, Kuala Lumpur

The Global Transformation Forum (GTF) is a platform for influential global leaders to share their experiences and best practices on driving transformation. The platform allows the opportunity for dialogue between over 3,000 business owners, executives, political leaders, and iconic personalities.

This year’s line-up of speakers include businessman and philanthropist Jack Ma, Olympic Champion Usian Bolt, Founder of Virgin Group Richard Branson, British High Commissioner to Malaysia HE Victoria Treadell, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and many more.

Date: 22nd & 23rd March 2017
Venue: KL Convention Centre
Tickets: RM4,000 onwards for two-day pass | Register here
Website: globaltransformation.com

11. Great Eastern Viper Challenge 2017, Penang

The Viper Challenge makes its way to Penang for a brand new edition, and Asia’s first night obstacle event. The 7km route will feature 15 unique obstacles, so all fitness enthusiasts are invited to take up the challenge with family, friends, or an individuals. There are limited slots available, so register quick.

Date: 25th March 2017
Venue: Batu Kawan Stadium, Penang
Tickets: RM119 – RM149 | Get tickets
Website: www.viperchallenge.com/viperarenapenang2017

12. The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice, Selangor

Join Disney’s most iconic and loved characters, including Mickey and gang, Dory from Finding Nemo, Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Rapunzel, and all their friends for some fun and adventure.

Explore the world of Disney from Toy Story to Snow White, Lion King, Aladdin and more, on what is set to be a magical night filled with familiar characters and entertaining music that will be fun for the whole family.

Date: 24 March 7.30pm, 25 March 11am , 3pm , 7pm & 26 March 11am, 3pm
Venue:  Stadium Melawati, Shah Alam, Selangor
Tickets: RM328 , RM288 , RM188 , RM148 , RM98 | Get tickets
Website: www.prworldwidelive.com

13. SongkRUN Malaysia 2017, Selangor

SongkRUN 2017 kicks-off in Malaysia with a leg in Kuala Lumpur. The non-competitive water fun-run includes a course with multiple water and music zones; Water Fountain, Foam Party, Rainbow Tunnel, Rain Shower, and Fire Brigade.

Tickets include a t-shirt, medal, waterproof pouch, and wristband. For more fun, you can get the Shooter pack which comes with an additional water gun with filling stations along the course and in the party area at the end of the race.

Date: 26th March 2017, 7am – 1pm
Venue: MAEPS, Persiaran Mardi, Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Tickets: RM125 (Standard), RM155 (Shooter) | Get tickets
Website: songkrun.com