Events in Malaysia for May are bound to have visitors excited due to the many festivals going on all over Malaysia.
As part of Year of the Festivals and Malaysia is blessed with beautiful summer-like weather all year round, visitors can expect colourful events like a flower and garden exhibition in Putrajaya to beautiful colours of the many harvest festivals taking place in Sabah and Sarawak.
For the visitor coming to Malaysia in May, you have the luxury of choosing which event or festival you want to attend and make sure you get all your travel and lodging arrangements done beforehand. Below is the list of events in Malaysia for May 2015.
Events in Malaysia for May
Royal Floria
(Formerly known as Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival)
For flower and garden lovers, the 8th Royal FLORIA Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival will feature the spring and winter gardens as its new and major attraction with an exhibition of lilies totalling 150 species in specially designed gardens and exhibits.
This beautiful festival was initially called Floria Putrajaya before it received royal status from the King and Queen of Malaysia in 2014, therefore, becoming Royal Floria Putrajaya.
This is also the largest flower and garden festival in Malaysia running for 8 years and is a magnet for any flower lover who visits Royal Floria Putrajaya 2015.
This is also the largest flower and garden festival in Malaysia running for 8 years and is a magnet for any flower lover who visits Royal Floria Putrajaya 2015.
Date: 30 May to 7 June, 2015
Venue: Anjung Floria, in Precinct 4, Putrajaya.
Organiser: Putrajaya Corporation
Contact: +603 888 7713
Website: www.floriaputrajaya.com.my
Melaka International River Festival
Melaka’s diverse culture and ethnic heritage come alive at the Melaka International River Festival. Visitors will be thrilled with the decorated floats, colourful and quirky Melaka trishaws, street musicians and other exciting performances take to the streets and rivers of historical Melaka.
Amongst the competitions that will be held during the event are Remote Control Power Boat, Dragon Boat Competition, Sungai Melaka International Marathon, Ratu Kebaya Beauty Pageant and Cultural Performances from the various Ethnic Groups. Anyone and everyone are invited to come for the Melaka International River Festival 2015.
Date: 30 May to 14 June 2015
Venue: Dataran Sungai Melaka & Taman Rempah, along the Malacca River
Organiser: Rivers and Coastal Development Corporation Melaka
Contact: +606 281 4323 / +606 281 4322
Website: www.ppspm.gov.my
Penang Anime Matsuri Summer Party
For the first time ever in sunny Penang Island, from the producer of Anime Festival Asia, comes the first-ever outdoor Anisong Party 2015, the summer party of Anime Matsuri.
Anime fans from around the region are expected to be here and you are guaranteed to spot CosPlayers at this event.
Anime fans from around the region are expected to be here and you are guaranteed to spot CosPlayers at this event.
The Anime Matsuri Summer Party 2015 will also take place in the heart of Penang’s heritage area, George Town and visitors and fans can expect an exciting 2-day event with power-packed activities such as Akihabara X town, Creators Market, Cosplay Celebrities, Japan Food, Outdoor Anisong concert and party and also a good chance to showcase your best yukata.
Date: 23 to 24 May, 2015
Venue: Esplanade, George Town Penang
Organiser: SOZO
Contact: +604 264 3456
Website: www.pamsummer.asia / www.penangglobaltourism.com
LEGO Friends Musical
Celebrate the magic of friendship at Legoland Malaysia Resort with the power of music and catch the "Lego Friends Live" at the newly refurbished and fully air-conditioned LEGO City Stage.
Join Lego celebrities Olivia, Emma, Stephanie, Mia and Andrea in their first musical performance in Asia and this musical is perfect for families with kids who will surely enjoy, dance and sing along as the girls showcase their famed musical talents and perform original LEGO Friends songs.
Date: 14 March to 12 June 2015
Venue: LEGO City Stage, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort
Organiser: Malaysia Resort, Merlin Entertainments Group
Contact: +607 597 8819
Website: www.legoland.com.my
Sabah Fest 2015
The biggest and most vividly decorated cultural parades that incorporate dance, music, fashion, food and more is Sabah Fest 2015.
This festival presents a wonderful blend of cultural and natural heritage that is richly embedded in folklore prelude to the statewide Harvest Festival celebration.
This festival presents a wonderful blend of cultural and natural heritage that is richly embedded in folklore prelude to the statewide Harvest Festival celebration.
This superbly entertaining cultural extravaganza is where visitors can expect a slice of the most decadently stuffed cultural activities, shows and delicacies.
Whether you are an explorer with a taste for culture or just a tourist looking for new experiences, the 2015 Sabah Fest is the perfect destination for anyone visiting Sabah in early May.
Check out the previous Sabah Fest which I attended in 2013 with the theme "Injin Puput".
Whether you are an explorer with a taste for culture or just a tourist looking for new experiences, the 2015 Sabah Fest is the perfect destination for anyone visiting Sabah in early May.
Check out the previous Sabah Fest which I attended in 2013 with the theme "Injin Puput".
Date: 1 to 3 May 2015
Venue: National Department of Culture and Art, Auditorium
Organiser: Sabah Tourism Board (Sri Pelancongan Sabah)
Contact: +6088 211 732 / +6088 248 698
Website: www.sabahtourism.com
Tadau Kaamatan Harvest Festival
The Ka’amatan is an age-old ceremony celebrated in order to appease the rice spirits in the northern district of Kota Marudu and it marks the launching of Sabah’s month-long Kaamatan or Harvest Festival celebrations.
It acts as a Thanksgiving Day for a bountiful harvest by the locals there with various cultural and traditional sports events such as slingshot competition, arm wrestling, and stilt-walking games.
It acts as a Thanksgiving Day for a bountiful harvest by the locals there with various cultural and traditional sports events such as slingshot competition, arm wrestling, and stilt-walking games.
One of the highlights is the crowning of the Harvest Queen (Unduk Ngadau 2015) and would mark the close of this prosperous celebration.
Visitors are welcome for a taste of this traditional festival as well as to enjoy and participate in the various competitions and activities at the KDCA in Penanpang district, 30 minutes out of KK city.
The Kaamatan Harvest Festival in Sabah is one of the perfect opportunities for visitors to experience the traditional hospitality and celebrations of the Sabahans. Highly recommended for cultural lovers.
Visitors are welcome for a taste of this traditional festival as well as to enjoy and participate in the various competitions and activities at the KDCA in Penanpang district, 30 minutes out of KK city.
The Kaamatan Harvest Festival in Sabah is one of the perfect opportunities for visitors to experience the traditional hospitality and celebrations of the Sabahans. Highly recommended for cultural lovers.
Date: 30 to 31 May, 2015
Venue: Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Organiser: Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA)
Contact: +6088 317 696 / +6088 715 924
MUD: Our Story of Kuala Lumpur
MUD is a vibrant cultural musical show that centres around three Malaysian friends hoping to make their niches in the frontier town of Kuala Lumpur during the 1880’s mining boom.
This charming and interesting little play was put together by a string of talented actors, with the hopes of celebrating the people of Kuala Lumpur and all of its charms.
This charming and interesting little play was put together by a string of talented actors, with the hopes of celebrating the people of Kuala Lumpur and all of its charms.
Whether you are a historian interested in the story of how Kuala Lumpur gained its name and how it came to be; or just here to support a Malaysian production, these enthusiastic ensembles of actors will always be ready on stage for your viewership twice a day, 7 days a week here in KL city.
Running Time: Daily shows at 3pm and 8:30pm
Venue: Panggung Bandaraya, Jalan Raja at Dataran Merdeka
Organiser: MUDKL
Contact: +603 2602 3335
Website: mudkl.com
World Harvest Festival
The World Harvest Festival which is held in the unique Sarawak Cultural Village is an ethnic festival that is one of the highlights of the Gawai Dayak celebration and provides an opportunity for visitors with an appetite for culture to learn the cultures, traditions and aspirations of the Dayak community.
The main highlight of the World Harvest Festival 2015 is the theme play which had received rave reviews from the media in the past.
The main highlight of the World Harvest Festival 2015 is the theme play which had received rave reviews from the media in the past.
Visitors can also sample traditional food that will surely tickle your taste buds as well as participate in a series of workshops by local cultural troupes.
The popular ethnic beauty pageant lends colour and vibrancy to the event as it is one of the most highly-anticipated portions of the festival. Visitors are invited to attend this culturally-packed event at the 2015 World Harvest Festival.
The popular ethnic beauty pageant lends colour and vibrancy to the event as it is one of the most highly-anticipated portions of the festival. Visitors are invited to attend this culturally-packed event at the 2015 World Harvest Festival.
Date: 1 to 3 May 2015
Venue: Sarawak Cultural Village, Damai
Organiser: Sarawak Cultural Village Association
Contact: +6082 846 411
Website: www.scv.com.my
Penang International Dragon Boat Festival
Originally, Dragon Boat Races were held as part of the annual Duanwu Festival or Duen Ng observance in China and about 25 years ago, this ancient game was brought to Penang in the late ’90s and there is now an annual Dragon Boat Race along the coast of the Telok Bahang Beach, in summary, Penang Island.
Visitors are able to witness the colourful and culturally designed dragon boats cruising along the Penang coasts.
Whether you are an avid water sports lover or just looking to catch a glimpse of the colourful designs of the dragon boats, you are invited to be a part of this legendary festival held here in Penang.
Whether you are an avid water sports lover or just looking to catch a glimpse of the colourful designs of the dragon boats, you are invited to be a part of this legendary festival held here in Penang.
Date: 30 to 31 May 2015
Venue: Teluk Bahang Dam, Penang
Organiser: Penang International Dragon Boat Festival Committee
Contact: +604 226 4404
Website: www.penangdragonboat.gov.my
Penang Floral Festival
Another flower festival in Malaysia and this one located in Penang Island where flower and garden enthusiasts should make a beeline for the Penang Floral Festival where 800 different types of orchids of various species and hybrids will be on display at Penang Botanic Gardens.
Workshops, contests, exhibitions and classes on floral related topics will be held at this event along with the sale of plants and gardening equipment.
Workshops, contests, exhibitions and classes on floral related topics will be held at this event along with the sale of plants and gardening equipment.
At the PFF2015, a competition for Bonsai, Orchid plants and potted plants will also be held prior to the festival and the winning entries will be placed at the venue as part of the exhibition.
Everyone is invited to experience this flower expo and also recommended that you take a walk through the beautiful Penang botanical garden for a date with nature. A must not miss event for any flower and garden lover.
Everyone is invited to experience this flower expo and also recommended that you take a walk through the beautiful Penang botanical garden for a date with nature. A must not miss event for any flower and garden lover.
Date: 30 May to 7 June 2015
Venue: Penang Botanical Garden Grounds
Organiser: The Friends of the Penang Botanic Gardens Society (FRIENDS)
Contact: +604 226 4404
Website: botanicalgardens.penang.gov.my
Kuala Lumpur Big Kitchen Festival
A three-day food festival filled with music performances, a culinary workshop section and fun activities designed especially for food-loving individuals is going to be held at the Merdeka Square on the 29th of May.
At this year's KL Big Kitchen Festival, a wide variety of food trucks and stalls will line Merdeka Square, serving up all kinds of local, fusion and even gourmet selections.
At this year's KL Big Kitchen Festival, a wide variety of food trucks and stalls will line Merdeka Square, serving up all kinds of local, fusion and even gourmet selections.
Foodies or Food Lovers can enjoy all kinds of street food, fine dining, food trucks, desserts and even a special Big Kitchen pantry filled with local products and herbs and spices.
Visitors will have plenty to sample from as they explore the many lanes of the festival. The KL Big Kitchen Festival is truly a food lovers paradise and is highly recommended for just about anyone, including the travel foodies.
Visitors will have plenty to sample from as they explore the many lanes of the festival. The KL Big Kitchen Festival is truly a food lovers paradise and is highly recommended for just about anyone, including the travel foodies.
Date: 29 to 31 May 2015
Venue: Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur
Organiser: Kuala Lumpur City Hall Tourism Unit
Contact: +603-2698 0332
Website: www.visitkl.gov.my
Borneo Jazz Festival
The inaugural Borneo Jazz Festival is back for its 10th anniversary in Sarawak and this time around, something special has been planned for jazz lovers.
This two-day exciting festival of Jazz music will be celebrated by the best performers’ line-up promising the festival to be a hit celebratory note by bringing back favourite performers from the past years from different countries to celebrate a decade of Jazz by the sea.
This two-day exciting festival of Jazz music will be celebrated by the best performers’ line-up promising the festival to be a hit celebratory note by bringing back favourite performers from the past years from different countries to celebrate a decade of Jazz by the sea.
The performing bands will cover a wide range of jazz genre from all over the world. From the local scene, “All The Best”, a five-piece ensemble with Miri-born Syafiee Obe Hairunie, who is also the conductor of the Kuching SONS Jazz Orchestra to lead the local challenge.
It parades contemporary jazz with a twist of Malaysian flavour with added Latin rhythms. Jazz lovers are guaranteed a night of soul-filling, ear licking, head swaying, music. Jazz fans should not miss this opportunity at this years Borneo Jazz Festival 2015.
It parades contemporary jazz with a twist of Malaysian flavour with added Latin rhythms. Jazz lovers are guaranteed a night of soul-filling, ear licking, head swaying, music. Jazz fans should not miss this opportunity at this years Borneo Jazz Festival 2015.
Date: 8 to 9 May 2015
Venue: Park City Everly Hotel, Miri
Organiser: Sarawak Tourism Board
Contact: +6082-423 600
Website: www.jazzborneo.com
Kelantan Wau Festival
This is the biggest kite-flying events in Peninsular Malaysia that celebrate the beauty of Malaysian kites, locally known as 'Wau'.
Among the popular ones, one of them is called 'wau bulan' which is translated as “moon-kite and it is an intricately designed Malaysian kite (normally with floral motifs) traditionally flown by men in the Malaysian state of Kelantan.
Among the popular ones, one of them is called 'wau bulan' which is translated as “moon-kite and it is an intricately designed Malaysian kite (normally with floral motifs) traditionally flown by men in the Malaysian state of Kelantan.
This year’s Kelantan Kite Festival brings all the brave, chest banging kite-flying champions out there to compete in 'The Best Wau Take-Off', 'Best Wau Flying Competition', 'Rokkaku Competition', and 'The National Kite-Flying Performance' which is known as one of the best kite-flying shows in Asia.
Get a taste of Kelantan culture as you participate in the many kite-making workshops, competitions, expos and many more.
Get a taste of Kelantan culture as you participate in the many kite-making workshops, competitions, expos and many more.
Date: 27 to 30 May, 2015
Venue: Pantai Genting Tumpat, Kelantan
Organiser: Kelantan Tourist Information Centre
Contact: +609 748 5534/ +609 784 3543
Website: tic.kelantan.gov.my
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| The various Bajau people of Sabah |
Conclusion
Again, for any visitors coming to Malaysia in the month of May, you have the opportunity to attend the many events and festivals throughout the country.
Some of them require prior arrangements for transport and accommodations. You can do so by booking them at a travel or tour agent before coming here for the Malaysia Year of Festivals.
Also, as Malaysia in a tropical country, the humidity can get high therefore it is always advisable to drink lots of water, carry a bottle of water wherever you go and have that poncho or umbrella with you at all times.
Any other questions, you can ask them in the comment form below or just walk into any Tourism Information Counter (TIC) which is found in most major cities. Hope you enjoy the many Events in Malaysia for May.
Any other questions, you can ask them in the comment form below or just walk into any Tourism Information Counter (TIC) which is found in most major cities. Hope you enjoy the many Events in Malaysia for May.