Travel guide: What’s happening around Malaysia in December

The holiday season has already started! To help you plan your weeks ahead, here are some activities and events that are happening around Malaysia in December.

Asia Masters Athletics Championships

Venue: Kuching, Sarawak

When: Dec 2 to 6

Tel: 03-2022 1470

Website: amackuching2019.com

Kuching, Sarawak plays host to the 21st Asia Masters Athletics Championships this year. Athletes from throughout Asia will converge in the city to take part in the championships. The event will take place at the Sarawak Stadium and State Stadium. Originating from Asia’s World Veterans Athletics Championships in 2006, the games have developed into a prestigious regional event. Participation has increased from 408 in the first edition to several thousand currently. It is expected to bring about 3,500 veteran athletes from over 40 countries.

Reclaim

Venue: Five Arts Centre, Kuala Lumpur

When: Dec 6 to 7

Tel: 03-7725 4858

Website: www.fiveartscentre.org

This mixed media performance by local dancer January Low, assisted by Bryan Chang, is an in-depth study of the inner, invisible world of an artist and mother. Seats are limited so do make a booking. Entrance by donation of RM38 per head.

Penang International Dragon Boat Festival

Venue: Teluk Bahang Dam, Penang

When: Dec 7 to 8

Tel: 04-650 5133

Facebook: Penang International Dragon Boat Festival

Organised by the Penang State Government and Penang International Dragon Boat Festival Committee, the festival includes dragon boat races by 11 teams from China, Singapore and Malaysia. There is also a farmers’ market, art competition for children and other cultural activities. The festival is said to be a tradition to honour the “spirit of the dragon” and unity as participants have to work together as a team in order to win the race.

International Rainforest Challenge Grand Finale 2019

Venue: Kelantan

When: Until Dec 9

Tel: 03-9200 8908

Facebook: RFC

Said to be one of the Top 10 motor races in the world, the grand finale of the International Rainforest Challenge will take place all around Kelantan. The route includes Kota Baru, Tumpat, Pasir Puteh, Ulu Sat, Bukit Bakar, Kuala Krai, Lalok, Sungai Rek and Gua Musang. This 23rd edition of the off-road challenge features participants from 30 countries – the toughest, bravest men and women with their mean four-wheel-drives.

Se7en The Album launch by Rhythm Nation

Venue: Rockafellers, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

When: Dec 13 & 14

Facebook: keepitlocalmy

For rock fans, the album launch party of 7 The Album by Rhythm Nation will take place on Dec 13 (Friday the 13th!) to commemorate a decade of unadulterated rock. It’s a live showcase, with Blister, Skies Are Red, Lotus King, Ashtin and DJ C-Too setting the tone for the night before Rhythm Nation takes the stage.

Register for a free pass via the Eventbrite website.

Races of Malaysia: FIM Endurance World Championship & FIA World Touring Car Cup

Venue: Sepang International Circuit, Selangor

When: Dec 13 to 15

Tel: 03-8778 2222

Website: www.sepangcircuit.com

It’s an extravaganza of motorsports with two world championships hosted together in one weekend.

Organised by Sepang International Circuit and Eurosport Events, this inaugural twin event will take place at the Sepang International Circuit which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Some of the world’s best endurance riders will take part in the event on Dec 14, while leading international touring car drivers take on the three races that make up the FIA World Touring Car Cup on Dec 15. There are also track and grid walk opportunities, displays and driver autograph sessions happening.

Safari Grom Search & Safari Junior Open

Venue: Cherating, Pahang

When: Dec 13 to 15

Tel: 013-776 7827 (Narz/Dian)

Website: www.safarixtreme.com/dates

Malaysia is a surfers’ heaven and this surfing competition is organised by Safari Xtreme Sports & Events and powered by RipCurl, with the support of Tourism Pahang, Pahang Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and Pahang Sports Council. Safari Grom Search is open to surfers (ages: below 16 for boys, below 17 for girls) and Safari Junior Open (for male surfers below 21 years).

Pesta Chingay

Venue: Esplanade, Penang

When: Dec 15

Tel: 04-650 5133

The Chingay parade celebrates the birthday of Chinese deities with a procession of floats, lion and dragon dance parades, performances and even a beauty pageant. Kicking off at Padang Brown in Penang, the parade passes through Jalan Datuk Keramat, Jalan Penang, Jalan Burma, Jalan Transfer, Jalan Sri Bahari, Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lebuh Light before arriving at the grounds of the Esplanade for a special “Lion Dance on Stilts” grand finale.

Wawasan 2020 Challenge

Venue: Dataran Dato Sheikh Ahmad, Kangar, Perlis

When: Dec 21

Tel: 013-498 9998 (Mohd Shukhairi Shuhaimi)

This sports event combines marathon and cycling races in celebration of “2020 – Malaysia: The Way Forward”. It is organised by UH Challenge & UniMAP Holdings, and takes place in Kangar, Perlis.

Museum Night Trails

Venues: National Textiles Museum, Royal Museum, National Museum

When: Until Dec 31

Tel: 03-22671000

Website: www.jmm.gov.my/ms

It’s a “night at the museum” with this event organised by the Department of Museums Malaysia. Visitors can join this night tour as well as the art and cultural activities that cover three museums – the National Textiles Museum, the Royal Museum and the National Museum – in Kuala Lumpur.

Boria Festival

Venue: Penang

When: Dec 1 to 31

Tel: 03-2614 8200

Website: www.jkkn.gov.my

A typical Boria troupe is made up of a leader, a chorus, some comedians and musicians. Organised by the National Department for Culture and Arts, the Boria Festival in Penang offers colourful performances by the Malay Community Theatre of Pulau Pinang. A Boria presentation usually has two segments: A comedy sketch and singing. The performance usually starts with short comic sketches, followed by song-and-dance routines.

For more events, head to the Tourism Malaysia website.

We’re sorry, this article is unavailable at the moment. If you wish to read this article, kindly contact our Customer Service team at 1-300-88-7827. Thank you for your patience – we’re bringing you a new and improved experience soon!