Langkawi Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia)

There are many unique festivals, events and enjoyable things to do on Pulau Langkawi. All of the main national events are celebrated on the island, plus it has many of its own gatherings that highlight the island's unique culture.

Popular local events and annual things to do include the Ironman Malaysia Triathlon each February, the Le Tour de Langkawi in March, and the Langkawi International Festival of Art every April. The Food and Fruit Fiesta each June is always fun, and you can also take in the Malaysia Fest in September and the general Yuletide celebrations at Christmas.

Langkawi Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day - January 1st, this time of year is high season on the island and parties are particularly boisterous. The best of it is in the south and west, Kuah and Pantai Cenang

February

• Ironman Malaysia Triathlon - early February, this gruelling race features a lengthy swim and a very long cycle ride, followed by a full marathon run
• Chinese New Year - early February, the island has a significant Chinese community and they enjoy their New Year with vigour, with feasts and lion dances galore

March

• Le Tour de Langkawi - early March, a ten-stage race taking in all types of island terrain to offer up one of the most prominent, non-Euro cycle races
• Langkawi International Water Festival - late March, featuring a variety of fun water sport competitions, including sandcastle building and kayak races, during the hottest time of the year

April

• Langkawi International Festival of Art - early April, another long event lasting around ten days, with art exhibitions and workshops, as well as other events. Held all around the island

May

• Wilderness Langkawi Challenge - mid-April, this fun race involves participants from around the world competing in kayaking, hiking, running, and mountain biking. The Wilderness Challenge always draws large crowds of spectators

June

• Fire Extinguishing Contest - early June, a unique and strange, yet entertaining, event which sees the fire department racing to put out set fires
• Langkawi Food and Fruit Fiesta - mid-June, featuring tasty food and fruits of the archipelago, with lots of eating and cooking competitions all over the island. This is a fun, week-long fiesta suitable for all ages

July

• Mu'adzam Shah Trophy Golf Tournament - early July, a popular golfing tournament attracting top Asian golfers and dignitaries, organised by the Bayview Hotel
• Rambutan Trail - mid-July, featuring rambutan picking and eating, and many contests all about the rambutan, a hairy tropical fruit native to Malaysia

August

• National Day (Hari Merdeka-Independence Day) - August 31st, celebrating Malaysia's independence from Britain, with parades and shows throughout the island's main towns

September

• Ramadan Bazaar - August into September, the Muslim month of daytime fasting sees bustling food bazaars in Kuah at sunset, open to non-Muslims
• Malaysia Fest - late September, a fortnight-long event involving hotels, shopping malls and restaurants, highlighting the rich culture and cuisine of the country

October

• Hari Raya Aidil Fitri - mid-October, marks the end of Ramadan with a two-day holiday, with huge banquets and lots of merriment attracting crowds of people. There is no chance that you will go hungry during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

November

• Langkawi International Fishing Tournament - early November, a popular fishing event held off Tukun Perak Island, with anglers from all over trying to bag the biggest catch
• Deepavali - early November, the Hindu festival of lights is celebrated all over Malaysia with lanterns and fireworks galore marking the end of the monsoon. Deepavali is open to visitors and is not to be missed if you are holidaying in Malaysia at this time of the year

December

• Craft Festival - late December, showing off Langkawi's traditional handicrafts at the Craft Complex at Kedah, with batik painting and great shopping
• Christmas - December 25th, although the island is predominantly Muslim and Hindu, Christmas is celebrated due to the huge number of visitors. The shopping malls always do their very best to get in on the act