Ipoh Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia)

A number of interesting and enjoyable festivals and events take place in Ipoh and the state of Perak. Many are celebrated across the country at the same time and focus on religious occasions or traditional and cultural events.

Visiting during a celebration gives a glimpse into the real world of the multi-ethnic communities here, as in Malaysia, tourists are welcome to join in and enjoy. There are many seasonal things to do in Ipoh, such as the Chinese New Year festivities in February, the Muslim New Year parties in March, the Fun Run in July, the Nine Emperors Festival each October, Deepavali in November, and the Street Food Festival every December.

Ipoh Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day - January 1st, a national holiday in Malaysia
• Ponngal - takes place in Butterworth for four days each January and celebrates the rice harvest and the subsequent wealth that it brings to the farmers

February

• Thaipusam - early February, a festival for the Indian community across Malaysia, where vows made to the Hindu deity Lord Muruga are fulfilled by the pulling of decorated chariots to temples, and the piercing of the body with spikes and hooks whilst in a trance
• Chinese New Year - celebrated according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar in February, kicks off all over Malaysia in temples and on the streets, with lion dances, parades, firework displays and street parties

March

• Malaysia Grand Prix Sale - timed to coincide with the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix motor race, this takes place all over the country, with fantastic Grand Prix-related bargains to be had across the board
• Muslim New Year - mid March, a religious holiday

April

• Birthday of the Sultan of Perak (Hari Keputeraan Sultan Perak) - April 19th, with many local residents honouring the royal family of Perak State

May

• Labour Day - May 1st, as with many countries across the world, Malaysia celebrates Labour Day as a national holiday

June

• Birthday of the Malaysian King - celebrated by Malays all over the country as well as in Ipoh, with temple visits and wishes for the royal family's health and longevity

July

• Malaysia Contemporary Arts Festival - takes place across the country, kicking off on July 1st and continuing for two months. The Malaysia Contemporary Arts Fest is held to celebrate the country's thriving contemporary arts scene and features works by locally and internationally known artists
• Georgetown Festival - held in Georgetown, Penang, for the entire month of July, with an extensive entertainment programme including traditional performances, operas, dance, theatre and film
• Ipoh Fun Run - brings people of all ages out for a swift dash around Mahjilis, Bandaraya and back to the city centre for an evening of sore feet and festivities

August

• Ramadan - this Islamic festival runs between August and September, with Muslims forbidden to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. Once the sun has gone down, bazaars, events, restaurants and shows light up the night all over the country
• Merdeka Day - Malaysian National Day, held on August 31st and celebrated throughout the country with parades, fireworks and other joyous events

September

• Hari Raya Aidilfitri - signifies the end of the month-long Ramadan fast all over the country each September, with morning visits to mosques and family get-togethers and celebrations
• Hari Malaysia (Malaysia Day) - September 16th, honouring the day when the Malaysian federation came into being in 1963
• Taiping Lantern Festival - held not too far from Ipoh, this event brings many hundreds of sparkling multi-coloured lanterns onto the streets for parades and suchlike. This is a charming sight and a great photo opportunity

October

• Ipoh Nine Emperors Festival - celebrated by the Chinese and Indian communities with spectacular street parades, visits to temples, traditional music and dance, and devotees cutting themselves and feeling no pain

November

• Deepavali - early November, also known as the Hindu Festival of Lights. Prayers, feasting, parades, family visits, festivities and an 'open house' tradition make this one of the favourite get-togethers of the year
• Hari Raya Haji - early November, a religious Muslim holiday remembering how Abraham was once prepared to sacrifice his son for God
• Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) - late November / early December, a national holiday in Malaysia

December

• Street Food Festival - from December 1st until Christmas Eve across Malaysia, street-food vendors are in the limelight, serving the delicious and varied cuisine of Malaysia. This popular event is organised each year by the Ministry of Tourism