Shah Alam Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia)

Shah Alam enjoys all the main Malay festivals and events, including the likes of Thaipusam each February and the Malaysia Fest every year at the end of September, as well as several of its own events. There are plenty of things to do for tourists during most months.

The nearby motor racing circuit at Sepang puts on two major events - Formula One racing in March and the Motorcycle GP in October, while the Adidas King of the Road is a popular running event in August in Shah Alam. Wesak Day in April / May, and Deepavali each October, are for Buddhists and Hindus respectively.

Shah Alam Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day - January 1st, a public holiday involving various events around the city, including picnics at the Lake Gardens
• Chinese New Year - January or February, fortnight-long event for the Chinese community of Shah Alam, putting on dragon dances, and lighting lots of firecrackers and fireworks

February

• Thaipusam - early February, the Hindu community absolve themselves of sins by skewering spikes through the skin and holding a large procession. This is best seen in Kuala Lumpur
• Maulidur Rasul - late February / early March, celebrating the birthday of Muhammad, with worshipping at Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque

March

• Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix - mid-March, the Sepang International Circuit to the south of the city is the host of the Malay leg of the F1 calendar. This Grand Prix features excellent facilities and well-priced grandstand seats
• Muslim New Year - mid March, a holiday for the Muslim community

April

• Malaysia Water Festival - month-long event all over Malaysia, including jet-ski races and other water sports. This exciting water fest is usually best enjoyed in nearby Klang or Kuala Selangor
• Wesak Day - April / May, an important day for Buddhism in Selangor, involving the celebration of the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha at local temples

May

• Labour Day - May 1st, a national Malaysian holiday
• Colours of Malaysia (Citrawarna Malaysia) - a month-long event showing off the culture and cuisine of the country, with parades, music and eating aplenty

June

• Hari Keputeraan Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong - early June, the King of Malaysia's birthday)

July

• Food and Fruits Fiesta - late July, with the eating of Malay fruits at restaurants and open-air food courts around Selangor

August

• Ramadan - early August, when Muslims are not permitted to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset
• Adidas King of the Road - day event for runners, featuring a half marathon, as well as 10-km / 6-mile, 7-km / 4-mile and 5-km / 3-mile road races
• National Day - August 31st, Malaysia's day of independence is celebrated with parades and shows as it is throughout the country

September

• Hari Raya Puasa / Hari Raya Aidilfitri - early September, marks the end of Ramadan with prayers at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque and the eating of glutinous rice (lemang)
• Malaysia Day (Hari Malaysia) - September 16th, the anniversary of this day in 1963, when the Malaysian federation was created
• Malaysia Fest - late September, a fortnight-long celebration of Malay culture, traditional crafts and foods, with shopping malls around the city getting in on the act
• Mid-Autumn Festival - one for the Chinese contingent and also known as the Moon Cake Festival, involving lantern processions and the eating of moon cakes

October

• Malaysian Motorcycle GP - early October, the Sepang International Circuit also plays host to a leg of the Motorcycle GP, along with the F1. This involves several side attractions, as well as the main race event
• Deepavali - a poignant Hindu event better known as the Festival of Lights, sees the triumph of good over evil with the lighting of myriad candles

November

• Hari Raya Haji - early November, a religious Muslim holiday remembering how Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son for God. Hari Raya Haji is staged some 70 days after the conclusion of Ramadan. This marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca (the Haj), with a two-day event at mosques and meat from sacrificed animals going to the poor
• Awal Muharram (Islamic New Year) - late November / early December, a national Malaysian holiday

December

• Selangor State Ruler's Birthday (Hari Keputeraan Sultan Selangor) - mid-December, with local festivities
• Christmas - December 25th, featuring mass at local churches for visiting Christians and Western expats, and decorated shopping centres throughout December