Malaysia is a country of multi-ethnic society practising multi-culturalism and multi-religion. Each ethnic group practises its own religion and belief which means various festivals are celebrated throughout the year. These festivals are usually celebrated either nationwide or at state level. "Open house" concept is practised almost all the festivals, which means inviting relatives and friends to partake in the food and festivity occasion.

Main festivals

Hari Raya Haji: 23/24 Jan *

Celebrated by the Muslims on the tenth day of the last month of the Muslim calendar. This is an occasion celebrated marking the conclusion of the annual Haj - the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, when the pilgrims are given the title of Haji for men and Hajjah for women. Thanksgiving prayers are offered in the mosques. An animal is sacrificed whose meat was distributed among the relatives and the poor.

Thaipusam: 25 Jan

Celebrated by Hindus on the tenth month of the Hindus calendar. It is believed on this day the stars, Pusan and Brihaspati are united into one. It is a celebration of the birthday of Lord Subramaniam, also known as Lord Muruga, the youngest son of Lord Shiva. Before this day, Hindus usually prepare themselves by fasting, dieting on certain food and maintaining self-discipline. A huge procession of penitents in an atmosphere electric with drumming and chanting. Skewers fastened metal hooks, spikes on their body including tongues, cheeks and nipples defying all sense of pain. A fire walking ceremony is also demonstrated in some temples.

Chinese New Year: 9 & 10 Feb Celebrated on the first day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, this is the most important annual festival for the Chinese community. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals according to the Chinese Zodiac.Houses are cleaned and decorated to prepare for the big day.

Debts are settled, prayers and offerings are made. New clothes are bought and plenty of food are prepared.

Family members from far come back for the gathering. New year cards are exchanged between friends and relatives. A reunion dinner for the family is held on the eve of the new year.Bad language and unpleasant topics are discouraged.

There are lion dances and small fire works. Red paper showing Chinese characters of prosperity and wealth are pasted either in front or inside the house. Ang-Pow or red packet containing money is given out to children and elderly. Open house is practised for visiting relatives and friends with various ethnic races. The new year is lasted for fifteen days which the concentration is on the first three days. The celebration ends with the Chap Goh Mei on the fifteenth day.

Awal Muharam (Maal Hijrah): 10 Feb

Celebrated by Muslims as the day symbolises two happy event in a Muslim's life. The start of Muslim year or calendar, Muharram, coincides with Prophet Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Medina on the first of Muharram in 622AD. To signify this occasion, Muslims attend to various religious activities, spiritual singing, religious meeting throughout the country.

Chap Goh Mei: 23 Feb

In Hokkien dialect, it means the 15th night of Chinese New year. It is celebrated with prayers and offerings to mark the end of the Chinese New Year. Houses are again brightly decorated with lights for the last day of the celebration. Legend has seem young unmarried women throwing tangerines into the sea hoping to find a good husband. After this day, business as usual and everyone is looking forward for the next Chinese New Year.

Prophet Muhammad Birthday: 21 Apr

Celebrated by the Muslims on the 12th day of the third moon in the Muslim Calendar. Also known to Muslims as Maulud Nabi. Prophet Muhammad was born on 12 Rabiulawal in 570 AD. It was after his death that Muslims started celebrating his birthday.

Wesak Day: 23 May

Celebrated around May by Buddhists which marks three momentous events in Buddha's life - his birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana. The celebration begins at dawn when devotees gathering at the temples to meditate on the Eight Precepts. Donations, giving food to the needy, offerings of incense, joss sticks and prayers are carried out. The sutras are chanted in unison by monks in saffron robes. The celebration is highlighted by a candle procession.

Harvest Festival: 30-31 May

Celebrated by the Kadazan of Sabah each May with thanksgiving dedicated to the rice gods. Agricultural shows, exhibitions, cultural programmes, buffalo races, and other traditional games are held. There is much merrymaking and feasting with rice wine flowing freely throughout the festivities.

Hari Gawai: 1-2 Jun

Celebrated on the first of June by the Dayaks or Ibans of Sarawak for a week marking the end of the paddy harvesting season and the beginning of the new planting season. There is singing, dancing and considerable drinking of tuak or rice wine in the local longhouses. The Ibans working outside their village returned to the village for the celebration. There are plenty of food and certainly not shortage of entertainment and wine in the local way.

Hungry Ghosts Festival: Jul - Aug

Celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month by Buddhists and Taoists. Bundle of joss sticks, paper hell money, and food placed on the street corner and roadsides are burnt to appease the dead spirit from entering their home and cause disturbance in their household. It is believed that the gate of the hell are opened and all the hungry ghosts wander the earth in search of food and taking revenge to those who has wronged them in life. Legend has it that two childhood sweethearts forbidden were rejected marriage by their parents, committed suicide by jumping from the Yu Lan Bridge. A single stalk of lotus bearing two flowers under the bridge was found several days later.

Moon Cake - Lantern Festival: Aug/Sep

Known also the mid-autumn festival which falls on the 15th day of the eighth Chinese Lunar Calendar. This is a historical festival rather than a religious one. It marks the successul rebellion against the Mongol ruler dated back in 14th century China. Legend has indicated that the secret about a plot against the Mongolians was hidden inside the mooncake and the mooncake was distributed widely. Lanterns were used at night as signals from higher grounds and hilltop. Today, this festival is celebrated with moon cakes and latern hanging on the house. The lantern and the moon cakes have attracted many children and adults attention. In certain area, lantern procession and competition are held.

Deepavli: 2 Nov

Celebrated on the Hindu month of Kartik in October / November. It is also called the Festivals of Lights. The celebration symbolises the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakasura. It marks the return of Rama after 14 years of exile. On this day, the Hindu wake up at dawn, bathe themselves in herbal oil, put on new clothes, and say their prayers. Homes of the Hindus are lit with little oil lamps made from clay pots filled with coconut oil and wicks. This is believed to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth who will not enter an unlit house.

Hari Raya Puasa: 3,4 Nov *

Celebrated by the Muslims signifies the end of the fasting season of Ramadan for a month. The celebration is determined by sighting of the new moon. This is the most significant celebration for the Muslims. Muslims starts the day by congregating in the mosques early in the morning to perform Hari Raya Puasa prayers followed by visits to the graves of the departed.

This festive occasion is greeted with great joy, the young will ask for forgiveness from their elders and everyone will put on new clothes. Open house or invitation for relatives and friends to come to their house is practised. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with the lighting of oil lamps to welcome the angels which is believed to be visiting the earth during the seven days preceding the festivall. The celebration lasts for a month which the celebration is concentrated in the first three days.

Merry Christmas: 25 Dec

Celebrated by Christian on the 25th of December marking the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by non-christian in some other ways as well. It is a family gathering occassion starting with a midnight mass on Christmas Eve followed by Christmas Day celebration the next day. Legend has it that the Santa Claus brings presents for people at night during the christmas eve. Exchange of gifts are popular. Roast turkey is a common and traditional dish.

* - Subject to Change