Things to do in Klang Valley in December 2021
There are just a few weeks left till 2022 rolls around. Before the clock strikes midnight and we’re merrily ushering in a new year, we still have the whole month of December to conclude 2021 in high spirits with our loved ones.
Now that Covid-19 safety measures have eased, here are 10 things to do in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor in December 2021 to make the most of the last, but not least, month of the year.
1. Shop for local artisanal goods at bazaars
There are plenty of bazaars held at event spaces and shopping malls in Klang Valley for those who prefer to shop from small businesses. This December, bazaars are going Christmas-themed so we can support local and shop for gifts. Here are several to check out:
Ruihinthecity’s Christmas Tropicola
Image credit: Riuhinthecity
Ruihinthecity’s Christmas Tropicola pop-up market is where you can shop from over 50 local vendors to make your last-minute hunt for gifts a breeze. Find eco-friendly beauty products from Lips Carpenter and sportswear from Heart Beast, to dazzling jewellery from Goodlane KL and more.
Image credit: Riuhinthecity
Besides retail vendors, there are over 15 food stalls set to join the market, and live performances and showcases from local acts to entertain visitors. Activities and workshops, including portrait paintings by local artist Oh Beatrice and an air-dry clay workshop by Cece Atelier, are other things you can check out here.
Entry to the bazaar is free but you’ll need to reserve tickets before dropping by, which you can do so here.
Venue: Sentul Depot, Sentul West, Jalan Strachan Off, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kuala Lumpur
Dates: 4th-5th December 2021
Time: Sat 2PM-12AM | Sun 12PM-10PM
KEDAI’s Mari Christmas 2021
Image credit: KEDAI
KEDAI is an artisanal marketplace in PJ that will also be hosting a bazaar this December – Mari Christmas 2021. Apart from the homegrown brands that are already permanently located here, KEDAI will be welcoming small businesses to their market to offer patrons a larger variety of gift options.
Vendors confirmed to pop by the market include, among others, little things design studio with their handcrafted bead accessories, and By.MinnieAng, a local artist selling quirky postcards, stickers and more.
Venue: Block B, Level 2, MAHSA Avenue Jalan Universiti, Off Jalan Ilmu, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Dates: 11th & 12th December 2021
Time: 11AM-6PM
Tukar Tangan Christmas Preloved Market
Image credit: @theschoolmy
If you’re on a stricter budget this season – or just trying to make more environmentally-friendly shopping choices – drop by Tukar Tangan Christmas Preloved Market.
For two days only, the indoor bazaar will host a variety of local vendors selling preloved items all priced below RM50 each. Thrift for apparel, vintage knick-knacks, home decor items and more.
Venue: The School, Block J, Jaya One, No. 72A, Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Dates: 4th-5th December 2021
Time: 11AM-6PM
Sunny Side Up Market: Christmas Edition
Image credit: Slate at The Row
Anyone who frequents local bazaars have most likely heard of Sunny Side Up Market, which regularly holds community markets out of event spaces such as Slate At The Row.
At their upcoming annual Sunny Side Up Market: Christmas Edition at the aforementioned location, they have invited over 30 stalls helmed by local artists, beauty brands and more. Items to check out at this market include everything from pet accessories from Tale of Tails, to delicate jewellery with pressed flowers from The Petal Archive.
The market is also pet-friendly, so consider taking your furkid for a jaunt in the city here.
Venue: 52, Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Dates: 4th-5th December 2021
Time: 11AM-5PM
2. Catch free screenings of international films at GSC
Image credit: IMDB
If you happened to miss out on hit Korean films released in 2021 – including the critically-acclaimed Minari – here is your chance to catch free screenings on the big screen.
From 2nd to 5th December 2021, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) is partnering with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to host free showings of Minari, Seobok – a science-fiction film starring well-known Korean actors Gong Yoo and Park Bo-gum – and horror-thriller The Hypnosis.
Showtimes are as follows:
- 2nd December (Thu): The Hypnopsis (8.15PM)
- 3rd December (Fri): Seobok (8.15PM)
- 4th December (Sat): Seobok (3.15PM), The Hypnopsis (6PM), Minari (8.15PM)
- 5th December (Sun): The Hypnopsis (12.45PM), Minari (3PM), and Seobok (6PM)
Image credit: GSC
The screenings will be held at GSC Mid Valley. Free electronic tickets can be redeemed via GSC’s e-Payment, app or e-kiosks, which began on 29th November. You’ll want to be quick to get tickets, as it’s on a first-come-first-serve basis with only two tickets redeemable per person.
Likewise, GSC Mid Valley is also hosting a France In Cinema 2021 film festival, from now till June 2022.
Currently showing in December 2021 is Father and Sons, a 2019 French comedy about family bonds. Tickets for this film are free too, but you’ll have to make a purchase at the concession stand to redeem them. Find out more about the film festival here.
Address: T-001, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
Opening hours: 10AM-11.30PM, Daily
3. Walk through a winter wonderland at I-City SnoWalk
Image credit: I-City Leisure
We may be used to Malaysia’s perpetual summers, but that doesn’t mean we don’t wish to experience snow days too. At I-City’s SnoWalk, you won’t have to leave the country to experience wintery weather common elsewhere during this time of year.
This winter wonderland attraction is a well-known part of I-City Theme Park, and where you can head to this December to get a feel of a white Christmas. It spans two football fields, with icy temperatures as low as -8˚C which require visitors to don puffy coats and boots provided by the theme park to keep warm.
Image credit: I-City Leisure
Pose for photos with snowy polar bears and cosy cottage houses, or ride thrilling slides with your loved ones while you’re here.
Tickets: RM65/adult and RM55/child
Address: Jalan Multimedia 7, I-City, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor
Opening hours: Wed – Mon 3PM-11PM (Closed Tuesdays)
I-City Facebook
4. Watch Christmas performances at PJPAC
Image credit: Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre – PJPAC
Support the local performing arts scene by catching festive performances at Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC). The arts centre located in 1 Utama Shopping Centre is hosting several shows in December, including Christmas Gone Crazy on 25th December, and A Christmas Carol from 2nd-12th December.
Image credit: Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre – PJPAC
The first will be performed by skilled musicians from the Philharmonic Winds Of Malaysia, who will entertain guests with familiar Christmas tunes that most of us know by heart.
Likewise, A Christmas Carol is a Christmas classic that is given a local spin by playmakers theatrethreesixty at PJPAC, who have set their version of the tale in Sabah.
Tickets: RM50/pax for Christmas Gone Crazy, and RM44/pax for A Christmas Carol.
Address: 1 Utama Shopping Centre, S611, Second Floor, 1 Utama E, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
5. Feast your eyes on festive displays at shopping malls
Festive decorations going up at shopping malls is a sure sign that Christmas Day is just around the corner. Several spectacular displays can be found at malls around the Klang Valley – such as at:
Suria KLCC
Image credit: @bigdadwe
Not to be missed this yuletide season is Suria KLCC’s Christmas display featuring “The Tallest Christmas Tree Replica In Malaysia” – as certified by the Malaysia Book of Records. The elaborately decorated tree, stretching 32m in height and 14m in width, is a towering marvel to behold nestled between the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
Image credit: Suria KLCC
The mall’s indoor display this year centres around the theme, The Polar Express. The decor comes complete with a Kid’s Train Ride Activity, located at Ramlee Mall, Level 1. There will be several chances to meet Santa Claus here at the Santa Claus Meet & Greet too. ‘Santa Claus’ is set to drop by the centre court at 2PM every Saturday and Sunday till Christmas Day.
Address: 241, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, WPKL
1 Utama Shopping Centre
You can never have too many Christmas trees – 1 Utama Shopping Centre’s Christmas Village display is proof of this. The mall display’s centrepiece is a 50ft-tall Christmas tree surrounded by several equally stunning smaller trees decked with red, gold and pink poinsettia flowers.
Image credit: 1 Utama Shopping Centre
The elaborate display will be the backdrop of carolling performances and pop-up stalls operating out of quaint cottages.
There will also be an alfresco Christmas Market at Estreet in the mall’s newest wing 1 Utama E, from 11th-22nd December 2021. Over 30 stalls selling festive foods and handcrafted goods can be found here.
Address: City Centre, 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Dates: 25th November – 28th December 2021
Pavilion KL
Pavilion KL in Bukit Bintang is having a Mystical Christmas snow village at their Centre Court, featuring themed stalls, and photo ops with snowmen, reindeers and mystical fairies.
Image credit: Pavilion KL
Another highlight here is the ‘Give A Little Love’ holiday installation at the mall’s main entrance. Its 40ft-tall minimalist Christmas tree is flanked by realistic penguins and llamas in gold and silver.
Other festive events here this December include Santa Meet & Greets and Santa Story Tellings. You can check out the schedule for these events here.
Address: City Centre, 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Dates: 12th – 26th December 2021
6. Shop for discounted books at Big Bad Wolf Books
Image credit: @bigbadwolfbooks
Bookworms will be glad to know that Big Bad Wolf Books has pushed the last date of their highly-anticipated physical book sale from 28th November to 5th December 2021 – which gives us an extra week to shop for books with slashed prices.
There are over 60,000 books with up to 95% discounts at the sale. Potential bargain finds range from educational materials to young adult fiction and self-help books, all going from as low as RM5.
Venue: HeroMarket, Bandar Puteri Puchong, Level 1
Dates: Now till 5th December 2021
Time: 10AM-10PM, Daily
7. Catch fountain light shows at 99 WonderlandPark
Image credit: 99 WonderlandPark
99 WonderlandPark is a 23-acre recreational park in Selangor that hosts activities centred around a former retention pond – including scenic strolls across a 175m-long scenic boardwalk and paddle boating (from RM10/pax).
Another highlight here is their 99 Musical Dancing Fountain, a mesmerising nightly performance at the pond where water fountains move in sync to a variety of tunes, all while backlit with vibrant colours. This fountain show is performed every Sunday at 7.45PM and 9.45PM.
Image credit: 99 WonderlandPark
Besides the lake activities, the park has other attractions such as a Dinosaur Park where you can see massive replicas of prehistoric creatures. There are also exhibits to view Malayan tapirs, sun bear, peacocks and more to make the most out of your entry ticket.
Image credit: @gaku_roan
Tickets: From RM40/adult and from RM30/child
Address: Jalan 9/3a, Pusat Bandar Utara, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor
Opening hours: Mon – Thu 5PM-11PM | Sat 9AM-12AM | Sun 9AM-11PM
8. Watch free live performances from local artists at REXKL
Image credit: REXKL
REXKL is a creative hub located in the heart of KL that always seems to be abuzz with activity. This is all thanks to the plethora of zones that you can find here, from a market space to an urban dining hall home to various food vendors – The Back Ground.
Several interesting live performances will be held the dining hall this December for patrons to enjoy while feasting on street food. This includes a Sunset Session with Lionel Rizki on 18th December, and Friday Feelings with Chairmann every Friday in December.
Image credit: REXKL
Address: 80, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor
Opening hours: Tue –Thu 10AM-10PM | Fri – Sun 10AM-12AM (Closed Mondays)
9. Browse for art books and more at KLABF
Image credit: KL Art Book Fair
If you’re the sort of person who spends your time discovering art in KL, head down to the Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair (KLABF). Here, you can browse for zines, art prints and self-published books from local and international artists, writers, independent publishers, printmakers and more.
The Art Book Fair has visited cities such as Shanghai, Bangkok, Tokyo and Singapore. This year, the fair will come toThe Godown in KL, an arts space housed in a century-old colonial building.
Image credit: KL Art Book Fair
But it’s not all just art books at the book fair – find over 30 vendors offering creative pieces for sale, such as Joanne Loo’s whimsical handmade pots and cgua’s animated illustrations printed on stickers and postcards.
Also featured at the fair are breathtaking art installations, including a creative paper art display by designer and paper artist, Asei Hanamure.
Image credit: KL Art Book Fair
Entry to KLABF is free, but you’ll have to reserve a spot online here as they will be limiting the number of guests inside the building at one time.
Venue: 7-11, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 WPKL
Dates: 3rd-5th December 2021
Time: 12PM-7.30PM
10. Indulge in food, drinks and more at Tiffin At The Yard
Foodies who have yet to check out Tiffin At The Yard can plan a trip to this bustling new food hub at Sentul Depot which opened in November 2021. It’s home to rotating food vendors serving different cuisines from around the world – including Spanish paellas, Portuguese egg tarts and Afro-Caribbean sandwiches.
There are also two bars at the food court where you can order house wines, beer and signature cocktails to pair with your meals.
Read our feature to find out more about Tiffin At The Yard here.
BONUS: new openings slated for December 2021
Pavilion Bukit Jalil
Image credit: Pavilion Bukit Jalil
There is no shortage of malls in the Klang Valley to visit. In fact, there are several more new ones set to open in the near future that we can look forward to visiting – including Pavilion Bukit Jalil, a new mall which opens on 3rd December 2021.
Image credit: Pavilion Bukit Jalil
The new mall features well-known spots such as CU Malaysia, Parkson, HaiDiLao Hotpot and Dadi Cinema, which are all set to welcome patrons on its opening day.
With Christmas just around the corner, there will be festive displays and activities held at the mall too, including a Christmas train ride, Yuletide Carousel, and Snow Tunnel.
Read our article to find out more about Pavilion Bukit Jalil here.
BookXcess flagship outlet
Image credit: REXKL
It’s a well-known fact among readers – as well as non-readers – that a new BookXcess outlet means another place for great photo ops. Their new MyTown outlet, for example, has artsy corners and maze-like bookshelves.
Another new BookXcess branch recently spotted at REXKL lives up to this expectation, with its towering bookshelves arranged like a labyrinth. The branch is said to be their flagship store, and will take up 6,000 sq ft in the former cinema building.
Eager photographers and bookworms can look out for an official announcement on BookXcess’s social media pages of its official opening date.
Image credit: @musanggala
Genting Skyworlds
Image credit: @gentingskyworlds
We’ve all most likely heard of Genting Skyworlds. Earlier this year, news circulated of the theme park’s thrilling new rides, attractions and movie-themed worlds, making this the next must-visit spot in Genting Highlands.
There has yet to be an official announcement of the theme park’s opening, but it’s been reported to be the end of 2021. For now, the park is operating for selected employees and invited guests for test runs – which means it won’t be much longer before the public gets to experience the park for themselves.
Thing to do in KL in December 2021
We’re gradually springing back from the days of the pandemic that had us cooped up indoors for long periods of time. As we’re now allowed to meet up with our friends and loved ones again, consider checking out these places with them for quality hangs, while getting to support the local arts scenes, small businesses and more.
As Covid-19 is still a cause for concern in Malaysia, do be sure to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and refrain from going out if you’re feeling under the weather.
Read more here:
- 13 adventurous activities to check out in KL
- 12 Christmas gifts under RM50 to spoil your loved ones with
- Shop for under-RM59.90 Christmas gifts at HOOGA
Cover image adapted from: Riuhinthecity, @bigdadwe and REXKL