Things to do in February 2020 in KL, Johor, & Penang
Image adapted from: @calvincheongproductions, @colbertooi, The Lights & @boyhafizy
January saw a flurry of Chinese New Year celebrations for many Malaysians. But the festivities don’t have to stop there. With Thaipusam well on the way, and light displays, live performances, and outdoor festivals happening this February, we can usher it in with just as much fun to keep our spirits up.
1. Ride in a hot air balloon at Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, Penang
Image credit: @calvincheongproductions
Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is back this February for its 2020 installment. This 2-day event will feature 15 colourful hot-air balloons that will be illuminated against the night skies from 8.45PM for its Night Glow event. There’s also a firework show at 8.15PM if you haven’t gotten enough of it over the CNY weekend.
You’ll be glad to know that these balloons aren’t just for display. You can ride in a tethered hot air balloon (RM50) that has spectacular views of Penang from 60ft above ground level. Only 150 tickets will be available per day, so be sure to get here early.
Or opt for Cold Inflation (RM5) ride, which lets you step inside a stationary hot-air balloon and is available throughout the day.
Image credit: @cleffa828
There will also be photo ops around the field, and food trucks and stalls for you to fill your belly up with local street food and get some miniature hot-air balloon merch.
Miniature, paper-craft hot air balloons that look like lanterns on display here
Image credit: @dt__105
Not to miss out on the family-friendly carnival activities that will be held here, kids can jump around in inflatable castles (RM15/pax) and ride on paddle boats (RM15/pax), while adults can get their adrenaline on with the reverse bungee (RM30/pax) and bull ride (RM15/pax).
For a full list of events and a map of Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, click here.
Venue: Padang Polo, 18, Solok Piggot, Taman Scotland, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Dates: 1st – 2nd February 2020
Time: 7AM-9PM
Admission: Free
Website
2. Take in the light displays at Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang
A neon radiance against the calm night skies of Penang
Image credit: @colbertooi
Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, Malaysia is a fairytale come to life this February. With 10,000 light installments decorating the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, you’ll be walking straight into the Grand Palace of Disney’s Mulan that is animated with festive celebrations and neon lights.
Image credit: Kong Chih Sang
There will be fireworks for you to catch too, as well as a historic temple for you to drop by and make your prayers for the new year. And once you get worn out from all the things you can see here, there are scenic pagodas for you to rest at that are just as well-lit with LED lights.
Image credit: Kong Chih Sang
Read more about Kek Lok Si Temple’s Display of Lights.
Venue: 1000-L, Tingkat Lembah Ria 1, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
Dates: 19th January 2020 – 21st February 2020
Time: 7PM-12AM
Admission: Free
Website
3. Watch a musical circus at Cirque de la Symphonie, Kuala Lumpur
Image credit: @lotteconcerthall
Some like watching acrobats fly across the stage, while others prefer a much calmer night at the symphony. But Cirque de la Symphonie gives enthusiasts for both activities a thrilling night of gravity-defying acrobatic performances set on the same stage with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Image credit: @perryb_photo
Fans of The Greatest Showman won’t want to miss out on this one. Contortionists, jugglers, and strongmen will perform their acts while familiar scores from famous films such as Indiana Jones and Star Wars amp up their routines at this music-filled showcase.
Venue: Petronas Philharmonic Hall, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Dates: 8th – 9th February 2020
Time: 3PM & 8.30PM
Admission: From RM198. Get your tickets here.
Website
4. Relive your childhood at World Kite Festival, Johor
Image credit: @boyhafizy
If you’ve only ever seen a wau bulan printed on the back of an RM1 note, or the logo of Malaysia Airlines, drop by Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival for the real thing in the flesh. This annual kite festival has been going on since 1995, and sees passionate kite flyers and wau makers coming together to show off their modern and traditional kites.
Image credit: Kite Fest Pasir Gudang
Things get pretty serious at this 7-day event in Johor Bahru, with the Malaysia Kite Council present to judge kite performances from locals and international entrees. There are also kite workshops for you to see how a traditional wau is made, and cultural performances for you to check out.
But for those who just want to relive their childhood days sans technology, get yourself a kite and bask in some nostalgic fun with a modern kite (RM5).
Go back to the basics with some old school fun at this kite festival
Image credit: @lucasys333
While you’re here, don’t miss out on the Lolly Pop Drop program that takes place at 2PM on 28th February and 1.45PM on 2nd March. A large bag of candy will be lifted up on a string of a kite, and once it’s high enough in the sky, it’ll burst open for a shower of sweets.
For a full list of its schedule, click here.
Venue: Taman Bukit Layang-Layang, Pasir Gudang, 81700 Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia
Dates: 27th February 2020 – 3rd March 2020
Time: 8.30AM-11.30PM
Admission: Free
Website
5. Sing along to classic Beatles hits with Beatlemania, Kuala Lumpur
Image credit: @HarrowArts
If you can’t help but break out into “na-na-na-nas” every time “Hey Jude” comes on, you’ll want to check out BeatleMania in concert. This 4-part tribute act straight from the UK is dropping by MaTiC in KL for 2 nights only to map out hits from The Beatles’ entire music discography.
They’ve been travelling across the world performing The Beatles’ covers since they were formed in 1992. And with iconic haircuts and costumes, and classic singles such as “Help!” and “Eleanor Rigby”, all under their belt, they will have you up on your feet like it’s the 1960s all over again.
Venue: Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman, MaTiC, 109, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan
Dates: 14th – 15th February 2020
Time: 8.30PM
Admission: From RM265. Get tickets here.
Website
6. Write your wishes on a floating lantern at The Lights Water Fest, Selangor
Image credit: The Lights
We can’t help but be excited about sparkly lights in the sky – especially coming hot off the heels of Chinese New Year and all the fireworks that we’ve seen. But for something just as magical on land, check out The Lights Water Fest at Sepang International Circuit on 29th February 2020.
This event has lit up the skies and rivers of America with lanterns, and is now heading to our shores for a 1-day only event. There will be street food and live music for you to enjoy, as well as lanterns and markers provided with every ticket for you to write your well-wishes for the new year.
And if you plan to send blessings to a loved one, there are options to purchase an additional lantern (RM8) while getting your ticket online. You can even live out that fairytale lantern scene in Disney’s Tangled while humming “I See The Light” with how magical this space will look with hundreds of floating lanterns.
Image credit: The Lights
And for those worried about how this event will affect our earth, the lanterns used at this festival are biodegradable and lit with LED lights so our animals and forest will be safe from harm.
Venue: The Sepang International Circuit, 27, 64000 Sepang, Selangor
Date: 29th February 2020
Time: 4PM-9PM
Admission: From RM42. Get your tickets here.
Website
7. Spot Olaf and Elsa at Great British Circus’s Circus on Ice, Penang
Image credit: @ahmad.danial.zulhilmi
Great British Circus has been making its way around KL with its Circus On Ice shows that brings heart-racing stunts from acrobats, contortionists, and daredevils out on ice. And now those in Penang don’t have to miss out on these unique shows, as Circus on Ice is bringing 28 shows to Auto-City in Perai, Penang.
Not to spoil things too much, but there will also be a blindfolded acrobat archery act and special appearances from characters from Frozen and Madagascar on ice.
Don’t miss out on the chance to grab a shot with your fave characters in person after the show
Image credit: @dhalia_alidrissi
Venue: Auto-City, Perai, Penang 14000
Dates: 29th January 2020 – 16th February 2020
Time: 5:30PM & 8:30PM
Admission: From RM49.35. Get your tickets here.
Website
8. Witness the annual Thaipusam procession at Batu Caves, Selangor
Image credit: @crisbal2012
Batu Caves is one of Malaysia’s greatest treasures that attract tourists and locals alike – and also cheeky monkeys that are known to grace the colourful steps that lead up to the caves.
It’s also the site of the annual Thaipusam festival in Malaysia – which attracts millions in a year – that gives both curious cats and religious devotees a close look at how celebrations take place during this just as colourful Hindu festival in February.
Image credit: Gogo-outdoor.my
This 3-day festival will begin with a 15km procession from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple – just a stone’s throw away from Petaling Street – to Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves. But you can also head straight to Batu Caves where the festivities will settle after the procession.
Here, rituals will be prepared to Lord Murugan, the golden statue at the entrance of the caves. This includes over 30kg decorative items of ritual called kavadis, that will be hauled up 272 flights of stairs to the temple located inside the cave.
The statue of Lord Murugan at Batu Caves is the 3rd tallest representation of it in the world
Image credit: @catalinazamoragez
As this festival takes place in and around sacred religious sites, be sure to dress appropriately.
Venue: Gombak, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor
Dates: 6th – 8th February 2020
Time: Begins 4AM on 6th February 2020
Admission: Free
9. Plan your next holiday with MATTA Fair, Johor
Image credit: MATTA Fair KL
For those with a 9-5 job, this time of the year is when you start sorting out your leave days so you can plan your next big holiday. But this is often just the beginning of it, as the headache truly starts once location, ticketing, and hotels get stirred into the mix.
If this hits the nail on the head, check out Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair that is held in Johor this month. It’s a licensed travel agency fair with agents on hand to help you figure out all the details of your next trip – whether it be to US, Europe, or Asia.
Immersive installations here to have a slice of different countries before making the trip there
Image credit: MATTA Fair KL
You’ll be able to find plenty of options for booking hotels and flights here, and informational brochures that’ll help you make quicker decisions. And you can also score great discounts of up to 30% for tour packages to a country you’ve always been dreaming of visiting.
Venue: Austin International Convention Centre (AICC), 71, Jln Austin Heights 8/2, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Dates: 28th February 2020 – 1st March 2020
Time: 9AM-6PM
Admission: RM4/person. Free entry for children under 12 years old.
Website
10. See a fairytale come to life with Story Book Events, Kuala Lumpur
Image credit: The Story Book
The Story Book MY has been making fairytales come alive for kids since 2018. And they are returning this February with new interactive storytelling experiences at Sunway Velocity, Park City, Jaya One, and Planetarium Negara.
These storytelling events in February lets kids be immersed in classic tales such as Sleeping Beauty (RM20/pax) on 8th and 20th February 2020 and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (RM20/pax) on 22nd February 2020. But don’t miss out on the special addition of Star Wars at the National Planetarium (RM25/pax) on 22nd February 2020.
Let your kids dress up like their favourite storybook characters
Image credit: The Story Book
This event will include a storytelling time, a short space-adventure film called The Accidental Astronauts, and cosplay activities for families with kids. You can even spot a sound-activated BB8 here, and opt for a Space Pod simulator ride (RM12/adult & RM8/kid).
The Space Theatre where the short film will be screened for attendees
Image credit: Planetarium Negara
Here’s an added perk: families who go the extra mile to show up in a Star Wars-themed costume will get a chance to win surprise gifts at the event.
Star Wars at the National Planetarium
Venue: Planetarium Negara, 53, Jalan Perdana, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Date: 22nd February 2020
Time: 10AM-11PM
Admission: RM25. Get tickets here.
Website
11. Catch the iconic Le Tour de Langkawi on the roads
Image credit: @apekhambali
Petronas brings people together with its festive ads that make even the toughest of us cry. But it also brings people together with its Le Tour de Langkawi – an annual bicycle race hosted by Petronas and founded by PM Mahathir that’s been around since 1996.
This year marks its 25th Anniversary, so don’t be surprised to see road closures between 7th and 14th February as this iconic race is set to cover 9 states in just 8 days. And be prepared to hop out of your car and catch the thrills in person for free while clumps of cyclists ride through the kampungs of Temerloh to KLCC, or Kuala Kubu Bharu to Ipoh.
Image credit: Le Tour de Langkawi
Click here for a detailed race route for Le Tour de Langkawi 2020 so you can catch the action in person.
Locations: Kuching, Kuala Terengganu, Kerteh, Temerloh, KLCC, Putrajaya, Genting Highlands, Kuala Kubu Bharu, Ipoh, Taiping, Penang Island, Bagan, Alor Setar, Dataran Lang and Kuah Langkawi
Dates: 7th – 14th February 2020
Time: 7AM-3PM
Admission: Free
Website
Events in February 2020
We ushered in 2020 with good vibes. With more activities on the horizon this February, continue in that merry mood at an event on this list. From reliving the old days with some family-friendly activity, or catching a fun light show, you’ll be able to add a little colour to the days ahead.
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