For Chinese New Year 2026, Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam becomes Penang’s crowning light display, with more than 10,000 lanterns and LED decorations turning the temple into a “sea of light” from 13 February to 16 March, highlighted by a 7:00 pm lighting ceremony on 13 February that includes prayers and fireworks, plus nightly openings until midnight so visitors can soak in the festive atmosphere and religious activities throughout the lunar‑new‑year period.
Pek Kong Cheng (Bukit Mertajam) has a notable Chinese New Year decoration setup this year featuring lots of red lanterns plus a special “Leaping Fish” theme using fish-shaped lanterns. The installation consists of more than 300 fish-shaped lanterns in the area around Pek Kong Cheng Temple (also known as Hock Teik Cheng Sin) at Jalan Pasar.
Raja Uda (Butterworth) is Penang’s well-known CNY “lantern street,” with thousands of red lanterns spanning roughly a few kilometers and best enjoyed after nightfall. At night, the lanterns form a continuous red canopy that’s become a major “check-in” / photo spot in the area. It’s also a long-running local tradition that has been done annually (with pauses during the pandemic period). The lit-up stretch runs from the south junction of Jalan Telaga Air through Jalan Raja Uda.
Thnee Kong Seh (Jade Emperor’s Birthday / Pai Thee Kong) in Penang is observed on the 9th day of Chinese New Year, with main prayers typically done on the night of the 8th day (leading into the 9th). In Penang, a major public-facing celebration spot is Chew Jetty, where a long altar and offerings (notably sugarcane) are traditionally set up for the Jade Emperor.
Thnee Kong Seh (the Jade Emperor’s Birthday celebration) in Penang is especially significant for the Hokkien community and is observed on the 9th day of the Chinese New Year, with preparations and prayers starting on the night of the 8th. A commonly told local-origin story traces the practice to a time of persecution when Hokkien refugees escaped pursuers by hiding in abundant sugarcane plantations; when they safely emerged on the ninth day, they credited the Heavenly God (Jade Emperor) for protection, which is why sugarcane became a “must” offering and the ninth day is remembered as a kind of salvation day.
Penang Miaohui (槟城庙会) is Penang’s major Chinese New Year “temple fair” held around George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage streets, where clan halls, guilds, and cultural groups open their doors for public open houses, performances, exhibitions, and hands-on heritage activities. It typically spreads across about 12 heritage streets and features cultural showcases plus large food and interactive booth areas, highlighting Penang’s Chinese heritage in a multicultural, community-focused way.
Lion dance on poles performance for GAMA Departmental Store during Chinese New Year opening.
During Chinese New Year in Penang, lion dances fill public and temple spaces with percussion-driven, acrobatic performances meant to welcome prosperity and chase away negative energy, often culminating in the cai qing blessing for homes and businesses.
In Malaysia, Master Siow Ho Phiew is a Malaysian lion dance coach and lion-head craftsman, widely called the father of Malaysia’s high-pole lion dance for creating a high-pole sequence that became a new standard and for spreading the style internationally through teaching.
Tai Por Kong Temple in Penang commonly refers to San Jiang Temple (三江庙) at Macallum Street Ghaut, a Chinese temple that began as a small shrine founded in 1920 and was later rebuilt after fundraising when the old premises aged. It is associated with the Hui’an Hokkien community, and the name “San Jiang” is said to come from the original Tai Por Kong temple in Hui’an, China, which overlooks three rivers.
The temple is also one of the famous temples that conducts the Tai Sui rite, especially during the Chinese New Year. A Tai Sui rite (拜太岁 / 安太岁) is a Taoist-style prayer/appeasement ritual done to seek protection, smoothness, and to “make peace” with the year’s Tai Sui (the annual celestial authority linked to the lunar year), especially if your Chinese Zodiac is believed to be “offending Tai Sui” that year.
A blessing ceremony for the lions which takes place at the old Kuan Yin Temple in George Town during Chinese New Year. Several vibrant southern-style lions in turquoise, pink, and yellow can be seen performing at the temple courtyard as part of the blessing ceremony.
Penang’s southern-style lions trace back to southern Chinese migrant roots, were sustained by local martial arts and community groups, and later evolved in Malaysia into a highly trained, competition-driven performance tradition while remaining central to festive and blessing ceremonies.
Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang, comes alive for Chinese New Year 2026 with a dazzling nightly light-up that turns the hillside complex into a glowing “sea of lanterns,” perfect for an evening visit and festive photos. The CNY light-up season runs from 13 February to 16 March 2026, with the official light-up ceremony on 13 February (7:00pm–8:00pm) featuring prayers and fireworks, and the lights typically shining nightly from 7:00pm to 12:00am throughout the period—making it one of Penang’s most iconic Lunar New Year traditions and a must-see stop if you’re on the island this season.
Sunshine Central Penang’s CNY 2026 décor concept spotlights the Five Chinese Arts (琴・棋・书・画・茶) and uses the Horse as the central auspicious motif, framing the mall’s festive experience as elegant, culturally rooted, and focused on togetherness and blessings. These five arts combine the traditional “Four Arts of the Chinese scholar” (琴棋书画: qin music, Go, calligraphy, painting) with 茶 (tea culture), forming a refined, literati-style set of cultural pursuits.
Sunshine Central is a mixed-use complex with a shopping mall podium located in Air Itam (near Farlim/Paya Terubong) in George Town, Penang, and the mall’s published address is along Jalan Thean Tek in Bandar Baru Air Itam.