Gurney Plaza shopping mall welcomes the auspicious Year of the Snake this Chinese Lunar New Year with a theme called “The Timeless Reunion”. It features a stunning transformation of its central atrium into a vibrant little town square. Surrounded by beautifully crafted heritage townhouse facades, the festive setup is adorned with colorful lanterns and artificial red cherry blossom trees along with scenes from the festive season, creating a captivating celebration of the new year.
Queensbay Mall in Penang is celebrating Chinese New Year with its “Blooming Bliss” theme. The mall’s central atrium has been transformed into a beautiful garden featuring pink cherry blossoms, red lanterns, butterflies, and a porcelain-shaped hut as the centerpiece. The decorations symbolize happiness, abundance, and prosperity, with flowers that open their petals for visitors to enjoy.
George Town’s heritage enclave is bursting with festive charm for Chinese New Year 2025. Around 2,000 red lanterns now illuminate 12 streets, including 300 in Armenian Street Park, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. These dazzling decorations light up nightly from 7 pm to midnight, bringing the city alive with a festive glow. This Year of Snake also features a cute Snake mascot at the center of the park.
The lanterns were officially unveiled during a special ceremony attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and other dignitaries. Adding to the excitement, the annual Miao Hui celebration, themed “Penang Lang, Let’s Celebrate!”, will feature traditional performances like lion dances and Chinese opera, alongside cultural activities such as calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and paper-cutting. The event is expected to attract thousands of visitors, making it a perfect time to experience the rich traditions and lively spirit of George Town.
Penang’s famous street arts or wall murals by Ernest Zacharevic were recently repainted by the artist himself.
Ernest Zacharevic’s murals usually feel alive, capturing the heart and soul of the streets where they live. Found mostly in Penang, Malaysia, his art brings moments of joy and nostalgia, often featuring children in playful, everyday scenes. What makes his work so special is how it blends with the surroundings—sometimes incorporating real objects like a bicycle or a motorbike, making it feel like the characters could step into our world. His murals tell stories of local culture and life in a way that’s warm, inviting, and unforgettable, turning simple walls into windows of imagination.
For the more murals/arts location, please refer to the map: https://travel2penang.org/2013/11/04/penang-street-art-map-part-1/
Colorful and beautiful display of Deepavali decorations in Gurney Plaza shopping mall.
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated with joy and togetherness. It signifies the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, inspired by various legends, such as Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.
In Malaysia, Deepavali is celebrated with vibrant cultural unity, bringing together people from all backgrounds to honor the Hindu festival of lights. Homes and temples are beautifully decorated with oil lamps, kolam (rangoli) designs, and colorful flowers, creating a warm, welcoming ambiance. Early morning prayers and rituals are followed by family gatherings, where traditional sweets like murukku and laddu are shared. Open houses are popular, inviting friends of all backgrounds to partake in festive meals and celebrations. Many communities organize public events and performances, including cultural dances and traditional music, highlighting Malaysia’s rich, multicultural harmony on this joyous occasion.
In conjunction with George Town World Heritage Day, Georgetown Heritage and Penang Bazaar have unveiled a tribute mural at Penang Bazaar’s Color Lane. The mural, painted by local artist Vincent Phang, honors Pak Nazaruddin, who devoted 45 years to the Kebaya trade, leaving a lasting legacy in Penang’s cultural landscape.
Pak Nazaruddin’s dedication as a Kebaya merchant is celebrated through this artwork, which not only adds vibrancy to Penang Bazaar but also blends art and history in a meaningful way. The mural pays tribute to his contributions to the local community and highlights Penang’s rich heritage as a cultural hub.
Another art work by the same artist can be found along this alley as well: Link.
Armenian Park in Penang is beautifully illuminated with 300 traditional lanterns to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. This display, organized by the Kampung Kolam MPKK and supported by local leaders, will run for a month, with the main event scheduled for 15th September. Visitors can enjoy cultural performances, traditional games, workshops, and a lantern parade on the main event day. Penang’s Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted the festival’s importance, emphasizing its role in fostering community and family bonds.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, originated in ancient China over 3,000 years ago during the Shang dynasty. It celebrates the harvest and the full moon, symbolizing family unity and prosperity. The festival is deeply tied to the legend of Chang’e, the moon goddess. Traditionally, people give thanks for the harvest, enjoy mooncakes, and participate in lantern displays. It usually falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month when the moon is at its brightest.
Nestled in the serene landscapes of Penang at the Penaga district, Kampung Agong is a hidden gem that offers visitors a glimpse into the rustic charm of traditional Malaysian village life. This quaint agro-themed park, located in the tranquil area of Seberang Perai, is a perfect destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in nature.
Kampung Agong consists of a vast area made up picturesque coconut groves, charming bamboo houses, and various iconic swing sets that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding paddy fields.
Various activities can be enjoyed at Kampung Agong, from cycling through the scenic countryside to picnic and horse riding, allowing visitors to reconnect with nature and experience the simple pleasures of life in a traditional Malaysian kampung (village).
For more details, do visit its website at https://kampungagong.com/
The Tua Pek Kong Cheng Temple in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, is a significant Taoist temple dedicated to Tua Pek Kong, a deity worshipped for protection, health, and prosperity. The temple is known for its rich history, dating back over a century, and its vibrant cultural practices, particularly during the Hungry Ghost Festival.
The temple’s architecture reflects traditional Chinese design, with intricate carvings and decorations. It serves as a focal point for community gatherings and religious ceremonies, attracting both devotees and tourists interested in Penang’s cultural heritage.
The Hungry Ghost Festival in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, has been celebrated for over 130 years. This festival, rooted in Taoist and Buddhist beliefs, honors the spirits of deceased ancestors who are believed to roam the earth during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The event features various rituals, including offerings of food, paper money, and entertainment like Chinese opera and puppet shows, to appease these spirits. The festival remains a vibrant cultural tradition, attracting both locals and tourists to experience its unique customs.
The festival also hosts the giant effigy of Tai Su Yeah (Chinese version of King of Hades) which will then be paraded in the middle of Jalan Pasar on the night of Aug 20, where it will be burned and “sent back to the other world”, a ritual witnessed by thousands.
