2026 Malaysia Lantern Festival (Chap Goh Meh): KL, Penang, Johor & Other Celebrations

The Lantern Festival, known as Chap Goh Meh in Malaysia (2026 date: March 3, Year of the Horse), is one of the country’s most vibrant celebrations. Marking the end of Chinese New Year festivities, this festival includes spectacular events across Malaysia, particularly in areas with significant Chinese Malaysian communities.

The main activities associated with the festival include:

• Chap Goh Meh Celebrations: Orange tossing events, temple celebrations, and cultural performances in Penang and KL
• Kuala Lumpur Lantern Displays: Massive lantern displays at Thean Hou Temple and other locations
• Penang Esplanade Event: The famous orange tossing ceremony and cultural shows in George Town
• Johor Bahru Traditional Celebrations: Temple events and community gatherings
• Other cities: Temple processions, lion dances, and cultural performances across Ipoh, Melaka, and other cities

In this article, I’ll walk you through each of these celebrations, their dates and locations in 2026, and how to make the most of your visit.

When Is Chap Goh Meh (Lantern Festival) in Malaysia?

You could say that Chap Goh Meh is the grand finale of the Chinese New Year period.

The festival date usually falls in late February or early March. In 2026, with Chinese New Year falling on February 17, Chap Goh Meh will be celebrated on March 3.

Most celebrations take place on the actual festival day itself or on the weekend closest to it. The major events in Kuala Lumpur and Penang typically happen in the evening, from around 7 PM to 10:30 PM, with some temple displays staying open until midnight.

Fun fact: Malaysians celebrate the Lantern Festival by eating tangyuan, glutinous rice balls typically filled with sweet red bean paste, sesame paste, or peanut butter. The round shape symbolizes family unity and togetherness. It’s also traditionally known as “Chinese Valentine’s Day” because of the romantic orange-tossing tradition!

Kuala Lumpur Chap Goh Meh Celebrations

When you think of Chap Goh Meh in Malaysia, the image that probably comes to mind is Thean Hou Temple adorned with thousands of brightly lit red lanterns and lion dances. That’s the magic of KL’s celebrations.

Located on top of Robson Hill off Jalan Syed Putra, Thean Hou Temple hosts elaborate celebrations every year where thousands visit to offer prayers to three deities: the Goddess of the Seas (Thean Hou), the Goddess of the Waterfront (Swei Mei), and the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin).

The atmosphere is electric, with families strolling through the illuminated temple grounds, kids carrying colorful lanterns, and cultural performances happening throughout the evening. The temple’s dragon-inspired architecture looks absolutely stunning when lit up for the festival.

2026 Event Info

Here’s what you need to know for the 2026 Chap Goh Meh celebrations in KL.

Date: March 3, 2026 (Tuesday)

Main Locations:

• Thean Hou Temple: The star attraction with thousands of lanterns, cultural performances, lion dances, and temple celebrations. Opens until midnight on the festival night
• Taman Tasik Jaya, Petaling Jaya: A popular spot for the orange tossing tradition, especially among young singles
• Central Market area: Expect lantern displays and cultural activities

Timing: Evening events typically run from 7 PM to 10:30 PM, with Thean Hou Temple staying open later

Getting There

Getting to the main celebrations is straightforward, though you’ll want to arrive early as parking and crowds can be intense.

For Thean Hou Temple, the best option is to grab a Grab (Malaysia’s ride-hailing app, similar to Uber) directly to the temple. If you’re taking public transport, the nearest stations are Abdullah Hukum LRT or Tun Sambanthan KTM, but both require a bus or Grab connection from there. On festival night, expect heavy traffic approaching the temple from around 6 PM onwards.

For Taman Tasik Jaya in Petaling Jaya, you can take the LRT to Taman Jaya station (Kelana Jaya line), then it’s about a 10-minute walk to the lake.

Best timing: Arrive around 6:30-7 PM if you want to secure a good spot. The main events and performances usually start around 7:30-8 PM, with the atmosphere building throughout the evening. If you go after 8 PM, expect serious crowds.

Staying Near the Event

There are tons of accommodation options around KL. If you want to be close to Thean Hou Temple, look for hotels in the Mid Valley or Brickfields area. Hotels like Citadines or the Budget properties give you reasonable access.

For a more central location with easy access to multiple attractions, stay around Bukit Bintang or KLCC area. You’ll have better dining options and can easily Grab to the temple. Budget travelers should check out the hostels in Chinatown (Petaling Street) area, which also typically has its own lantern decorations during this period.

Penang Chap Goh Meh Event

Penang’s Chap Goh Meh celebration is held at the Esplanade, a well-known waterfront promenade that stretches from the hawker stalls at one end to the clock tower at the other, located next to Fort Cornwallis. This is THE event in Penang, and it’s honestly one of the most authentic ways to experience the festival.

The vibe here is different from KL’s – it feels more traditional and community-oriented. Besides lion dances and traditional cultural performances, you’ll witness the famous tradition of hopeful young women throwing tangerines into the sea with wishes to marry good husbands.

There’s also the Dondang Sayang bus, where performers from the Penang Straits Chinese Dondang Sayang Club tour George Town with Peranakan songs and traditional Malay dances. The whole historic waterfront comes alive with hawker stalls, performances, and thousands of people celebrating together.

2026 Event Info

Date: March 3, 2026 (Tuesday) – though check closer to the date as Penang sometimes adjusts the official celebration to the nearest weekend for crowd management

Location: The Esplanade in George Town, near Fort Cornwallis

Main Activities:

• Orange tossing ceremony into the sea
• Lion and dragon dances
• Cultural performances including Dondang Sayang
• Hawker stalls with traditional food
• Lantern displays throughout George Town’s heritage area

Timing: Events typically run from 7 PM to 10:30 PM, with the orange tossing happening around 8-8:30 PM

Getting There

Penang is easy to reach by plane (Penang International Airport, about 30 minutes to George Town) or by bus from KL (about 4-5 hours).

Once you’re on the island, the Esplanade is right in the heart of George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage zone. If you’re staying anywhere in the heritage area, it’s totally walkable. From further out, you can take RapidPenang buses or grab a Grab.

Pro tip: George Town’s streets are narrow and will be absolutely packed on Chap Goh Meh night. I strongly recommend walking or taking a Grab to somewhere nearby, then walking the final stretch. Trying to drive and park near the Esplanade on festival night is honestly a nightmare.

Arrive by 6:30 PM if you want a decent viewing spot for the main events. The orange tossing draws huge crowds, so stake out your spot early.

Staying in Penang

George Town is loaded with accommodation options. For the authentic experience, stay in one of the heritage hotels like the China Tiger, Yeng Keng Hotel, or Eastern & Oriental Hotel – these converted historic buildings put you right in the middle of the action and are walking distance from the Esplanade.

Budget travelers have tons of hostel options along Love Lane and Chulia Street, which are also walking distance from the event. Plus, you’ll be in the heart of George Town’s legendary street food scene.

If you want something modern, there are plenty of hotels along Gurney Drive, though you’ll need transport to get to the heritage zone for the festival.

Johor Bahru Chap Goh Meh

JB’s Chap Goh Meh celebrations tend to be more low-key than the major events in KL or Penang, but they’re worth experiencing if you’re in the area. The celebrations here are more community-focused, centered around temples rather than big public spectacles.

2026 Event Info

Date: March 3, 2026 (Tuesday)

Main locations:

• Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple (Johor Old Temple): The heart of JB’s Chinese community hosts traditional celebrations with temple prayers, cultural performances, and lantern displays
• Local Chinese temples: Various temples throughout JB will have their own celebrations
• Danga Bay: Sometimes hosts family-friendly activities, though more commercial

Events typically take place in the evening from around 7 PM onwards, with temple celebrations lasting until late.

Getting There and Around

JB is easily accessible by bus from KL (about 5 hours) or from Singapore via the Causeway (about 1 hour from Singapore, though factor in immigration time which can add 30-60 minutes or more).

The old temple area is in the city center near Jalan Trus, walkable from many downtown hotels. For other locations, Grab is your best bet – it’s cheap and convenient in JB.

Other Cities’ Celebrations

Pretty much every city in Malaysia with a Chinese community will have some form of Chap Goh Meh celebration. Here’s what to expect elsewhere:

Ipoh

Ipoh’s old town, with its beautiful colonial architecture and Chinese shophouses, celebrates around the main temples. The Sam Poh Tong Temple area often hosts traditional events. The old town near the Padang typically has lantern displays and community celebrations.

Melaka

The UNESCO World Heritage city celebrates along Jonker Street and at Cheng Hoon Teng Temple. The historic setting makes for incredibly photogenic celebrations. Expect the area to be busy, especially on the actual festival evening.

Kuching, Sarawak

Kuching’s Chinese community celebrates along the waterfront area by the Sarawak River. The Chinese History Museum area and various Chinese temples in the city host events and lantern displays.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

KK has smaller but meaningful celebrations, particularly around the Gaya Street area and local Chinese temples.

Seremban

The Negeri Sembilan capital has temple celebrations, particularly at temples in the city center.

Most of these cities will have their main events on the actual festival day (March 3, 2026) in the evening. Check local temple Facebook pages or city tourism websites for specific details closer to the date.

How to Experience Chap Goh Meh

Here are my tips for making the most of Malaysia’s Chap Goh Meh celebrations:

Timing: Arrive at any venue around 6:30-7 PM. The celebrations really come alive after dark, but if you show up after 8 PM on a weekend (or when the festival falls on a Friday/weekend), you’ll be fighting through massive crowds. Since 2026’s festival falls on a Tuesday, crowds might be slightly more manageable than usual, but still expect it to be busy.

What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll be on your feet for hours), a portable phone charger (you’ll be taking endless photos), cash for food vendors (not all accept cards), and if you’re participating in the orange tossing tradition, bring a mandarin orange and a marker!

The Orange Tossing Tradition: In Malaysia, some unmarried women write their names and contact details on mandarin oranges, then throw them into lakes or rivers in the hope that they are retrieved by a potential suitor. While this tradition has become more of a fun cultural activity than serious matchmaking in modern times, it’s still widely practiced and fun to participate in or watch.

Food: Don’t eat dinner before you go! The traditional foods to eat during Chap Goh Meh are tangyuan (glutinous rice balls) and Nyonya Pengat (a Peranakan dessert). Part of the experience is trying street food from the hawker stalls that set up at these events. Look for vendors selling tangyuan, various Chinese snacks, and local Penang or Malaysian favorites.

Photography: The best shots are in the hour right after sunset when there’s still some blue in the sky but the lanterns are fully lit. These displays are incredibly photogenic, especially with Malaysia’s historic temples and architecture as a backdrop. The moment when hundreds of oranges hit the water in Penang makes for spectacular photos.

Cultural respect: While these festivals have become popular with tourists, they’re still religious and cultural celebrations for Malaysia’s Chinese community. Dress modestly when visiting temples (cover shoulders and knees), remove shoes when entering temple buildings, and be respectful during prayer ceremonies or cultural performances. Lantern riddles are a traditional activity where riddles are written on notes attached to lanterns, and people try to guess the answers – join in the fun!

Avoid these mistakes: Don’t plan to visit multiple cities on the actual festival day – pick one location and fully experience it. Many Chinese-owned shops and restaurants may close early or be closed entirely on Chap Goh Meh itself, so plan your day accordingly. Also, don’t rely on driving and parking – public transport or Grab will save you major headaches.

Understanding the significance: In ancient times, young Chinese women were only allowed to go out on Chap Goh Meh when they could visit temples accompanied by maids or chaperones, which is why it became known as Chinese Valentine’s Day. Understanding this history makes watching the traditions even more meaningful.

Chap Goh Meh in Malaysia offers a unique window into the country’s rich Chinese heritage and multicultural spirit. Whether you’re watching thousands of lanterns illuminate Thean Hou Temple, witnessing the orange tossing tradition at Penang’s Esplanade, or simply soaking up the festive atmosphere at a local temple, it’s a celebration that captures what makes Malaysia special.

The blend of ancient traditions, romantic customs, cultural performances, and mouth-watering food makes this one of the most enjoyable festivals to experience in Malaysia. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in tangyuan and extend your Chinese New Year celebrations just a bit longer!

Have you experienced Chap Goh Meh in Malaysia? Drop your experiences and tips in the comments below!