Festivals & Events

Every year, visitors from all over Malaysia and beyond converge upon Kuala Lumpur for the biggest celebration of the country’s rich, diverse culture. There is a huge, colorful parade of dancers and musicians from many different ethnic groups, traditional street food, free concerts, and there are flash mobs all over the city.

Since 1995, March 5th is devoted to the promotion of physical culture and sports, an initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev. A series of sporting events are held across the country on this day. 

Held annually in March, the Doha Cultural Festival is the biggest event of its kind in the Middle East, attracting hundreds of visitors each year. The festival programs celebrate the heritage and culture of Qatar, from musical performances and dancing to intimate poetry readings and theatre. Local artisans are invited to showcase their art work, handicrafts, and fashions. There are also dedicated children’s events and activities. 

Easter festivals remain the most important religious celebrations in Armenia, with various observances from March 22 to April 26. Easter time, or Surb Zatik, in Armenia, celebrates the resurrection of the Christian Jesus Christ. One familiar tradition includes painting eggs red with natural ingredients, like onion layers. One required dish for an Armenian Easter is trout with red wine. For the youth, there is a tradition to gather near Yerevan churches for and dance traditional folk dances and singing.

Japan’s cherry blossom festival takes place throughout the country in the springtime, in conjunction with the blooming of the delicate and fragrant cherry blossoms, which lasts for about two weeks. Crowds from all over the country gather amongst the flowering trees, with parties going late into the night.

Also known as ‘Eating Cold Food Day,’ Hansik falls in March or April, marking when warm weather thaws the frozen lands. Modern customs include tidying up family tombs and planting trees, as the holiday also coincides with Arbor Day. In addition to ancestral shrine visits and car, tradition dictated eating cold food such as pickled vegetables and forbade using fire.

Unlike much of the rest of the world, Bali rings in the new year in silence. Nyepi begins three days before the New Year with a cleansing ritual, followed by a fascinating exorcism ceremony. The day after Nyepi is spent socializing and focusing on forgiveness. 

Those interested in Hong Kong's street art scene will be interested to know about HKwalls, the city's annual street art festival, which takes place every March. Expect high-quality murals from both local and international street artists all around Hong Kong, exhibitions and other events. With the use of technology, digital elements make the art pieces even more interactive.

Holi is a two-day festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, as well as the abundance of the spring harvest season. It's commonly referred to as the "Festival of Colors." People exuberantly throw colored powder and water all over each other, have parties, and dance under water sprinklers. Bhang (a paste made from cannabis plants) is traditionally consumed during the celebrations. Holi is a very carefree festival and great fun to participate in if you don’t mind getting wet and dirty.

Those with a passion for poppies or devotion to daffodils need look no further to satisfy their gardening needs than this 10-day event. An oasis in this often overwhelming city, the HK Flower Show in Victoria Park presents a wide range of potted plants, landscape designs and floral arrangements.