Chinese New Year(春节 (Chūnjié)) in 🇲🇾 Malaysia

Chinese New Year in Malaysia is a vibrant two-day public holiday that showcases the country's Chinese community (about 23 percent of the population) and has become a shared national celebration. The open house tradition, where families welcome visitors of all races and religions, makes Malaysian Chinese New Year uniquely inclusive.

The reunion dinner on New Year's Eve is the anchor of celebrations. Families gather for steamboat (hotpot), roast duck, steamed fish, and yee sang (prosperity salad), which is tossed high into the air in the lo hei ritual shared with Singapore. Bak kwa (barbecued pork jerky) from famous shops in Penang and Kuala Lumpur sees queues stretching around the block.

Lion and dragon dances are performed at homes, businesses, and shopping malls throughout the 15-day celebration period. Troupe members perform acrobatic feats on tall poles while drums and cymbals create an electrifying atmosphere. Businesses hang ang pow (red envelopes) from poles for the lions to collect, symbolizing the feeding of prosperity.

Kuala Lumpur's Petaling Street (Chinatown) and Penang's George Town are especially festive, with temple fairs, cultural performances, and night markets. The Thaipusam festival, which sometimes falls near Chinese New Year, adds to the multicultural festive atmosphere. Mandarin oranges are exchanged in pairs, and ang pow are distributed by married couples to children and unmarried adults.

The most important traditional Chinese festival marking the beginning of the lunar new year, celebrated with family reunions, red envelopes, fireworks, dragon dances, and elaborate feasts.