What to Do in Malaysia During Christmas Time (2023)

As Malaysians, one of our favorite things to do any time of year is makan (eat)! Naturally, Christmas is the perfect excuse to indulge in festive feasts and holiday treats. Think roast turkey, baked ham glazed with pineapple, rich buche de noel cakes, fruitcakes packed with nuts and spices, and many other yuletide goodies.

Head to hotels like Hilton, Marriott, and Shangri-La which put on lavish Christmas buffets complete with carving stations, chilled seafood spreads, traditional natal fare, festive desserts, and even free-flow drinks at their restaurants. Or check out your local mall's food court for budget-friendly eats to get you in the holiday spirit. Keep an eye out for seasonal drinks too like Starbucks' peppermint mochas, Christmas lattes at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, or limited-edition holiday blends at TWG Tea. Fa-la-la-la-la, let's eat!

Come New Year’s Eve, the country erupts in celebrations welcoming another year. Head to public spots like KLCC Park, Dataran Merdeka, Jonker Walk, or Esplanade in Penang which stage countdown concerts as the clock strikes midnight. Hotels and bars also host glitzy private parties with champagne, music, and fireworks to ring in 2023 in style. Or keep things chill with a potluck at home complete with holiday dishes, surrounded by your loved ones. However you welcome the new year, may it be filled with joy and wonder ahead!

Across Malaysia, malls, streets, hotels, and attractions dazzle with Christmas decor during the holiday season. We’re talking fairy lights, sparkling trees reaching 40-feet tall in some malls, nativity scenes, and daily Christmas caroling too. Make a day out of soaking in all the festive ambience at places like:

- Pavilion KL & Berjaya Times Square decked out in winter wonderland decor

- Penang’s UNESCO Heritage Site glowing with 50,000 lantern lights all December

- I-City’s award-winning light displays like the Deer Paradise

- Genting Highlands with Resorts World dressed up with glittering lights & snow (!) for a wintery backdrop

Don’t forget to take lotsa selfies and wefies surrounded by all the Christmas magic! Deck the halls with glam, Malaysia style!

It simply doesn’t feel like Christmas without holiday shopping, right? While songs blast through mall speakers remind you to ‘Deck the Halls’ and ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’, it sets the mood for yuletide retail therapy! Across Malaysia, retailers roll out holiday discounts, voucher deals, storewide sales and exclusive gift sets you can’t resist. (We feel you, shopaholics!)

Look out for Christmas bazaars too like KLCC’s Krismas Treats selling homemade cookies, crafts and decorations at the outdoor park. There’s also the Malaysia Year-End Sale (or MYCES) happening countrywide offering bargain buys from fashion, accessories, electronics, homeware and more from late November to early January annually. Visit signature shopping havens like Suria KLCC, Pavilion KL, Mid Valley Mega Mall, Berjaya Times Square, or Sunway Pyramid to shop alongside Christmas tunes all season long! Joy to the world and happy shopping!

To add extra festive fun into our Christmas holidays, our family loves hitting up Malaysia’s top theme parks! Places like Legoland and Sunway Lagoon dazzle with special shows, meet-and-greets with Santa, kids caroling performances and more!

Meanwhile at Genting Highlands, expect rides at the outdoor and indoor theme park decked out with sparkling lights plus daily shows and tree-lighting ceremonies on the lobby stage. Not forgetting special year-end menus, room deals and New Year countdown parties across their hotels and resorts too. Christmas cheer meets theme park thrills – now that’s a holly jolly way to celebrate the holidays!

And there you have it folks! However you choose to celebrate Christmas in Malaysia – feasting, events, theme parks, retail therapy or simply strolling the dazzling lights displays – make this holiday season extra magical with loved ones! We wish everyone Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays ahead!