Kick-off the new year with some water sports at Langkawi and Tioman, a jazzy music festival, Bryan Adams live in KL, and round it off with a prosperous Chinese New Year celebration.

1. 15th Royal Langkawi International Regatta

Competing for two overall awards – the Prime Minister’s Challenge Trophy and the TLYC Commodore’s Challenge Cup –a wide range of boats have participated in the regatta over the years, from racing class to club cruisers. This year, cheer on 50 sailboats from around the globe manned by the best sailing teams in Asia as they compete for top spot in one of Malaysia’s biggest boat race.

Date: 9th – 14th January, 2017
Venue: Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, Langkawi
Website: langkawiregatta.com/rlir2017

2. Tioman Surf Festival 2017

This year, the Tioman Surf Festival kicks off early and will feature 6 Surf competition categories, beach games, music and food. Organised by the local community and conservation NGO, the Tioman Surf Festival will attract surfers from around the region, all eager to tackle the waves.

Date: 12th to 14th January, 2017
Venue: Mentawak Kampung Juara Tioman Island
Website: malaysia.travel/tioman-surfestival

3. 4th Jazz Piano Festival

Ever since it’s inception, the Jazz Piano Festival places a strong emphasis on sharing professional, musical-know-how to younger musicians through clinics and performances. This year, the festival aims to reach more than just piano students with the inclusion of saxophonist Julian Chan and guitarist Az Samad.

Date: 13th – 15th January, 2017
Venue: KL Performing Arts Centre
Tickets: RM75 per show (adults) | RM30 per show (students) | RM165 for three shows | Free admission for competition and clinics (limited seats available, first come first serve basis)
Website: malaysianjazzpianofestival.com | ticketpro.com.my

4. Bryan Adams- The Get Up Tour

After over 35 years of music and more than 65 million albums sold worldwide, Bryan Adams is back on tour with his 13th studio album, Get Up, which was released in October 2015. With its like Summer of 69, Heaven, and Run to You in his repertoire, there’s no missing this live performance.

Date: 21st January 2017, 8.30pm
Venue: Melawati Indoor Stadium, Shah Alam
Tickets: RM98, Rm128, RM188, RM288, RM388, RM488, RM688
Website: ticketpro.com.my

5. Melaka International Kite Festival

Showcasing kites by the professional kite makes around the world, watch the sky fill up with kites of various shapes, sizes, and colours. This will be a fun event for families as you can bring your own kites to join in action.

Date: 23rd to 28th January, 2017
Venue: Dataran 1 Malaysia, Klebang, Melaka
Website: malaysia.travel/melaka-international-kites-festival

Celebrations

Ponggal

A Hindu festival observed by people of Tamil Nadu (and many Tamils here in Malaysia), Pongal is a thanksgiving festival dedicated to the sun God Surya when people ask for a bountiful harvest. Celebrated on the first day of the 10th month of the Tamil Solar calendar. The day is celebrated by boiling rice with milk and palm sugar in a clay pot. As the milk boils, it is allowed to spill over as a sign of abundance and prosperity. The rice, known as Pongal, is then topped with ghee, cashew nuts, and raisins. Traditionally, Pongal is cooked at first light in an open space.

Date: 14th January 2017

Chinese New Year

A time for family reunions and open houses, Chinese New Year is a major event here in Malaysia. Family elders look forward to having the entire family together while children are excited to receive ang pows from their elders. There will be lion and dragon dance performances at shopping malls, public open houses organised by local councils and plenty of Mandarin oranges to go around.

Date: 28th January 2017

Have a great start to the new year!