Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival Set to Ignite Kuala Lumpur on New Year’s Eve

When: DECEMBER 31, 2025 @ 7.00PM – JANUARY 1, 2026 @ 12.30AM Cost: FREE

A large-scale public celebration at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur will mark Malaysia’s transition into Visit Malaysia 2026, combining music, culture, technology, and spectacle in a nationwide tourism statement.

The Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival will usher in the New Year with one of Kuala Lumpur’s most ambitious public celebrations to date, positioning the capital as the launchpad for Malaysia’s upcoming tourism year. Taking place on the night of December 31, 2025, at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the event is designed to serve both as a festive countdown and a symbolic opening chapter for Visit Malaysia 2026.

Jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and The Fame Events, with the support of Tourism Malaysia, the festival is framed as a national moment of cultural pride, creative expression, and public engagement. Organizers describe it as the first major public-facing activation leading into Visit Malaysia 2026, aimed at capturing the attention of both local audiences and international visitors.

A MULTI-SENSORY COUNTDOWN EXPERIENCE

The New Year’s Eve countdown will feature a synchronized pyromusical fireworks display paired with laser projections and large-scale lighting effects across Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s main entrance. A key highlight of the night will be a 3D anamorphic visual moment featuring the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign mascots, Wira and Manja, the Malayan sun bears who have become central figures in the tourism campaign’s visual identity.

This combination of fireworks, lasers, music, and digital storytelling is intended to create a highly shareable, media-friendly moment, reinforcing Malaysia’s readiness to host major cultural and tourism events in the year ahead.

A STRONG LINE-UP OF MALAYSIAN TALENT

Beyond the visual spectacle, the festival places significant emphasis on live performances that reflect Malaysia’s musical diversity. The artist line-up includes Shila Amzah, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Vanessa Reynauld, Kidd Santhe, The Kuans, Nazu, Danson Ooi, Euzen, and Penny. Together, the performers represent a blend of mainstream, contemporary, and genre-crossing talent, offering a programme designed to appeal to a broad demographic.

Organizers have positioned the performances as a showcase of Malaysian creativity, reinforcing Visit Malaysia 2026’s wider narrative of culture, talent, and shared identity.

EXTENDING THE CELEBRATION ACROSS THE CITY

In the days leading up to New Year’s Eve, two additional events will expand the Visit Malaysia 2026 celebrations beyond Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. The Visit Malaysia 2026 Bazaar will run from December 26 to 31, 2025, at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, offering visitors a curated mix of local food vendors, artisans, and retail experiences.

Meanwhile, the Visit Malaysia 2026 Arts & Culture Showcase will take place at Fahrenheit 88 from December 27 to 31, 2025. This showcase will highlight performances, crafts, and cultural presentations, providing a more immersive cultural experience for both Malaysians and tourists.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND PUBLIC ACCESS

The Countdown Festival is supported by Tourism Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur City Hall, alongside strategic partners including Istana Budaya, the National Department for Culture and Arts, the Department of National Heritage, and the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation. Admission to all events is free, with visitors encouraged to arrive early due to expected crowds.

As Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026, the Countdown Festival is positioned not only as a New Year’s Eve celebration, but as a statement of intent – one that places culture, creativity, and public participation at the centre of the country’s tourism ambitions.