The Penang Chief Minister’s Chinese New Year (CNY) open house is set to be a grand and harmonious event, attracting over 10,000 visitors. This year’s open house will be held at the Setia SPICE Arena in Bayan Baru, from 2 pm to 4 pm, and is expected to be a vibrant celebration of the Lunar New Year.
The event, hosted by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, will feature a sumptuous spread of local delicacies and captivating cultural performances. The Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi and his wife, Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor, along with various elected representatives in the state, are scheduled to attend the event. This gathering aims to bring happiness, good health, and success to everyone, while fostering a brighter and more prosperous Penang.
During the open house, guests will be treated to traditional activities such as the tossing of ‘Yee Sang’, lion and dragon dances, and performances by local artistes. The event serves not only as a celebration of Chinese New Year but also as a platform to bring leaders closer to the community, exemplifying the spirit of Malaysia Madani introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The open house is part of a broader series of Chinese New Year celebrations in Penang. One of the most anticipated events is the Penang Miaohui, or Temple Festival, which will mark its 26th anniversary. This grand cultural celebration, themed ‘Penang Lang, Let’s Celebrate’, will take place in the heart of George Town on February 1, starting at 4 pm. The festival will extend across 12 streets within the George Town World Heritage Site, featuring the participation of 23 traditional organisations and 90 cultural associations. Over 120 local food vendors and more than 50 interactive cultural booths will offer a diverse range of activities and exhibits for visitors to enjoy.
The Penang Miaohui will see over 200,000 visitors experiencing cultural rituals, food, and performances at the premises of various clan houses. These organisations, some of which were established before 1918, will host open houses showcasing time-honoured traditions and cultural elements such as culinary arts, handicrafts, ancestral stories, and performing arts. The event is a way for the community to revisit the past, learn from history, and strengthen their cultural identity.
In addition to these events, Penang will host several other festivities. The Penang Snake Temple will host the iconic Flame Watching Festival on February 2, featuring a snake dance performance and a traditional fire-watching ceremony. The Jade Emperor’s Birthday celebration will take place on February 5 along Weld Quay, with elaborate offerings and cultural significance to the Hokkien community. Other events include the Chap Goh Meh celebrations on February 12 and 14, which will feature cultural performances, food stalls, and traditional activities like the mandarin orange tossing ceremony.
The festive atmosphere in Penang is further enhanced by the spectacular lighting of Kek Lok Si Temple, Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple, which has been transformed into a fairyland of colourful LED lights. This lighting ceremony kicked off the festive season, attracting thousands of visitors who marveled at the illuminated temple.
State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai highlighted that Penang is renowned for its vibrant traditions, rich culture, and infectious festive spirit. “Penang has long been the heart of Chinese New Year celebrations in Malaysia. Our island and mainland come alive with colourful traditions, captivating festivities and a sense of togetherness that fill the air throughout the Lunar New Year celebrations,” he said.
Sources:
- https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/13/penang-govt-to-host-cny-open-house-on-jan-30-at-spice-arena/163027
- https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/01/02/get-ready-for-penang-miaohui-this-grand-cultural-celebration-returns-for-its-26th-year-with-over-200000-visitors-expected/161827
- https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/02/11/thousands-of-guests-throng-penang-cms-cny-open-house/117521
- https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2025/01/29/lunar-gaiety-in-full-swing