Every year on the 14th night (5th Feb 2012) of the Lunar New Year, hundreds of devotees from all over Penang will visit the the Tanjung Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple for its annual flame watching ritual or “ Chneah Hoay”.

The 14th night is also believed to be Tua Pek Kong’s birthday.During this ceremony, embers in a ceremonial urn are fanned until the flames leaped up. The coming year’s fortune will be foretold from the size and shape of the fire.

On the 15th day (6th Feb 2012), which is the actual day of Tua Pek Kong, families will offer prayers to the deity.

In the mid 18th century, 40 years before the establishment of George Town , Tua Pek Kong or his human form Chang Lee left China with his two brothers . They were heading to Sumatra but their boat was blown to Penang instead.

They lived and settled in Penang and they are believed to be buried near the temple. Therefore, the Tanjung Bungah Tua Pek Kong temple is believed to be original Tua Pek Kong temple.

Fire Watching at Tua Pek Kong, Tanjung Tokong

Venue: Tua Pek Kong Temple, Tanjung Tokong
Date: 5th & 6th of February 2012
Time: 9pm-12.00 midnight

Maulidur Rasul falls on the 5th of February this year. The celebration commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), one of the most influential figures in human history and his teachings.

Maulidur Rasul is one of several auspicious celebrations for Muslims and it is officially celebrated at State level in Penang every year.

In conjunction with this special celebration, the State Government will be organising various activities with the objective of celebrating the history of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.’s teachings and in effort to further unite the Muslim Community for mankind to once again embrace moments of glory in the civilisation of man.

The program will start with a Maulidur Rasul procession from Padang Esplanade to Dewan Sri Pinang at 7.00 a.m. At 9.30 a.m, the Governor of Penang, TYT Tun Dato Seri Utama (Dr) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas will arrive at Dewan Sri Pinang for Quranic Recital and short talk on the Prophet. The programme will be conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.

Date: 5th February 2012
Venue: Dewan Sri Pinang, Light Street
Time: 7.00 am -12.00pm

For more information please call : 04-263 7200

Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH) will be organizing a Chap Goh Meh Celebration along Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling (outside PCTH) on the 4th of February from 9pm – 12 midnight.

From 7.30pm to 9.30pm visitors will be entertained with other cultural performances inside PCTH’s auditorium which includes a Chinese orchestra and a choir with over 100 members.

At 9.30, there will be a dragon and phoenix dance along Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling. Hawker stalls would also be set up along Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling from 6pm onwards.

For more information please contact : 04-2611343

Date: 4th February 2012
Venue: Streets of Harmony, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
Time: 9pm – 12.00midnight

Thaipusam is a public holiday in Penang.
Thaipusam Festival is one of major Hindu festivals in Penang. It is a fascinating Hindu festival that includes a parade of purification and cleansing rituals.

Devotees carry Kavadi or a colourfully decorated frame to Waterfall Gardens temple, near Penang Botanic Gardens. Some devotees pierce cheeks or tongues with spikes and skewers in show of penance.

It is a spiritual parade of holy rituals for purification from atonement wrongs among the Hindu devotees.

As the chariot passes the streets, devotees smash coconuts as offerings and to give thanks to the deity.

Chariot procession will start on the 1st day from Penang Street and ends at Waterfall Road at the Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple, where the centre of the celebration takes place.

Extra Buses: 10 extra buses bearing “Thaipusam Festive Shuttle” sign will leave Weld Quay (Ferry) from 3pm to midnight and 6.30am to midnight and 6.30am to noon during the three days.

The final stop will be in front of the Tanjung Hospital in Jalan Burma, about 500m from the Thaipusam celebration site in Jalan Kebun Bunga.

Thaipusam

Organizer: Penang Hindu Endowments Board
Contact: 04-6505136
Venue: Murugan Temple, Waterfall
(Note: Date subject to change)

Top Taiwanese actors from the famous programme Yi Nan Wang (The Unforgettable Memory) will be coming to Penang and performing at the PISA Indoor Stadium on the 28th of January 2012. This a popular mega primetime drama was originally broadcasted in Taiwan from year 2004 to 2006.

For the last three years until today the show was broadcasted on Astro. The show has found many loyal fans from all over Malaysia especially in Penang.

For the first time ever, the group will be visiting Penang. We hope that Penangites will show their support in this international concert and make it a success in the hopes for more international concerts to be held in Penang.

To purchase tickets, Click Here

Taiwanese Film Star – Yi Nan Wang Concert 2012

Date: 28 January 2012
Time: 3:00pm & 7:30pm
Venue: PISA Indoor Stadium, Penang
Ticket: RM181, RM161, RM141, RM121, RM 101 & RM81

Starting from the 19th of January to 19th of February 2012, Kek Lok Si Temple will be lit up every night at 7.00pm until midnight to symbolize peace, luck and prosperity.

Approximately 230,000 light bulbs and 10,000 lanterns light up the temple every night in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
This year, the 121 year old Kek Lok Si temple included four colourful dragons in conjunction with the Chinese New Year of the Dragon.

Two of them, each measuring at a jumbo size of about 36.5m (120ft) in length, flank both sides of the temple’s famous pagoda. The other two smaller dragons at about 4.5m (15ft) each, will be put up near the 30.2m bronze Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue.

Event: Display of Lights at Kek Lok Si Temple
Date: 19th January to 19th February 2012
Location: Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam

For more details please call : 04-8283317

One of Penang’s most popular shopping mall, Queensbay Mall has an exciting line up of events and activities to usher in the Year of the Dragon 2012!

Some of the highlights include a Lion Dance performance on the 21st and 23rd of January 2012 at 4.00pm and a War Drum troupe on the 22nd and 24th of January at 4.30pm.

Don’t miss a special “Twin Mask Changing”performance will be held on the 23rd, 24th and 25th January at 3.30pm, Centre Atrium.
Finally, take this opportunity to witness a rare Lion Dance on Stilts performance on the 25th of January at 4.30pm

Event: Queensbay Mall’s Chinese New Year Celebration
Venue: Queensbay Mall Penang
Date: 6th January to 25th January 2012

For more information, please contact Queensbay Mall at : 04-619 8989

Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel together with Institute of Training & Development are organizing a Charity Musical Show – Music around the World in 80 minutes featuring Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra, to raise funds in aid of Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital.

This musical show is supported by Plenitude Berhad and Malaysian Institute of Training and Development and will be graced by His Excellency Tun Dato’ Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas, The Head of State of Penang and Her Excellency Toh Puan Dato’ Seri Utama Hajah Majimor binti Shariff.

As a not-for-profit organization, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital has always depended on the generosity of its friends and benefactors for donations to help in the running of the hospital. Funds are used to provide medical subsidy to deserving and needy patients, subsidize or aid in the development and maintenance of hospital and to aid in purchase of a new radiotherapy treatment machine.

During this musical show, Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra, Perak’s own 55-piece Wind Orchestra will take you on a global musical journey in 80 minutes. The programme will feature music from Italy, Spain, Hungary, USA, China, Malaysia and much more.

Date: 15 January 2012, Sunday
Time: 2.00 pm
Venue: Rafflesia Ballroom, 6th Floor Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel

Tickets are priced as follows:

Reserved seat : RM200, RM300
Free seating :RM50, RM30 (student)

Tickets are available at:

Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel
Tel :04-890 8808 (Ms Tan Phaik Sim)

Usher in an auspicious Year of the Dragon with Gurney Plaza with a series of festive treats and events for all shoppers that will take you on a journey of happiness, prosperity and excitement!

Some of the performances includes a Traditional Dragon Dance Performance at the Kelawei Entrance on the 15th January 2012 at 3pm. Five capable teams will be showing off their colourful dragons and vibrant movements that will definitely keep you amazed.

The highlight of the month will be the Sichuan Tai Chi Tea Art, Cultural Dance Performances, Chinese Orchestra and War Drum Performances. That will be held at the Central Atrium from 16-21 January 2012. Show times are at 1pm, 3pm & 8pm on weekends and 3pm & 7pm on weekdays except 18 January 2012.

Date: 15th January to 21st January 2012
Venue: Gurney Plaza

For more information please call Gurney Plaza at 04- 222 8222

Sin Chew Daily and Guang Ming Daily will be organizing two separate celebrations to usher in the Year of the Dragon. The first one is on the 14th of January at No. 67, Macalister Road and the 15th of January at Tow Boo Kong Temple, Raja Uda.

There will be various entertainment and interesting activities illustrating Chinese traditional culture suit for the whole family.

The highlight of the two-day festivities is a 168-foot long bench Dragon, Master Guo the master of chinese paper cutting from China and the paper cut “Tree of Lives” worth RM80 thousand; not forgetting famous singer group Thomas Jack (TJ), singer-songwriter Yi Jet Qi and other artists.

In addition to that, all 25 art groups from the Kaka Art Market (KL) will land their feet in Penang and bring to Penangites various arts and
handicrafts with Chinese New Year elements.

Date: 14th and 15th of January
Time: 6.00pm – 11.00pm
Venue: No. 67, Penang Road (14th January) and Tao Boo Keong Temple, Raja Uda (15th January)

For more information please call : 04-2226637