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

Thaipusam is celebrated during the full moon of the 10th month in the Hindu calendar. It is normally held in the last week of January or the beginning of February, depending on the alignment of the sun, moon and planets.

A pilgrimage procession takes place to bring the statue of Lord Muruga, who represents virtue, youth and power, on a silver chariot led by more then 60 Kavadis adorned with peacock feathers from Little India to the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple atop the hill of Waterfall Road.

On the day before (6th of February) old coconuts are smashed along the roads where the Chariot procession will take place.
During Thaipusam day in Penang (7th of February) ,devotees go through a physical endurance of being skewered and pierced on the back and front of their bodies by hooks with miniature urns as an act of penance.

Majority of the devotees who go through this act are Indians but Chinese, Sikh and other visitors can also be seen taking part in this act of faith which leaves many devotees and observers alike, spiritually transformed.

In celebration, more than 100 beautifully-decorated make-shift stalls, are erected along Waterfall Road road where charitable Chinese and Indian families give out bottled water, fruits, sweet, buns and prepared sweetened and sour rice to devotees.

Thunderous loud music, singing, dancing and the beating of drums of devotional songs by their supporters can be seen and heard far and wide throughout the entire vicinity of the festival.

Upon reaching the temple, devotees will fulfill their vows, offer thanksgiving prayers and penance to Lord Muruga. The chariot is then scheduled for a return trip (8th of February) to start from the temple on the same evening and reach Kovil Veedu before dawn the following day.

This festival of rich culture and deep tradition is an ‘out of this world’ experience which draws a massive crowd of tens of thousands to these streets in Penang yearly. Visitors especially from outside Malaysia are encouraged to experience this unique religious celebration.

Schedule:

6 Feb 2012-6am to 11pm CHETTIAR PUSAM – THAIPUSAM EVE:
Chariot bearing LORD MURUGA leaving KOVIL VEDDU (Little India) to Waterfall TANNERMALAI Temple (7km)

7 Feb 2012 Thaipusam Day:
Devotees start taking PALKUDAM (milk pot), KAVADI

8-9 Feb 2012 – 6PM to 7am:
Chariot move back to home from TANNERMALAI to KOVIL VEDDU (Little India) (7km) reach home the next day.

Thaipusam 2012
Date: 6th to 8th of February 2012
Venue: Little India, Penang General Hospital, Waterfall Road.

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

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

This coming 6th of February, join us for a unique, multicultural Chap Goh Meh celebration at Padang Esplanade from 6pm to 11.pm.

Various performances will await visitors including Chingay and Lion Dance, Multi – Cultural Dance, Special Guest Star Lau Han Jie and a rare Lion Dance On Stilts performance. Penang’s special hawker food will be sold starting from 6.00pm onwards. The highlight of the evening is of course, the tradition of throwing of oranges into the sea.

The throwing of oranges into the sea is an important part of Penang ’s Chap Goh Meh cultural heritage. Traditionally, unmarried women would toss tangerines into the sea. While doing so, hopeful unmarried men would try their luck at catching these tangerines in order to meet their future spouse.

Our Guest of Honour Chief Minister of Penang , Yang Amat Berhormat Tuan Lim Guan Eng, will have the honour of throwing the first orange into the sea.
Everyone regardless of background is invited to join the festivities.

Please call 016-411 000 for more information.

Penang Chap Goh Meh Celebration

Date: 6th of February 2012
Venue: Padang Esplanade
Time: 6.00pm to 11.00pm

The Penang State Government and Penang Chinese Clan Council Penang is organizing a grand event to usher the Year of the Dragon.

The highlight of the programs include the following:

1) 6 “ Chinese Traditional Livelihood Zone” , “Clan Area”, “Chinese Native Area” featuring Chinese virtue, traditional Chinese cuisine, Dragon calligraphy , photo exhibition, 12 Lunar seasonal festivals exhibition, other traditional Chinese cultural exhibition, performances and demonstrations.

2) Down Memory Lane with traditional games, handicraft trails, traditional Chinese cultural dance, opera shows, lion dance, Wushu performance at Khoo Kongsi, Cheah Kongsi, Lim Kongsi, Yap Kongsi and Penang Youth Centre.

3) Local Penang delights and hotel food stalls decoration.
The organizers would like to invite everyone to participate in this exciting event.

Event: Chinese New Year & Cultural Heritage Celebration
Date: 29th January 2012
Time: 3.00pm- 12.00am
Venue: Armenian St, Ah Quee St, Acheh St, Canon St, Chulia St, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Soo Hong Lane and Kampong Kolam

For further information about the event, kindly contact the organisers Mr Cheah Chuan Wooi : 012-4741312 or Mr Cheng Wei Pint : 012-5273888

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

It is the time of year again Chinese households all over the world prepare for the most important event for the Chinese community- Chinese New Year (CNY). On New Year’s eve, families and relatives gathers around to celebrate together and have a reunion dinner. Throughout this Chinese New Year season, Penang comes alive with countless events and for you to enjoy and participate!
This year, for the 1st time ever, a CNY countdown celebration will be organised by Penang State Government, in conjunction with My Astro CNY Countdown Gala 2012 (LIVE).
Penang’s CNY Eve Celebration will be broadcasted on air (Astro AEC channel), simultaneously with a few other locations in Malaysia.

Highlights of the night are LED dragon, lion dance and chingay performance. There are also exciting lucky draws to be won!
The prizes includes a 4 Day 3 Nights cruise package from Penang to Phuket and Krabi sponsored by Star Cruises, hotel stays and buffet vouchers. Don’t leave too early as there will a beautiful display of fireworks at 12 midnight sharp.
The night will starts as early as 8.30pm~ Be sure to get there early as we are going to be on TV sharp on 9pm! See you!

Time: 8.30pm – 12.05am
Date: 22nd Jan 2012
Venue: City Hall, Esplanade Penang

Attire: CNY look (anything comfortable will do)
To learn: My Astro Happy Dragon dance

FREE admission

For more information please call : 016-4434307

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