MOTAC unveils Visit Malaysia 2026 countdown celebrations

The Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is set to transform the heart of the capital into a focal point of national pride and international anticipation as Malaysians usher in the New Year. Jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and The Fame Events, the New Year’s Eve celebration serves as the official public launchpad for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, signalling the country’s readiness to welcome the world with confidence, creativity and unity.

Positioned as the first major milestone leading into the tourism year, the festival reflects Malaysia’s ambition to strengthen its global tourism appeal while grounding the campaign in culture, diversity and shared experiences. With Pavilion Kuala Lumpur as its central stage, the countdown event is expected to draw large crowds from across the Klang Valley, as well as international visitors already in the city for the year-end holiday season.

A high-impact countdown for a tourism milestone

The main New Year’s Eve countdown on 31 December 2025 begins at 7.00pm and builds towards a multi-sensory spectacle designed to mark both the arrival of 2026 and the start of a nationwide tourism push. The programme culminates in a synchronised display of pyromusical fireworks, laser projections and a landmark 3D anamorphic presentation featuring the Visit Malaysia 2026 mascots, Wira and Manja, the Malayan Sun Bears that symbolise warmth, friendliness and Malaysia’s natural heritage.

The entertainment line-up reflects the organisers’ intention to blend mainstream appeal with cultural representation. Some of the country’s most prominent and emerging performers, including Shila Amzah, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Vanessa Reynauld, Kidd Santhe, The Kuans, KLP48, Rezza Shah, Nazu, Danson Ooi, Euzen and Penny, will take to the main stage. Together, they offer a showcase of Malaysia’s musical diversity, spanning contemporary pop, alternative sounds and cross-cultural influences that resonate with a broad audience.

City-wide celebrations beyond the main stage

Well before the final countdown, the Visit Malaysia 2026 celebrations extend across Bukit Bintang and beyond, turning the city centre into a living showcase of Malaysian culture, creativity and entrepreneurship. These parallel activities are designed not only to heighten the festive mood, but also to highlight the economic and community opportunities linked to the tourism campaign.

The VM2026 Bazaar at Pavilion Bukit Jalil runs until 31 December 2025, featuring more than 30 local entrepreneurs offering food and beverages, homegrown brands, artisanal crafts and unique gifts. Interactive elements, including virtual reality experiences, add a contemporary dimension to the showcase. In the city centre, the VM2026 Arts & Culture Showcase at Fahrenheit 88 invites visitors to engage directly with traditional crafts such as batik art, porcelain making and wau decoration, complemented by traditional attire rentals, curated merchandise and surprise appearances by the campaign mascots.

Food, a cornerstone of Malaysia’s tourism identity, takes centre stage at the VM2026 Bukit Bintang Food Bazaar in front of Lot 10. With over 18 vendors, the bazaar presents a curated mix of traditional dishes, local favourites and modern interpretations, underscoring the vibrancy of Malaysia’s culinary landscape. Adding to the atmosphere are daily live DJ sets at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s Crystal Fountain and scheduled flash mobs and busker performances, ensuring a continuous festive pulse leading up to New Year’s Eve.

Travel advisory and city management measures

To support crowd safety and smooth event operations, traffic management measures will be implemented in stages around Jalan Bukit Bintang from 29 December 2025. Partial lane usage between the JW Marriott Hotel junction and the Sephora junction will facilitate event preparations during off-peak hours. On New Year’s Eve itself, a full road closure between the Jalan Raja Chulan junction and the Jalan Sultan Ismail intersection will be enforced from 5.00pm until 2.00am on 1 January 2026.

Alternative routes will be provided, and access to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur car parks will remain open. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to use public transport, with MRT and LRT services operating extended hours into the early morning to accommodate post-countdown travel.

Supported by Tourism Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur City Hall, alongside key cultural agencies, the Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival positions the capital as both a celebratory hub and a statement of intent. As the clock strikes midnight, the event signals not just a new year, but a renewed national invitation to the world.