Kuching is sharing almost a similar festivals as other part of Malaysia, though there are still some local festivals that only Sarawakian get to celebrates. All festivals and events in Kuching are as follow:

1. New Year’s Day (1 January)

Public Holiday through out the entire Malaysia, and the world; and Kuching has no different too.

2. Chinese New Year (January/February)

Chinese New Year is fall on 1st day of every lunar calendar year, that may fall on any days during January or February.

Google it for exact date of the particular year you want to know, eg. “Chinese New Year 2010″. Travel to Kuching two weeks before the Chinese New Year is the best time to see the locals getting ready for the Chinese New Year festival. People in Kuching is always busy shopping for Chinese New Year goods and goodies during this time. On the Eve of Chinese New Year, locals will do their final shopping before noon, and after 2pm generally the Kuching is like a dead town. Shops shut, businesses ended, people are at home getting ready for their reunion meal. If you are still in Kuching on this day, the only place you can have your dinner is probably the fast food restaurant such as KFC or McDonald.

During the midnight as soon as the clock strikes 12am, the whole city is much like entering into a war, you’ll be astounded by the fireworks on the sky, as well as firecrackers are everywhere. The whole of the occasion can last for at least half an hour to an hour before you can get a good sleep. It’s illegal though playing with fireworks or firecrackers; however it isn’t been fully enforced in Sarawak. You will not get this if you are in the capital of Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur. Most businesses remain closed in Kuching from the first to the forth day of the festival, you’ve still got to dine at the fast food restaurant during those days. However, cafe, pubs and bars are usually opened as soon as the day turns dark.

3. Good Friday (March/April)

Nothing much special in Kuching during this day, it’s just a public holiday.

5. Labour Day (1 May)

Simply a public holiday. Business as usual for shopping malls and restaurants.

6. Wesak Day (May)

It can fall on any day during May depend on which calendar year. If you are at Kuching during this period, go to see the Buddhist temples, in which the crowds are gathered on this special day.

7. Gawai Day (1 June)

This is the extremely important festival to the Dayak (indigenious people) in Sarawak, which celebrating the finish of rice harvesting and welcomes the new planting season. All people in the longhouses in Sarawak will begin to celebrate the festival from the Eve of the Gawai day. On the Gawai day itself, that is 1 June, traditional rituals are held, dancing, plenty of local foods especially Bamboo rice and bamboo chicken. Should you be traveling in Kuching during this special occasion, you are able to participate in the Annah Rais Homestay program and experience the fun of the Gawai festival together with the locals people. No walk-in travellers will be entertained during this day at almost all of the longhouses, except for pre-arranged tour from the tour company, or the invited guest from the local people.

For Annah Rais Longhouse, simply participate in the homestay program and you may get the opportunity to witness the way the local people celebrate the festival at Annah Rais village.

8. Dragon Boat Festival (June)

As the name suggest, you may witness the dragon boats competition during this day through out most part of Malaysia. In Kuching, you may witness the dragon boat competition along the Sarawak River, at the Kuching Waterfront. Local Chinese will be making their own rice dumpling during this special occasion for their family. Most Chinese coffee houses in Kuching do selling them also, so you should try it!

9. Rainforest World Music Festival (July)

These are the popular global event that will be held in Kuching every year. Rainforest World Music Festival brings together the planet famous musicians around the globe and indigenous musicians from all parts of mythical land of Borneo to come to the same stage to perform for you.

Such event will last for 3 days and will be held at Sarawak Cultural Village, next to Damai Puri Resort (formerly known as Damai Lagoon Resort), about 30 km from Kuching. To learn more about Rainforest World Music Festival, kindly visit their official website at www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com.

Very often during this period of time, Kuching hotels occupancy rate are all time high and may be fully booked at times, therefore you should book early if you are planning to attend to such global event.

Resort that within the walking distance to the Sarawak Cultural Village are Damai Puri Resort and Permai Rainforest Resort. Damai Holiday Inn Resort is also within a walking distance, nevertheless it takes you a longer walk, approximately 10 to 15 mins!

10. Mid Autumn Festival (August)

Also called Mooncake or Lantern Festival. Nothing much special accept eating mooncake (lots of mooncakes, everywhere is selling it) and watching kids carrying lantern at each corner of the streets once the day turns dark. Novice photographer will really appreciate such occasion.

11. Malaysia’s National Day (31 August)

It’s a nation public holiday, and in Kuching, it’s celebrated every year, check out at Central Padang at Kuching.

12. Hungry Ghosts Month (August/September)

It’s believed by the Chinese that within the 7th month of lunar calendar, ghosts are returned to the earth for feasting. In Kuching, check out this “hungry ghost event” that is held near to the old central post office. It’s usually filled with crowd.

13. Christmas Day (25 Dec)

It’s also another significant event for the Christian in Kuching. However, special events’ arrangement mostly limited to each individual church only. Clubbers also gathered at certain pubs for counting down during eve of Christmas. Nothing much special in Kuching, better spend your time in Singapore’s Orchard Road I suppose, should you happen to travel in this region!

That’s about all the festivals and events in Kuching. So plan your holiday wisely. Wish you have a wonderful holiday soon.

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