Malaysia ushered in the New Year on a high note as the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Countdown Festival culminated in a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration at Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, in front of Pavilion KL Mall.
The countdown moment was attended by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim who joined thousands of Malaysians and visitors to welcome the New Year.
The celebration was also attended by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
“This celebration was a symbolic event to ignite the momentum for VM2026 while welcoming the world to our shores.
“Malaysia is now fully ready to showcase its unique culture, creativity and the warm hospitality of its people. It marks a strong head start towards our aspiration of 43 million international visitor arrivals, further solidifying our position on the global tourism map,” Tiong said.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) in collaboration with Pavilion KL, the event featured captivating pyromusical fireworks, drone formations, laser shows and stunning 3D anamorphic projections, highlighting the campaign’s Malayan sun bear mascots, Wira and Manja.
The main stage was graced by a star-studded lineup of renowned local artistes, including Shila Amzah, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Vanessa Reynauld, Kidd Santhe, The Kuans, KLP48, Nazu, Rezza Shah, Danson Ooi, Euzen and Penny.
Their performances were complemented by cultural showcases that blended traditional rhythms with modern beats, elevating the celebratory atmosphere of the night.
The VM2026 Countdown Festival was a wider festive programme that began as early as December 26, 2025, extending the celebrations around the capital with parallel events and activities to offer visitors a glimpse of Malaysia’s rich heritage and creative spirit while embodying the essence of Truly Asia.
These side activities included the VM2026 Bazaar at Pavilion Bukit Jalil; the VM2026 Arts and Culture Showcase at Fahrenheit 88, featuring cultural pop-ups, interactive experiences such as batik art, porcelain making and wau decoration among others; and the VM2026 Bukit Bintang Food Bazaar, Lot 10, presenting a curated mix of traditional cuisines, local favourites and contemporary delights.
VM2026 provides a platform to bring Malaysia’s narrative to the global stage, guided by five strategic pillars: sustainability, cultural heritage, nature-based adventure, digital innovation and global connectivity. These strengths truly shine strong as Malaysians celebrate together the spirit of unity, diversity, resilience and pride across the country.
The festival was also supported by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Tourism Malaysia as key partners, in addition to Istana Budaya, National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), National Heritage Department and Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation as strategic partners.
