GEORGE TOWN: The state will experience a month of festivities this Chinese New Year as a slew of events and celebrations are held all over Penang.
Hitting the ground running, the events and celebrations this year include the spectacular Kek Lok Si display of lights, the Chief Minister’s open house, the Penang Snake Temple's flame walking ceremony, the Jade Emperor God celebration, Miao Hui, a grand float procession and Chap Goh Meh.
The events are open to all and offer insight into the culture and yearly celebrations held around the state for Chinese New Year.
State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said they have compiled a list of Chinese New Year events in Penang so that the public can enjoy various celebrations.
"There are plenty of activities lined up.
"We have a Chinese New Year walk, the usual Kek Lok Si lighting up ceremony, flame watching and open houses.
"Miao Hui is a favourite, as well as Chap Goh Meh, which is the last event on the calendar next month.
"There will even be processions," he said at a press conference held at Komtar on Tuesday (Jan 30).
Wong said the events list provides information on all the activities lined up on the island and mainland.
"Everyone is welcome to participate and enjoy the festivities," he said.
Wong then launched a local Chinese New Year song sung by Penangites to celebrate this year.
"The song has lyrics speaking about local delicacies and sites in Penang to visit.
"The song has verses dedicated to cendol, laksa, durian and even rojak.
"It highlights locations like Penang Hill, the Esplanade and Balik Pulau as well," he said.
The list of events is as follows:
Feb 4:
Occupy Beach Street Chinese New Year Run (7am) on Beach Street.
Feb 10 to March 7: Kek Lok Si display of lights (7pm to 12am) at the temple premises.
Feb 11: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's Chinese New Year open house (2pm) at the Setia Spice Arena.
Feb 12: Chinese New Year walk (7.30am) at 1st Avenue Mall.
Feb 13: Soaring Dragons Embrace the Spring: Grand New Year Open House (7.30pm to 11.30pm) at the Tow Boo Kong Temple, Butterworth.
Feb 14: Penang Snake Temple flame watching festival (8pm) at the temple in Bayan Lepas.
Feb 16: Prosperity Lou Sang for Thousand People (7.30pm to 11.30pm) at the Tow Boo Kong Temple, Butterworth.
Feb 17: Pai Thee Kong celebration (8pm to 12am) at Chew Jetty, Weld Quay.
The 33rd Jade Emperor God Celebration (8pm) at Jalan Muthu Palaniapan, Bukit Mertajam.
Butterworth Pai Thee Kong celebration (10.30pm to 1am) at the Tow Boo Kong Temple, Butterworth.
Feb 18: Penang Chinese New Year celebration - Miao Hui, (4pm to 11pm) at the heritage enclave in George Town.
Feb 23 to 24: Butterworth Chinese New Year celebration - Miao Hui (7pm to 10pm) at the Guan Yin Ting Dou Mu Gong Temple, Butterworth.
Feb 23 to 26: Thean Hock Keong Miao Hui celebration from Feb 23 to 26 (7pm) at the Thean Hock Keong Temple,
Butterworth.
Feb 24: Bukit Tambun Chap Goh Meh celebration (6pm) starting at Bagan Bukit Tambun jetty.
State Chap Goh Meh celebration (6pm to 11pm) at the Esplanade, in George Town.
Poh Hock Seah Chneah Hoay, Twa Peh Kong Hneoh Grand Float Procession (7pm) starting at Poh Hock Seah Twa Peh Kong temple in George Town.
Butterworth Chap Goh Meh celebration (7.30pm to 11.30pm) at the Tow Boo Kong Temple, Butterworth.
