By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 1: Malaysia welcomed the New Year in grand style as the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Countdown Festival culminated in a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
This landmark event, a strategic collaboration between The Fame Events, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), served as an iconic curtain-raiser, igniting national momentum and aspirations for the VM2026 campaign.
According to a media release, the highlight of the night was the countdown, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who joined thousands of Malaysians and international visitors in ushering in 2026.
The celebration was also graced by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, underscoring the event’s national significance.
Tiong emphasised that this celebration symbolised the start of VM2026 and Malaysia is ready to showcase its unique culture, creativity, and the warm hospitality of the people in welcoming the world to Malaysia.
“It marks a strong head start towards our goal of 43 million international visitor arrivals, further cementing our position on the global tourism map,” he said.
The VM2026 Countdown Festival was a breathtaking showcase of Malaysia on the global stage. Drawing thousands of domestic and international visitors, the New Year’s Eve celebration featured a multimedia extravaganza, seamlessly blending pyromusical fireworks, drone formations, and laser projections.
A standout moment was the stunning 3D anamorphic display starring the campaign’s beloved Malayan Sun Bear mascots, Wira and Manja.
The main stage featured a stellar 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 fused traditional rhythms with modern beats, creating a vibrant and immersive celebration for all.
The festival extended beyond the city centre, running from Dec 26, 2025 with parallel events highlighting Malaysia’s rich heritage and creative spirit. These included the VM2026 Bazaar at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, the VM2026 Arts & Culture Showcase at Fahrenheit 88, offering cultural pop-ups, interactive experiences like batik art, porcelain making, and wau decoration. The VM2026 Bukit Bintang Food Bazaar at Lot 10 brought Malaysia’s culinary diversity to life, presenting a curated mix of traditional favourites and contemporary delights.
The countdown excitement was further amplified with daily live performances by 10 iconic DJs, flash mobs at Bukit Bintang Crossing, Malaysia’s own version of Shibuya Crossing, and street busking across key locations, creating a lively prelude both on the ground and across social media.
VM2026 provides a platform to project Malaysia’s story to the world, guided by five strategic pillars: sustainability, cultural heritage, nature-based adventure, digital innovation, and global connectivity. These strengths are amplified when celebrated collectively by all Malaysians.
The festival’s success was made possible through the strong support of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Tourism Malaysia, alongside strategic partners including Istana Budaya, the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), the National Heritage Department, and the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation.
As the immersive countdown finale illuminated the Kuala Lumpur skyline, the VM2026 Countdown Festival signaled a confident and celebratory start to the tourism year, reaffirming Malaysia’s readiness to welcome the world in 2026. The year will be anchored by a series of mega events, including Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali, showcasing Malaysia’s cultural and ethnic diversity.
This momentum will continue with high-impact tourism programmes, from cultural festivals and MICE activities (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) to large-scale tourism exhibitions. Nationwide, these initiatives aim to expand tourism reach, encourage longer visitor stays, and offer meaningful experiences of Malaysia’s diverse cultural landscapes. — DayakDaily
