The carnival unites partners and digital platforms to amplify festive celebrations in support of Visit Malaysia 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 January 2026 — Building on the strong reception and public interest garnered last year, CNY Spring Carnival 2026 returns to Kuala Lumpur with an expanded vision, marking its evolution into a city-wide Chinese New Year cultural IP. Designed as a celebration for all, the carnival will take place from 15 to 25 January 2026 at Piazza, Level 3, Pavilion Bukit Jalil.
This year’s edition invites the public to rediscover, experience and share the joy of the festive season, transforming Chinese New Year from a single on-ground event into a city-wide, co-created celebration. Through a blend of festive activities, illuminated spaces and content-driven engagement, the carnival brings together traditional customs and modern lifestyle elements to create a vibrant, relatable expression of the season.
Organised by Mango Media Sdn. Bhd., co-organised by Attitude Ideology, and in collaboration with RedNote’s (XiaoHongShu) annual Chinese New Year campaign, 《过年就来小红书》(Celebrate Chinese New Year with Xiaohongshu), the carnival integrates both online and offline participation. While on-ground festive scenes and interactive installations invite visitors to immerse themselves in the celebration, digital platforms encourage the public to share photos, videos and check-ins, allowing the festive spirit to extend beyond the venue and continue across social media. This approach contributes to the building of a growing archive of city-based festive content year after year, while supporting broader cultural and tourism initiatives under Visit Malaysia 2026.
Zheng Xuefang, Minister of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia, said, “The Spring Festival is increasingly a celebration shared by the world, reflecting common values and friendship among peoples. Over the past year, China–Malaysia relations reached a new historic milestone, with stronger people-to-people exchanges and growing momentum in tourism and cultural cooperation. We look forward to seizing the opportunities of Visit Malaysia 2026 to deepen strategic mutual trust, advance practical cooperation, strengthen cultural ties, and open a new chapter towards the next ‘golden 50 years’ of China–Malaysia relations.”
“Festive celebrations today extend beyond physical venues into online and offline co-creation, but festive periods also see a rise in cyber scams,” said Deputy Minister of Communications YB Teo Nie Ching. “As of 31 December 2025, MCMC had taken down 461,935 pieces of social media content, including 98,503 scam-related cases. At the same time, Malaysia recorded 38.3 million international arrivals in the first 11 months of 2025, surpassing Thailand and setting a strong foundation for Visit Malaysia 2026.”
Held under the theme「魅力大马，过年酷哒哒」(Charming Malaysia, Celebrate CNY in Style), the carnival reinforces the idea that Chinese New Year is not just a traditional ritual, but a shared urban lifestyle experience. By integrating festive traditions with Xiaohongshu’s content-driven community, the carnival brings together festive shopping, interactive check-in moments, family-friendly activities and creator-led storytelling. The aim is to create a more open, youthful and participatory Chinese New Year experience, while drawing both local residents and regional visitors into the city during the festive period.
Datuk Ge Yamei, Chief Executive Officer of Mango Media Sdn. Bhd., said the focus this year goes beyond scale, and centres on sustainability and long-term growth. “Our goal is not simply to make the carnival bigger or busier, but to build a platform that can grow year after year through participation and co-creation. By working closely with Xiaohongshu and our partners, visitors can enjoy meaningful on-the-ground experiences and turn those moments into shared content, creating a wider, longer-lasting impact. We hope to strengthen the global ‘CNY Spring Carnival’ cultural exchange brand and position it as a recognisable Chinese New Year cultural signature for Malaysia, in close alignment with Visit Malaysia 2026,” she said.
Event Highlights: From a Market to an Immersive Festive Experience
This year’s carnival features a wide range of interactive experiences, including:
🏮A curated selection of Chinese and Malaysian festive food, offering a blend of flavours and festive atmosphere
🏮A one-stop market for festive goods, gifting and household essentials
🏮Oriental-inspired lantern installations creating must-visit photo spots
🏮Dedicated Xiaohongshu check-in zones encouraging user-generated content and social sharing
🏮A series of interactive festive activities suitable for families and young audiences
🏮Participation by over 100 artistes, influencers and content creators, amplifying festive reach both online and offline
🏮Elements inspired by classic Shanghai heritage brands, showcasing traditional craftsmanship and festive culture
🏮A showcase of Malaysia–China cultural exchange, offering regional visitors a new reason to celebrate Chinese New Year in Malaysia
🏮Kidslympic Malaysia Run 2026, a 2.4km parent–child run for children aged 4 to 12, supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Education, with participants eligible for co-curricular activity points
Cross-Sector Collaboration Driving City Festive Impact
The organisers extend their sincere appreciation to all partners and supporting organisations for making the event possible. Special thanks go to Pavilion Bukit Jalil as the official venue, Astro as the official media partner, YESBOSS as the official online media, as well as brand partners and government agencies for their collective support. Through shared resources and collaboration, CNY Spring Carnival 2026 has evolved from a physical event into a city-wide festive experience driven by public participation and online–offline co-creation.
The public is invited to visit Piazza, Level 3, Pavilion Bukit Jalil from 15 to 25 January 2026 to experience the festive atmosphere where Malaysian and Chinese cultures come together and to share the joy and blessings of the season through both on-ground participation and digital storytelling.
