The Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Countdown Festival at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur marks the beginning of the VM2026 campaign with Malaysians ushered in the New Year. The landmark event, a strategic collaboration between The Fame Events, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).
The highlight of the night was the countdown moment led by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia as the Guest of Honour, who joined thousands of Malaysians and visitors to welcome the New Year. Underscoring the national significance of the occasion, the celebration was also attended by YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.
YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, stated: “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.”
The VM2026 Countdown Festival showcased Malaysia’s talents globally. Attracting thousands of visitors, the New Year’s Eve event included amazing multimedia displays with fireworks, drones, and lasers. A standout feature was the impressive 3D animation of the campaign’s popular Malayan Sun Bear mascots, Wira and Manja.
The main stage featured a fantastic lineup of famous local artists, 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 enhanced by cultural showcases that mixed traditional music with modern sounds, creating a festive atmosphere for the night.
The VM2026 Countdown Festival was part of a larger celebration that began on 26 December 2025, spreading joy beyond the city center. Various events and activities highlighted Malaysia’s rich culture and creativity, capturing the spirit of Truly Asia.
Highlights included the VM2026 Bazaar at Pavilion Bukit Jalil and the VM2026 Arts & Culture Showcase at Fahrenheit 88, which featured cultural pop-ups and activities like batik art, porcelain making, and wau decoration, attracting strong public participation over several days. The VM2026 Bukit Bintang Food Bazaar, Lot 10 showcased Malaysia’s vibrant food scene with a mix of traditional dishes, local favorites, and modern treats.
The excitement built up with daily live performances by 10 iconic DJs, flash mobs at Bukit Bintang Crossing, and busking shows in key spots, creating buzz on the ground and on social media leading up to the countdown.
VM2026 aims to share Malaysia’s story with the world, focusing on five key areas: sustainability, cultural heritage, nature-based adventure, digital innovation, and global connectivity. These strengths will shine brightest when all Malaysians come together to celebrate.
The festival received strong support from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Tourism Malaysia. Its success was also due to teamwork with partners like Istana Budaya, the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), the National Heritage Department, and the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation.
As the impressive countdown finale lit up the Kuala Lumpur skyline, the VM2026 Countdown Festival confidently opened the tourism year, showing that Malaysia is ready to welcome the world in 2026.
In 2026, there will be major events, including festive celebrations like Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali, showcasing Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity and offering visitors vibrant experiences with local arts and entertainment.
This momentum will continue with a variety of tourism events and programs, including cultural festivals, conventions, and exhibitions, aiming to attract more visitors, encourage longer stays, and give travelers meaningful encounters with Malaysia’s diverse cultures.