KL Prosperity Festival 2026 activates city-wide venues to boost tourism, footfall and cultural exchange during the Chinese New Year period.

KUALA LUMPUR: By activating multiple city-centre locations with coordinated cultural programming, KL Prosperity Festival 2026 offers a city-wide festive experience that encourages longer stays, increased footfall and cross-district exploration by tourists and visitors.

The KL Prosperity Festival, from Feb 13 until today across multiple venues in Kuala Lumpur city centre, is set to become a key cultural tourism highlight during the Chinese New Year period, attracting both local and international visitors while showcasing Malaysia’s unique multicultural identity.

Initiated by Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur City Centre Tourism Association, KL Society and Common Market, and held in conjunction with the 5th edition of the KL Prosperity Walk, the annual festival returns on a larger scale.

BBKLCC chairman Ng Yih Chen told theSun that the festival this year will feature expanded programmes, international cultural exchange and increased participation from local entrepreneurs and communities.

“Supported by Tourism Malaysia, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, TRX, MRT and TS Law Land, and organised in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026, the KL Prosperity Festival plays a strategic role in strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s positioning as a regional cultural tourism destination during one of Asia’s most significant festive seasons,” he said.

“Chinese New Year is traditionally one of the peak travel periods in the region. With events spread across prominent landmarks and commercial districts that include Plaza Low Yat, Sungai Wang Plaza, Lot 10, Fahrenheit88, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, RainTree Plaza @ TRX, The Starhill and Apple Vacations Square, the festival directly supports surrounding hotels, retail outlets, food and beverage operators and transport networks, generating meaningful economic spillover for the city.”

Ng added that the festival will be anchored at RainTree Plaza @ TRX, featuring a local artisan bazaar with over 80 booths by Malaysian entrepreneurs.

“The bazaar offers visitors a curated selection of food and beverage, lifestyle products and handcrafted artisan goods, presented with festive Chinese New Year elements and contemporary Malaysian design.

“This platform not only enhances the visitor experience but also supports local small businesses and creative entrepreneurs, allowing tourists to engage directly with homegrown brands and take home authentic Malaysian-made products,” he said.

A signature highlight of the festival, the KL Prosperity Walk, took place on Friday night.

The procession connected key commercial and cultural districts in the city, culminating at RainTree Plaza @ TRX and featured a multicultural parade blending Chinese New Year traditions with Malaysian cultural expressions, symbolising unity through diversity.

“Another major highlight is an exclusive performance presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, titled “Auspicious Horses Bring Good Fortune”, as part of the internationally recognised Chinese New Year cultural exchange programme.

“Taking the Year of the Horse as its central motif, the performance conveys themes of prosperity, harmony, abundance, and good fortune.”

Ng said the programme is jointly organised overseas by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, relevant national ministries, cultural organisations and Chinese diplomatic missions abroad.

“The performances will feature traditional Chinese folk music, martial arts, dance and acrobatics, integrated with Malaysian cultural and artistic programmes, and jointly presented by artistes from China and Malaysia, showcasing a meaningful fusion of cultures on an international stage.”

Ng also said the festival will also host a Photography Competition from Feb 13 until today.

“Visitors may submit photographs taken during the festival and stand a chance to win attractive prizes, while helping to amplify the festival’s reach through social sharing and visual storytelling.

“Through this initiative, Kuala Lumpur continues to position itself as a vibrant cultural capital in Southeast Asia, aligned with the broader goals of Visit Malaysia 2026.”

“By combining local entrepreneurship, international cultural exchange, and a city-wide celebration of Chinese New Year, the festival reinforces Malaysia’s image as a welcoming, multicultural destination, one that invites visitors to celebrate, explore and experience diversity in a single journey.”

Ng added that mobility around the city centre for all KL Prosperity Festival venues is serviced by trains, namely the MRT, LRT and Monorail lines.

 The Sun Malaysia