PENANG is gearing up for a dazzling celebration as the Chap Goh Meh festival returns on Feb 14, bringing together tradition, romance, and cultural harmony.
To be held from 5pm to 11pm at the Esplanade, this year’s festival is set to be even more memorable as it coincides with Valentine’s Day, offering a unique East-meets-West experience that blends time-honoured customs with the spirit of love and togetherness.
Adding to the vibrancy of the season, the Chinese New Year celebrations in Penang are further enriched by the overlapping of Thaipusam, a significant Hindu festival.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said that the rare alignment of celebrations reinforces Penang’s reputation as a land of multicultural harmony and inclusivity, reflecting the diverse communities that call the state home.
The theme for this year’s Chap Goh Meh Festival, ‘Reminiscing Love’, highlights the significance of love, unity, and heritage.
One of the most cherished traditions of the festival is the Orange Tossing Ceremony, where unmarried women throw oranges into the sea in the hopes of finding love.
“This age-old practice continues to captivate both locals and visitors, symbolising the aspirations for romance and happiness.
“Chap Goh Meh is not just a celebration of the final night of Chinese New Year but also a symbol of unity, love, and cultural heritage.
“This year, with Valentine’s Day falling on the same date, we invite everyone to Penang for a truly magical evening of tradition and romance,” said Wong, during a press conference announcing the event today.
Wong said the state had decided to reschedule the Penang Chap Goh Meh festival from Feb 12 (actual day of the Chap Goh Meh) to Feb 14 to make way for the Thaipusam celebration.
“Following the reschedule exercise, the state Chap Goh Meh festival now coincides with the Valentine’s Day,” he said.
Festive-goers can indulge in Penang’s renowned street food, with some 50 stalls offering a diverse selection of local delicacies.
The festival will feature a variety of exciting performances and cultural highlights, including a high-stilt lion dance showcasing agility and skill, a 24 Festive Drums performance that embodies the spirit of celebration, and a traditional Chingay performance with towering flag bearers in a dazzling street procession.
Visitors will also be treated to a mesmerising Chinese face-changing act, a signature of Sichuan opera artistry; and a grand fireworks display to mark the finale of the Chinese New Year celebrations. The fireworks show is sponsored by the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Present at the media conference were Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, Penang Global Tourism senior manager Pauline Yoon, Dreamz Productions Events Management Sdn Bhd founder and director Cheah WY, and Dreamz Productions Events Management Sdn Bhd event executive Iris Cheah.
Story by Christopher Tan