MALAYSIA-The spring season is a flurry of excitement in Malaysia with numerous festivals, cultural celebrations and international sports events happening. Shopping bargains and mouth-watering cuisine is also in abundance to be enjoyed around the country so don’t miss your chance to get away this spring to the sunny and warm climate of this exotic destination!

COMMEMORATIONS & CELEBRATIONS
Mingle with the locals and enjoy the traditional goodies as you watch fascinating performances at the Hari Raya Open House in Kuala Lumpur, Held on 11 September, this enjoyable experience will be a memorable occasion and a great platform to experience the unity among Malaysians.

On 12 September, the whole of Malaysia will light up in celebration of the Lantern Festival. Commemorated on the eighth month of the Chinese Lunar calendar, this event is also known as the Mooncake Festival. Held to celebrate unity, don’t miss the chance watch processions with pretty lanterns in various colours, shapes and designs and savour the tasty sweet mooncakes that are found in abundance during this time and shared amongst friends and family.

Malaysia Day celebrations are held on 16 September around the country to honour the historical day that Malaysia was established in 1963. It marks the day when the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo joined the peninsula to form a new nation named Malaysia. Local celebrations are held in various parts of the country.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
Get ready for a delectable feast as gourmet restaurants and top chefs whip up a variety of special dishes and delicacies using fine, quality ingredients during the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia – Malaysia International Gourmet Festival. Held from 1-31 October, travel around the country and savour delicious culinary creations which will have you begging for more.

SHOPPERS PARADISE
Shopaholics will be in retail heaven during the Malaysia Year-End Sale (M-YES) held from 15 November until 1 January 2012. Unbelievable discounts, bargains and promotions abound so load up your suitcases with gifts, souvenirs, clothing – perfect for a spot of early Christmas shopping.

SPORTS AND ADVENTURE
Watch local and international kite flyers at the Borneo International Kite Festival from 18-25 September. The skies will be awash with colour as kite flyers show their skills and kite creations. At night-time, a series of spectacular cultural performances are on offer.

This year heralds the 25th Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon on 22-23 October. Participants will attempt to scale the top of this domineering mountain (4,095.2m high with a total distance of 21km) in less than three hours to be deemed the champion of the “World’s Toughest Mountain Race”. The Climbathon is the final race of the seven-race 2011 Skyrunners World Series and is the only race in the circuit held outside Europe.

The Penang Bridge International Marathon will be held on 20 November. Attracting people from all over the world, participants will run over the 13.5km bridge – one of the longest in South East Asia. The biggest running event in Malaysia, it is the only time the bridge is ever closed.

ARTS & CULTURE
The colourful Deepavali Festival (26 October), also known as ‘The Festival of the Lights’, is celebrated by Hindus. Oil lamps are lit and decorated in their homes on Deepavali morning as a way of thanking the gods for happiness, knowledge, peace and wealth. Many cultural performances and activities are on offer, and delicious Indian cuisine is served during the celebration.

The Bamboo Music Festival in Sabah (20 November) celebrates this natural material which is infamous in the region for producing wind and percussion instruments. Musical performances, competitions, and outdoor activities are held for people to enjoy.

WILDLIFE FUN
Bird enthusiasts from around the globe descend on Sabah to come together for the respected Borneo Bird Festival from 14-16 October. Sabah is home to 568 bird species, four of which are found nowhere else in the world.