Destination: Penang Special
FESTIVAL: Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
ORGANISER: AKA Balloon
WHEN: February 9-10, 2019
WHERE: Padang Polo, Penang
HIGHLIGHTS: Ticketed tethered balloon rides will be avail-
able on first-come-first-served basis, where visitors can
soar as high as 18m. The Night Glow show draws
the crowd every evening, featuring 10 balloons
lit up with the accompaniment of music
and lights. Watch out also for the Cold
Inflation activity, where visitors can walk
into a balloon envelope that’s filled with
cold air as it lies on the ground. Supplementing the balloon-themed fun are
art & craft and F&B stalls.
The massive balloons are inflated for displays thrice a day – from 07.00,
from 18.00 and from 20.45. Displays are subject to weather conditions.
While there is no entrance fee, charges apply for certain activities such as
tethered balloon rides at RM50 (US$12) and Cold Inflation at RM5.
FESTIVAL
WONDERLAND
FESTIVAL: Penang International Dragon Boat Festival
ORGANISER: Penang Tourism Development, Culture, Heritage & Arts
WHEN: June 1-2, 2019
WHERE: Teluk Bahang Dam
HIGHLIGHTS: Held in conjunction with Pesta Pulau Pinang (Penang Festival),
the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival draws hundreds of partici-
pants from around the world to compete for the prize money. They converge
in Penang as part of a year-long world race circuit under the auspices of the
International Dragon Boat Federation headquartered in Beijing. For visitors, it
is an opportunity to enjoy a weekend of pulsating thrills and spills to the vigor-
ous beating of drums and strong thrust of oars as the teams battle it out in the
water. Expect colourful dragon boats and various stage performances to add
vibrancy to the event.
FESTIVAL: Penang International Food Festival
ORGANISER: TLM Event
WHEN: April 13-28, 2019
WHERE: Across Penang
HIGHLIGHTS: The annual Penang International Food Festival (PIFF)
celebrates Penang’s reputation as the food capital of Malaysia. The 16-day
event showcases new-age food invasion, such as through colourful food
trucks, and offers themed dining experiences, cooking challenges and other
mini festivals.
Now into its third year, PIFF has grown from strength to strength. The
inaugural edition in 2017 presented the transition of Penang’s food history
from the authentic culinary methods of days past to the innovative fusion
cooking of present and future cuisines. Last year, the event showcased
Penang’s varied street food as well as food scenes at cafes, restaurants and
hotels.
On this page, from above: Penang Hot Air Ballon Fiesta, Penang International Dragon Boat Festival,
Penang International Food Festival. Opposite page: George Town Festival