| Kuching is sharing pretty much a similar festivals as | | | | pre-arranged tour from the tour company, and the |
| other region of Malaysia, nevertheless you can still | | | | invited guest from the local people. |
| find some local festivals that only Sarawakian get to | | | | As for Annah Rais Longhouse, simply take part in the |
| celebrates. All festivals and events in Kuching are as | | | | homestay program and you will get a chance to see |
| follow: | | | | how the local people celebrate the festival at Annah |
| 1. New Year's Day (1 January) | | | | Rais village. |
| Public Holiday through out the entire Malaysia, and the | | | | 8. Dragon Boat Festival (June) |
| world; and Kuching has no different too. | | | | As the name suggest, you will witness the dragon |
| 2. Chinese New Year (January/February) | | | | boats competition during this day through out most |
| Chinese New Year is fall on 1st day of every lunar | | | | part of Malaysia. In Kuching, you may witness the |
| calendar year, which will fall on any days during | | | | dragon boat competition along the Sarawak River, at |
| January or February. | | | | the Kuching Waterfront. Local Chinese will be making |
| Google it for exact date of the particular year you | | | | their own rice dumpling in this special day for their |
| wish to know, eg. "Chinese New Year 2010". Travel | | | | family. Most Chinese coffee shops in Kuching do |
| to Kuching two weeks before the Chinese New Year | | | | selling them as well, so you should try it! |
| is the best time for you to see the local people | | | | 9. Rainforest World Music Festival (July) |
| getting ready for the Chinese New Year festival. | | | | These are the famous worldwide event which will be |
| People in Kuching is usually busy shopping for Chinese | | | | held in Kuching every year. Rainforest World Music |
| New Year goods and goodies during this time period. | | | | Festival brings together the planet famous musicians |
| On the Eve of Chinese New Year, locals will do their | | | | around the world and indigenous musicians from all |
| final shopping before noon, and after 2pm usually the | | | | parts of mythical land of Borneo to come to the |
| Kuching is much like a dead town. Shops closed, | | | | same stage to perform for you. |
| businesses ended, everyone is in the home getting | | | | Such event can last for 3 days and will be held at |
| ready for their reunion meal. If you are still in Kuching | | | | Sarawak Cultural Village, close to Damai Puri Resort |
| on this day, the only place you can have your dinner | | | | (formerly known as Damai Lagoon Resort), about 30 |
| is probably the fast food restaurant for example KFC | | | | km from Kuching. To learn more about Rainforest |
| or McDonald. | | | | World Music Festival, please visit their official website |
| During the midnight once the clock strikes 12am, the | | | | at |
| whole city is much like entering into a war, you'll be | | | | Fairly often during this period of time, Kuching hotels |
| dazzled by the fireworks on the sky, as well as | | | | occupancy rate are all time high and can be fully |
| firecrackers are everywhere. The whole occasion will | | | | booked quite often, so you should book early if you |
| last for around half an hour to an hour before you | | | | intend to go to to such global event. Resort that |
| can get a good sleep. It's illegal though playing with | | | | within the walking distance to the Sarawak Cultural |
| fireworks or firecrackers; however it's not been fully | | | | Village are Damai Puri Resort and Permai Rainforest |
| enforced in Sarawak. You won't have this if you're in | | | | Resort. Damai Holiday Inn Resort is also within a |
| the capital of Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur. Most | | | | walking distance, nonetheless it takes you a longer |
| businesses remain closed in Kuching from the first to | | | | walk, approximately ten to fifteen mins! |
| the forth day of the festival, you've still got to dine | | | | 10. Mid Autumn Festival (August) |
| at the fast food restaurant during those days. | | | | Also called Mooncake or Lantern Festival. Nothing |
| However, cafe, pubs and bars are normally opened | | | | much special accept eating mooncake (lots of |
| as soon as the day turns dark. | | | | mooncakes, everywhere is selling it) and watching |
| 3. Good Friday (March/April) | | | | kids carrying lantern at every corner of the streets |
| Nothing much special in Kuching on this day, it's simply | | | | once the day turns dark. Amateur photographer will |
| a public holiday. | | | | really appreciate such occasion. |
| 5. Labour Day (1 May) | | | | 11. Malaysia's National Day (31 August) |
| Just a public holiday. Business as usual for shopping | | | | It's a nation public holiday, and in Kuching, it's |
| malls and restaurants. | | | | celebrated every year, check out at Central Padang |
| 6. Wesak Day (May) | | | | at Kuching. |
| It will fall on any day during May be based upon | | | | 12. Hungry Ghosts Month (August/September) |
| which calendar year. If you are at Kuching during this | | | | It is believed by the Chinese that within the 7th |
| period, visit the Buddhist temples, in which the | | | | month of lunar calendar, ghosts are returned to the |
| crowds are gathered on this special day. | | | | earth for feasting. In Kuching, check out this "hungry |
| 7. Gawai Day (1 June) | | | | ghost event" that is held near to the old central post |
| This is the very important festival for the Dayak | | | | office. It's always filled with crowd. |
| (indigenious people) in Sarawak, which celebrating the | | | | 13. Christmas Day (25 Dec) |
| end of rice harvesting and welcomes the new | | | | It is also another important event for the Christian in |
| planting season. Everyone in the longhouses in | | | | Kuching. However, special events' arrangement |
| Sarawak will begin to celebrate the festival from the | | | | mostly limited to each individual church only. Clubbers |
| Eve of the Gawai day. On the Gawai day itself, that | | | | also gathered at certain pubs for counting down |
| is 1 June, traditional rituals are held, dancing, lots of | | | | during eve of Christmas. Nothing much special in |
| local foods especially Bamboo rice and bamboo | | | | Kuching, better spend your time in Singapore's |
| chicken. Should you be traveling in Kuching during this | | | | Orchard Road I guess, if you happen to travel in this |
| special occasion, you are able to participate in the | | | | region! |
| Annah Rais Homestay program and experience the | | | | That's about all the festivals and events in Kuching. |
| fun of the Gawai festival with the locals people. No | | | | So plan your vacation wisely. Wish you have a great |
| walk-in traveler will be entertained during this day at | | | | holiday soon. |
| the majority of the longhouses, apart from | | | | |