Chinese New Year holidays is… an experience. Mornings start earlier than usual, grandparents already dressed by 8am, and before you even leave the house, someone (your 5 year old) asks:
“Is the lion real?”
“Why it so loud?”
“Can I touch the lion?”
But when the drums start and the lion jumps out, suddenly everyone is quiet. Even the child who can’t sit still for five minutes is frozen, eyes wide, mouth open.
That’s the power of a lion dance. And if you’re celebrating Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur — whether you’re a young parent planning festive outings, a tourist experiencing it for the first time, or a balik kampung-from-overseas Malaysian, these are the best places to catch one:
Lion dances symbolise good luck, prosperity, and chasing away bad energy. According to Ah Ma, that’s why you must watch at least one every year.
The pounding drums, the flash of colour, the way the lion moves through the crowd — it’s impossible not to pause and watch, no matter your age or where you’re from.
🧒 Kid says:
“Why the lion coming near me? Does he know my name?”
👵 Ah Ma says:
“If the lion come near you, means your luck very friendly.”
Kuala Lumpur offers plenty of options to watch a lion dance, from mall performances to traditional and community-based celebrations — depending on how festive (or how chill) you want the day to be:
1. Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
📅 16–22 February, 5pm
📍 Main entrance, level 3
2. Suria KLCC
📅 14, 17 & 18 February, 5pm–6pm
📍 Centre court
3. LaLaport Bukit Bintang
📅 14, 15, 17, 18, 21 & 22 February, 3pm
📍 Main lobby
4. Sunway Putra Mall
📅 22 February, 5pm
📍 Main concourse, ground floor
5. Avenue K
📅 26 February, 11.30am–1.30pm
📍 Main entrance, ground level
6. Mid Valley Megamall
📅 14–22 & 26 February, 12.30pm (selected dates also at 6pm)
📍 Centre court
7. Sunway Pyramid
📅 14, 15, 17, 18, 21 & 22 February, 3pm
📍 Main entrance, ground floor
8. 1 Utama Shopping Centre
📅 15, 17, 20 & 22 February, 5pm
📍 LG oval
📅 18 & 24 February, 5pm
📍 Ground floor, centre court
9. Sunway Square Mall
🦁 Traditional lion dance:
📅 17 & 18 February, 5pm
🚶 Lion dance walkabout:
📅 15 February, 2pm | 21 February, 5pm
📍 Level 1, main concourse
10. Pavilion Bukit Jalil
🦁 Traditional lion dance:
📅 14 & 21 February, 3pm
🤸 Acrobatic lion dance:
📅 15-18 & 22 February, 3pm
📍 Centre court
Why this works for many groups:
For those looking to reconnect with tradition or experience it properly for the first time — temples and cultural venues offer a more meaningful lion dance setting.
Here, performances often include:
👵 Ah Ma says:
“Lion eat lettuce, money come. You clap louder, luck hear clearer.”
Community lion dances — often held in neighbourhoods, condos, or heritage areas capture the most energetic side of Chinese New Year.
Why they’re special:
Whether you believe in luck or you’re just being cautiously optimistic, these are traditions many still follow — just in case. After all, Chinese New Year only comes once a year. Might as well do it properly.
🧧 Pat the lion from head to tail
If the lion bows and approaches, a gentle pat from the head down towards the tail is believed to bring good fortune. Gentle and respectful is the key here — this is not a high-five situation.
👵 Ah Ma says:
“Slowly. You rushing, luck also rushing away.”
🧧 Stay calm and enjoy the moment
Ah Ma insists that staying present — not rushing away — welcomes good energy for the year.
🧧 Acknowledge the lion
A smile, a nod, or a wave back is enough.
🧧 Accept offerings (don’t be shy)
If the lion offers you oranges, chocolates or even coins — accept them. Politely. It’s believed to bring in luck, prosperity and a smooth year ahead.
👵 Ah Ma says:
“You acknowledge, luck also acknowledge you.”
🧧 Phones up, but eyes present
Take your photos and videos — of course. But don’t watch the entire performance through your screen. Luck will notice.
👵 Ah Ma's reminder:
“Lion come to give luck, not audition for your phone.”
Are you a balik-kampung-from-overseas Malaysian? Before you even reach baggage claim at KLIA, Chinese New Year has already started. WhatsApp groups are exploding, relatives are asking “You landed already or not?”... this is not the moment to queue at a telco store or hunt for a SIM card. With Spark by CelcomDigi, you can activate an eSIM in minutes straight from the app — fully in your control, no physical SIM, no waiting, no fuss.
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👵 Ah Ma’s final word: “Get Spark-ed already, don’t make things difficult for yourself.”
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