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KUALA LUMPUR (March 16): Kuala Lumpur Festival (KL Fest) will return from May 6 to 31, bringing more than 80 arts and cultural events to heritage buildings and public spaces across the city as part of ongoing efforts to revive activity in the capital’s historic core.
Organised by Think City Sdn Bhd and KL City Hall (DBKL), with support from the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), the 26-day festival will feature over 700 hours of programmes across 25 venues and public spaces in downtown KL.
The initiative also brings together cultural institutions, property owners, businesses, and community groups to support activity in the city centre.
Think City managing director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed said the festival is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors, extending footfall beyond traditional business hours and boosting spending across F&B outlets, retail, transport, and nearby commercial establishments.
“We are also exploring ways to attract international visitors,” he said at the press conference following the launch on Friday.
Culture as a catalyst for urban regeneration
Hamdan said that the festival demonstrates how culture can act as a catalyst for urban regeneration, with a focus on diversity and inclusivity.
“Physical upgrades alone do not sustain city centres. Activation, identity, and consistent public engagement are critical drivers of investment and commercial activity.
“We want a wide range of events that include all communities. It is not focused on a single theme but designed to bring Malaysians together through culture and creative activities.
The programme will include a mix of fashion, film, cinema, drama, dance, theatre, music, and visual arts, spanning heritage buildings, cultural venues, and open public spaces.
“Our goal is to create activities that are open and accessible to everyone,” Hamdan said.
Cultural programming across the city
This year’s theme, “Memory & Tomorrow”, explores how inherited stories and cultural heritage continue to shape KL’s evolving identity and future.
KL Fest artistic director June Tan said the festival will feature participatory events that encourage the public to engage directly with the arts.
One of the highlights is Jogeton at Dataran Merdeka, where members of the public can join a non-stop joget session lasting up to 90 minutes.
International performances will also feature artists from countries including Lebanon, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Among the theatre highlights are “Pengat Pisang & Dapur yang Kau Susun” at The Godown Arts Centre, an immersive performance exploring grief, memory and mental health among seniors.
Another key performance is “Wayang Women Live”, the first all-female Southeast Asian wayang kulit troupe reimagining traditional folklore at Dataran Merdeka.
Other programmes include “Berkelah di Dataran/Planet KL”, a family-friendly picnic promoting zero waste, and “Speculative Spaces: Reimagining Bangunan Pak Peng”, which transforms a historic building into a temporary creative laboratory.
Educational initiatives such as ASWARA Artskap will offer heritage-based workshops, while walking tours including “Free Walk Kuala Lumpur”, “Secret Trees of KL”, and “Otter Walks” explore the city’s ecology, history and living stories.
Irama Pusaka at Auditorium Bandaraya will celebrate Malaysia’s musical diversity, while Ronggeng Kuala Lumpur at Semua House and Central Market will revive the city’s historic social dance tradition.
Contemporary performances will include “Chapter 2” by Pichet Klunchun at Aswara (Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan), “Pending” by January Low at Chan She Shu Yuen Ancestral Hall, and “Lessons of Silence” at The Godown Arts Centre.
Storytelling performances such as “Origin of a Tale at Rumah Tangsi” and “Fragments of Tuah” at Sekolah Seni Malaysia KL will also be staged.
Film programmes curated by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) will run from May 11 to 24, alongside the inaugural Naadodi Tamil Film Festival on May 30 and 31, and short film screenings under House Your Film.
Visual arts and installations include “The Everyday Moments” city art pavilions, “PolaTAR: Fashion, Memory & Everyday Labour” at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, and projection mapping programmes such as “Warung Terang” by Filamen in downtown laneways.
Most programmes will be free to the public, allowing wider participation in the festival.
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