STAR-LIT BUKIT BINTANG SIGNALS MALAYSIA'S READINESS FOR GLOBAL TOURIST!

MALAYSIA officially launched the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) – Bukit Bintang Star-Lit Street Festival, a major urban tourism activation unveiled by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture,  Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, as part of the country’s preparations to welcome millions of global travellers in 2026.

Speaking at the launch in Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Bukit Bintang district yesterday (3 January 2026)  the minister said the festival reflects Malaysia’s commitment to offering immersive, city-based tourism experiences that showcase the nation’s cultural diversity and creative spirit. 

“The Bukit Bintang Star-Lit Street Festival represents the energy, openness and vibrancy of Malaysia. As we move towards Visit Malaysia Year 2026, this is the kind of experience that invites visitors not just to see Malaysia, but to feel it, engage with it and celebrate alongside its people,”  said Tiong King Sing who officiated the launch by striking the gong three times, signalling the commencement of the celebrations.

Among those present at the official launch was Malaysian Artistes’ Association (KARYAWAN) president,  Dato Freddie Fernandez (left) and Sage Legacy Sdn Bhd director Datuk Richard Lee (2nd left) as well as other dignitaries.

The event was further enlivened by a vibrant joget dance performance by dancers from Istana Budaya, adding a strong cultural element and showcasing Malaysia’s rich performing arts heritage to the audience.

Taking place outside Plaza Low Yat, the Bukit Bintang Star-Lit Street Festival is a flagship urban activation supporting Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026), bringing together live music, cultural performances, creative arts, street gastronomy and immersive experiences in one of Southeast Asia’s busiest tourism precincts.

Designed as an open, street-based festival, the event invites both locals and international visitors to experience Malaysia through its people, culture and creative energy.

The launch comes as Malaysia sets ambitious national targets of 47 million tourist arrivals and RM329 billion in tourism receipts by 2026.

Urban festivals such as the Bukit Bintang Star-Lit Street Festival play a strategic role in achieving these goals by activating city centres, extending visitor dwell time and strengthening destination appeal, particularly in capital cities.

Bukit Bintang, which records more than 20 million visitors annually, is widely regarded as Kuala Lumpur’s entertainment and shopping heart, making it a natural platform for high-impact tourism storytelling. 

The district’s blend of retail, nightlife, culture and dining aligns with global travel trends that increasingly prioritise experiential and night-time tourism.

The festival also highlights the growing importance of the night-time economy in major tourism cities.

Beyond on-the-ground participation, organisers project the festival will generate millions of physical impressions and tens of millions of digital impressions, extending Malaysia’s tourism messaging across international media, social platforms and travel networks in the lead-up to VM2026.

More than a celebration, the Bukit Bintang Star-Lit Street Festival is positioned as a statement of readiness, signalling Malaysia’s confidence in welcoming the world with a culturally rich, creative and modern tourism offering.

The Visit Malaysia Year 2026 – Bukit Bintang Star-Lit Street Festival take place on Saturday, 3 January and Sunday, 4 January 2026, from 12pm to 12am, and is open to the public.

As the festival continues through today (4 January), visitors can expect a diverse program including traditional cultural showcases, interactive stage games, and a public lucky draw of flight tickets to any chosen destination throughout West Malaysia.

The atmosphere is further heightened by the "I Lite U" illumination project, which has turned the district into a luminous neon playground. 

This celebration signals that Malaysia is fully prepared and confident in its mission to welcome the world, showcasing a nation that is creatively vibrant and ready for its most significant tourism year in recent history.

The festival is organised by Sage Legacy Sdn Bhd and managed by E-Plus Entertainment Productions (M) Sdn Bhd.

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