As the Christmas season nears, festive lights and decorations aren’t the only things being planned. You may have missed that coveted Christmas trip to Japan or Paris. Or you may have decided to skip the airport queues and chill out in Malaysia for the holidays. If you’re curious to know what festive events Malaysia has to offer, read on to find the best Malaysian Christmas travel destinations to visit this year end!
Some may not immediately think of hot and humid Malaysia when coming up with holiday plans. But believe it or not there are many Malaysian Christmas travel destinations that offer festive fun for the whole family. One can look to the cooling hills of Cameron Highlands, taking in the views of mountains and Christmas trees. Or consider the colourful lights and dazzling decorations of the homes of the Portugese Settlement in Melaka.
If you want to experience the magic of snow, you can visit the newly refurbished Snow World in Genting Highlands. With sleds, igloos, and other fun activities, the warm lights of Genting Highlands will also bring in the festive cheer. LEGOLAND Johor will also be holding their annual Brick-Tacular Holidays event featuring workshops, advent calendars, and live shows. Finally, you can visit St. George’s Church in Penang to learn the true meaning of Christmas and connect with the local community. If you’re looking to spend a Christmas in Malaysian, here are some of the best places and events you can go to!
7 Malaysian Christmas travel destinations to visit to experience the holiday cheer
Portuguese Settlement, Melaka
Each December, the Portuguese Settlement in Melaka becomes one of Malaysia’s most enchanting Christmas neighbourhoods, with rows of houses draped in bright lights, nativity displays, illuminated Santas, and snowmen creating a warm, communal glow. The seaside town turns festive with food stalls selling Kristang delicacies, music drifting through the village, and families welcoming visitors to wander the decorated lanes. It is lively, colourful, and deeply rooted in tradition.
Address: Portuguese Square, Ujong Pasir, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Date: 23 – 26 December 2025
Time: 7PM – 12AM
Image by Lifestyle Asia KL
Cameron Highlands Resort
Christmas at the Cameron Highlands Resort offers a refined highland retreat, where cool mountain air, glittering décor, and fireside warmth set the stage for an enchanting festive escape. The centrepiece is the resort’s traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, a beloved annual Christmas tradition. This dedicated festive features two nights’ accommodation, daily breakfasts, the Iconic English Afternoon Tea, a succulent steamboat dinner, and a complimentary guided walk.
The celebration continues with a vibrant highlands-produce buffet lunch on 22 November, followed by lavish pre-dinner cocktails and an elegant Christmas Dinner that sets the tone for the evening’s highlight. As night settles over the hills, the resort unveils its Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, where the towering tree is illuminated against the mountain backdrop in a moment of magic and quiet splendour.
Address: By The Golf Course, Cameron Highlands Golf Course, Brinchang, 39000 Tanah Rata, Pahang
Contact: 05-491 1100
Date: 21 – 23 December 2025
Book your stay here.
Image credit: Instagram/cameronhighlandsresort
Winter Wonderland, Genting Highlands
Resorts World Genting transforms into The Great Christmas Carnival at Genting Winter Wonderland, offering 42 days of free-admission festivities across Kimhua Atrium, Gohtong Way, Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park, the Genting SkyWorlds entrance, Liberty Lane, and Asteroid Arcade. The celebration features meet-and-greets with Genting’s Highland Heroes, Christmas choirs, The Enchanted Noël performances, and the dazzling 45-foot Santa’s Carousel, while Kimhua Atrium showcases four themed decoration islands: Jingle Bell Jesters, First Noel, Mr Merry & Bright, and Christmas Starlights. As night falls, Liberty Lane’s ‘snowflakes’, glowing rides, and the iconic London Bus at Asteroid Arcade create a highland Christmas atmosphere, perfect for families seeking a festive escape.
Address: Genting Highlands, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang
Contact: 03-6101 1118
Date: 21 November 2025 to 1 January 2026
Book your next trip here.
Image credit: Resorts World Genting
Penang State Christmas Celebration, St. George’s Church, George Town
St. George’s Church sets a serene stage for Penang’s state Christmas celebrations, with its grand colonial facade illuminated softly for evening services, carolling, and community gatherings. The church grounds become a peaceful space filled with music, fellowship, and traditional liturgy, offering an atmosphere that blends spirituality with heritage. Guests often arrive early to admire the historical architecture before joining the congregation in candlelit hymns and festive programmes organised for the season.
Address: 1, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Date: 6 December 2025
Time: 3PM – 10PM
Image credit: Instagram/tattfoo
20th Kota Kinabalu Christmas Celebration, Sabah
The Kota Kinabalu Christmas Celebration transforms Padang Merdeka into a vibrant festival ground with stage performances, choirs, food stalls, and a large central Christmas tree glowing above the crowd. The event runs across several days, drawing families, churches, and community groups together for a joyful display of cultural performances, decorative light structures, and charity activities. Its welcoming, lively atmosphere and strong community focus make it one of Sabah’s most anticipated year-end festivities.
Address: Jalan Padang Merdeka, Bandaran Berjaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact: 088-212 121
Date: 9 – 12 December 2025
Time: 6PM onwards
Register for the event here.
Image credit: Instagram/arick2u
I-City Theme Park, Shah Alam
I-City will become a brightly lit festive playground at Christmas, with its signature forest of LED trees joined by seasonal decor, illuminated props, and occasional holiday installations. Snowalk adds to the theme with a sub-zero indoor attraction featuring icy sculptures and a wintry environment ideal for festive photos. While the park itself can be busy, its colourful lights and accessible location make it a popular evening destination for families seeking a casual, open-air Christmas outing.
Address: 40000, Golden Triangle, I-City, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor
Contact: 03-5521 8800
Time: 5PM – 12AM
Find out more here.
Image credit: Instagram/asllaaahh
Brick-Tacular Holiday, LEGOLAND, Johor Bahru
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort invites you to celebrate its Brick-Tacular Holidays, featuring a brand-new LEGO Holiday Tree as the centrepiece. There will also be live holiday shows, and a festive atmosphere across the entire park. Guests can join the Build to Give workshop where each customised LEGO heart contributes to a charitable donation. You can also participate in the Advent Calendar Lucky Draw with prizes worth up to RM 50,000, meet beloved LEGO holiday characters such as Santa, the Toy Soldier and Ollie the Dragon, enjoy building activities and ornament workshops.
Address: 7, Persiaran Medini Utara 3, 79100 Iskandar Puteri, Johor Darul Ta’zim
Contact: 07-597 8888
Time: 10AM – 6PM
Date: 20 November 2025 – 11 January 2026
Find out more here.
Image credit: Instagram/legolandmalaysia
(Hero and feature image credit: Instagram/cameronhighlandsresort)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
