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Hari Raya Aidilfitri Festival is one of the most important and biggest festivals in Malaysia. This is an occasion when the Muslim community marks the end of Ramadan month with joy and gratitude, as well as a period when the whole country of Malaysia shines with vivid festival colors, attracting millions of domestic and international tourists.
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Hari Raya Aidilfitri Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Malaysia. Source: Travel and Leisure Asia
What makes Hari Raya special is its considerable religious significance and how Malaysians turn it into a vibrant cultural event. You will experience the warm atmosphere of the traditional customs by attending prayers, enjoying typical dishes, and taking part in colorful community activities with local people.
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Hari Raya Festival is a highlight that is not to be missed when visiting Malaysia. Source: Traveloka
The combination of traditions, cultural activities, and hospitality makes Hari Raya Festival a highlight that is not to be missed when you come to Malaysia. Let’s get your luggage items and discover this meaningful festival with Asia King Travel!
Hari Raya Aidilfitri dates back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad and marks the end of Ramadan, the holy vegetarian month to express kindness, forgiveness, and solidarity with family members, as well as with the community.
Hari Raya Festival plays an important role in spiritual and social life. Source: Harian Metro
In Malaysia, Hari Raya Festival plays an important role in spiritual and social life. It is an occasion for people to renew family and community relationships through visiting, apologizing, and forgiving each other. In addition, the Hari Raya Festival also clearly reflects the cultural diversity typical of Malaysia, a multi-racial and multi-religious country.
Although this is a Muslim festival, a myriad of customs and activities during the festival are harmoniously combined with the cultural identities of other ethnic communities, such as the Chinese, Indians, and indigenous people (Orang Asli).
Hari Raya Festival also reflects the cultural diversity of Malaysia. Source: Akses Malaysia
For example, the “Open House” tradition not only welcomes Muslims but also invites Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians to join in the fun, share meals, and congratulate each other, demonstrating the spirit of tolerance and inter-religious harmony.
It is this interweaving that has created a Hari Raya Aidilfitri that both maintains its religious identity and expands into a community festival, reflecting the multiculturalism and solidarity characteristic of modern Malaysian society.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month, right after the end of Ramadan. Since the Islamic calendar follows the time of lunar calendar, the festive dates can be changed each year according to the Gregorian calendar. Typically, the main festival rituals last for two official days, but preparations and celebrations of the festival can last for a month.
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Hari Raya Festival usually takes place in May or June. Source: Universiti Putra Malaysia
Hari Raya Festival usually takes place in May or June, when the weather in Malaysia is quite favorable for tourism. Although this period is the rainy season, the rainfall level is not too heavy, and the rain usually occurs in the late afternoon or evening, which does not impact outdoor activities. This is an ideal time for you to join the festive atmosphere and explore the traditional beauty of Malaysia.
Read more: Kaamatan Festival in Malaysia 2025: A Glimpse into the Cultural Life
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated all around Malaysia, from urban centers to rural areas. Several big cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu often host public festival events, night markets, and cultural performances. Meanwhile, countryside regions offer more traditional and local festival experiences, with religious ceremonies and family feasts.
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Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated all around Malaysia. Source: SilverKris
Travelers can easily join in the activities of Hari Raya at any place in Malaysia, thanks to the well-developed transport system and the hospitality of the indigenous people. Attending the "Open Houses", where Malaysians open their homes to friends and visitors, is a great opportunity to learn more about their culture and cuisine authentically.
Before Hari Raya Festival comes, Malaysian families start decorating their houses with traditional oil lamps, which are called “Pelita” for a week, especially in rural areas. These lamps are often made of bamboo or metal. They are put along the ways, yards, or around the grounds, creating a magical, shimmering scenery when the night falls.
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Lighting the lamps has a meaning of dispelling darkness. Source: The Estate KL
Lighting the lamps has a meaning of dispelling darkness, and this also symbolizes faith for a new beginning, as well as luck in the next year. In neighborhoods and villages, people organize "Pelita" decoration competitions to increase the spirit of solidarity in community activities. When you come here during this festival time, you will be able to feel like you are entering a fairy world of brilliant lights.
On the first day of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Festival, early morning prayer is one of the most sacred and crucial rituals of the Malaysian Muslim community. At dawn, everyone, from the young to the old, dressed in traditional costumes such as baju Melayu and baju Kurung, gather at mosques to perform a special prayer that lasts for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Early morning prayer is one of the most sacred and crucial rituals. Source: mStar
The atmosphere of this ritual is peaceful and sacred. Participants chant and greet with the “Selamat Hari Raya” after the prayer. This is a moment when people express their gratitude, kindness, and start a new belief in hope. For holiday-makers, witnessing or taking part in the prayer will be an emotional and unforgettable experience of Malaysian religious culture.
After the prayer, Malaysians begin their “balik kampung” journey – returning to their hometowns – to meet their families and loved ones. During these gatherings, the custom of “Maaf Zahir dan Batin” is performed - a profound cultural act, when people apologize to each other for their mistakes in the last year and forgive each other with a tolerant heart.
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Malaysians return to their homes to meet their families and loved ones. Source: Malaysia
This gesture is often expressed by shaking hands, hugging, and kissing, especially between parents and children or grandparents and grandchildren. This is a beautiful, humane feature of Hari Raya Aidilfitri Festival, helping people to mend and renew relationships, and bringing strong bonds within beloved members and communities. Tourists can feel the warmth and sincerity in the reunion atmosphere imbued with Malaysian identity.
One of the most exciting spots of Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the “Open House” tradition, where people open their houses to welcome friends, neighbors, and visitors to chill out during the festival pursuits, which is regardless of religion or nationality. Their homes are delicately decorated in shades of green, yellow, and sparkling lights.
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One of the most exciting spots is Open House tradition. Source: Tsem Rinpoche
Inside, tables are filled with traditional dishes such as ketupat (rice cakes wrapped in coconut leaves), rendang (beef or chicken stewed in spicy spices), kemang (sticky rice grilled in bamboo tubes), sate (grilled meat skewers served with peanut sauce), and desserts such as kuih raya.
This is an opportunity to enjoy food and learn about customs. Source: BusinessToday
This is not only an occasion to enjoy food but also an opportunity to learn about customs, exchange cultures, and feel the warm hospitality of the Malaysian people, an interesting activity that visitors should not miss.
An indispensable activity during Hari Raya Festival is the custom of giving lucky money, called “Duit Raya”. Unlike certain Sinosphere countries, where only children receive lucky money, in Malaysia, duit raya is given not only to children but also to the elderly, the poor, or those in difficult circumstances. New money is put in green or bright red envelopes, they are often printed with images of mosques, crescent moons, or blessing notes.
An indispensable activity during the festival is giving lucky money. Source: Vecteezy
This activity expresses joy and generosity, as well as kindness, among everybody. For holiday-makers, witnessing this ritual or being lucky enough to receive duit raya from locals will be an extremely memorable and heartwarming experience.
Hari Raya Festival is not only a religious festival but also a symbol of unity, hospitality, and the diverse culture of Malaysia. Participating in this festival, travelers will have a chance to explore profound traditional values and feel the warmth of human love. If you are looking for a special and meaningful travel experience, Malaysia’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri Festival is an option not to be missed. Plan to discover now with Asia King Travel!
