Get pumped up for the surfing competition championship series in Malaysia—10 must-do events this December!

▲ Cherating Bay International Surfing Invitational. (Photo / Provided by Tourism Malaysia, same for all below)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

With December here, Malaysia gears up for the final month of festivities this year. A lineup of thrilling and adrenaline-fueled events unfolds: the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival, the 8th Royal Cup Muay Thai Championship, the 4x4 Malaysia Rainforest International Challenge, the FISE World Extreme Sports Tour – Malaysia Stop, and the Cherating Bay International Surfing Invitational. These events offer excitement for thrill-seekers. Music and tranquility lovers can unwind at the Penang International Jazz Festival, while those who dread the cold might opt to spend a warm Christmas in Malaysia.

Cherating Bay International Surfing Invitational
The surfing competition takes place at Cherating Bay in Pahang, renowned for its long and ideal waves that attract surfers from far and wide.

Date: December 11–13
Venue: Cherating Bay, Kuantan, Pahang

Penang Island Jazz Festival
The 12th Penang Island Jazz Festival (PIJF) runs from December 3 to 6, bringing the island to life once again through music. Local and international artists will perform on the outdoor main stage “Jazz by the Beach.” The festival also features a range of complementary music-related activities, such as workshops, exhibitions, sunrise @ tsg, post-work jazz parties, the Edge of Creativity Malaysia Stage, and the Island Music Forum.

Date: December 3–6
Venues: Bayview Beach Resort Penang, Hard Rock Hotel Penang, Parkroyal Penang Resort, and Tropical Spice Garden

RFC - Rainforest Challenge
RFC is a 4x4 off-road event and one of the top ten most challenging motorcycle races in the world. Held annually, this 10-day event typically runs from the end of November to early December, drawing some of the bravest adventurers from Europe and Asia. Competitors tackle the jungle's unknowns amid muddy conditions, heavy rain, steep inclines, complex terrains, and strong monsoon winds.

Date: November 28 – December 7
Location: Port Dickson (Seremban), Gemas Kuala Pilah & Jempol (Negeri Sembilan)

▲ Royal Cup Muay Thai Championship.

8th Royal Cup Muay Thai Championship
The Royal Cup Muay Thai Championship is Malaysia’s longest-running Muay Thai event, making its highly anticipated return in its 8th edition this December. Organized by Z1 International Sdn Bhd and sanctioned by the World Muay Thai Council and the Malaysian Muay Thai Association, this year’s championship aims to promote Malaysia as a hub for Muay Thai learning and showcase local talent on the global stage. Head to the historic National Stadium Kuala Lumpur for an unforgettable night of elite fighters battling it out.

Date: December 4–5
Venue: National Stadium Kuala Lumpur
Website:www.z1international.com.my

5th Sibu Bike Week, Sarawak
This three-day event will feature a host of exhibitions and competitions as usual, including the Miss Sibu Bike Week beauty pageant, tattoo exhibits, biker games, car shows, bicycle exhibitions, band competitions, scooter races, major cycling competitions/games, rover games, skateboard & BMX competitions, karaoke contests, and more.

Date: December 4–6
Venue: Sibu Town Square
Facebook: Razz Chopper M’sia

2015 FISE World Malaysia
Founded in 1997, the FISE (Festival International des Sports Extrêmes) has grown into the world’s largest extreme sports festival for pros and enthusiasts of skateboarding, BMX, wakeboarding, inline skating, and mountain biking. The event showcases thrilling performances and the latest stunts and tricks.

Date: December 18–20
Venue: Eagle Square, Langkawi
Website:www.fise.fr

Penang International Dragon Boat Festival
Come see the traditional dragon boats adorned with elaborate decorations and vibrant paintings sailing along to the rhythmic beat of drums. This event also offers visitors a chance to experience a variety of cultural traditions, such as the zongzi-making competition at the Teluk Bahang Dam.

Date: December 12–13
Venue: Teluk Bahang Dam, Penang
Website:www.penangdragonboat.gov.my

Malaysia Christmas Open House Celebration
Celebrate Christmas with Malaysia’s Prime Minister in this tropical country. People come together during the festive season to honor the spirit of “1Malaysia” through a series of joyful events. Visitors will be enchanted by cultural performances and authentic traditional delicacies.

Date: December 27
Venue: Portuguese Settlement, Malacca
Website:www.motac.gov.my

▲ World Youth Championship.

International Sailing Federation (Youth Worlds Championship)
With a history of 44 years, the International Sailing Federation’s Youth Worlds Championship has witnessed numerous sailing stars compete for glory. This year, over 300 athletes will take part, including Olympic and America’s Cup veterans such as New Zealander Russell Coutts, Italy’s Alessandra Sensini, and Britain’s Ben Ainslie.

Date: December 27, 2015 – January 3, 2016
Venue: Langkawi Island, Kedah

Illusion: Nothing Is As It Seems
Families with children, teens, and young adults alike won’t want to miss “Illusion: Nothing Is As It Seems” when in Malaysia. This mind-bending art exhibition is currently captivating audiences at the PETRONAS Science Centre in Kuala Lumpur and runs until January 10, 2016.

Imported from Dublin’s Trinity College Science Gallery, this illusion exhibit masterfully blends art, technology, and perception to explore modern science, appealing to all ages. Curated by psychologist and author Richard Wiseman and overseen by magician and escape artist Paul Gleeson, the exhibition engages your senses to reveal how the brain works. Get ready for a visual feast where magic meets psychology, optical illusions challenge scientific reasoning, and mystery blends with clarity.

Date: Now until January 10, 2016
Venue: Discovery Centre, PETRONAS Science Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Website:www.petrosains.com.my

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