Malaysia in October - Places to Visit & Festivals to Celebrate

Peninsular Malaysia experiences a transitional change in the weather in October as the South-East monsoon winds gradually come to a halt on the West Coast. Penang and Langkawi receive their heaviest showers of annual rainfall during October. Pangkor Island is a safer region to travel to during October, as it has steady sunny weather with hints of rain.

The East Coast, including the Kuantan, Perhentian Islands, Tioman Islands and Terengganu, Kota Bharu and Radang sees a drop in the temperature in October as the North East Monsoon winds travels in a faster pace than usual. The sea gets roughed up and worsens in its conditions through the month.

The East Coast has an average temperature of 29 degree Celsius during October.
The West Coast has an average temperature of 30 degree Celsius during October.

Is October a Good Time to Visit Malaysia?

Malaysia is a tropical destination, with rainfall largely throughout the Peninsula in October. You can visit Malaysia during this time of the year if you are fond of the tropical rain with a decent sunshine spread. East Coast destinations are more favourable for visits that the West Coast as the latter faces probably the heaviest rainfall of the year. However, you might want to avoid waterfalls, and other destinations as the slopes get really dangerous and are often closed due to the monsoons.

Places to Visit in Malaysia in October

1. Tioman Island

The duty- free Tioman Island comprises 8 main village stations that are popular tourist destinations, whilst being a natural reserve. During October, bask in the pleasant sunshine and experience the occasional rain as you gather your swimsuits for an exhilarating day at the white sand beaches. With snorkelling and diving as some of the most sought out tourist activities, this Island comes to the forefront.

2. Kuala Terengganu

You can visit Kuala Terengganu in October to see the Mosques light up and offer peaceful offerings celebrating the Islamic New Year. 

3. Georgetown, Penang

You can travel to Georgetown in October to see the world-famous Chinese Moon Cake Festival and special lantern parades in the event's honour! Georgetown is a colourful state town in Penang, a picturesque touristy spot with a beautiful artisan and medieval colonial ambience. The locals are amiable and joyous, especially when the town is in a festive spirit with parades and guilty pleasure food items to look forward to amongst the cheers and frolic.

4. Kuala Lumpur 

Kuala Lumpur, the capital city, is one of Malaysia's most visited places, all year round with more than 10 main attractions to visit, including the iconic Petronas Twin Towers in the city centre, Batu Caves  Sunway Lagoon, Chinatown and some of the largest malls of the world. In October, with a warm temperature of about 30-32 degree Celsius, the place is always on its tiptoes with tourists accumulating from all over the world. 

Travel around the buzz of the city that has some of the most memorable night markets (Connaught Night market and Sunday Night Market ), Museums ( The national museum, Illusion 3D art museum and Miniature Malaysia), Amusement Parks ( Berjaya Times Square Theme Park and Sunway Lagoon ) and Shopping destinations ( Berjaya Time Square, Bukit Bintang and Suria KLCC ) of SouthEast Asia. And that's not all! The nightlife - the pubs and bars and the affordable cuisine are an out of the world experience that you must try while you are here.

5. Malacca 

Malacca is just the aesthetic and laidback city that you would be looking for when travelling to Malaysia, with its prepossessing travel destinations that are going to leave you awestruck with their beauty and the famous markets that attract tourists from all over the country. Apart from being an UNESCO world heritage site, this dainty town offers quite the number of sights to see including the A’Famosa Fort, the Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary and the Melaka Sultanate Palace. Don’t forget to visit the world-famous, Jonker Street Night Market while you are in town.

Festivals in Malaysia in October

1. Chinese Moon Cake Festival

The Chinese celebrate this colourful and vibrant  festival in full zest and vigour to commemorate the overthrowing of the Mongols. The event took place during the end of the reign of the Yuan Dynasty. According to the calendar, this Mid-Autumn festival falls annually on September – October on the Fifteenth Day of the Eighth moon.

Chinese Malaysians celebrate this day by enjoying delicious moon-cakes of various flavour, lighting lanterns and holding family gatherings and parades. This is a very popular festival in the state of Penang and Georgetown, where the ethnic population is substantial. Watch the crowds come out on the streets with bright lanterns and the extraordinary dragon dances, making this experience unforgettable for anyone who visits the region.

Date: September 21 in 2021.

2. Awal Muharram

Awal Muharram or ‘Maal Hijrah’, more popularly coined as the Islamic New Year, usually falls in August to October. The Muslim community celebrates two of their most memorable occasions to commemorate the events of - the commencement of their calendar along with the Prophets’ journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.

The event calls for a public holiday in Malaysia as people following Islam from all over the country can be seen celebrating in prayer and self-reflection, contrary to the New Year’s vigour as per the Gregorian Calendar. Religious believers read verses from the Quran, sing tunes and count sermons in private and public mosques. Bubur Asyura or sweet rice is a popular dish prepared to recognize the event. Visit the tranquil mosques in Kuala Terengganu during this time of the year.

Date: 9th and 10th of August, 2021.

Tips

Do keep the weather forecast and climate in mind when travelling to Malaysia in October and pack accordingly. A light waterproof jacket is a must during this season. Since a lot of places may be shut down due to the monsoons it is better to pre-plan and book everything in advance.

Let us know in the comments if there are other places and things that you have loved while travelling to Malaysia in October!