KL Festival has officially started. It brings art, culture, music, heritage, and community activities across Downtown Kuala Lumpur throughout the month. From 6th May to 31st May 2026, the festival features more than 80 events across museums, heritage buildings, public spaces, and creative venues around KL.
Organised by Think City, and DBKL, in collab with Downtown KL partners, and in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026. KL Festival 2026 is conducting any events are free and open to the public.
Here’s your weekly KL Festival guide for events happening this week:
1) Klang River Feels: The Everyday Moments
This walk is about exploring the history and significance of the Klang River and how it shaped Kuala Lumpur’s development.
10th-23rd May 2026, 9AM
Location: Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad
Get your tickets here
2) PolaTAR-Mapping Patterns
This arts and fashion program brings you back to Jalan TAR through the installations inspired by local garment makers and fashion culture.
10th May-31st May, 10AM-9PM
Location: Semua House
(Free admission, get to know more here)
3) PolaTAR-Fashion…Is?
A public talk which explores fashion that is beyond trends and aesthetic. The sessions focus on community conversation on identity, creativity and fashion culture.
10th May-23rd May 2026, 3PM
Location: Semua House
(Free admission, get to know more here)
4) Roll: Kita Sama
Presented by Malaysia Dance Skate, this performance is a mix of dance, skating, and stunt showcases. The event also has social skate session open to the public.
10th May-24th May 2026, 4PM
Location: Jejak Pahlawan
(Free admission, get to know more here)
5) Mixed Media from the Golden Period of Malaysian Contemporary Art
The exhibition has a mixed of media works by first generation Malaysian contemporary artist from 1990s to mid 2010s.
11th May-31st May 2026, 9AM
Location: Yap Ah Shak House
(Free walk-in exhibition, get to know more here)
6) School of Hard Knocks
Experience tradition pewtersmithing techniques by crafting own pewter bowl using hand rolls.
12th May 2026-31st May 2026, 9AM
Location: Royal Selangor Gallery, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad
(Get your tickets here, registration is required)
7) Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Museum Day Programme
The museum’s special Museum Day is a program that has batik and Iznik plate painting, tour guides, and interactive storytelling session. Its a family friendly event.
12th May-31st May 2026, 9:30AM
Location: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
(Get your tickets here, selected activities starts from RM10)
8) Pioneers of Kuala Lumpur Museum
The historic museum is beside Sin Szen Si Ya Temple, and it explores the origin of KL and the contribution of Yap Ah Loy. This event, you can see artefacts, archives, and historic exhibition.
12th May 2026-31st May 2026, 10AM
Location: Sin Sze Si Ya Temple
(Get your tickets here, if you mention KL Festival at the counter there will be 50% discount on entry tickets)
9) Taman Tugu Guided Walk
This is a guided nature walk which brings you through Taman Tugu’s urban forest which is restored. Sessions are only limited to 15 participants for a more personalised experience.
12th May 2026-28th May 2026, 10AM-11AM
Location: Taman Tugu
(Get your tickets here, RM 30 per person)
10) Sky Yuen Exhibition
This is a showcase of Sky Yuen’s typography and letterpress works with archival materials and documentary footages.
13th May 2026-17th May 2026, 10AM
Location: Lostgens’ Contemporary Art Space
(Free admission, get to know more here)
11) 30-Minute Guided Tour at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad
This tour gives access to selected areas inside one of KL’s most iconic heritage buildings.
13th May 2026-29th May 2026, 10AM
Location: Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad
(Get your tickets here, registration is required)
12) matlab-Open House
The open house introduces visitors to suitable and bio-based materials through tactile sensory archive.
15th, 16th, 29th and 30th May 2026, 10AM-6PM
Location: High Street Studios
(Free walk-in, get to know more here)
13) MyTIGER Values Art Competition & Exhibition 2026
This is organised by Maybank Foundation, the exhibition showcases artwork inspired by wildlife conservation and environment awareness.
15th May 2026-31st May 2026, 10AM-5PM
Location: Stadium Merdeka
(Free admission, get to know more here)
14) SUMUD: Existence Is Resistance
This combines photography and visual art which explores Palestinian stories of hope, resilience and identity.
5th May 2026-17th May 2026, 11AM-10PM
Location: GMBB
(Free admission, get to know more here)
15) Kuala Sine
Kuala Sine is co-presented by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia, and it celebrates Malaysian cinema through curated screenings and conversations.
15th May 2026-16th May 2026, 8PM
Location: ODEON KL
(Free admission, get to know more here)
Heritage walks, art exhibition and outdoor performance, KL Festival 2026 continues to showcase KL as a city shaped by culture, creativity and community. With more events happening this month, this are some you can look forward to as the events above begins this weekend.
Stay tuned and check Varnam for weekly updates on KL Festival 2026!
