KL Festival 2026 continues with more walks, workshops, exhibitions, performances and family-friendly activities around Kuala Lumpur. From cultural showcases to theatre and community markets, here are the events to check out this week.
1) A City Walk Curated by Think City: Klyne Quarter-Where Change Unfolds
This is a walking experience which explores the Klyne Quarter, previously known as Hang Lekiu Block. Participants will learn about stories of local business, stories of heritage and more.
When is it: 17th May-30th May 2026, 10AM
Location: High Street Studios
(Free entry)
2) [Family] by Mr. John
Performed by contemporary clown Mr. John, Family is an event that brings the audience together to laugh, reflect, and enjoy a heartfelt performance.
When is it: 17th May-31st May 2026, Available in various timings
Location: Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Ancestral Hall, MoSAIC & GMBB
(Free entry, book here)
3) Ronggeng Kuala Lumpur Exhibition
This exhibition explores the history of Ronggeng as a social dance and music culture in KL.
When is it: 18th May 2026-6th June 2026, 10AM-10PM
Location: Semua House C-Space & Central Market
(Free entry, book here)
4) Urban Development of Warsaw
The event launches Professor Marek Kozlowski’s publication on Warsaw’s urban development, and compares Warsaw and Kuala Lumpur through talks.
When is it: 21st May-22nd May 2026, 1:30PM
Location: Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Kuala Lumpur
(Free Entry)
5)The Lessons of Silence
Directed by Agnes Christina, this performance follows a young girl in a tense moment of evacuation. Told without dialogues, this explores race, class and family through silence and movement.
When is it: 22nd May 2026-23rd May 2026, 8:30PM
Location: The Godown
(Get your tickets here, from RM30.00, RM70.00)
6) Climate Discovery Day
This event explores climate change through interactive stations, nature observation and family-friendly activities.
When is it: 23rd May 2026-24th May 2026, 8AM
Location: Taman Tugu The Shed
(Free entry)
7) Ulam Taste Tour
This introduces participants to the cultural and culinary importance of ulam. It includes a farm tour, tasting session and light refreshment.
When is it: 23rd May 2026, 9AM
Location: Taman Tugu The Shed
(Get your tickets here)
8) Lokawarna- KL Riverbank Art Market
Lokawarna is a weekend art market featuring crafts, creative workshops, and live art demonstrations.
When is it: 23rd May 2026-24th May 2026, 10AM
Location: Sayur In The City @ YWCA KL
(Free entry)
9) Currents and Confluences
International producers bring together cultural leaders, artists, and creative practitioners.
When is it: 23rd May 2026, 10AM
Location: Lima Pulo @ Tong Shin Terrace
(Free entry)
10) Echoes of Chinatown
This event brings back the spirit of KL Chinatown in the 1980s. Visitors can enjoy a market, Chinese arts and crafts, street performance and storytelling.
When is it: 23rd May 2026-24th May 2026, 10AM
Location: Kwai Chai Hong
(Free Entry)
11) Cuti-Cuti GMBB: Memory & Tomorrow Edition
This school holiday event is a creative workshops and family-friendly activities by GMBB Community.
When is it: 23rd May 2026-7th June 2026, 11AM
Location: GMBB Creative Community Mall
(Free entry)
12) Malaysiaku: Paper, Press & Post
This hands -on heritage activity lets people create their own letterpress postcards.
When is it: 23rd May 2026-31st May 2026, 11AM
Location: Pejabat Pos Besar Lama (Block B), Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad
(Get your tickets here)
13) Play-Play Five-Foot Way!
This brings Kaki Lima: Downtown KL board game into the place that inspired it. Visitors can experience the KL charm five foot ways through play and street side interaction.
When is it: 23rd May 2026, 11AM
Location: 8055 Coffee: H S Lee
(Free entry)
14) Henna On Canvas
This workshop turns henna art into canvas painting. Participants will create their own artwork while enjoying an immersive audio visual setting and rooftop session.
When is it: 23rd May 2026-30th May 2026, 12PM
Location: Dou Houz
(Get your tickets here, RM65 per pax/RM120 for two pax)
15) Shall We Move? A Contemporary Dance Workshop
The beginner friendly workshop introduces movement, body awareness and creative expression by James Kan.
When is it: 23rd May 2026, 2PM-3PM
Location: The Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association
(Free entry)
16) Berkelah di Dataran-Tiffin Picnic
This picnic is a zero waste picnic which encourages visitors to bring their own bekal/tiffin and enjoy an evening in dataran merdeka. There will also be free film screening.
When is it: 23d May 2027, 5PM
Location: Dataran Merdeka
(Free entry)
17) My Life Is A Symphony. I Thought I Was The Solo Conductor
This outdoor drum performance by Orang Orang Drum Theatre brings back work pieces from past production.
When is it: 23rd May 2026, 5PM
Location: Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad
(Free entry)
18) Ronggeng Kuala Lumpur Workshop
Led by Nus PARC practitioners, the event introduces basic steps, music and cultural history of Ronggeng.
When is it: 23rd May 2026-6th June 2026, 6PM
Location: Semua House & Plaza B, Central Market
(Free entry)
19) Fragments of Tuah
This is part of KL Festival’s evening program and brings the audience to creative interpretation inspired by the legacy of Tuah.
When is it: 23rd May 2026-24th May 2026, 8.30PM
Location: Sekolah Seni Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
(Get your tickets here, Movetix ticket)
20) Adil Johan Quintet Does Jazz Fusion
The Adil Johan Quintet brings jazz, indie soul, rock and hip-hop to the stage.
When is it: 23rd May 2026, 8.30 PM
Location: Brasserie Alma
(Get your tickets here)
21) Siapa Cacat?
This is a disabled-led theater production which shows different characters waiting at a bus stop for an accessible bus.
When is it: 23rd May 2026, 8:30PM
Location: The Grey Box, GMBB
(Get your tickets here, Movetix ticket)
22) Ronggeng Kuala Lumpur Performance
This celebrates Ronggeng as one of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic social dance and music traditions. Audiences can experience live music, dancers and singers bring the old city nightlife back.
When is it: 23rd May 2026-6th June, 8:30PM
Location: Semua House & Plaza B, Central Market
(Free entry)
Whether you’re looking for something creative, education or fun, KL has everything to explore this week.
Stay tuned and check Varnam for weekly updates on KL Festival 2026!
