Cover image via KL Festival 2026
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Creative souls, take note: KL Festival 2026 is happening this month with loads of free activities to enjoy!
From 6 to 31 May, Kuala Lumpur will be transformed into a sprawling arts and culture hub where you'll find everything creative, from art exhibitions and live performances to community activities.
Organised by Think City and DBKL, and powered by Maxis, KL Festival 2026 takes place under the theme 'Memory & Tomorrow' across Downtown Kuala Lumpur's heritage and public spaces — featuring over 80 programmes and more than 700 hours of experiences throughout the city.
Be sure to check out these events and activities when you visit KL Festival 2026:
1. Wayang Women Live at Dataran Merdeka
After a period of touring in Bali, Wayang Women is set to grace KL Festival 2026 with an enthralling wayang kulit performance that presents Malaysian supernatural folklore and ghost stories with a humourous twist.
Expect to encounter the pontianak, penanggal, and other ghostly characters while exploring current issues alongside a troupe of musicians and performers from across Southeast Asia.
Venue: Dataran Merdeka
Date: 16 May
Admission fee: Free
Register here.
2. World Otter Day Celebration with Kids at MoSAIC
In celebration of the adorable otter, KL Festival will host several engaging activities designed specially for kids, including:
Exhibition: Otter, Wetlands & Our Future Rivers
Heavily featuring otters, this fun exhibit will feature posters and interactive installations inspired by Bayanglah KL that will teach kids about rivers and wetlands and the many ways they support urban areas as well as wildlife.
They'll also be educated about how human actions can affect Malaysia's biodiversity, and what can be done to safeguard local rivers.
Venue: Museum of Science, Arts and Innovation for Children (MoSAIC)
Date: 2 to 31 May
Time: 10am to 6pm
Admission fee: Adults RM35 | Children (17 and below) RM45*
Workshop: Shadow Puppet Making
This hands-on activity is a great way to introduce little ones to the art of crafting shadow puppets and the joy of movement-based storytelling.
Participants will be guided along the journey of creating their own otter shadow puppets, then shown how to bring them to life with the help of puppeteer Isya Filzah, who also comes with years of experience as a theatre practitioner.
Note: For this event, each booking must include one adult and one child ticket. No solo adult entries are allowed.
Venue: Museum of Science, Arts and Innovation for Children (MoSAIC)
Date: 16 May
Time: 2.30pm to 4pm
Admission fee: Adults RM35 | Children (17 and below) RM45*
Full event information can be found here.
3. Larian Seni
Can you mix fitness and creativity? Absolutely!
Designed as a fun run thronged by creative themes and motifs, Larian Seni invites you to suit up as your favourite character from any film, TV show, or animation and run along a 5km route that will be free of vehicles thanks to KL Car Free Morning.
If you can be among the first 100 to complete the run, you'll be rewarded with free breakfast!
Venue: Dataran DBKL, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 17 May
Time: 7am
Admission: Free
Tickets and more info here.
4. Marching Band Showcase: Preview of Asian Music Games
Powered by Maxis, this outdoor marching band showcase serves as a high-energy preview for the upcoming Asia Music Games. It brings together talented Malaysian musicians for a performance filled with loud rhythms and bold musical arrangements, highlighting the skill and teamwork of local youth.
What makes this event stand out is the atmosphere of a live competition that's designed to give the audience a first taste of the energy and culture that the main games will offer.
Expect a loud, vibrant show held entirely outdoors. Be sure to bring an umbrella, hat, or raincoat to stay comfortable while watching the bands perform.
Venue: Dataran Merdeka
Date: 30 May
Time: 9am
Admission: Free
More info here.
5. Origin of a Tale
This puppet show from Lebanon tells the story of how fables began by using raw clay. Performers knead and shape the earth into different figures while moving across the stage.
Combining live sculpture with dance and sound, this 45-minute show focuses on movement and music rather than dialogue.
Even more special is that this appearance marks the troupe's first appearance in the Southeast Asia region, making it a must-see experience if you love object theatre.
Venue: Rumah Tangsi, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 30 to 31 May
Time slots: 11am, 8.30pm
Admission: Standard RM70 | Senior citizens, students, children RM30
Tickets and more info here.
6. Museums and galleries
To celebrate International Museum Day, several museums, galleries, and cultural spaces across Downtown KL are opening their doors with special highlights.
These spots range from historic sites like Rumah Penghulu and the Islamic Arts Museum to modern spaces like the digital exhibits at RXP and contemporary art at Yap Ah Shak House.
You'll find everything from traditional textiles and heritage buildings to digital art and private collections, all located within the city center.
Expect to visit different locations at your own pace to see what each has to offer. Along with the usual displays, there are specific sessions like the talk on the making of the Muzium Tekstil Merdeka, giving you a closer look at how Kuala Lumpur's culture is preserved.
You can get more info under the 'Museums & Galleries' category on this website.
7. Chapter 2
In its Malaysian premiere at KL Festival 2026, Chapter 2 sees acclaimed Thai contemporary dancer and choreographer Pichet Klunchun reflect on the evolution of his artistic practice, shaped by years of experimentation, limitation, and reinvention.
Internationally recognised for transforming the traditional khon masked dance form through contemporary approaches and technology, Pichet now turns the lens on his own body — examining how injury, ageing, and endurance negotiate with the exacting standards of khon.
In this deeply introspective work, he also opens a compelling dialogue with AI, exploring questions of embodiment, expressivity, and the future of co-authored performance.
Venue: Blackbox Aswara, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 30 to 31 May
Time: 8.30pm
Admission: Standard RM70 | Disabled, senior citizens, students, children RM30
Tickets and more info here.
8. I Can't See Myself In This Landscape
This 60-minute audio walk leads you through the streets of Kuala Lumpur, guided by a narration that blends history, memory and speculation as you take in the vibes of the modern city.
This immersive experience features storytelling and sound design created by Faiq Syazwan Kuhiri.
By walking and listening simultaneously, you get a personal, hands-on feel at the history and probable future of Downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Venue: Perdana Botanical Gardens
Date: 6 to 31 May
Time: All day
Admission: Audio walk is free to download
More info here.
