Pesta Pulau Pinang returns, but moves to Tasek Gelugor after 50 Years at Sungai Nibong

Visitors enjoy the lively atmosphere at Pesta Pulau Pinang in George Town on January 4, 2025. — Bernama pic

By Opalyn Mok

First Published: Tuesday, 15 Sep 2026 1:52 PM MYT

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 15 — Pesta Pulau Pinang will return this year for a month-long celebration starting December 1, with the event relocating to Padang Menora in Tasek Gelugor.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed that while the annual event continues as scheduled, it will be held at a more compact venue compared to its traditional site in Sungai Nibong.

“Although Padang Menora is smaller than the Sungai Nibong grounds, it is suitable for continuing the annual event,” Chow told reporters following the closing ceremony of the national-level Penang2030 public speaking competition at USM today.

The decision to move the event follows the closure of the original Pesta grounds to facilitate the construction of the Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) station and depot.

The state government had explored several alternative locations before the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) offered the Tasek Gelugor site.

Despite the change in venue, the state executive council decided to retain the name “Pesta Pulau Pinang,” acknowledging the brand’s prestige and recognition over the past half-century.

The event will run from December 1 to 31, with further details to be announced once finalised.

The former Pesta site in Sungai Nibong is now the focus of a proposed Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Masterplan covering approximately 23.47 hectares.

Developed through a collaboration between the state government, the Asian Development Bank, MRT Corporation, and various federal and state agencies, the draft master plan is expected to be finalised in October.

The vision for the site is to create a long-term, mixed-use transit hub integrating residential, commercial, and public facilities. This large-scale urban transformation is expected to take between 10 and 15 years to fully implement.