KL Festival will officially continue as an annual city festival beginning May next year, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
Yeoh said that the tradition would continue supporting Visit Malaysia 2027, strengthen the national Warisan KL initiative and reinforce Kuala Lumpur’s position as a Unesco Creative City of Design.
“To everyone here tonight, you are not merely attending a festival launch; you are helping to shape the future identity of Kuala Lumpur.
“And my hope is simple, that when people think about Kuala Lumpur in the future, they will remember more than our skyline.
“ They will remember the feeling of this city’s energy, diversity, creativity and most importantly the people of Kuala Lumpur,” she said at the KL Festival 2026 opening gala at DBKL Auditorium in Menara DBKL 1, Kuala Lumpur.
This year’s theme is “Irama Pusaka-Akar Tradisi, Nadi Baharu”.
The opening gala saw five Malaysian musical traditions come together in one performance featuring Orkestra Kuala Lumpur, Gangsapura, Lee Rubber Chinese Orchestra, Ekam Ensemble and sape musician Leslie Eli.
It marked the 26-day celebration that would feature over 80 programmes across the city from May 6 to 31.