Perak has a number of events and festivals taking place throughout the year. Chinese New Year is one of the biggest events here, and is a great spectacle. National Day in August sees plenty of patriotic fervour around the country and there are a couple of interesting festivals for anglers.

Chinese New Year: the Chinese New Year brings plenty of joy and revelry to Perak, with friends and loved ones giving each other little red packets called angpows. Traditionally, the packages contained money to signify prosperity. Celebrations include lots of eating and dancing to ward of evil spirits. New Year’s Eve is a time for family get-togethers.

Perak River Safari: every April the Perak River sees lots of thrills and excitement with a water carnival. There are lots of activities to get involved in, with power boat and jet-ski races among the water sports. Out of the water there’s beach football, volleyball and tug-of-war for pure brute strength. There is always a great atmosphere and lots of fun is had by all.

Ipoh Fun Run: time to get your running shoes on. Every year in July this fun run sees a whole range of people running from Ipoh to Majlis, Bandaraya and then back to Ipoh.

National Day: on the 31 August people all over Malaysia celebrate the anniversary of independence with parades and entertainment shows. Throughout the country, towns and cities display decorations and lights and you’ll find a party atmosphere - a great experience to witness.

Malaysia Fest: a festival of all things Malaysian takes place for two weeks in September. Hotels and shopping centres around the country get involved with features and celebrations of various aspects of Malaysian culture, such as different cuisines and handicrafts from the various regions.

Temenggor Fishing Contest: Temengoor Lake provides one of the best fishing destinations in Malaysia. If you’re into fishing then you might consider stopping by here in September for this fishing competition.

Taiping Lantern Festival: this festival provides for some great photo opportunities, or simply the chance to enjoy the view of hundreds of colourful lanterns.

Deepavali: the Hindu Festival of Lights is known as Deepavali in Malaysia and is a celebration to signify the triumph of good over evil. During the festival, Malaysian Hindus decorate their homes with lights to mark this event.

Bukit Merah Laketown Fishing Regatta: another event for fishing enthusiasts takes place in Bukit Merah in November each year.

Christmas: Malaysian Christians celebrate Christmas in a similar way to other Christians around the world. Churches hold midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and there is plenty of festive spirit at hotels and shopping centres in the run up to Christmas. As in other countries, non-Christians enjoy the atmosphere as well.

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri: this festival is celebrated by Malaysian Muslims at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Muslims see in the New Year with prayer services at mosques.