Christmas comes early: crowds enjoying artificial snow at a mall in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE, GLENN GUAN and YAP CHEE HONG/The star
PETALING JAYA: It’s snowing in Malaysia. From Kota Samarahan in Sarawak to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, a white Christmas seems to be on the cards.
Of course, it’s not really snow but that is not important when the festive feel is in full swing. What really matters is the joy of the celebrations.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, families and friends are expected to gather in large numbers outside Suria KLCC at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, to watch the snow fall.
There will be Christmas-themed costumes, with elves, Santarinas, Santa Claus or just Christmas colours. The falling artificial snow, reminiscent of celebrations in western countries, will add to the atmosphere.
Visitors immersing themselves in a snowfall at avenue K in Kuala Lumpur. — ZULAZHAR SHEbLEE, GLENN GUAN and YAP CHEE HONG/The star
In Kota Samarahan, the snow has already begun. The street outside a shopping mall turned into a winter wonderland over the weekend.
Crowds of families and children were seen cheering and rushing into the falling “snow” amid pine trees illuminated by twinkling lights.
The wintry effect was created by snow machines, which will put on a show every Friday to Sunday night until Christmas.
The mall’s annual Christmas Street display also has over 1,000 Norfolk pine trees draped in decorative lights.
“We love lighting up our real Christmas trees for the occasion,” the mall’s representative Abraham Tiong said.
“It has been a tradition since 2021 and has always been popular.”
Shoppers buying decorations in Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur. — ZULAZHAR SHEbLEE, GLENN GUAN and YAP CHEE HONG/The star
“The Christmas Street is one of the highlights of the year,” said Kota Samarahan Municipal Council deputy chairman Daily Joseph.
To add to the festivities, singers from Gereja Methodist Iban Kuching and Samarahan Grace Methodist Church will hold carolling sessions at the mall on Dec 12 and Dec 20 respectively.
A Christmas market is also open every weekend, featuring food, crafts and family-friendly stalls.
Even in Kuala Lumpur, shops selling Christmas decorations are seeing a big rush.
