Chap Goh Mei

Chap Goh Mei, literally "the fifteenth night" in Hokkien, marks the final day of Chinese New Year celebrations and is often called the Chinese Valentine's Day. In Penang, this festival preserves a unique tradition found almost nowhere else in the world: unmarried women throw mandarin oranges into the sea at the Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama) in the hope of finding a good husband. The oranges are sometimes inscribed with phone numbers, making it a charmingly old-fashioned matchmaking ritual.

The celebration at the Esplanade is the centrepiece, with live performances, food stalls, and a festive carnival atmosphere along the waterfront. Thousands of people gather to watch the orange-throwing ceremony, which typically takes place after sunset. In recent years, the event has also attracted couples and families who participate for fun rather than serious matchmaking. The George Town waterfront is beautifully lit, and many restaurants and cafes along the area offer special menus.

Chap Goh Mei also features elaborate prayer ceremonies at Chinese temples throughout Penang, with the most significant at the Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Teng) on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. The temple is packed with worshippers lighting incense and making offerings, creating an atmospheric scene of smoke and candlelight.