The 15th and last night of Chinese New Year, Saturday 20 February. Oranges tossed into the sea at the Esplanade, lion dances and fireworks.
Chap Goh Mei is in 122 days
Sat 20 February 2027, the 15th night of the lunar new year.
See the plan for the nightChap Goh Mei (Chap Goh Meh in Penang Hokkien) is the 15th night of the lunar new year and the last night of the Chinese New Year season. In 2027 it is Saturday 20 February.
Penang marks it at the Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama) in George Town, where single women, and now plenty of others, write on mandarin oranges and toss them into the sea in the hope of finding love. The state celebration around it has lion dances, Chingay, dondang sayang and fireworks.
It is free and not a public holiday. The state usually holds its celebration on the night itself, but in 2025 it moved it by two days, so check the 2027 date when it is announced.
元宵节在农历正月十五，2027年为2月20日，是农历新年的最后一晚。槟州的元宵庆典一般在乔治市的海墘（Padang Kota Lama）举行， 有抛柑祈求良缘、高桩舞狮、游艺（Chingay）、变脸和峇峇娘惹的 Dondang Sayang 表演，最后以烟花结束。入场免费。
Based on the state celebration at the Esplanade in 2025 and 2026. Confirm the times nearer the date.
From 5pm
The state celebration opens on the Esplanade with stage shows and street food. In 2026 the programme included a high-pole lion dance, Chingay, face-changing and a dondang sayang parade.
About 7pm
The orange toss. People line the sea wall and throw their oranges into the sea.
Evening
Performances carry on. Dondang sayang, the Malay and Peranakan sung verse, has been a regular part of the Penang night.
To close
Fireworks end the night and the Chinese New Year season. In 2026 the event ran until 11pm.
After
Everyone leaves at once after the fireworks. Walk a few streets into George Town before you book a ride.
The seafront for the oranges, the hill temple for the last of the lights.
Seafront by Fort Cornwallis, George Town
The state-level Chap Goh Meh celebration is held here on the sea wall. In 2026 it ran from 5pm to 11pm, with the orange toss at 7pm, a high-pole lion dance, Chingay flag bearers, Chinese face-changing, a dondang sayang parade and fireworks to close. Stand along the sea wall early if you want to throw.
Directions in Google Maps
Air Itam
The temple's Chinese New Year lanterns and lights stay on until Chap Goh Mei, so the 15th is the last night to see them. In 2026 they were lit from 13 February. It is a separate trip from the Esplanade: go earlier in the evening, or on another night of the season.
Directions in Google MapsOlder guides send you to Gurney Drive. The toss was once done in rivers, then along Gurney Drive, and has since settled at the Esplanade, where the state holds its celebration. The Esplanade is where the crowd and the programme are now.
What to bring and when to be there.
A mandarin orange is the usual choice; stalls near the venue sell them too. Write on it with a marker: a name and number in the old days, now often a social media handle or a wish.
The custom is for single women hoping to meet a partner. These days people also throw with a wish written on the fruit, and visitors join in.
In 2026 the toss was at 7pm. The sea wall fills first, so arrive in the late afternoon if you want a spot at the edge.
The Esplanade is in the George Town heritage zone, an easy walk from most George Town hotels. If you take a Grab, agree a pick-up point a few streets away.
The Esplanade is at the edge of George Town's heritage zone. Stay within walking distance and you can skip the traffic after the fireworks.
Compare Penang hotelsThe season starts on Day 1, Sat 6 February, with the Hokkien Jade Emperor night on the eve of Sun 14 February at Chew Jetty.
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Chap Goh Mei is the 15th day of the lunar new year: Saturday 20 February 2027. In 2028 it is Wednesday 9 February.
Usually, not always. In 2026 the state celebration at the Esplanade was on Chap Goh Mei, 3 March. In 2025 the state moved it to 14 February, two days after the lunar date. The state announces its date in the Penang press ahead of the night, so check nearer the time.
Chap Goh Mei (十五暝, Chap Goh Meh in Penang Hokkien) means the 15th night. It is the last night of Chinese New Year and the first full moon of the year, called Yuan Xiao (元宵节) in Mandarin. In Malaysia it is often called Chinese Valentine's Day.
Single women throw a mandarin orange into the sea, traditionally with their name or contact written on it, in the hope of meeting a partner within the year. Now many people write a wish instead, and it is not only for single women.
At the Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama) in George Town, by Fort Cornwallis. The toss used to be done in rivers and later at Gurney Drive before the celebration settled at the Esplanade.
No. The Chinese New Year public holidays are on the 1st and 2nd days (6 February and 7 February in 2027). Chap Goh Mei, 20 February, is a Saturday.
Yes. The state celebration at the Esplanade is free and open to everyone.
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