Editing Penang (section)

=== Festivals ===
Penang's cosmopolitan society results in a great number of celebrations and festivities throughout the year. The state hosts major cultural and religious events, including [[Chinese New Year]], [[Eid al-Fitr]]i, [[Diwali]], [[Thaipusam]], [[Vaisakhi]], [[Christmas]], [[Vesak]] and [[Songkran (Thailand)|Songkran]].<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Calendar of Events 2022 |url=https://www.mypenang.gov.my/uploads/downloads/COE2022-v9.pdf |journal=Penang Global Tourism }}</ref> Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days and are marked with festivities unique to the state, such as the birthday of the [[Jade Emperor]], and the annual opening of Chinese ancestral halls and associations in [[George Town, Penang|George Town]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wang |first=Yi |date=30 January 2023 |title=Discover Cultural Treasures in Chinese New Year Celebration at Malaysia's Penang |url=https://english.news.cn/20230130/75812590d34047fa893c1783d5de2ac7/c.html |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=[[Xinhua News Agency]] }}</ref><ref name="Jeremy Tan-2024">{{Cite news |last=Jeremy Tan |date=14 February 2024 |title=Showcase of Cherished Traditions |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2024/02/14/showcase-of-cherished-traditions |access-date=15 March 2024 |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] }}</ref> The 15th and final day of Chinese New Year is celebrated with a [[Peranakan Chinese]]-inspired [[Lantern Festival]].<ref name="Jeremy Tan-2024" />

George Town is credited as the origin of a unique form of the [[Chingay parade|Chingay procession]], which involves participants balancing oversized flags on their heads or hands.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McIntyre |first=Ian |date=10 March 2023 |title=New Attractions Await Visitors to Penang |url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/lifestyles/87457/new-attractions-await-visitors-to-penang |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=The Vibes }}</ref> A state-held Chingay parade takes place in George Town annually, although Chingay performances are also frequently included in Chinese festivals and significant state events throughout Penang.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 March 2023 |title=Chingay Festival in Penang is Back |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/11/chingay-festival-in-penang-is-back |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] }}</ref>

Expatriates residing in Penang have introduced their celebrations to the state. [[Bon (festival)|Bon Odori]], a Japanese festival celebrated annually in George Town, has gained popularity among locals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Information & Culture |url=https://www.penang.my.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000285.html |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=Consulate-General of Japan in Penang, Malaysia }}</ref> [[Saint Patrick's Day|St. Patrick's Day]] and [[Oktoberfest]], traditionally celebrated by ethnic Irish and German communities respectively, are also celebrated in the city.<ref>{{Cite news |last=N. Trisha |date=14 March 2016 |title=St Patrick's Day Celebrated with Merriment over Four Days |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/03/14/turning-green-withirish-pride-st-patricks-day-celebrated-with-merriment-over-four-days/ |access-date=14 March 2016 |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeremy Tan |date=9 October 2010 |title=Oktoberfest Cheer in Penang |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2010/10/09/oktoberfest-cheer-in-penang/ |access-date=9 October 2010 |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] }}</ref>

Penang also hosts several major festivals each year, including the [[George Town Festival]] which has become one of the largest arts events in [[Southeast Asia]] since its inaugural event in 2010.<ref name="Chen-2014">{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=May Yee |date=31 July 2014 |title=Old Colonial City in Malaysia Becomes a Stage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/01/arts/international/george-town-festival-is-making-its-name-as-major-asian-arts-event.html |access-date=29 November 2017 |website=[[The New York Times]] }}</ref> In 2018, the [[George Town Literary Festival]] became the first Southeast Asian literary event to achieve the international Literary Festival Award at the [[London Book Fair]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferrarese |first=Marco |date=15 November 2019 |title=Bookworms and Big Ideas Collide at George Town Literary Festival |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life/Bookworms-and-big-ideas-collide-at-George-Town-Literary-Festival |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=[[Nikkei, Inc.]] }}</ref>