MBKS Mooncake Festival Draws Crowds Across Three Parks, Kenyalang Celebration Extended to Saturday

KUCHING (KENYALANG PARK, FRIENDSHIP PARK, HUI SING RECREATIONAL PARK), 26 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Kuching’s Mooncake Festival Draws Record Crowds, Extends to Three Parks as MBKS Pushes for Community-Centric Public Spaces

The extension follows a surge in attendance at the Kenyalang Park event, originally scheduled for just two days (September 24–25). Wee told reporters at Hui Sing Recreational Park that the council’s decision to expand the festival—now also running at Friendship Park (Jalan Song) and Hui Sing Recreational Park—aims to foster greater neighbourhood cohesion amid rising digital isolation.

“We want to bring the community to the park and bring the neighbourhood together,” he said, emphasizing that the festival should transcend private celebrations to strengthen social bonds.

The festival’s success underscores MBKS’s strategy to redefine public parks beyond traditional recreational use. Wee highlighted ongoing upgrades to city parks, with a goal of enhancing at least one park annually, while encouraging residents and community groups to organize activities with council support. “We have created the facilities, so we want to make sure people make use of them,” he stated.

The initiative also serves as an informal platform for residents to engage with local representatives, he added, noting that such events could help address neighbourhood concerns in a more accessible setting.

The three-park festival drew diverse crowds, with families participating in food stalls, cultural performances, and festive activities. Wee stressed the importance of such gatherings in countering the erosion of family and community ties, particularly as technology increasingly dominates daily life. “The togetherness now is very important,” he said, urging interested groups to approach MBKS for assistance in organizing future events.

The festival’s expansion follows a broader trend in Malaysian cities to revitalize public spaces through cultural and community-driven initiatives. While Kuching’s approach is notable for its scale—simultaneous events across three parks—similar efforts have been seen in other Malaysian municipalities, including Petaling Jaya’s annual festivals and Johor Bahru’s cultural nights, which aim to boost foot traffic and social interaction.

For local businesses, the festival presents both challenges and opportunities. While vendors at the parks benefit from increased footfall, the council has not yet disclosed specific economic impact figures. However, Wee indicated that the council plans to analyze attendance data to assess the festival’s long-term viability and potential for replication in future public events.

Looking ahead, MBKS has not yet announced plans for a 2027 festival, but Wee suggested that the council may explore year-round community programming in its parks, including themed months or quarterly events. “We want our parks to be places where people feel connected,” he said, emphasizing that the festival’s success will guide future policy decisions.

The extension to September 26 ensures that residents have one final opportunity to participate in the festivities, with all three parks remaining open for cultural performances, food stalls, and family activities. The event concludes on a high note, reinforcing MBKS’s vision of parks as dynamic, inclusive spaces that foster both recreation and community engagement.

Related: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) · Dato Wee Hong Seng