Kota Kinabalu: Sabah will host its State-level Chinese New Year Open House on Feb 17 from 10am to 2pm at the Kinabatangan I–III Halls, Level 2, of the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
The event is expected to attract approximately 20,000 visitors.
Head of State Tun Musa Aman will grace the event, reflecting the State Government’s commitment to harmony, unity and cultural diversity among the people.
“The celebration is not only a symbol of unity among Sabah’s multi-ethnic communities but also serves as a platform to strengthen cultural tourism in the State,” said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
“This is a principle that serves as the foundation for the State Government, ensuring that all citizens — across various ethnicities, races, religions and cultures – can celebrate together, including the Chinese New Year,” he said when met after a courtesy call on Tun Musa, here, on Thursday.
Jafry, who is also the Organising Committee Chairman, hoped schools, Federal and State civil servants, Federal agencies in Sabah, non-governmental organisations, ethnic associations and Chinese associations would take this opportunity to come together for the 2026 State-Level Chinese New Year Celebration.
“A variety of cultural events will be showcased throughout the programme, including lion dances, Chinese cultural performances and appearances by guest artistes,” he added.
The celebrations provide opportunities for domestic and international visitors to experience Sabah’s rich traditions, customs and cultural heritage, reinforcing its position as an international tourism destination.
The programme will feature cultural performances such as lion dances, firecracker displays, and the traditional Yee Sang tossing ceremony, as well as multi-ethnic traditional food and special dishes prepared by 15 leading five-star hotels in Sabah.
The event will also be enlivened by performances by well-known Sabah and international artistes, along with family-friendly community activities.
The celebration is expected to contribute to the recovery and growth of the State’s tourism sector and stimulate the local economy through high-impact cultural events.
Also present was the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai.
