From Malaysian street food and cinema to Sarawak crafts, comedy, dance and family fun, discover a taste of Malaysia at Battersea Power Station this September
London, August 2026 – Londoners can experience a taste of Malaysia without leaving the capital this September, as Malaysian food, film, music, dance, comedy, traditional crafts and hands-on experiences feature at celebrASIA 2026, London’s largest South East Asian festival.
Returning to Battersea Power Station from 11–13 September 2026, celebrASIA will transform the iconic riverside destination into a three-day celebration of South East Asian culture, flavours and creativity. Now in its third year, the festival is driven by community and cultural exchange and will return bigger than ever in 2026.
Malaysia will have a strong presence throughout the weekend, giving visitors the opportunity to discover different sides of the country through its flavours, stories, people and traditions. From Malaysian street food and contemporary cinema to the indigenous heritage of Sarawak, batik artistry and pewter craftsmanship, celebrASIA offers a flavour of what awaits travellers in Malaysia during Visit Malaysia 2026-2027.
Image: Traditional Dancers from Sarawak Arts Council performed at celebrASIA 2025, Battersea Power Station
Taste Malaysia
Food is at the heart of Malaysian culture, and celebrASIA’s food and drink programme will provide plenty of opportunities to discover the country through its flavours.
Malaysian favourites include Syiok Lah and returning trader Eat Lah, while chef Mandy Yin joins forces with Chick ’n’ Sours. Following her appearance at the 2025 festival, Mambow’s Abby Lee also returns, this time serving her Hainanese Chicken Sando.
For adults looking to discover Malaysia through a different flavour, the Gin Malaya Masterclass will explore the botanicals, distilling process and character behind the gin, accompanied by tastings and recommended mixers. Or Join chef Ranie Saidi at Borough Kitchen Battersea for a special Everyday Malaysian Cooking Class, exclusively part of the 2026 celebrASIA South East Asian Food & Culture Festival.
Together, the food and drink programme provides a delicious introduction to a country where eating is an integral part of everyday life – from bustling hawker centres and traditional kopitiams to contemporary restaurants and bars.
Malaysia on the Big Screen
Malaysia also comes to London through film as part of the celebrASIA Film Festival, taking place from 7–13 September at The Cinema in the Power Station and The Cinema in The Arches.
Three Malaysian films – Ola Bola, You Mean the World to Me and Babah – offer different windows into Malaysian life and storytelling, exploring themes including family, identity, community and resilience.
Screened in their original languages with English subtitles, the films provide UK audiences with an opportunity to experience contemporary Malaysian cinema and discover more about the people, places and stories behind the destination.
Malaysia Takes to the Stage
The main celebrASIA stage will feature a vibrant programme of live music, dance, DJ performances and comedy throughout Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday.
Malaysian actor and comedian Vera Chok makes her celebrASIA comedy debut, while Kompang Malaysian drumming will bring the distinctive rhythms of traditional Malay percussion to London.
Visitors will also be transported to Malaysian Borneo through dance performances from Sarawak, offering a glimpse into the cultural traditions of one of Malaysia’s most fascinating regions.
Games & Performances in Malaysia Square
Malaysia will also provide the backdrop to one of celebrASIA’s new spaces for 2026, as Malaysia Square becomes a performance and workshop area throughout the weekend.
Each morning, the square will host free family-friendly games, giving younger visitors a fun and interactive way to engage with the festival.
In the afternoons, Malaysia Square will transform into a lively open-air stage and workshop area hosted by Malaysian actor and comedian Vera Chok. Visitors can watch dances and shows or join free movement workshops covering martial arts, puppetry and more.
Get Hands-On with Malaysian Heritage
Beyond the stage, visitors can try some of Malaysia’s best-known traditional arts and crafts for themselves through a series of special workshops and masterclasses.
One of Malaysia’s most internationally recognised heritage brands, Royal Selangor, will introduce visitors to the art of pewter smithing. Adults and children aged four and over can use traditional tools and techniques to hammer a flat pewter disc into their own handcrafted bowl – creating a personal keepsake to take home.
The traditions of Sarawak will be brought to life through two further masterclasses. The Sarawak Bemban Mat Weaving Masterclass introduces visitors to a craft rooted in the indigenous communities of Borneo, using natural materials and traditional weaving techniques.
Sarawak beadcrafter Stephen Keshi, from Dalat Mukah, will lead a Sarawak Beaded Bracelet Masterclass, sharing the stories, identity and traditions associated with Sarawak beadwork before helping participants create a bracelet of their own.
Another of Malaysia’s most recognisable art forms takes centre stage with Batik Ying, introducing visitors to the traditional wax-resist art of batik. Participants can experiment with colour and paint their own pre-waxed batik artwork to take home.
Take a Piece of Malaysia Home
Providing memorable keepsakes to take home from the weekend, the celebrASIA Artisan Market will bring together 50 independent traders showcasing a variety of products, from sauces, spices and snacks to gifts, accessories, art and handcrafted pieces.
Among the Malaysian names taking part are Batik Ying, Nico Nico, Hiraya Manawari and Ooily Bros, offering another opportunity to discover Malaysian creativity and independent makers.
In the Mood For, whose creative influences include Malaysia, will also be represented at the market.
From London to Malaysia
For those inspired to experience more, celebrASIA arrives during Visit Malaysia 2026-2027, providing an introduction to a country rich in cultures, flavours, landscapes and traditions.
Travellers can experience the energy and food scene of Kuala Lumpur, discover George Town’s UNESCO-listed heritage and celebrated cuisine in Penang, relax on Malaysia’s tropical islands and beaches, journey into ancient rainforests or head to Malaysian Borneo to experience the wildlife and living traditions of Sabah and Sarawak.
Experiences encountered at celebrASIA can become the starting point for a future Malaysian journey – from seeing Sarawak dance and crafts in London to discovering the communities behind them in Borneo, learning about batik before meeting Malaysian artisans, or trying Malaysian dishes at Battersea before tasting them in the markets, hawker centres and neighbourhoods where they originated.
Mr Sulaiman Suip, Director of Tourism Malaysia London, commented: “celebrASIA is a fantastic opportunity for people in the UK to experience some of the cultures, flavours and traditions that make Malaysia such a rewarding destination to explore. Whether it is trying Malaysian food, discovering our films, enjoying music and dance or learning about the craftsmanship of batik, pewter and Sarawak’s traditional arts, there are so many ways to experience Malaysia throughout the weekend.
As we celebrate Visit Malaysia 2026-2027, we hope celebrASIA inspires visitors to take the next step and come and discover these experiences for themselves – meeting the people, exploring the places and tasting the food that make Malaysia so special.”
celebrASIA 2026 takes place at Battersea Power Station, London, from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026. Entry to the festival is free, although some workshops, masterclasses and film screenings are ticketed and advance booking is recommended.
To find out more information batterseapowerstation.co.uk/celebrasia/
For more media information, please visit the Tourism Malaysia corporate site at https://www.tourism.gov.my
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