Chinese New Year cheer returns to Miri with nostalgia market, vibrant fair

MIRI (Feb 2): Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister and Miri MP Chiew Choon Man is supporting two major Chinese New Year (CNY) carnival events in the city this February, aimed at bringing joy back to local shoppers and hawkers.

The events mark a revival after last year’s cancellation of the traditional annual bazaar, which had been  organised for decades by Miri City Council (MCC) and the Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Chiew said community-focused festive programmes play a crucial role in strengthening cultural identity, boosting tourism, supporting the local economy, and creating sustainable income opportunities for traders, SMEs, and players in the creative industry.

“These initiatives directly align with the national tourism recovery strategy and Sarawak’s tourism growth agenda,” he said in a statement on Monday.

The first event, ‘Back to the 80’s – Old Street Chinese New Year Market’, will be held from February 13 to 16, from 4pm to 11pm at Krokop 5 Market.

The nostalgia-themed market aims to recreate the atmosphere of traditional 1980s Chinese New Year street markets, featuring handwritten spring couplets, traditional festive snacks, heritage food stalls, and interactive cultural activities.

Chiew said such initiatives help preserve intangible cultural heritage, encourage intergenerational cultural transmission, and provide authentic tourism experiences for both locals and visitors.

The second event, ‘the 2026 Year of the Horse Carnival’, will take place from February 5 to 14, from 5pm to 11pm at the Boulevard Shopping Mall open car park.

Featuring 40 to 50 booths, the carnival will offer CNY delicacies, festive merchandise, handicrafts, and souvenirs.

The venue will be adorned with lanterns, cultural installations and themed lighting to create an immersive festive atmosphere.

Nightly Chinese cultural performances are scheduled throughout the 10-day event to encourage repeat visits and sustain economic activity for nearby businesses.

Chiew has provided financial support for the performances to enhance the vibrancy of the festivals and enrich visitors’ cultural experience.

He emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in developing diversified tourism products, strengthening destination branding, and boosting Malaysia’s competitiveness in cultural tourism.

He also thanked the organisers for promoting cultural heritage, fostering community participation, and creating festive tourism platforms that benefit local businesses and the wider community.

Chiew pledged that his office would continue collaborating with organisers, stakeholders and government agencies to ensure that Miri remains an attractive, dynamic and culturally rich tourism destination.