February moves fast. The Chinese New Year glow is fading, lanterns are getting packed away, and the first hints of Ramadan are in the air. If you’ve been meaning to get out and do something for yourself, now is your moment. So seize it before festive obligations hijack your time again. Here are ten ways to reclaim what’s left of February.
Picasso meets Penang at Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery. From now until 31st March, over 60 authentic works by Pablo Picasso are presented alongside 300 paintings by Lin Xiang Xiong. This rare exhibition focuses on Picasso’s peace-driven lithographs, including the iconic Dove motif, paired with Lin’s reflections on displacement and harmony. Instead of a long haul to Barcelona, a short trip from KL to witness such an extensive Picasso showcase is a bargain.
We may have given up some of our time this month to family dinners, visits, and the slow creep of Ramadan prep. It's during the festive season that having a few uninterrupted hours can often feel like a luxury. But fret not, on the 28th of February, Jao Tim’s ‘Songs That Raised Us’ will offer something close to time travel.
Find the golden years of the 70s and 80s and relive the hits that shaped a generation. For those who grew up in that era, it's a return to your own soundtrack. For those who did not, it's a glimpse into what your parents once danced and sang to. A musical appreciation of this month’s spirit of reunion and reconnection.
Joelle leads the vocals with Ji Yong on keys, Ken Chung on bass, Kevin on guitar, Martin Ngim on drums, and backing vocals from Yvonne, Junji, and Jab.
Technically, not an event you show up for in February, but an important teaser. Priority registration for the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon 2026 opens on 23rd February. And if you take last year as a reference, you'll know that slots will probably sell out fast. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just want the participation bragging rights, now is the time to put your money where your New Year’s resolutions are.
We may have reluctantly given away our time this month to chores and obligations, but there’s something meaningful in willingly volunteering it away for others. On the 28th of February, join Ignition Lab at Subang Parc to build dog shelters for strays. No carpentry experience needed, just bring your energy, your hands, and a little love for animals.
DM @ignition_lab on Instagram for more information.
In a month dedicated to celebrating traditions, Batik Lestari offers a closer look at Malaysia’s textile heritage. The documentary follows five influential batik makers as they navigate craft, identity, and legacy within a modern market.
Commissioned by the Securities Commission Malaysia in collaboration with MyCreative Ventures, the series features Pok Heng of Ayu Fashion, Muizz of Inkaa, Amy Blair of Batik Boutique, Atiqah of Fleur Batik, and Khairi, a Kelantanese batik block maker.
With only 30 seats per screening, the atmosphere is intimate. Each session ends with a short Q&A and light refreshments, inviting reflection with peers and friends.
If the previous festive shopping rush has taught us anything, it's to start early. cirKLe Community’s Eid Semester 2026 pop-up brings together local fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands such as Anaabu, HIAS Jewellery, Petra, and NAN INDAH. Browse curated Eid collections, sit in on Ramadan talks, and ease into the festive season before it fully takes over your calendar.
Fujifilm is bringing photography to life. The ‘More Than Full Frame’ pop-up gallery and photo exhibition showcases works by leading photographers in fine detail and full print clarity.
Whether you're a photography enthusiast or a casual shooter, the pop-up gets a fresh twist with the GFX Studio Experience. In a studio setup, Fujifilm invites you to capture special moments with your loved ones using their GFX medium-format cameras. Bring your ideas, experiment with light and composition, and watch your vision come alive in the highest quality.
Slots are limited, and pre-registration is required, making this a rare opportunity to elevate your photography skills.
The festive season can easily slip into a droning, lulling trance from all the overindulgence. If you need something to sharpen the mind, the Malaysia Design Archive is offering a reading group. 'Materiality and Gender: The Making of the Self' pairs Jay Prosser’s Second Skins with Joseph Goh’s Becoming a Malaysian Trans Man to examine how gender is shaped by bodies, experiences, and society in a Malaysian context. Moderated by Hazriq Justin Lim, the session is intimate, thought-provoking, and academically stimulating.
Going all in on Ramadan festivities starts here. Located in Putrajaya, the nation’s administrative centre, Festival Ramadan Putrajaya 2026, themed Seindah Ramadan, Harmoni Lebaran, stands as a key highlight in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 calendar.
This year's festival brings together 1,200 stalls across six locations, alongside prayers at Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. From local bites to lifestyle finds, the offerings are wide. With a projected one million visitors and RM25 million in transactions, the festival turns Putrajaya into a vibrant, month-long destination to eat, shop, and embrace Ramadan fully.
Esquire Malaysia
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