Several major roads in Bukit Bintang will be temporarily closed on Jan 1 and Jan 3 to facilitate rehearsals and the official launch of the “I LITE U” Festival, which marks the opening of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026.
According to the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department, road closures will be in effect at Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail as follows:
- 1 Jan 2026 (Rehearsal Day): 6pm-11pm
- 3 Jan 2026 (Launch Day): 6pm-12am
Cultural parade and event highlights
The festival will feature an opening ceremony inside Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, followed by a cultural parade along Jalan Bukit Bintang. About 20 contingents, including seven marching bands, are expected to take part in the 900-metre procession from Pavilion to the Federal Hotel junction at Jalan Sultan Ismail.
Image credit: DBKL2u (X)
Special parking stickers will be issued to VIP vehicles by Pavilion management and the event organizer.
Traffic management and public advisory
The road closures have been approved by the Housing and Local Government Ministry and will be managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). Motorists are advised to plan their journeys ahead of time and seek further details from DBKL, or the event organizer if needed.
Image credit: Sunway Hotel Pyramid
In a related update, DBKL noted that Jalan Bukit Bintang will also be fully closed for New Year’s Eve celebrations, from 5pm on Dec 31 until 1 Jan 2026.
The “I LITE U” launch on Jan 3 will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and is expected to draw significant public attention as Bukit Bintang is transformed into a key showcase for Malaysia’s tourism ambitions.
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