By Anne Das
Still wondering where to take the children, meet your friends or watch the fireworks this Merdeka weekend? We have done the searching for you.
From food festivals and carnival rides to live entertainment, night cycling and fast cars, there is plenty happening across Ipoh from 28 to 31 August 2026.
Pick your crowd, make your plans and get ready to celebrate.
- Go big at Perak’s official countdown 🎆
If you want the full-scale Merdeka experience, this is the place to be.
Perak’s official countdown at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah will bring together cultural performances, live entertainment, exhibitions and a midnight fireworks display. Expect a large crowd and plenty happening around the grounds, so arrive early if you want a good spot.
The wider BSAS Festival has been promoted as running from 29 to 31 August. However, the main programme currently confirmed by Tourism Perak is on 30 August.
📅 Date: 30 August
⏰ Time: 8pm to 1am
📍 Venue: Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah, Meru
🎟️ Admission: Free ☎️ Contact: 05 241 2636
- Eat your way through Expo Jom Makan Ipoh 🍜
Come hungry. Very hungry.
Expo Jom Makan Ipoh is bringing over 50 food and agricultural stalls to PALO 101. Visitors can explore 12 Ipoh specialities, six food culture galleries and a programme of multiracial cultural performances.
There will also be Food Talks, lucky draws and fireworks during the closing ceremony. It is a good option for families and anyone who believes a proper public holiday should involve several meals.
📅 Dates: 28 to 30 August
⏰ Time: 5pm to 11pm
📍 Venue: PALO 101, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Ipoh
📱 Updates: PALO 101 on Facebook
- Bring a chair to Sentra Mall Ipoh 🪑🎆
Prefer a relaxed outdoor countdown?
Sentra Mall Ipoh is holding its Merdeka celebration in the open parking area in front of the mall. The night will culminate in a fireworks display.
Visitors are advised to bring folding chairs and umbrellas.
📅 Date: 30 August
⏰ Time: 6pm to midnight
📍 Venue: Open parking area, Sentra Mall Ipoh
📱 Updates: Sentra Mall Ipoh’s official social media pages
- Turn up the energy at Loken Fomo Retro Merdeka 🏎️
Fireworks, drifting, Zumba and a vendor market. This is certainly not the quiet option.
Loken Fomo Retro Merdeka takes over the outdoor parking area at Angsana Ipoh Mall for three days. The programme includes a Merdeka countdown and fireworks, with enough activity to keep younger visitors and motoring enthusiasts entertained.
📅 Dates: 28 to 30 August
⏰ Time: 3pm to midnight
📍 Venue: Outdoor parking area, Angsana Ipoh Mall, Greentown
🎉 Organiser: Schelafest
- Eat, enjoy the shows and try your luck at Uptown Ipoh 🍔🎁
The Merdeka Food Festival at Uptown Ipoh Night Market runs for five days with food, games, concerts and a lucky draw.
The performance line-up includes Siti Nordiana, Sesuatu, Klangit, Hyper Act and Rabbani. Spend at least RM10 in a single receipt and you can enter the lucky draw for over RM5,000 worth of prizes.
📅 Dates: 26 to 30 August
⏰ Time: 11am to midnight
📍 Venue: Ipoh Night Market, opposite AEON Kinta City
☎️ Contact: 017 986 4238 📸 Updates: @ipohnightmarket and @rasariafoodfest
- See Ipoh at night on your bicycle 🚲
Trade the countdown crowd for a night ride through the city.
Merdeka Fun Ride 2026 is an evening cycling event organised by Ipoh City Council. Participants must wear the official event jersey and a helmet. Lucky draw prizes will be waiting at the finish.
Registration closes at 1pm on 27 August, so do not leave this one until Merdeka weekend.
📅 Date: 29 August
⏰ Time: 8pm
📍 Venue: Dataran Bandaraya Ipoh
💰 Fee: RM40
📝 Registration closes: 27 August at 1pm
☎️ Contact: 05 208 3335 or 05 208 3337
- Scream your way through Euro Fun Park 🎢
Not every Merdeka plan needs a stage and a countdown.
Euro Fun Park is beside Sentra Mall Ipoh with rollercoasters, bumper cars, carnival games, children’s rides and bigger thrills for visitors who prefer their national celebrations with a little screaming.
It runs until 20 September, so you can still visit after the Merdeka crowds have gone home.
📅 Dates: 21 August to 20 September
⏰ Time: 7pm to midnight
📍 Venue: Beside Sentra Mall Ipoh, Klebang
🎟️ Charges: Admission and individual ride charges apply
☎️ Contact: 016 732 7030
Whichever direction you choose, expect crowds, traffic and the occasional sudden shower. Check the organiser’s latest updates before leaving, arrive early for the fireworks and keep the umbrellas close.
Happy Merdeka celebrations from all of us at Ipoh Echo!
