Lanterns in the sky as KL Tower sets Malaysia record for Mid Autumn parade

Lanterns above Kuala Lumpur set a new height mark

Menara Kuala Lumpur, also known as KL Tower, hosted Malaysia’s highest Mid Autumn lantern parade (Oct 5, 2025), achieving recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records at 394 metres above sea level. The evening celebration drew more than 150 participants and visitors to the tower’s open air spaces for a sky high walk with glowing lanterns and sweeping views of the capital. The programme was organised by LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd, with a focus on sharing a Chinese cultural tradition with a broad audience in a diverse nation.

Beyond the spectacle, the activity served a cultural purpose. LSH Service Master chief executive officer Khairil Faizal Othman said the goal was to introduce the Mooncake Festival to more communities in Malaysia, promote creative lantern decoration, and revive interest in festivals that can be overlooked in busy urban life. The Malaysia Book of Records certificate that confirms the altitude achievement was handed over by its representative, Menaga Vadamalai, to Tan Sri Lim Keng Cheng, chairman of LSH Capital Berhad.

How the record was set and what the altitude means

The record focuses on altitude, not tower height. The Malaysia Book of Records recognises the event at 394 metres above sea level, which reflects the elevation at the venue area within the KL Tower complex. Lanterns were carried on the Sky Terrace and adjoining outdoor spaces, where participants could also step into the transparent Sky Box for photographs with the city skyline behind them. The location and the night time timing intensified the visual effect, since the lights from the lanterns and the city formed a striking scene above the city grid.

Malaysia Book of Records in brief

The Malaysia Book of Records is a national collection of firsts and bests, covering human achievements, engineering feats, cultural milestones and creative projects. Event organisers submit documentation and measurements. MBOR sends a representative to validate results or to present confirmation. In this case, the certificate presentation on site signals that the category, the highest Mid Autumn lantern parade, met the verification standards.

Why the Mid Autumn Festival matters in Malaysia

The Mid Autumn Festival, also called the Mooncake Festival, is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar. Families share mooncakes, give children lanterns, and watch the full moon. The celebration traces back to harvest customs and stories about Chang’e and Hou Yi in Chinese folklore. In Malaysia, where Chinese communities have deep roots alongside Malay, Indian, and many other groups, the festival appears in homes, schools and public venues. Activities often include lantern making contests, calligraphy, lion dance performances and cultural showcases that invite participation from all backgrounds.

Lanterns, creativity and shared spaces

Lantern parades combine craft and community. Children and adults carry paper or plastic lanterns in many shapes, from rabbits and fish to modern characters. The act of walking together with lanterns creates a calm scene in city spaces. At KL Tower, the high vantage point turned a familiar ritual into something memorable. The focus on lantern decoration at this event encouraged participants to bring their own designs, then display them where the city skyline became a gallery wall.

Inside the celebration at KL Tower

Participants gathered for check in and briefings before sunset, then set off with lanterns once the sky began to darken. The tower’s open air areas became a promenade in the sky. Visitors paused at corners for photographs and group shots, then continued along guided paths. Staff coordinated movement to ensure a smooth flow, and families with children could linger for views without losing the parade line. The mood reflected both festivity and curiosity, as many first time visitors experienced the Sky Terrace at night.

Sky Box and panoramic views

Many guests stepped into the Sky Box, a transparent glass cube that extends from the Sky Deck. The floor is clear, so a photo from inside frames the city grid far below. In the context of a lantern walk, the Sky Box added a cinematic touch. Bright lanterns glowed in the photos while the avenues and buildings of Kuala Lumpur formed a soft background of light. That combination of intimate craft and big city scenery is part of the tower’s appeal.

The parade attracted over 150 people, a blend of enthusiasts, families and out of town visitors. For those who had grown up with lantern walks in neighbourhood parks, the tower setting refreshed the tradition without changing its core meaning. For newcomers who were learning about the festival, the programme offered a concise introduction wrapped in an experience they could share on social media.

Culture meets tourism at a landmark

The organisers also positioned the event within a larger tourism plan. Visit Malaysia Year 2026 is a nationwide campaign that aims to draw more international visitors and encourage longer stays. Cultural programming has a central role, since tourists often seek authentic experiences that connect them with local stories. A high altitude lantern walk touches that theme while also delivering a dramatic visual that marketing teams can communicate with a single image.

Menara KL’s current management, in place since April, has said the tower will host more programmes that appeal to both tourists and local communities. The approach blends family friendly culture with a landmark venue that is easy to reach from the city centre. That mix supports city tourism, which depends on attractions that can hold attention after the first round of sightseeing.

LSH Service Master chief executive officer Khairil Faizal Othman described the intent behind the programme and the tower’s role in future events.

“This is just the beginning. We intend to make Menara KL a central venue for programmes that appeal to both international tourists and local communities.”

That plan echoes the dual nature of KL Tower. It is a telecommunications structure and an observation destination. Over nearly three decades, the tower has hosted sport climbs, cultural nights, dining experiences and school visits. A record setting lantern parade extends that series by combining art, heritage and spectacle in a single activity.

What makes KL Tower a fitting stage

KL Tower stands among the tallest telecommunications towers in the world at 421 metres. Completed in the mid 1990s on the green slopes of Bukit Nanas, it looks over the city centre and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre district. The site includes an observation deck, a sky deck, the Sky Box photo platform and a ring of open air areas that can be configured for events. The altitude record for this lantern walk reflects the elevation of the venue above sea level, which is a unique angle for a cultural programme.

The hilltop location and the architecture allow the tower to host intimate gatherings and large events. Smaller craft workshops can run during the day and evening walks can follow at night. From a visitor perspective, the tower is a single ticket stop with many layers, since views, dining, photo activities and special events sit within one address.

Community, inclusion and education

For multicultural Malaysia, sharing festivals across communities is part of daily life. Schools often hold themed days where students bring lanterns and mooncakes. Shopping centres arrange lantern displays, music and demonstrations. A record at a national landmark puts that shared culture on a visible stage and may inspire smaller groups to organise their own walks. Including lantern decoration as a theme also gives room for creativity, with schools and clubs guiding students to design pieces that tell stories about family and place.

The setting carries educational value. From the Sky Deck, educators can point to neighbourhoods, parks and historic streets, then connect them with the narratives behind the Mid Autumn Festival. It turns a field trip into a combination of geography, art and history. For families, it delivers a safe night out that pairs tradition with a sense of discovery.

What it takes to stage a parade at height

Open air events held in high places require planning. Teams manage headcounts and flow, schedule entries and exits, and adjust for weather. Lanterns produce light and warmth, so safety checks are part of the briefing. At a venue like KL Tower, all of this sits alongside the professional protocols that govern daily operations. Visitors see the festive side, while behind the scenes staff members coordinate radio calls, cues and timing so that the public experience feels calm and effortless.

These routines become repeatable. Once a team has designed a lantern walk at height, the core plan can return in future years with fresh details in programming and decor. If demand grows, additional sessions can be slotted across a weekend. That is one way records can turn from a single headline into a seasonal tradition that people look forward to.

Key Points

• Menara KL hosted Malaysia’s highest Mid Autumn lantern parade at 394 metres above sea level.
• The programme took place on Oct 5, 2025 and drew more than 150 participants and visitors.
• Malaysia Book of Records confirmed the achievement and presented a certificate on site.
• LSH Service Master organised the event to promote the Mooncake Festival to a wider audience and to highlight lantern decoration.
• The celebration featured access to the Sky Box and panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur.
• Menara KL’s management plans further culture and tourism events ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.