An entire half of the year has blown right past us, and it’s been full of exciting moments so far. Ahead are some of the best things to do in KL in July 2023. Well, that, and outside of the heart of the nation too!
Complete with a bedazzling jewellery exhibition from Malaysian pride and joy Habib Jewels, showcases in the city’s best stages, and more, be sure to make space on your calendar for these happenings.
Keep an eye out for more things to do in KL and beyond as we will be updating it with more exciting affairs.
Things to do in KL and PJ in July 2023
Nirmala Dutt: Statements
Be ready for a reckoning. Nirmala Dutt is, in fact, making statements in this showcase. Here, you will see the exhibition split into three sections. In the first one, the artist presents the uncalculated environmental cost of developing an “advanced” nation. It’s a morose scene, where she depicts life in pollution, squalor, and displacement.
To the left of the gallery, you will discover paintings portraying atrocities inflicted on communities across the world. Last, but not least, her final major collection before Dutt’s passing in 2016, is her heart-wrenching body of work surrounding the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, a catastrophic event felt globally.
Entry is free of charge.
Date: 18 July to 24 December 2023
Address: ILHAM Gallery, 8, Jalan Binjai, 50450, Kuala Lumpur
The Producers – A Musical Comedy by Mel Brooks
You’ve heard of artists striving to achieve perfection, but have you heard of a collective that aims to create the biggest of flops? Here, a scheming duo sets out to produce a spectacle on Broadway, and not one that unsuspecting patrons would expect.
If you’re on the hunt for some serious comedy this month, watch this musical and prepare to laugh til your sides ache. Just be sure to keep the little ones at home, as this show contains some elements of mature humour that might not be suitable for their viewing.
Date: 21 July to 6 August 2023
Address: Pentas 2, klpac, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Sentul, 51100, Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM100 to RM 160
Book here.
Harus: A Timeless Elegance
If you’ve been on the hunt for things to do in July 2023, then you’ve got to make space in the calendar for this. With three shows slated for on weekend this month, you’ve got to be fast and snag the tickets to this while you still can.
Truly an experience that transcends time, this dance production will simply captivate you and renew your appreciation for the Malay culture. Harus reinterprets the traditional Malay dance to create a showcase that will capture the hearts of many, even the younger crowd.
Date: 22 to 23 July 2023
Address: Nero Event Space, pjpac, S611, Second Floor, 1 Utama E, Bandar Utama, 47800, Petaling Jaya
Price: RM80
Book here.
Lumiere, a Concert by Flow Academy
You won’t want to miss this one. With only one show listed, Lumiere is a concert that follows the emotional story of Kristen who lives a life that is fraught with misfortunes. Despite having a gloomy backstory, she brings light to those who need it.
The feature-film-length concert will have no intermission. Some 80 performers will be on stage, performing, singing, and dancing through four phases of the tale.
Date: 23 July 2023
Address: Stage 1 Theatre, pjpac, S611, Second Floor, 1 Utama E, Bandar Utama, 47800, Petaling Jaya
Price: RM54 to RM124
Book here.
Sakti
Longing to get the whole trifecta? Check out Sakti, an amalgamation of percussion, aerial artistry, and the well-loved Malay folklore, Ulek Mayang. Recognised as one of the quintessential Malay art forms, the narrative—one that is known all too well—will be given a captivating audiovisual twist with the combination of aerial specialists and drummers.
There aren’t many good seats left for the show, so be sure to snag yourself a couple of tickets (or the family package for four) before the show’s over.
Date: 14 to 16 July 2023
Address: Stage 1 Theatre, pjpac, S611, Second Floor, 1 Utama E, Bandar Utama, 47800, Petaling Jaya
Price: RM84 to RM264
Book here.
Rossa: Another Journey: The Beginning
Indo R&B queen Rossa is going to rock Zepp KL for two days before heading out to Singapore in August. Not only will the industry juggernaut be serenading the crowd with tracks from her latest studio album, but she is also bringing out other household names to the show such as singer-songwriters Mahalini, Rizky Febian, and Zareef Sein.
Even though tickets are sold out at the moment, you can always keep your fingers crossed.
Date: 13 to 14 July 2023
Address: Zepp Kuala Lumpur, Level B2, Entertainment Hub, BBCC, Jalan Hang Tuah, 55100, Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM184 to RM514 per pax, or RM8,894 per box.
Book here.
Cigarettes After Sex Live in Kuala Lumpur
Shoe-gazers unite, as American dream pop band Cigarettes After Sex heads to Kuala Lumpur this month. With hit songs such as “Apocalypse”, “K”, and “Sweet”, this concert won’t be like the archetypal concert you have in mind. Instead, expect concertgoers to be transfixed by the band’s diaphanous sounds.
If you missed out on the CAS experience at the 2019 Good Vibes Festival and the 2017 Urbanscapes, it’d be best to try your luck and find your way into this sold-out show—you never know when the band will return to Kuala Lumpur.
Date: 15 to 16 July 2023
Address: Zepp KL, Level B2, Entertainment Hub, BBCC, Jalan Hang Tuah, 55100, Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM280 to RM800
Book here.
French Kiwi Juice Summer Tour 2023
Love to see pure talent at work? Then get yourself to a French Kiwi Juice (also known as FKJ) concert. The multi-instrumentalist is touring Asia as part of his summer tour, and Malaysia will be one of those stops. But this isn’t his first stint in the country. Previously, he has performed at Como and The Bee, Publika.
Known for his live-looping work, FKJ has also made appearances at huge music festivals such as Coachella, Euphoria, and Lollapalooza.
Date: 26 July 2023
Address: Mega Star Arena, Sg Wang Plaza, Jalan Bulan 2, Bukit Bintang, 55100, Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM298 to RM508
Book here.
Things to do outside of KL in July 2023
2023 George Town Festival
The 14th edition arrives, and this time, it’s better than ever. The two-week-long event will have you trotting from one spot to another in George Town, discovering art, culture, and heritage. With both local and international talents featured in this artistic extravaganza, you will be in a cross-genre treat. From theatre to music to even book launches, there will definitely be something for everyone.
What are we looking forward to? A conversation between The Accidental Malay’s Karina Robles Bahrin and award-winning author of The Garden of Evening Mists on the latter’s recently published tome, The House of Doors. If you’re a bibliophile, you should also check out The Library of Unread Books, and bring along some of yours to exchange on the spot.
For the full list of events at the George Town Festival, see here.
Date: 15 July to 30 July 2023
Address: George Town, Penang
Disney In Concert: Tale as Old as Time
There’s nothing quite like the Disney concert experience. Now, you can live through your favourite Disney pictures with Broadway-calibre talents elevating your movie-watching experience through their live performance. At Tale as Old as Time, you will be traversing the Disney-verse, exploring iconic moments from Encanto, The Little Mermaid, Frozen, and more.
If you’ve been itching to get off the streaming platforms and are looking for something that goes beyond a cinematic experience, then you’ve found the right listing.
Date: 15 July 2023
Address: Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting Genting Highlands, 69000 Bentong, Pahang
Price: RM 185 to RM454
Book here.