Night Markets in Penang: 10 Pasar Malam, Day by Day
Night markets in Penang, called pasar malam in Malay, are weekly street markets that set up in a different neighbourhood each evening. Traders arrive in the late afternoon, put up tents along a road or car park, and sell cooked food, snacks, fruit, clothes and household goods until about 10 pm. Apart from Batu Ferringhi, which is open nightly for tourists, they are built for residents, so prices are low and the food is what Penangites actually eat on a weeknight.
This guide covers 10 night markets in Penang: nine on the island and one on the mainland, grouped by area, with a by-day table further down. Each entry has the day, usual hours, location, what to eat or buy, halal notes and parking. Days and hours were checked in October 2026, but pasar malam can skip a week for festivals or heavy rain.
Jump to a place (10)
North Coast: Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah
Batu Ferringhi Night Market
The only night market in Penang that runs every night, and the one most visitors see. Stalls line roughly a kilometre of Jalan Batu Ferringhi, the beach road, with the busiest stretch between the Shangri-La Golden Sands and PARKROYAL resorts. It sets up around 7 pm and usually runs to about 11 pm, finishing a little earlier on quiet weeknights.
This is a tourist market rather than a neighbourhood pasar malam. Most stalls sell T-shirts, swimwear, bags, sunglasses, watches, phone accessories, fridge magnets and other souvenirs, and prices start high, so compare a few stalls and bargain for non-food items. Food comes mainly from the beachfront restaurants, cafés and hawker spots along the same road rather than from the stalls.
From George Town it is about 30 to 40 minutes by Grab, or take a Rapid Penang bus heading to Teluk Bahang along the coast road. Parking along the strip is tight in the evening, so if you are staying at a Batu Ferringhi hotel, walk.
Tanjung Bungah Night Market
Tanjung Bungah's Tuesday pasar malam has run beside the Tanjung Bungah market building since about 1996, and it is the easiest local night market to reach from the Batu Ferringhi and Straits Quay hotels. It runs from about 5:30 pm to 10 pm.
It is compact and food-led, with food trucks and stalls selling char koay teow, fried chicken, char koay kak (fried radish cake), roast duck rice, satay, steamed rice rolls and corn pancakes, plus fruit stalls and sugarcane juice. Parking is on the roadside and fills quickly, so arrive before 7 pm or come by Grab.
George Town and Jelutong
Macallum Street Ghaut Night Market
The Monday market on Lintang Macallum 1, off Pengkalan Weld (Weld Quay), is the closest pasar malam to the George Town heritage zone, about a 10-minute drive or a long walk from the clan jetties. It fills both sides of the street and the service roads beside the Macallum Street Ghaut flats from about 5 pm to 10:30 pm, and it is one of the busiest night markets in Penang.
Expect a mix of old and new: char koay teow, lor bak, satay, yong tau foo, char koay kak and pickled nutmeg alongside Korean-style snacks, waffles, milkshakes and bubble tea. Clothes, toys, phone accessories and household goods fill the non-food stalls. Walkways are narrow and seating is limited, and parking is hard to find after 7 pm, so take a Grab if you are coming from the old town.
Van Praagh Night Market (Jelutong)
The Friday pasar malam along Jalan Van Praagh and Taman Kheng Tian in Jelutong is one of the biggest on the island, with more than 100 stalls and food trucks along a long stretch of road. It runs from about 5 pm to 10:30 pm and draws mainly local families rather than tourists.
Local favourites include nasi tomato, putu mayam, muar chee, yong tau foo, Hokkien mee, roast pork and Nyonya kuih, with clothing and accessory stalls in between. Most mains cost around RM8 or less. Parking near the market is difficult on Friday nights; visitors often park a few hundred metres away and walk in.
Air Itam, Farlim and Paya Terubong
Farlim Night Market
The Wednesday market around Medan Angsana in Farlim (Bandar Baru Air Itam) is one of the largest night markets in Penang and a good one to pair with an evening visit to Kek Lok Si Temple nearby. It runs from about 5 pm to 11 pm.
Food trucks and stalls dominate: satay, yong tau foo, char koay kak, rojak, assam laksa, lok lok, dim sum, Thai fried chicken, tau fu fa and sugarcane juice. Clothing stalls tend to pack up around 8 pm, while food continues later. There is some seating at the far end. Arrive by 5 pm to find parking, and use marked bays only, as illegally parked cars can be towed.
Paya Terubong Night Market (Desa Permata)
Paya Terubong's Sunday pasar malam near the Desa Permata flats is a smaller neighbourhood market a few minutes from Farlim. It runs from about 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm and is the main Sunday-night option on the island side.
Regulars come for duck rice, pasembur, char koay teow, laksa, belacan fried rice, lok lok and rojak on skewers, and there are stalls selling clothes, toys, accessories and household items. It is relaxed compared with Farlim on a Wednesday.
Gelugor and Bayan Lepas
Pantai Jerejak Night Market
The second Wednesday market on the island sets up in Taman Pantai Jerjak, the housing estate between Sungai Nibong and Queensbay Mall, around Jalan Pantai Jerjak 14 and Jalan Aziz Ibrahim. Stalls start opening at about 5 pm.
It is a residents' market with cooked food, snacks, fruit and vegetables and everyday goods. It suits anyone staying near Queensbay, Bayan Lepas or the airport who cannot get to Farlim the same night. Closing time is not published, so go before 9 pm.
Bayan Baru Night Market
The Thursday pasar malam on Lorong Mahsuri 7 in Bayan Baru is a short drive from Penang International Airport and the Bayan Lepas factories, and it is popular with Malay families and office workers after work. It runs from about 5:30 pm to 10 pm.
There is a good mix of Malay and Chinese stalls: nasi kerabu, satay, yong tau foo in tom yum soup, grilled corn and Malay kuih, plus fresh fruit (local and imported), vegetables and dried anchovies. Paths between stalls are narrow. If the roadside is full, park near Sekolah Kebangsaan Bayan Baru and walk.
Sungai Dua Night Market
Sungai Dua's Saturday market runs along Jalan Sungai Dua and two parallel back streets opposite the Lotus's (formerly Tesco Extra) hypermarket, close to Universiti Sains Malaysia. It runs from about 5 pm to 10 pm and is busiest after 7 pm, when all the stalls are up.
The crowd is a mix of students and families, so prices are low. Food covers Malay, Indian and Chinese hawker dishes such as nasi lemak, ketupat, biryani, kebabs, putu mayam, assam laksa, chee cheong fun and char koay teow, alongside cheap clothing, electronics accessories, fresh seafood and seasonal fruit. Visitors usually park at Lotus's and walk across.
Mainland (Seberang Perai)
Nibong Tebal Sunday Night Market
On the mainland at the southern tip of Penang state, Nibong Tebal's Sunday market is known as one of the longest pasar malam in the region, stretching along Jalan Sungai Daun in Taman Nibong Tebal Jaya. Stalls set up from late afternoon and trade until about 10 pm.
Its customers are mostly local Chinese families, so many stalls are not halal; check with each vendor. Look out for koay teow soup, assam laksa, nasi lemak, kuih sayur (steamed vegetable dumplings), grilled skewers and fried noodles. It is around an hour's drive from George Town via the Penang Bridge or the Second Link, so it only makes sense if you are driving or staying on the mainland.
Tips for Visiting Night Markets in Penang
Penang night markets by day of the week
| Day | Night market | Area | Usual hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every night | Batu Ferringhi Night Market | Batu Ferringhi | 7 pm – 11 pm |
| Monday | Macallum Street Ghaut Night Market | George Town | 5 pm – 10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | Tanjung Bungah Night Market | Tanjung Bungah | 5:30 pm – 10 pm |
| Wednesday | Farlim Night Market | Air Itam | 5 pm – 11 pm |
| Wednesday | Pantai Jerejak Night Market | Sungai Nibong | From 5 pm |
| Thursday | Bayan Baru Night Market | Bayan Baru | 5:30 pm – 10 pm |
| Friday | Van Praagh Night Market (Jelutong) | Jelutong | 5 pm – 10:30 pm |
| Saturday | Sungai Dua Night Market | Gelugor | 5 pm – 10 pm |
| Sunday | Paya Terubong Night Market (Desa Permata) | Paya Terubong | 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm |
| Sunday | Nibong Tebal Sunday Night Market | Nibong Tebal | Late afternoon – 10 pm |
Money, halal food and what to bring
Bring cash in small notes. Many stalls now show a DuitNow QR code, which works with Malaysian bank and e-wallet apps, but most foreign cards and apps cannot pay it, and card terminals are rare. Snacks and drinks usually cost RM2 to RM6 and a plate of noodles or rice RM6 to RM12. Most Penang night markets are mixed: Malay-run stalls are normally halal and display a sign, while Chinese stalls may serve pork, so ask if you are unsure. Carry a small bag for takeaway, since seating is limited at most markets, and tissues or wet wipes.
Getting there and parking
Apart from Macallum Street and Batu Ferringhi, the local markets are in residential areas that are awkward by bus after dark. Grab is the simplest option and costs roughly RM10 to RM25 from George Town to most island markets. If you drive, arrive before 6 pm, park only in marked bays and expect to walk a few hundred metres. Roads beside the stalls are often closed to traffic once the market is set up.
Weather, festivals and timing
Penang's evening storms, most common from September to November, can close stalls early, and many traders take a week or two off around Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. During Ramadan, separate Ramadan bazaars open in the late afternoon in Malay neighbourhoods, and some pasar malam stalls move there. For a market that runs every evening regardless, Batu Ferringhi is the safest bet, and for hawker food any night of the week see our Penang hawker food guide.
Night Markets in Penang: Frequently Asked Questions
Which night market in Penang is open tonight?
Monday: Macallum Street Ghaut (George Town). Tuesday: Tanjung Bungah. Wednesday: Farlim and Pantai Jerejak. Thursday: Bayan Baru. Friday: Van Praagh in Jelutong. Saturday: Sungai Dua. Sunday: Paya Terubong, and Nibong Tebal on the mainland. Batu Ferringhi night market runs every night.
Is the Batu Ferringhi night market open every night?
Yes. Stalls set up along Jalan Batu Ferringhi every evening from about 7 pm and usually trade until around 11 pm, finishing a little earlier on quiet weeknights. Heavy rain can close stalls early.
Is the food at Penang night markets halal?
Most Penang night markets are mixed. Malay-run stalls selling satay, nasi lemak, nasi kerabu and kuih are usually halal, while many Chinese stalls serve pork or use non-halal ingredients. Look for a halal sign or ask the vendor. Bayan Baru and Sungai Dua have a larger share of Malay stalls; Nibong Tebal is mostly Chinese.
Do Penang night markets accept cards?
Rarely. Cash is still the norm, so bring small notes (RM1, RM5, RM10). Many stalls now display a DuitNow QR code that works with Malaysian banking and e-wallet apps, but do not rely on it, and card terminals are uncommon.
What time should I go to a pasar malam?
Most Penang night markets open around 5 pm to 5:30 pm, but stalls are fully set up by about 6:30 pm and the busiest time is 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Go around 6 pm for easier parking and shorter queues; some popular food stalls sell out before 9 pm.
Which night market is closest to George Town?
The Monday market on Lintang Macallum 1, off Weld Quay, is the closest to the heritage zone, about 10 minutes by Grab. On other nights, Kimberley Street and Chulia Street have hawker stalls every evening, though they are food streets rather than pasar malam.