New Year's Eve in Kota Kinabalu 2027: Where to Watch the Countdown and Fireworks
Planning New Year's Eve in Kota Kinabalu? Where past countdowns and fireworks took place, viewpoints, road closures and tips for a calm night with family.
Viannie Undikai
10/20/20264 min read
Early evening on the Kota Kinabalu waterfront, seen from above the Filipino market. Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Where do you go for the countdown in KK? It is the question every December visitor asks, and the honest answer is: it depends on the year.
In short: Kota Kinabalu usually welcomes the new year with a free public countdown and midnight fireworks near the waterfront. In recent years the city hall event was at the DBKK headquarters forecourt and the state concert was on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. Venues change each year, so check the official announcement in December, arrive early, and plan your ride home.
Where is the New Year's Eve countdown in Kota Kinabalu?
There is no fixed venue. Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and the Sabah state government have each run countdowns in different places. At the time of writing (20 October 2026), the programme for 31 December 2026 has not been announced, so treat everything below as a guide to past years.
31 December 2025 (welcoming 2026)
DBKK held its "Sambutan Ambang Tahun Baharu 2026" at the forecourt of the DBKK headquarters, from 5 pm.
There were nearly 100 food and drink stalls, live entertainment and fireworks at midnight.
Roads closed from 3 pm on 31 December to 1 am on 1 January: Jalan Tugu (Bulatan Bangau to Bulatan Kampung Air), Jalan Bandaran (KK Bypass junction to Bulatan Bangau) and part of the road in front of DBKK Enforcement.
31 December 2024 (welcoming 2025)
The Sabah government's Kota Kinabalu Countdown 2025 took place at Dataran Bandaraya along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, by the waterfront.
Entry to the public zone was free, with ticketed Flamewave Music Festival zones beside it.
Midnight brought a 12 minute fireworks display and a 1,000 drone show. Heavy rain fell earlier, the sky cleared about 15 minutes before midnight, and about 20,000 people came.
31 December 2026 (welcoming 2027)
Venue, start time, fireworks, drone show, road closures and whether the state concert returns: not yet announced, check closer to the date. We will update this section once DBKK or the state confirms.
Best places to watch the fireworks in KK
These are past venues and general viewpoints, not promises for 2027.
The waterfront on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens. An open view of the bay, and where the fireworks were launched for the countdown to 2025.
Around the DBKK headquarters forecourt. Food stalls and a family atmosphere at the countdown to 2026.
Signal Hill, behind the Atkinson Clock Tower. A long standing local tip for looking over the city. Night access and safety: check closer to the date before you go.
Hotel parties. Sutera Harbour ran a ticketed New Year's Eve Mega Party 2026 at The Pacific Sutera Hotel, 9 pm to 1 am. A 2027 edition: check closer to the date.
Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, the waterfront road beside Dataran Bandaraya. Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Before the countdown: festive December in KK
Sabah State Christmas celebration. In 2025 it was held at Padang Merdeka. The Deputy Chief Minister proposed keeping the same concept in 2026, but this is a proposal only: check closer to the date.
The last sunset of the year. Sunset over the South China Sea is a KK ritual. Before you head into town, watch the last sunset of the year, then go chase the fireworks.
Sunset over the South China Sea in Kota Kinabalu. Photo: Nelynnnnn, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Practical tips for New Year's Eve in Kota Kinabalu
Arrive early. Past events started between 4 pm and 5 pm.
Expect road closures around the city centre and follow the alternative routes DBKK announces.
Book your Grab home early, or agree a pick up point away from the closed roads.
December is rainy season. Bring an umbrella or raincoat.
Keep children close and agree a meeting point in case you get separated.
Bring cash for the food stalls.
A calmer New Year's Eve at KK Sunset Villa
Not everyone wants to stand in a crowd until midnight. Some families prefer to be together for the last golden hour of the year, then decide.
At KK Sunset Villa, Your Private Villa with Full Sunset Views, in the Shangrila Heights area of Kota Kinabalu, you can watch the sun go down over the sea with the people you love, eat together, and then head into town for the countdown or simply stay in. Read the story behind KK Sunset Villa to see why sunsets matter so much to us.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the New Year countdown in Kota Kinabalu?
The venue changes each year. For the countdown to 2026, DBKK used its headquarters forecourt, and for 2025 the state concert was on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens by the waterfront. The 2027 venue will be announced by DBKK or the Sabah government, so check closer to the date.
Is the KK New Year countdown free?
The public countdowns in recent years were free. In the countdown to 2025, the free zone sat beside ticketed Flamewave festival zones, and some hotels run paid parties. Whether the 31 December 2026 event is free: check closer to the date.
Does it rain on New Year's Eve in Kota Kinabalu?
It can. December falls in KK's rainy season, and heavy rain hit the 2025 countdown before the sky cleared about 15 minutes before midnight. Pack an umbrella or raincoat.
Spending New Year's Eve in Kota Kinabalu with family? Watch the last sunset of the year from KK Sunset Villa, then head into town for the countdown. Check dates for December
Written by Viannie Undikai. 20 October 2026.
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