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Penang - Things to Do in Penang in November

Things to Do in Penang in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

Good time to visit Shoulder Season · Good Value

November Weather in Penang

Long-run averages for November

87°F (30°C) High Temp
73°F (23°C) Low Temp
9.1 inches (231 mm) Rainfall
89% Humidity
18 Rainy Days
11 Sunny-Day UV
⚠ High humidity and heavy rain slick trails and pavements. Walk carefully. Cycle carefully. ⚠ Sudden afternoon thunderstorms trigger flash flooding in low-lying George Town areas.

What's On in Penang in November

November in Penang opens with PENtastic Startup Month 2026 running from 1 November 2026 to 30 November 2026, followed by Moved to Life on 7 November 2026 to 8 November 2026 and Deepavali (Festival of Lights) on 8 November 2026. Later in the month, both the Penang International Science Fair 2026 and The Fam Weekend take place from 21 November 2026 to 22 November 2026. The month closes with two multi-day events: George Town Literary Festival 2026 and Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta 2026, both running from 27 November 2026 to 29 November 2026.

8 November 2026
Deepavali

Source: www.mypenang.gov.my

8 November 2026
Deepavali (Festival of Lights)

Source: www.visitpenang.com

27 November 2026 to 29 November 2026
George Town Literary Festival 2026

Source: www.mypenang.gov.my

7 November 2026 to 8 November 2026
Moved to Life

Source: www.mypenang.gov.my

27 November 2026 to 29 November 2026
Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta 2026

Source: www.mypenang.gov.my

21 November 2026 to 22 November 2026
Penang International Science Fair 2026

Source: www.mypenang.gov.my

1 November 2026 to 30 November 2026
PENtastic Startup Month 2026

Source: www.mypenang.gov.my

21 November 2026 to 22 November 2026
The Fam Weekend

Source: www.mypenang.gov.my

November Climate Compared

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfall
October30°C23°C384 mm
November30°C23°C231 mm
December31°C23°C114 mm

November is about as warm as October; drier than October (231 mm vs 384 mm); 1°C cooler than December; wetter than December (231 mm vs 114 mm).

Long-run monthly averages. Source: Wikipedia.

Daylight in November

Day length: 11 h 55 min on 1 November, 11 h 52 min on 15 November (−7 min compared with mid-October).

Computed from the city's coordinates (sunrise to sunset, standard solar geometry).

Notable Places to Visit

Penang Bridge

Road bridge connecting Penang Island with the Malay Peninsula
OSM · Wikidata · Website

Kek Lok Si

Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang
Hours (OSM): Mo-Su 08:30-18:30
OSM · Wikidata

the Cenotaph

War memorial in Whitehall, London
OSM · Wikidata

Kapitan Keling Mosque

Mosque in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
OSM · Wikidata

Penang State Mosque

Mosque in Malaysia
OSM · Wikidata

Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Penang

Oldest Hindu temple in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
OSM · Wikidata

Wat Chayamangkalaram

A Malaysian siamese temple in Malaysia
Hours (OSM): Daily 08:00-17:00
OSM · Wikidata

Fort Cornwallis

Bastion fort in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Hours (OSM): We-Mo 08:00-22:00; Tu 08:00-19:00
OSM · Wikidata · Website

Places within 8 km, ordered by Wikipedia coverage. Opening hours as mapped in OpenStreetMap (fetched 2026-10-16); check before you go. Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); descriptions from Wikidata (CC0).

Quick Answers

How much rain does Penang get in November?

On average 231 mm in November, wetter than December (231 mm vs 114 mm).

How warm is Penang in November?

Average highs are 30°C and average lows 23°C.

How long are the days in Penang in November?

About 11 h 52 min of daylight on 15 November.

Are there public holidays in Penang in November?

No public holidays fall in November in the next 12 months.

What are some notable places to visit in Penang?

Penang Bridge, Kek Lok Si, the Cenotaph, Kapitan Keling Mosque (from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata).

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Where to Stay in Penang in November

Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.

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October

Travel guide for October

December

Travel guide for December

Where to Stay in November

Accommodation guide for Penang in November

Climate Guide in November

Weather and seasonal patterns for Penang in November

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Penang Like to Visit in November?

November rewards curious travelers who don't mind an afternoon shower. Penang sits on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, so while the northeast monsoon builds across the region, the island stays more sheltered than east coast destinations — expect daily temperatures around 27–32°C (81–90°F), lively hawker stalls, and heritage streets that are noticeably quieter than in peak December. If Deepavali falls in November that year (the date moves with the Hindu lunar calendar), Little India on Lebuh Pasar erupts in oil lamps, marigold garlands, and fresh murukku from street stalls — one of the finest free spectacles in Southeast Asia.

What Is the Weather Like in Penang in November?

November is one of Penang's rainier months, averaging roughly 230–260 mm of rain spread across 18–20 rain days. The pattern is forgiving for visitors: mornings are typically clear and hot, allowing for George Town heritage walks, temple visits, and market browsing before clouds stack up and deliver sharp afternoon or evening downpours that rarely last more than an hour. Daytime highs hover at 31–32°C (88–90°F) with overnight lows around 23–24°C (73–75°F), and humidity sits at 80–85%, so pack lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing.

How Much Does November Rainfall Actually Affect Sightseeing in Penang?

Rain rarely derails a Penang itinerary because the island's best experiences — hawker food at Gurney Drive, clan jetties, street art, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, and temple hopping — are either covered or easy to duck into when a squall hits. The main exception is beach days at Batu Ferringhi, where November swells make the sea choppy and swimming unappealing. Build outdoor walks into each morning, keep afternoons flexible, and November's dramatic skies become a backdrop rather than an obstacle.

What Is Penang's Climate Like in October, the Month Before?

October is arguably Penang's single wettest month, with rainfall often exceeding 280–300 mm as the northeast monsoon strengthens. The weather pattern mirrors November — hot, humid, afternoon thunderstorms — but rain is heavier and more persistent. The trade-off is that tourist crowds thin out considerably from October through November compared to the December–February high season, making these months worth considering for budget-conscious travelers who prioritise food and heritage over beach time.

How Does Penang's Rainfall Vary Across the Year?

Penang follows a bimodal rainfall calendar with two wetter windows: April–May (southwest monsoon onset) and September–November (northeast monsoon building), with October and November being the wettest months at 250–300 mm each. The driest, most reliable stretch runs December through February, when monthly totals can drop to 60–100 mm — which is why this period dominates the peak travel season. Annual rainfall totals around 2,600 mm, comparable to Singapore, but rain almost always falls as concentrated afternoon bursts rather than all-day grey drizzle.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Penang?

December through early February is the sweet spot for most visitors: skies are at their clearest, temperatures ease slightly to 28–30°C (82–86°F), and rain is minimal, with the added bonus of festive decorations across George Town's heritage streets in December. July–early August is a strong second choice — drier conditions coincide with the George Town Festival, a celebrated month-long arts and culture event with international performers, open studios, and extraordinary food programming. If budget is the priority, October and November offer hotel rates 20–30% lower than peak season for essentially the same food and heritage experience.

How Does Langkawi's Weather in November Compare to Penang's?

Both Langkawi and Penang occupy the sheltered northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia and share similar monsoon dynamics, so November is a wetter month for both. Langkawi typically receives slightly less rain — around 180–220 mm in November — and its seas tend to be calmer, making beach swimming more feasible than at Penang's Batu Ferringhi. Travelers prioritising beach time in this part of Malaysia would give Langkawi a narrow edge in November; travelers who want world-class street food and UNESCO heritage should still choose Penang without hesitation.

What Is Kuala Lumpur Like in November, and How Does It Compare to Penang?

Kuala Lumpur in November is hot (30–34°C/86–93°F), humid, and prone to sharp afternoon thunderstorms — broadly similar to Penang, with roughly 200–250 mm of monthly rain. KL is shielded from the worst of the northeast monsoon by the central mountain range, so it avoids the dramatic coastal storms that hammer the east coast. If combining both destinations in November, the weather rhythm is essentially identical: mornings are productive, afternoons are for air-conditioned attractions or covered markets, and evenings cool down pleasantly after the rain passes.

What Is the Weather in Penang in August and September?

August and September fall in the tail end of the southwest monsoon, bringing temperatures of 30–33°C (86–91°F) and intermittent but generally lighter rain than November — August can average as little as 150–180 mm. A more meaningful concern in August is trans-boundary haze from land-clearing burns in Sumatra: check Malaysia's Air Pollutant Index (API) readings before planning outdoor activities, as haze occasionally pushes into unhealthy territory. September sees rainfall picking up as the monsoon transition begins, bridging toward the wetter October–November period.

Are There Festivals or Cultural Events in Penang in November?

Deepavali is November's cultural centerpiece in a city where the Tamil community has shaped the food, architecture, and streetscape for over two centuries — Little India on Lebuh Pasar glows with oil lamp installations, intricate kolam floor art, and stalls selling traditional sweets for days before and after the main celebration. The exact date shifts each year, so confirm via the Penang Global Tourism calendar before booking. George Town's year-round arts community also runs gallery walks, heritage talks, and pop-up food events throughout the month, making it easy to fill an itinerary even on wet afternoons.

Is November a Good Time to Visit Penang's Beaches?

November is not Penang's finest beach month. At Batu Ferringhi on the north coast, northeast monsoon swells make the sea choppy and swimming is often inadvisable — long-tail boat operators and water-sport vendors typically scale back on rough days. The beach itself remains a pleasant place for an evening stroll and dinner at one of the string of open-air seafood restaurants, but if swimming is your priority, save Penang's coastline for the January–March dry season and use November to focus on what Penang genuinely excels at year-round: its extraordinary hawker food culture and the layered, walkable heritage of George Town.