As the year winds down, EQ Kuala Lumpur is making room for the season in a big way. From late November through the first days of 2027, the hotel has lined up a festive calendar that moves easily from long family lunches to rooftop toasts and a countdown on the dance floor.

A tree full of wishes

The season’s emotional centre is the Angel Tree Initiative, a tradition the hotel has carried since its days as Hotel Equatorial. A tree in the lobby holds wish cards written by children from a local shelter home. Guests pick one, fulfill it with a gift or donation, and the hotel team hands everything over in person at a Christmas party for the children.

Alongside it, the lobby gains a touch of horological glamour. Hublot, in partnership with The Hour Glass, is this year’s festive brand partner, and its Christmas Showcase will sit in the lobby from 17 November to 3 January. Santa Claus makes appearances on 24 and 25 December, and carollers will wander through selected venues.

Setting the table

The feasting starts early, with a Thanksgiving BBQ Buffet at Étoile on 28 and 29 November, served as dinner and brunch. Takeaway roasts are available for those who prefer to celebrate at home.

• BBQ Buffet Dinner (28 November): RM168+ per adult and RM84+ per child.
• BBQ Buffet Brunch (29 November): RM168+ per adult and RM84+ per child.
• Festive Takeaway Roasts: RM108+ per kg until 30 November, and  from RM118+ per kg between 1 December and 3 January.

In December, there are festivities at Nipah. Christmas classics fill the buffet at lunch throughout the month and at dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. The two big occasions bring roasts, seafood on ice and festive desserts.

• Lunch Buffet throughout December (excluding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day): RM168+ per adult and RM84+ per child aged 6–12
• Dinner Buffet on Fridays and Saturdays (excluding Christmas Eve and New Year’s  Eve): RM188+ per adult and RM94+ per child

But on the special Christmas occasions, Nipah presents something a little different. Featuring festive roasts, seafood on ice, Christmas desserts and unlimited chilled juices and soft drinks. 

• Christmas Eve Dinner: RM298+ per adult and RM144+ per child
• Christmas Day Lunch: RM238+ per adult and RM114+ per child

Over at Sabayon, a Chalet Festive Sunday Lunch runs from 29 November to 27 December at RM288+ per adult and RM98+ per child.

Not to forget Étoile, where they’re serving up an array of Christmas delicacies of their own. 

• Christmas Eve BBQ Dinner with roasted turkey and charcoal-grilled specialities: RM168+ per adult, RM84+ per child
• Christmas Day Brunch: RM138+ per person, with an appetiser and dessert buffet and butcher’s selections priced  from RM35+ per 100g.

Those who like their holidays on the whimsical side will find Bottega’s Teddy Bear Tea a charmer. From 1 December to 3 January, two guests share tea or coffee and a dessert trolley, then leave with a customised teddy bear (RM228+ for two). Weekend afternoons add colouring, bear stuffing and gingerbread decorating for  RM58+ per child.

Kampachi brings a Japanese flavour to the occasion. On Christmas Eve, chefs serve an omakase dinner at RM588+ per person, complete with a mini Kagami Biraki ceremony where a sake barrel is cracked open. Christmas Day follows with a brunch buffet (RM288+ per adult, RM144+ per child), and a sake buffet for RM150+  per person can be added to either meal.

Up high, with the city below

For a view to accompany your celebration, head to Blue at Sky51. On 24 December, sharing platters and live entertainment meet the glittering Kuala Lumpur skyline, with minimum spend starting at RM150+ depending on where you sit. A week or so earlier, on 6 December, an evening of Christmas Jazz at Blue brings WVC Jazz together with vocalist Junji Delfino, saxophonist Farid Izwan, pianist Tay Cher Siang,  bassist AJ and drummer Adriel Wong. The RM288+ ticket also includes canapés, turkey slices and mulled wine.

Counting down to 2027

New Year’s Eve at EQ offers a choice of moods. 

• Nipah: A BBQ Grill Buffet (RM298+ per adult, RM144+ per child) includes unlimited  chilled juices and soft drinks, plus complimentary access to the Retro Party.
• Étoile: New Year’s Eve Platters (RM138+ per platter) are available from 11AM, followed by  a Supper Buffet (RM98+ per adult, RM49+ per child). 
• Kampachi: An omakase dinner (RM888+ per person) includes one tokkuri of sake, a glass of  sparkling wine and complimentary Retro Party access. A sake buffet add-on is RM158+ per  person. 
• Sabayon: New Year’s Eve dinner is priced at RM2,388+ per couple for window seating or  RM1,788+ per couple for regular seating. Exclusive outdoor dining is available for groups of  eight or more at RM2,288+ per person. 
• Blue: The countdown begins at 5PM, with early seating from 5PM to 7PM subject to a  minimum spend of RM150+. From 9PM, guaranteed tables for groups of four or more start at  RM498+ per person, including selected beverages and snacks. 
• Bottega: Live entertainment begins at 10PM, with drinks and light bites available à la carte.  A balloon drop in the hotel lobby marks the arrival of 2027. 
• Diamond Ballroom: The New Year’s Eve Retro Party begins at 9PM with nostalgic hits  and dancing. Admission is RM138+ per person with one drink. Reserved tables for two to  four start at RM448+ per person; the Executive Lounge Groove Package for groups of eight  to 10 starts at RM888+ per person. 
• On New Year’s Day, Nipah offers buffet lunch (RM238+ per adult, RM104+ per child) and  dinner (RM258+ per adult, RM104+ per child). Sabayon presents its Chalet New Year’s Day  Lunch (RM308+ per adult, RM154+ per child), while Kampachi serves a brunch buffet  (RM288+ per adult, RM144+ per child).

Gifts and private celebrations

From 17 November to 3 January, a festive gifting collection of hampers and Christmas sweets is on offer for family, friends and corporate recipients. Groups of 40 or more can book private event packages from RM388+ per person, and EQ Beyond, the hotel’s bespoke catering service, can bring the celebration to a home or venue of your choice.

For more information, click here.