From trade fair to carnival, a look back at Pesta Pulau Pinang as its five-decade home makes way for LRT

For the first time in half a century, Pesta Pulau Pinang will not convene at its historic home in Sungai Nibong. This year's edition has been relocated to Kubang Menerong in Tasek Gelugor to make way for the construction of the Mutiara Line light rail transit (LRT) station and depot. The festival's traditional grounds in Sungai Nibong, which have hosted the celebrations since 1974, are now earmarked for a proposed Transit-Oriented Development Masterplan covering approximately 23.47 hectares.

This includes a mix of residential, commercial, and public facilities surrounding an integrated transport network. While the masterplan includes a scaled-down Pesta component, it represents a significant shift from the festival's long-standing presence at Sungai Nibong.