Photo by Fred Rivett on Unsplash
If you are staying in the Ayer Keroh area and wondering what to do after dinner, Dataran MBMB has a new answer. The Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah (MBMB) has launched a recurring outdoor programme at the city hall plaza, running every second and fourth Saturday of the month.
The programme is called Jom Santai @ Dataran MBMB. It runs from 8pm to 11pm and fills the open plaza with three types of activity: traditional board games including dam aji, live cultural performances, and open-air film screenings known locally as wayang pacak.
MBMB started the initiative after noticing steady Saturday night foot traffic. Around 500 people were already arriving at Dataran MBMB on weekend evenings to relax and spend time with family. The city saw an opportunity to build on that with organised entertainment and community activities.
Where this fits for visitors
The plaza is in Ayer Keroh, the same part of Melaka as Zoo Melaka and the resort corridor near A Famosa. It is a different mood from the UNESCO heritage core in Banda Hilir. There are no trishaws or souvenir stalls, but that is the point. This is where Melaka residents actually spend their Saturday evenings.
If you are on a longer stay, or just looking for something authentic after a day on the heritage trail, this programme gives you a local night out that is not designed for tourists. Bring the family, catch a film on the outdoor screen, play a round of dam aji, and take in the local atmosphere.
When to go
Jom Santai @ Dataran MBMB runs every second and fourth Saturday of the month, from 8pm to 11pm, at Dataran MBMB in Lebuh Ayer Keroh, Melaka. No bookings are needed.
