Tanjung Pinang sits close to the equator and is hot and humid year-round. Temperatures hover around 30 degrees Celsius with little seasonal variation. The main distinction is between the wetter and drier months.
The rainy season runs roughly from October to March, with the heaviest downpours in November and December. Rain usually comes in short, intense bursts rather than all-day drizzle. The dry season from April to September is the most comfortable time to visit, with lower humidity and calmer seas for island hopping.
The biggest local event is the Tanjung Pinang International Dragon Boat Festival, held annually on the seafront facing Penyengat Island since 1979. It typically falls in October and draws teams from across the region, with canoe races, diving contests, and cultural performances alongside the main dragon boat races. Chinese New Year in January or February brings street parades with dragons and lions, and Indonesia's Independence Day on August 17 fills the town with festivities.