George Town Festival
Arts and Heritage · George Town (Penang), Malaysia
The festival
Born in 2010 following George Town's registration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the George Town Festival has made the capital of Penang one of the most inventive art events in Southeast Asia. For about ten days, the shopshouses, clan temples, warehouses and alleyways of the old city become scenes and galleries: theatre, dance, music, cinema, exhibitions and street arts, with a large share of free programs (over 80%).
From August 1 to 9, the 17th edition of the name, the edition of 2026, gathered more than 40 programs and artists from 10 countries under the theme "Beyond Boundaries": opening show at Padang Kota Lama, great German light puppets DUNDU, international video-mapping TERANG competition shown every night on the facade of the city hall, and indigenous musicians from Sarawak.
Good to know
Dates and programming 2026 announced by the State Tourism Committee of Penang (Buletin Mutiara, State Official Gazette): 17th edition from 1 to 9 August 2026.