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Sarawak has festivals, religious and cultural celebrations and artistic and cultural events all year long. They range from small community celebrations to world-class events showcasing the best of local and global culture. Here are just a few examples.
Southern Region
Sarawak Regatta: every November, Kuching Waterfront. Dating from 1872, this is the biggest and best river regatta in Southeast Asia. There is even a category for visitors to join in.
Multi-Cultural Mooncake Festival: Mid-September Carpenter Street, Kuching. Kuching`s Chinese community share the mid-autumn festival with everyone at a 4-day street party.
Pesta Benak (Tidal Bore Festival): November, Sri Aman. Celebrates the Lupar River`s famous tidal bore. Surfing and wave-riding competitions, water sports and nightly entertainment.
Central Region
Mukah Kaul Festival: April, Mukah. The annual spiritual cleansing ceremony of the Melanau people, with plenty of cultural performances and traditional games, including the giant swing or tibau
Borneo Cultural Festival: July, Sibu Town Square. Enjoy Borneo culture ancient and modern at this extravagant 10-day festival which also includes a popular food fair.
Sibu Base Jump: September, Sibu Town Square. Borneo`s most challenging extreme sport event. An international line-up of base jumpers to attempt soft landings from Sarawak`s tallest building.
Baleh Kapit Raft Safari: April, Kapit. Sarawak`s original adventure race, as competing teams raft down the mighty Baleh River to Kapit. New participants always welcome.
Sibu International Dance Festival: August, Sibu. A showcase of traditional and modern dance performance and education from around the world.
Central Region
Borneo International Kite Festival: October, Bintulu. Watch and learn how the professionals build and fly their kites at this major international kite festival.
Borneo Jazz: May, Miri. One of the top jazz festivals in the region, attracting top jazz and blues performers from around the world.
Pesta Babulang (Bisaya Festival): June, Limbang Division. A 3-day festival held by the Bisaya Community, including buffalo racing, cooking competitions and a traditional costume beauty pageant.
Baram Ragetta: October, Baram River, Marudi. First held in 1899 as an alternative to headhunting, this is one of Sarawak`s oldest and most historic regattas.
Pesta Nukenen Bario (Bario Food Festival): July, Bario. The world`s most exclusive food festival celebrates the unique food, farming, forest and cultural heritage of the Kelabit Highlands.
Pesta Nanas & Buah-Buahan Sarikei: November, Sarikei. Sarikei is known as the fruit basket of Sarawak, and is one of the main suppliers of vegetables and fruits for Central Region. One of the famous fruits is the Sarikei Pineapple Festival is held annually in Sarikei Town.