Labuan arts festival to feature Borneo’s diverse creative heritage

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Labuan will host the Borneo Arts Festival 2026 from September 25 to 27, featuring cultural performances, competitions, workshops, and exhibitions showcasing Borneo’s creative heritage. The event aims to attract over 30,000 visitors from Malaysia and neighboring countries, boosting Labuan’s economy and promoting the island as a cultural tourism destination.

Labuan is set to host the Borneo Arts Festival 2026 (BAF 2026), a three-day event from September 25 to 27 that aims to showcase the rich and diverse creative heritage of Borneo. Organised by Labuan Corporation (LC), the festival is expected to draw over 30,000 visitors from Malaysia, as well as neighbouring countries Brunei and Indonesia.

The festival will take place at the Financial Park Complex Convention Centre, featuring a variety of cultural, artistic, and community-based programmes. These include competitions such as the Borneo Creative Dance competition, the “Tingkah Geruh” Dance Battle, Jogethon, the National Creative Costume Fashion Design competition, and the Sound of Borneo solo instrumental contest. In addition to performances by artists, BAF 2026 will offer visual arts exhibitions, workshops, a handicraft exhibition and sales, an artisan market, and LC’s Customer Day.

Other highlights include programmes like the National Language Decade initiative and the “Citra Minda” Intergenerational Programme, designed to foster cultural exchange among different age groups. According to Rithuan Ismail, LC’s chief executive officer, the festival serves not only as an entertainment platform but also as a venue to bring together communities, provide exposure to local talents, and generate economic opportunities for traders, artisans, and businesses related to tourism.

Rithuan emphasised that the festival is expected to have positive spillover effects on local hotels, restaurants, transport operators, retailers, and other sectors, thereby boosting Labuan’s economy. He expressed hopes that BAF 2026 will enhance Labuan’s reputation as a destination for cultural and event-oriented tourism and encourage greater interaction among the diverse communities across Borneo.

The festival will conclude with a closing ceremony on September 27, which is scheduled to be officiated by Hannah Yeoh, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories). Organisers invite visitors not only to attend the festival but also to explore the island, learn about its people, and experience what Labuan has to offer beyond the arts event.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.