EVENTFUL YEAR: Sarawak Calendar of Tourism Events 2026 launched
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KUCHING, 10 April 2026 — The Sarawak Calendar of Tourism Events 2026 was officially launched this afternoon by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, in a symbolic ceremony held following the State Tourism Steering Committee (STSC) meeting at Sheraton Kuching. The launch, which included a gimmick in which a scroll was presented to Karim by the Hornbill Warrior, marks an important milestone in Sarawak’s tourism agenda for the year, unveiling a jam-packed programme of more than 80 events from Kuching and Miri to Limbang, Kapit, Betong, and beyond.
The 2026 calendar is designed to cater to a wide spectrum of interests. Culture enthusiasts can look forward to marquee events such as the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), Borneo Cultural Festival in Sibu, and more.
Sports lovers and adventure seekers are equally well served. The Miri Marathon 2026, Kuching Marathon 2026, Siol International Mountain Bike Challenge (SIMBC), 9th Sarawak International 4x4 Jamboree, and the Sebauh A1 Challenge are just some of the events listed.
A strong thread running through the 2026 calendar is the celebration and preservation of Sarawak's extraordinary indigenous heritage. Festivals such as Kaul Mukah, Gawai Dayak Open House, Pesta Nukenen Bario, and Pesta Benak Sri Aman invite visitors to witness living traditions that have endured for generations.
The 2026 calendar also features events of significant international standing. The PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2026, is set to draw global travel industry leaders to the state, reinforcing Sarawak's positioning on the world tourism map. The Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) brings together young leaders to discuss sustainable tourism and climate justice against the backdrop of Sarawak's rich biodiversity.
Meanwhile, the Kuching International Cat Festival (KICF) celebrates Kuching's most famous symbol with the WCF World Cat Show, a Live Cat Parade, and an extensive Cat Expo set to attract feline enthusiasts from around the world.
The calendar closes with the Borneo Jazz Festival 2026 in Miri, and culminates with the grand Countdown 2027 celebration at the Kuching Waterfront, with concerts and a fireworks spectacle to welcome the new year.
Karim urged both locals and international visitors to make the most of the calendar, emphasising that the diversity of events across Sarawak’s regions presents an unparalleled opportunity to explore the state beyond its well-known destinations.
The full Calendar of Tourism Events 2026 is available at https://mtcp.sarawak.gov.my/web/subpage/webpage_view/263.
