Taste of Borneo Cultural Carnival back for 4th edition

This July 1 to 12, make your way to Boulevard Miri’s Open Car Park for 12 days of vibrant cultural celebration, record-breaking parades and dynamic showcases!

KUCHING, 28 April 2026: The 4th edition of the Taste of Borneo Cultural Carnival 2026 will be taking over the city of Miri this July, bringing together cultural communities from across Borneo, including Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Indonesia to create a unified platform in celebration of shared heritage, traditions and identity, as announced by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during a press conference earlier today. 

This year’s carnival will also feature international collaboration with Yunnan, China, expanding beyond Borneo to further strengthen cultural diplomacy and global engagement. Themed ‘Segulai Sejalai: Together in Unity’, the event will be taking place from July 1 to 12, 2026 at Boulevard Miri’s Open Car Park, celebrating the rich diversity of Sarawak and the wider Borneo region through immersive cultural programmes. 

Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

The Taste of Borneo Cultural Carnival 2026 will feature a dedicated cultural village featuring 23 participating ethnic associations, showcasing their unique heritage through traditional cuisines, games, costumes and handicrafts as well as interactive experiences. Members of the public can also expect a vibrant marketplace of over 100 F&B and commercial stalls and a wide range of traditional and contemporary performances, including music, dances, fashion showcases and cultural exhibitions.

Highlights of the 12-day carnival include the Street Parade opening event and the Miri Divisional Secondary School Cultural Dance Competition on July 1, the Seni Budaya Tarian Borneo showcase on July 3, the Grand Opening Ceremony officiated by the Sarawak Premier on July 4 and the Miri Divisional Primary School 3R Clothing Competition & Fashion Show on July 11.

“The Taste of Borneo Cultural Carnival 2026 is set to elevate Miri as a vibrant gateway for cultural tourism, by rejuvenating traditional heritage through dynamic showcases, strengthening cross-cultural collaboration and generating opportunities in event-driven activities,” said Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim during the press conference.

Today’s press conference also saw the presence of representatives from main organisers (Sarawak Chinese Association, Miri City Council and Miri Division Administration), joint organisers (Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak Malaysia (FORUM), Dayak Association Miri, Persatuan Melayu Miri, Miri Indian Association, Miri Sikh Association, Persatuan Kedayan Miri, Persatuan Melanau Miri, Dayak Bidayuh National Association Miri, Persatuan Jatti Miriek Miri, Miri Punjabi Association, Persatuan Masyarakat Ideah Bakaong Miri, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Dangsanak, Limbang Miri and Persatuan Jati Lawas Di Miri) and co-organisers (Persatuan Kebangsaan Kenyah Sarawak, Persatuan Kayan Sarawak Cawangan Miri, Persatuan Bisaya Sarawak Cawangan Miri, Persatuan Rurum Kelabit Sarawak Cawangan Miri, Persatuan Berawan Sarawak, Lun Bawang Community, Persatuan Masyarakat Saban Miri Sarawak, Persatuan Pembangunan Tipun Penan Sarawak, Persatuan Lakiput Sarawak and Persatuan Komuniti Etnik Kajang).

The Taste of Borneo Cultural Carnival 2026 press conference was attended by over 20 representatives from cultural associations across Miri.