By V. Sivaji
The 17th edition of the George Town Festival 2026 is back from August 1 to August 9.
A line-up of interesting shows and programmes themed ”Beyond Boundaries” will highlight the showcase.
A press conference to announce the details of the event was held at The Maker along Beach Street earlier today officiated by State Exco for Tourism & Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai. Also present was Dr Ang Ming Chee, general manager of George Town World Heritage Incorporated and her team.
Other than artists from Malaysia, participants from 10 other countries are also making their presence. Among them are from Germany, South Korea, Italy and Japan,
“The origin of GTF is closely tied to a defining moment in Penang’s history — the inscription of George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. That recognition was not only about preserving buildings or streetscapes. It was about acknowledging a living city, built on arts, culture, diversity, and community.
“Over the past seventeen editions, George Town Festival has grown from a local initiative linked to UNESCO recognition into one of the most recognised contemporary arts festivals in the region. It has brought together artists, performers, and creative practitioners from Malaysia and around the world, while continuing to elevate local talent.
“George Town Festival has helped shape Penang’s wider cultural ecosystem. It has inspired confidence, creativity and ambition within our arts community,” shared Wong.
He also added that the festival now includes the Butterworth Fringe Festival,Nibong Tebal Festival, Seberang Perai Heritage Festival, Balik Pulau Festival, and many other community-driven arts programmes.
The festival opens with “Six to Eleven”, a two-day celebration taking place on 1 and 2 August at Padang Kota Lama and its surrounding heritage precinct. Audiences can look forward to “Heritage in Motion: TERANG”, a large-scale visual spectacle that transforms George Town’s historic architecture through light, technology and storytelling. The opening weekend will also feature performances by acclaimed Sarawakian musician Alena Murang and indigenous music collective At Adau, alongside the internationally renowned DUNDU giant light puppets from Germany. Complementing these
performances will be workshops, community activities, a festival market, and a range of family-friendly experiences that bring the city’s public spaces to life.
For audiences seeking deeper artistic experiences, GTF 2026 presents seven ticketed programmes spanning theatre, dance, music, puppetry and contemporary performance. Highlights include the Malaysian debut of South Korea’s “Dream Space”; Taiwan’s acclaimed “Lament of the Wandering Head 《落頭氏》” and “When Spirits Meet (TBD)”; “Shakespeare Meets NOH: DESDEMONA”, a
unique fusion of Shakespeare and Japanese Noh theatre; “TEWAS: No Light at the End of the Tunnel”, the award-winning physical theatre production confronting bullying and violence; “MATAHARI”, ZXC Theatre Troupe’s 35th anniversary original production; and “Malaysian Real Book II: Past to Present”, a celebration of iconic Malaysian songs reimagined through contemporary jazz.
Tickets for GTF 2026 ticketed programmes will go on sale from 10 June 2026 onwards. For programme details, ticket purchases and festival updates, visit www.georgetownfestival.com or follow
George Town Festival on Facebook (George Town Festival) and Instagram (@georgetownfestival).