Things to do in Kuching for Events and Festivals

Where: Siniawan Old Town Bazaar
When: 15th Day of Chinese Lunar New Year, January
Time: 8am – 2pm
Non-gated event

Related here is the celebratory procession at the old gold mining town of Bau. Another is at 3rd mile Bazaar, Kuching. Both starts 8am in the morning. The one at Bau is the biggest this side of Borneo. Only Singkawang in Kalimantan Indonesia has a bigger version; reputed to be the biggest of its kind in the world.

2. Watch the Chinese Temple Parades

Witness the spectacle and colours of Chinese mystical figures and deities. The events not only involve the Chinese community but have in recent times, drawn the participation of the Dayak sub-groups of Sarawak. There are three such parades spread over March each year. The ‘Tua Pek Kong’ Temple parade maybe rank the top in seniority but the ‘Seng Ong Kong‘ hokkien temple parade is the biggest and grandest. This is the only time in a year when the statue of ‘Seng Ong Kong’ ‘cruise’ the streets. To celebrate his birthday no less!

Where: Parade route Kuching
When: March ( 22nd day of the 2nd lunar month)
Time: 4pm onwards
Non-gated event

3. Experience the Gawai Dayak Harvest Festival.

This is the biggest cultural festival in Sarawak and for that matter Borneo. The two biggest Dayak sub-groups of Sarawak; the Ibans and the Bidayuhs celebrate the festival on a grand scale. As the word ‘harvest’ suggests, this is a celebration of bountiful rice harvest. In the best of Sarawakian hospitality known as ‘Open House; one can drop in a host for a visit. While invitation isn’t necessary, one needs to make some preparations. These include logistic and overnight stay.

There are three possibilites for you to note.

A. In the Bidayuh heartland of the Padawan, celebrations are a plenty in the kampungs (villages).

The community parade at Kampung Taee sets this celebration apart. Over at the longhouses of Kampung Benuk and Annah Rais, they lend an old world charm to the atmosphere. A welcome drink of ‘tuak’ (rice wine) is the order of the day. There will be traditional musical sessions and dances. Savor the delectable “chicken pansuh”, a traditional delicacy cooked inside bamboo.

Where: Kampung Taee, Serian; Kampung Annah Rais and Kampug Benuk, Padawan.
When: 1st Day of Gawai Dayak Festival, June.
Time: All day

B. Capture the vibrant colours of the ‘Niti Daun’ Gawai parade.

The thousands in their respective costumes presents great photo opportunities. And reading the placards of the multi-faceted Dayaks of Sarawak is an education in itself.

Where: Parade route Kuching
When: 1st week of June
Time: Afternoon

C. Experience authentic Gawai Dayak Open House and Parade

This 3d2n event takes place in the Iban heartland of Betong, a 3hr 15min drive from Kuching. Thus, the longhouse festive experience is as authentic as it gets. The atmosphere is cacophony of laughters, gong and drum beats. Also, there will be a ‘niti daun’ parade to witness in Betong town itself.

Where: Betong
When: 1st week of June
Time: 3Day 2 Nights

This is an annual event of the Sarawak Tourism Federation. It comes with transfers, accommodation, guided tours and meals. We can assist with bookings. Do contact us via our Whatsapp business account or contact form.

4. Celebrate World Music at the Rainforest World Music Festival (#RWMF)

As the year heats up, so does Kuching’s music festival scene! The multi-award winning Rainforest World Music Festival is a global music extravaganza. 15,000 festival goers converge here over a 3-day period. Immerse yourself in the musical heritage of international and local artists. During the day, take part in various workshops and during the night, dance to eclectic music. This magical festival takes place amidst the lush rainforest setting of the legendary Mt. Santubong – a jungle village festival indeed!

Where: The Sarawak Cultural Village
When: Last weekend of June or first weekend of July
Time: 1000-2400 Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Gated event

5. Savour food… at the Kuching Food Festival

Since 1986, this long running festival have now grown into an iconic event for Kuching. Over 300 stalls showcase a myriad of international and local delights. Reading creative signages is as amusing as the choices are many. If jostling for space isn’t your thing, schedule visits during weekdays.

Where: The Grounds of Kuching City Council South (MBKS)
When: Whole month of August
Time: 1600-2300
Non-gated event

6. Run the Kuching Marathon

The marathon is not the best way to tour Kuching but a 42-km route allows you to see Kuching few visitors will ever see. But we admit that running your personal best is better excuse. The Kuching Marathon is biggest single-day event in the city. Since 2014, as many as 10,000 runners have lined up to run the 4 respective categories each year. This is flat course for tortured fun whilst the Kenyans take home the top pay checks.

Where: The roads of Kuching
When: October
Time: Full Marathon: 0100; Half Marathon: 0400; 10KM:0530; 5KM: 0630.
Gated event

7. Mingle at the Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival.

The uninitiated may miss the significance of a Malay musical group at a Chinese cultural event. Their presence illustrates the raison d’être for this festival; unity in a multicultural society. Historical-wise, the venue, Carpenter Street,  was the earliest melting pot for commerce in Kuching. Be prepared for how popular the food street is with the masses.

Where: Carpenter Street, Kuching
When: September, a 10-day event,
Time: 4pm till closing
Non-gated event

8. Witness the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta (SIDBR) and the Sarawak Regatta

These are back to back events. And they make great spectator sports. The well-set up infrastructure on both banks of the Sarawak river see to that.

The SIDBR which goes first, attracts international teams from around the region.

The week after, the more illustrious Sarawak Regatta takes its course down the same river. It was here in 1872, the regatta was first held. Then, the 2nd white rajah of Sarawak had organised this event to encourage warring tribe to challenge each other. This was how the regatta first came into being. Like the days of old, the regatta is a vibrant community event. One can feel and hear the excitement in the air as longboats battle it out for the ‘King of the River’ title. This is the highlight event that takes place on Sunday afternoon.

Where: The Kuching Waterfront
When: Oct/November
Time: All day
Non-gated event

9. Gear up for the Sarawak Adventure Challenge (#SAC)

Since 2017, endurance athletes have raced through the rural landscape outside Kuching. The Sarawak Adventure Challenge is multi-sport adventure race that showcases the best of Sarawak’s nature. One can get a team going or take part as an individual in two disciplines. They include different combination of mountain biking and trail running. What makes SAC different from other events of same nature is where it is held. The organisers choose a different venue each year that matches the event’s theme.

Where: Various locations outside Kuching
When: October
Time: One-day event
Gated event

10. Relive the Light at Kuching City Christmas Parade

There has to be ’10’ right? The universal message of peace and goodwill to mankind rounds up our things to do in Kuching for events and festivals list. At this Christmas parade, you get to see the different churches and uniform groups of the city sing and dance through the 4-km route. For multicultural Malaysia, Sarawak has been the leading light for such an event since 2007.

Where: Parade route, Kuching
When: In the 1st week of December
Time: 7pm onwards

Our list of things to do in Kuching for events and festivals isn’t exhaustive. Some are held on an ad hoc  basis. To stay up to date, a good place to get the latest happenings is at Visitor Information Center Kuching. (Map).