Kota Kinbalu offers festivals throughout the year that regularly draw participation from around the region and the world. The city’s Harvest Festival includes a month-long celebration, culminating in a carnival. The Sabah Dragon Boat Race is one of the largest in the region and regularly includes over 100 teams from around the world. The International Youth Dance Festival is a beautiful event featuring children from around the region including Sri Lanka, India and more.
Harvest Festival (Pesta Kaamatan)
The annual Harvest Festival is held each May and includes a month-long celebration meant to honor the harvest period. The event peaks in a carnival at the end of the month. Considered one of Malaysia’s best festivals, the event sees most important set of dates on the Sabah calendar. Traditional sports and games are held throughout, as is the sampling of various food and rice wine, as well as the singing of traditional songs. The celebration’s final day is marked by a beauty pageant whereby 46 pre-determined contestants outshine each other to be crowned the winner.
Address: Kadazandusun Cultural Association Sabah, Hongkod Koisaan, KM 8, Penampang Road, P.O. Box 907, 89509, Penampang
Phone: +6088 – 713 696
Operating Hours: N/A
Admission Cost: N/A
Website
Sabah Dragon Boat Race
Honoring the Chinese heritage of the region, Sabah holds one of Malaysia’s largest Dragon Boat Race events each year. Held together with The Federation of Chinese Associations of Sabah, the event features more than 100 teams in participation. Teams consist of domestic and international groups. Held at Likas Bay, the races are a major event on the city’s annual calendar, with the festival-like cheer attracting locals and tourists.
Address: Likas Bay, 597 Lorong Likas, Kota Kinabalu
Phone: +6088 – 253 433
Operating Hours: N/A
Admission Cost: N/A
Website
International Youth Dance Festival (Tugu Budaya Etnik Sabah)
This event draws youth talent from across the Asian continent, including children’s dance performances from Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, The Philippines and other countries. Held over a period of three days, the event was designed to attract visitors and praise youth dances from multiple cultural backgrounds, including Sabah. While initially open to only domestic and local participants, the event has garnered international interest and now sees various countries invited to perform. Launched in 2009, the event is usually held in the summer months of June or July.
Address: Sabah Cultural Centre Penampang, Wisma Budaya Building, Tunku Abdul Rahman Road, Locked Bag 132, 88740, Kota Kinabalu
Phone: +6088 – 268 863
Operating Hours: N/A
Admission Cost: N/A
Website
