MIRI: The WAK Miri Festival 2026 is set to return to liven up Miri City from June 19 to 21, featuring 45 unique events that bring together various elements of art, culture, lifestyle, and community, thereby strengthening Miri's position as a tourism destination and a creative industry hub in northern Sarawak.
Miri City Mayor and Pujut Assemblyman Adam Yii Siew Sang said that the festival, now entering its third edition, has grown into one of the city's key annual events, successfully revitalizing public spaces through various artistic activities, music, and cultural exchange.
He said this during a press conference for the official programme announcement of the WAK Miri Festival 2026, held at the Miri City Hall on Friday.
According to him, the festival not only reinforces Miri's creative landscape but also opens up opportunities for local and regional artists to showcase their talent and build wider networks of cooperation.
He added that a total of 25 collaborators, 13 event venues, and several local hotels will be involved in making this year's festival a success, which is expected to yield a positive impact on the city's creative industry and tourism sector.
The festival, themed “By the Community, For the Community,” is organised with the support of the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP), with the Miri Handicraft Centre continuing to serve as the main venue alongside several other locations around Miri City.
Among the major highlights taking place is the Bintulu-Miri Zone Festival Gendang Sarawak, featuring traditional drumming, Bermukun and Bertandak performances in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Also set to be a key attraction is the GoBald 2026 Fundraising Campaign organized by the Sarawak Children's Cancer Society, which encourages the public to shave their heads in solidarity with childhood cancer patients.
In addition, Miri-born artist Naki is scheduled to return home to hold a music performance centered on storytelling and nostalgia, while the Inkzone Tattoo Culture Festival will gather local and international tattoo artists through demonstrations, workshops, and showcases throughout the festival.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to visit the MYY Vintage, Arts & Collectors Market, which brings together around 30 vendors and creative entrepreneurs from Miri and Brunei, besides participating in various sports and lifestyle activities through the WAK Festival Pickleball Challenge and Pickled on the Streets.
Several special exhibitions such as “All About Arts”, “Wild About Nature: Closer to Nature”, and “Celebrating Malaysia Through the Lens” will also be held to display the works of professional artists and photographers.
The festival has also established a collaboration with the World National & World Asia Tapas Competition, Exhibition, Festival & Seminar 2026 (WATCEFS), which is running concurrently in Miri to further expand the city's tourism appeal.
Meanwhile, WAK Festival Manager Brendan Chin stated that the festival serves as a platform to celebrate the creativity of Miri's citizens while opening up space for the community to better appreciate art and culture in their daily lives.
Also present at the press conference were the Chairman of Miri City Council's (MCC) Tourism Development and Business Events Standing Committee Councillor Kr. Sean Huang Hong Siong, members of the Miri City Council, and festival collaboration partners. — UKASnews
