THE 17th George Town Festival (GTF) will showcase more than 40 programmes featuring artists from 10 countries during its nine-day run from Aug 1 to 9.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee (PETACE) chairman Wong Hon Wai said the festival will further strengthen its international outlook with an exciting line-up spanning visual arts, theatre, dance, music, public installations, workshops, film, community projects and family-friendly experiences.
He said this year’s GTF is proud to collaborate with the Spanish Embassy in Malaysia, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia, and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Penang.
The festival is also working with regional arts festivals, including the Ansan Street Arts Festival in South Korea and the Singapore Night Festival.
“These collaborations enrich the festival’s programming while strengthening cultural ties between Penang and the international community. They also reinforce George Town’s position as an important regional platform for artistic exchange, cultural diplomacy and creative collaboration,” Wong said at a press conference held at The Canteen at Chinahouse on Beach Street today.
Wong said 80 per cent of the over 40 programmes are free to attend, ensuring that the festival remains accessible to everyone while encouraging audiences to rediscover George Town’s streets, heritage buildings, parks, and public spaces through the lens of contemporary creativity.
“This reflects the Penang state government’s commitment to making arts and culture inclusive while nurturing creativity within our communities,” he said.
Also present at the press conference were George Town World Heritage Incorporated general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee, TLM Event chief executive officer Jack Wong, GTWHI Department of Communications and Collaborations manager Vick Quah, ChinaHouse proprietor Narelle McMurtrie, and Savv Hotel marketing and administrative officer Angel Teoh.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, GTF 2026 will also feature a line-up of ticketed performances by acclaimed local and international artists across theatre, dance, music and multidisciplinary arts.
Guided by the theme “Beyond Boundaries,” the festival celebrates artists who challenge conventions, audiences who embrace new perspectives, and creative encounters that inspire dialogue and discovery.
GTF 2026 will open with “Six to Eleven,” a vibrant celebration that transforms Padang Kota Lama into an evening of art, music, light and community, before culminating in Control Arts and the City (CTRL A + C), a weekend of site-responsive performances that reimagine George Town’s public spaces through theatre, dance, music and participatory experiences.
Together, the opening and closing programmes showcase the festival’s diverse artistic disciplines while inviting audiences to discover new relationships between art, place and people.
Wong said highlights include “Artisan II” by Low Chee Peng, which celebrates George Town’s master craftsmen, and “Converge” by Taiwanese artist Kuei-Chih Lee, a public installation reflecting the relationship between nature, culture and community.
Another highlight is “The Natural History Museum of Yeahnahnesia” by Yok and Sheryo, curated by Deborah Lim in collaboration with SPUTNIKFOREST. The immersive exhibition invites visitors to explore an imagined island nation through art and installations.
Other exhibitions include “Shifting Whispers,” “Street Fragments: Jalan Gurdwara,” “Con-Temporary Art,” or CTA, and “Collodion, Silver, Glass: Contemporary Wet Plate Photography.”
Beyond visual arts, “Kopi & Karya” will transform George Town’s cafés into a creative trail, with 10 participating cafés serving exclusive festival-inspired drinks and artisan bakes celebrating Penang’s vibrant café culture.
Meanwhile, “Wayang Pacak” will revive the nostalgia of open-air cinema through a curated selection of independent films, documentaries, animation and feature presentations from Malaysia and across Asia.
Festival-goers can also participate in interactive workshops, including theatre and movement sessions by Sun Son Theatre, explorations of Taiwan’s Indigenous communities through music and storytelling, and workshops on the historic craft of wet plate collodion photography with Steve Tan.
Together, these programmes encourage audiences to create, learn and connect through shared cultural experiences.
Adding another layer to the festival experience, the official George Town Festival 2026 merchandise collection features exclusive keepsakes, including disposable film cameras, stickers, postcards and socks, designed to celebrate this year’s festival identity.
Festival-goers can purchase these limited-edition items at participating “Kopi & Karya” cafés, as well as at on-site festival events held across both weekends, allowing audiences to bring home a piece of the festival’s creative spirit.
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).