THE George Town Festival (GTF) 2025 is set to return from Aug 2 to 10, featuring over 50 diverse and curated programmes, including 18 international presentations and 32 programmes involving Penang’s artists and groups.
Having grown into one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic arts festivals, GTF has firmly positioned Penang as a global destination for arts, culture, and creativity.
First launched in 2010 following George Town’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the festival was envisioned as a flagship celebration of creativity and urban cultural expression.
Reflecting on the festival’s evolution, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai shared his personal connection to its beginnings.
“I was part of the team in 2010 when we conceptualised the idea of GTF. At that time, Penang had just been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008,” Wong said during a media conference.
“In the early years, GTF was the only major state-backed arts festival. But over time, its success eventually inspired the launch of other events such as the Butterworth Fringe Festival, Penang Hill Festival, and several more vibrant celebrations.
“GTF has developed into a contemporary arts festival that features international collaborations. In contrast, events like the George Town Heritage Celebration (GTHC) focus on traditional and community-based cultural expressions.
“People often ask about the difference between GTF and GTHC. I would say both celebrate the spirit of George Town, but in different ways. GTHC, conducted by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), is more heritage and culture-oriented, while GTF pushes creative boundaries through local, national, and international artistic collaborations.”
This year’s festival theme, Connection, seeks to build bridges between people, ideas, and stories through diverse artistic experiences.
Festival highlights include A Night in Spain, presented by the Embassy of Spain in Malaysia; Tosu Tosu Dance: Life, Care, in partnership with the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan; and Birdy and Three Generations, supported by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia.
“The opening weekend on August 2–3 will take place at Padang Kota Lama. It will feature live music, dance, and projection art in a free, open-air celebration accessible to the public,” Wong said.
He added that the festival aims not only to entertain but also to inspire, connect communities, and create long-term value for Penang’s creative economy.
“In 2024, Penang recorded over eight million hotel guests, hosted more than 2,000 business events, and generated an estimated RM1.3 billion in economic impact through tourism and events.”
Traditionally held in July to commemorate Penang’s UNESCO designation, GTF now follows a more flexible schedule to accommodate an increasingly packed cultural calendar.
The public is encouraged to attend, with many programmes free and community-based.
Also present during the press conference were festival director Jack Wong, GTWHI representative Vick Quah, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) representative Normaira Abdul Rahman, and Penang Global Tourism (PGT) representative Affa Aziz.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud