KUCHING: The Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival (SFCF) 2026 is set to return on a larger scale, with organisers targeting 350,000 visitors and over RM500,000 in sales, as the event continues its rise as one of Sarawak’s growing food and cultural attractions.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the festival’s steady growth demonstrates its increasing role in driving local economic activities while promoting Sarawak’s rich multicultural heritage.
“Food and cultural festivals provide a platform for entrepreneurs, especially those who are just starting out, to introduce their products and grow their businesses.
“At the same time, they serve as a stage for communities to showcase their unique cultures, traditions and performances,” he said during a press conference on Monday (June 15).
The 10-day festival, organised by Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), will be held from June 26 to July 5 at the MPKS Tamu Market site in Desa Ilmu, Kota Samarahan.
Abdul Karim, who is also the Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MySED), said the Sarawak government encourages every division to organise at least one food and cultural festival as such events have proven to generate economic returns and strengthen cultural appreciation.
He noted that SFCF’s inclusion in Sarawak’s tourism calendar has also enhanced its profile, enabling more domestic and international visitors to plan their trips around the event.
“When an event is included in the tourism calendar, it raises its status. Visitors from Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia may arrange their holidays to experience these festivals.”
Last year’s festival attracted about 300,000 visitors and recorded RM406,448 in sales, prompting organisers to extend this year’s edition from nine to 10 days following positive response from traders.
The festival will feature more than 80 booths comprising food vendors, beverage stalls, corporate exhibitors, entrepreneurs under MySED and government agencies.
Its programme includes stage events such as the Ratu Kebaya and Ratu Cilik Kebaya competitions, Battle of Buskers, Samarahan Idol, Malay Bertandak competition, Chinese karaoke contest, as well as performances by local and invited artistes, including Ukays, Winnie, Faris Malek, Nurhijrah, Rizal AF and Mawat.
Non-stage activities include a night run, mobile e-sports tournament, street soccer, traditional archery, silat dance competition, cooking competition, carrom, open pineapple contest, slingshot competition, colouring contest and an autoshow.
Abdul Karim said SFCF’s growing popularity mirrors the rapid transformation of Samarahan, which has evolved from a rural area into one of Sarawak’s fastest-growing urban centres.
“Through the years, we have seen the numbers continue to rise. One day, it may reach one million visitors, just like other major food and cultural festivals in Sarawak.”
