KUCHING: What About Kuching (WAK) Festival returns this October with 83 unique events across 62 venues, reinforcing its role as a major platform for Sarawak’s creative industry.
Minister of Creative Industry, Tourism and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the eighth edition would feature a total of 440 daily events throughout the month.
“WAK Kuching will start from Oct 1 until Oct 31. The number of events for Kuching is very impressive – 83 unique events, while the total number of daily events put together is 440 events,” he said in during the launching of WAK Festival 2026 Calendar Reveal at The Spring Shopping Mall today.
He said the festival, which began in 2017 as a means of attracting visitors during October’s traditionally slow tourism period, had grown significantly over the years.
From its early days involving venues such as the Old Courthouse, Kuching Waterfront and Ting and Ting Supermarket, WAK has expanded across Kuching and its suburbs, with participation from Padawan, Kota Samarahan and Bau.
Abdul Karim said the festival had also expanded beyond Kuching, with WAK Sibu entering its third edition this year, while WAK Miri had also gained strong response, including visitors from Brunei.
“This tells us something very important. What we did in Kuching has grown into much wider participation in the creative movement in other parts of Sarawak,” he said.
He said WAK provided an important platform, particularly for young people, to showcase their talents in creative fields including music, art, food, comedy, theatre and other disciplines.
This year’s festival will feature 14 genres, encompassing art, culture, music, theatre, sports, food, film, wellness and comedy, with exhibitions, performances, concerts, talks, workshops and other activities.
Abdul Karim said the festival’s 49 collaborators represented a broad cross-section of Sarawak’s creative industry.
He added that investing in the creative community also meant investing in tourism, hospitality, the economy, local talent and Sarawak’s identity.
This year’s theme, “Shoots”, follows last year’s “Roots”, symbolising the growth of fresh ideas, emerging talents, collaborations and a rejuvenated creative community.
“WAK is no longer something we can hold back. We have to keep building it because it is something good for the creative industry,” he said.
He also urged Sarawakians to support the festival by attending its events, particularly free programmes, to help local creatives grow their audiences.
“Get ready for an electrifying October. Plan your calendars, invite your friends, welcome our visitors and get ready to celebrate the very best of art, culture and lifestyle in Sarawak and beyond,” he added.
