KUCHING: The Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival (KIMF) 2026 will return from Sept 15 to 26, celebrating cultural diversity, community harmony and youth entrepreneurship.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is expected to officiate at the festival’s opening ceremony on Sept 15.
The organising committee said KIMF had grown from a celebration rooted in the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival into an inclusive annual community event in the heart of Kuching.
“The Mid-Autumn Festival traditionally carries the beautiful meaning of reunion, togetherness and gratitude. Here in Kuching, we have taken that spirit of reunion a little further.
“We see KIMF as not only a reunion of families, but also a meeting of cultures and a coming together of people,” it said in a statement.
The festival’s intercultural character is reflected through traders from the Dayak, Malay and Chinese communities, alongside visitors from Sarawak, other parts of Malaysia and overseas.
The committee said food, cultural activities and interaction between traders and visitors allowed people from different backgrounds to better understand and appreciate one another.
“KIMF provides a common space where diversity can be experienced together.
“This reflects something very special about Kuching and Sarawak. We come from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, yet we are comfortable sharing the same space, enjoying one another’s traditions and celebrating together.”
The committee also welcomed the increased participation of young traders and entrepreneurs, saying the festival offered them an accessible platform to introduce their food, products and ideas to a diverse audience.
This year’s participating organisations include the Kuching Hainan Association, Kwong Wai Siew Association Kuching, Malaysia Hakka Cultural Association Sarawak Branch, Sarawak Kwang Tung Association and Kuching Chiang Chuan Association.
Also taking part are the Padawan Foochow Association Kuching, Sarawak Lui Chiu Association and Hing Ann Association Kuching.
