MIRI: This city is set to welcome 2026 with a bold cultural and creative statement as Miri Art Festival 2.0 returns on a larger scale, placing heritage, community identity and local entrepreneurship at the heart of the year-end celebrations.
The five-day festival, organised by the Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS) Miri branch, will run from 31 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 at the Miri Indoor Stadium. It will coincide with New Year festivities and aims to draw broad public participation.
Now in its second edition, the festival marks a shift from entertainment-led events to a more structured platform linking arts, culture and the creative economy. Organisers said the goal is to strengthen social cohesion while creating commercial opportunities for local players.
A key highlight this year is a competitive cultural showcase featuring seven major ethnic groups in Miri, reflecting the city’s multicultural character. Participating associations will present curated displays of traditional arts, food, attire and cultural narratives, competing for total cash prizes of RM3,000.
The associations involved are the Leto Kenyah Miri Association, Telang Usan Women’s Association, Jatti Mierek Miri Association, Malay Association of Miri, Melanau Association of Miri, Berawan Association of Miri and Penan Association of Miri.
Beyond exhibitions, the festival will place strong emphasis on performance-led engagement. The Fusion Dance Competition, offering RM6,000 in prize money, will feature eight established dance groups interpreting traditional movements through contemporary choreography. Scheduled performers include Kenyalang Ritma Dancer, Unity Dance Academy, Seni Kenyalang, Gah Rentak Art and Culture and Tunas Tari Warisan.
Culinary creativity will also take centre stage through the Black Box Cooking Competition, which has drawn 20 team entries. Contestants will be required to create original dishes using a mystery core ingredient revealed only moments before the competition begins, testing adaptability and innovation under pressure.
The festival is expected to peak on the night of 31 December, when a New Year’s Eve concert will lead the countdown to 2026. National recording artistes Ayai Ilusi, Sharman and Nizarddin will headline alongside local performers Adik Abbiy and Bobby, in a line-up designed to appeal across generations.
DUBS Miri said the festival is meant to go beyond celebration, serving as a platform to elevate cultural assets while supporting Bumiputera entrepreneurs through increased footfall, exposure and business opportunities.
With free admission throughout the five-day programme, organisers are targeting strong attendance from residents in Miri and surrounding areas, reinforcing the festival’s role as a community-driven event rather than a ticketed spectacle.
