KUCHING – The Kuching Music Festival 2026 (KMF 2026) drew an overwhelming crowd of more than 30,000 spectators to Padang Merdeka over two days, cementing its reputation as one of the largest entertainment events in Sarawak.
Organised by Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), the festival took place on 16 and 17 May, transforming the historic Padang Merdeka into a vibrant hub of music, culture, and community spirit.
Thousands of visitors sang along and applauded performances by both local and international artists, creating an atmosphere filled with energy and excitement.
The festival featured a diverse line-up, with Prodigy Orkestra providing musical accompaniment to renowned performers including Cakra Khan, OAG, Mal Imran, Firdaus Materang, Ramles Walter, Carrie Geres, Chien Ng, and Melissa Francis.
Their performances captivated audiences and showcased the rich blend of talent that KMF 2026 brought to Kuching.
Spectators responded with cheers, applause, and enthusiastic participation, reflecting the city’s strong support for creative events.
The festival not only served as a platform for entertainment and artistic appreciation but also generated significant economic benefits.
Local food and beverage vendors, creative entrepreneurs, transport operators, and tourism businesses experienced increased activity, highlighting the festival’s role in boosting Kuching’s economy.
DBKU’s organisation of KMF 2026 reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Kuching as a creative and community-friendly city.
The event demonstrated the city’s capacity to host large-scale cultural programmes that attract both domestic and international attention, strengthening its profile as a regional destination for entertainment.
The festival also received strong backing from government leaders and dignitaries. Among those present were Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Sarawak and Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak.
Other notable attendees included Datuk Hajah Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Dato Haji Hilmy bin Haji Othman, Datuk Bandar Kuching North, and Mr Abdullah Zulkifli, Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching.
Additional dignitaries such as Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, and Datuk Hajah Siti Sorgayah binti Haji Ahmad Zaidin also attended, underscoring the significance of the festival in Sarawak’s cultural calendar.
Their presence highlighted the government’s support for initiatives that promote creative industries and community engagement.
KMF 2026 has once again proven to be more than just a music festival. It is a celebration of culture, creativity, and community, reinforcing Kuching’s position as a city that embraces artistic expression while driving economic and social benefits for its people.
