Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

Less than a week after celebrating its UNESCO World Heritage Day, once again culture, art and heritage will take over Penang’s capital during the George Town Festival from 9 to 24 July 2022. Drawing in tens of thousands of visitors from across the world, nine previous editions of the festival have put Penang on the radar of international artists.

During a good half month, the George Town Festival will include 80 programmes covering dance, visual art, film theatre, music and photography.

George Town Festival programme 2022

This year’s festival will feature: The Senses at The Habitat Penang Hill’s Curtis Crest; Mozart at the Mansion, at Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion – The Blue Mansion; Teater Tradisional Makyung ‘DEWA INDERA INDERA DEWA’ performance of almost extinct Malay Mak Yong; and Teochew puppet theatre performance, Ibu.

Some 70 percent of the programme will be free of cost, including Angin OMbulan, a contemporary version of Malay traditional healing performances; SERENITY: A Glimpse Through the Traditional Lenses, a screening and performance connecting traditional art forms with contemporary dance practices; and G-Short 2022 Finalists Film Screening, selected from 69 countries.

There will also be immersive XR art exhibition, Cahaya XR: First Edition, as well as Come Play With Me: A Piano Concert for Families.

If you pass through Malaysia’s capital on your way to Penang, read our Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur without the Twin Towers.

Ticketed shows at the festival

Please visit the organiser’s website for the complete 2022 lineup and full details of all events.

Background of the George Town Festival

Covered by the International New York Times, Al Jazeera, CNN Travel and other media, George Town Festival has grown into a major Asia arts happening. While the Festival is held to celebrate and preserve the local arts, culture and heritage, its organisers also seek to create new and vibrant connections between the traditional and the contemporary.

For more George Town culture, check out the George Town Heritage Celebrations.

With a vision “to be the best festival in and beyond the ASEAN region and to become one of the world’s best event destinations”, its over one hundred unique events allow the George Town Festival to be diverse enough in its programme selection to ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy during the entire period.

Accommodation in George Town and flights

To find the best accommodation in George Town and worldwide flights, please search via our comparison engine, which scans all the major booking sites:

Further details and updates on the George Town Festival

Visit the official website or its Facebook page.

All images provided by the organisers.