Top 13 Festivals in Papua New Guinea: A Complete Guide

Last Updated on January 12, 2026 by Amylee Silva

Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with more than 800 languages spoken across its 600-plus islands. The country is home to a wealth of spectacular cultural festivals that offer a glimpse into the vibrant heritages of its many tribal groups. From highland sing-sings to coastal celebrations, Papua New Guinea’s famous festivals draw visitors from around the world.

Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with more than 800 languages spoken across its 600-plus islands. The country is home to a wealth of spectacular cultural festivals that offer a glimpse into the vibrant heritages of its many tribal groups. Here are 12 can’t-miss Papua New Guinea festivals.

List of Festivals in Papua New Guinea

1. Baliem Valley Culture Festival
2. Mount Hagen Festivals, Mount Hagen Sing-Sing
3. Baining Fire Dance Festival
4. Goroka Show
5. Kenu and Kundu Festival
6. Mask Festival
7. Tumbuna Sing-Sing
8. The Sepik Crocodile Festival
9. The Morobe Show
10. Enga Cultural Show
11. Hiri Moale Festival
12. Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival
13. Jiwaka Cultural Show

1. Baliem Valley Culture Festival

1. Baliem Valley Culture Festival

The Baliem Valley Culture Festival has been an annual festival tradition since 1989. It is held in August in the Wulesi District of Jayawijaya Regency, near the highlands of central Papua New Guinea. The festival celebrates the Dani, Yali, and Lani people who inhabit the region with traditional war dances and ritual performances that date back centuries.

The 2026 festival will take place August 6-8.

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2. Mount Hagen Sing-Sing (Mount Hagen Cultural Show)

The Mount Hagen Sing-Sing is another annual event that draws tribes from all over Papua New Guinea. Often considered a friendly rival to the Goroka Show, it’s one of the country’s most prestigious cultural gatherings. Held in Mount Hagen, the capital of Western Highlands Province, the festival features more than 100 cultural groups from across the country and attracts 50,000-100,000 visitors annually. Visitors can enjoy singing and dancing, theatrics, and tradition. The Mount Hagen Sing-Sing usually takes place in August (2026 dates to be announced).

3. Goroka Show

Held annually in Goroka, the capital of Eastern Highlands Province, the Goroka Show is Papua New Guinea’s largest and longest-running cultural festival.

First held in the 1950s, the event has grown into a major international attraction that draws 140,000-150,000 visitors annually, including cultural enthusiasts from around the world. The festival includes singing and dancing competitions featuring traditional music, cultural displays of ancestral dress, and performances by more than 100 tribal groups that showcase Papua New Guinea’s extraordinary cultural diversity.

In 2026, the show celebrates its 70th edition, taking place September 18-20 during the weekend closest to the country’s Independence Day, September 16th.

Due to the festival’s growing international popularity, advance booking for accommodation is essential as hotels in Goroka fill months ahead of the September event. Contact tour operators or festival organizers well in advance to secure tickets and lodging.

4. Baining Fire Dance Festival

One of Papua New Guinea’s most unique festivals is the Baining Fire Dance Festival, which takes place in East New Britain Province’s Gaulim village. The festival features the Baining people’s traditional fire dance, in which participants cover their bodies with tree sap before dancing around a large bonfire. The sap protects their skin from getting burned by the flames but also gives the illusion that they are engulfed in flames—a truly spectacular sight! While the festival has traditionally been held in June or July, exact dates vary year to year. Check with local tour operators for 2026 scheduling.

5. National Kenu and Kundu Festival

Held in the coastal town of Alotau, Milne Bay Province, in the southeast of Papua New Guinea, the Kenu and Kundu Festival celebrates the region’s maritime culture and heritage. The highlight of the festival is a series of canoe races in traditional outrigger canoes, which are paddled by teams of up to 20 people. The 2025 festival was deferred to 2026, with dates tentatively scheduled for November 1-3, 2026.

6. The National Mask Festival (Warwagira Festival) 

Held annually in Kokopo, capital of East New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea, the National Mask and Warwagira Festival is also known as the Kokopo Mask Festival. The impressive festival features cultural performances by some of Papua New Guinea’s most famous mask dancers, who don intricate masks and costumes while telling stories through their dance movements. The 2026 festival will take place July 8-13.

7. Tumbuna Sing-Sing

The Tumbuna Sing-Sing is another excellent opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of PNG firsthand. This smaller festival celebrates the tumbuna, ‘pasin bilong tumbuna,’ – the way of the ancestors, with song, dance, and traditional food and drink. Visitors to the village can also participate in ritual ceremonies and learn about PNG’s history and unique cultural heritage.

8. The Sepik Crocodile Festival

This festival celebrates the common (but still dangerous!) crocodiles of Papua New Guinea’s Sepik River. Held in August, the event features ritual dances and ceremonies dedicated to the animal’s special bond with man.

9. The Morobe Show

Held every October on the weekend closest to the full moon in Lae City, the Morobe Show is the only event of its kind. The event features a variety of activities related to agriculture, horticulture, and livestock. The main attractions at the show include cowboy events, traditional dancing, rides and entertainment as well as daredevil bike riders.

10. Enga Cultural Show

Held annually in Papua New Guinea’s Enga Province, the Enga Cultural Show celebrates the area’s local cultural traditions. The sing-sing event features spell casting, ritual offerings, and dancing, as well as displays of artworks and handicrafts.

11. Hiri Moale Festival

The Hiri Moale Festival is a unique event that takes place in Ela Beach, near the city of Port Moresby. This festival celebrates the Hiri Seafaring Trade, which was a traditional system of trade between the islands of Papua New Guinea.

Today, the festival is a chance for people to experience this traditional way of life. During the festival, canoes travel between villages, and traders exchange goods.

12. Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival

In Papua New Guinea’s Southern Highlands province, the Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival is one of the country’s most vibrant cultural events. The festival celebrates the kutubu (traditional drums) and the Digaso oil. Visitors can also enjoy sing-sing performances as well as a variety of foods and crafts. The 2026 festival is tentatively scheduled for November 1-3.

13. Jiwaka Cultural Show

Held in Banz, the capital of Jiwaka Province, the Jiwaka Cultural Show celebrates the three tribal groups who call this region home, the Jimi, Waghi, and Kambia peoples. The festival serves as a community-driven event that showcases distinctive highland traditions, including demonstrations of traditional vine bridge building using special “gelu” vines, courting ceremonies between young men and women in traditional finery, and elaborate bride price ceremonies that unite families and clans.

Visitors will witness the spectacular headdresses adorned with huge feathers and painted beards that characterize Jiwaka culture. The show is held in Wara Mombol in Banz Town, approximately 40 minutes from Mount Hagen. The last known festival took place August 4-5, 2018. Dates for 2026 are currently unconfirmed.

Planning Your Festival Journey

Papua New Guinea’s festival season runs year-round, with peak cultural celebrations concentrated in the highlands from July through September. For travelers interested in attending multiple festivals, August and September offer the richest concentration of events—including the Mount Hagen Sing-Sing, Baliem Valley Culture Festival, Sepik Crocodile Festival, and the Goroka Show. The dry season (May through October) provides the most comfortable conditions for highland travel, with cooler temperatures and easier access to remote festival locations.

Papua New Guinea recently launched a Digital Arrival Card (DAC) that must be completed online up to 72 hours before arriving in the country. Visitors should take cash (kina) with them to festivals in Papua New Guinea for purchases and to support local artists.

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Papua New Guinea is a fascinating country with an incredibly rich culture. These most famous festivals are just a small taste of the amazing celebrations you can experience there. If you’re lucky enough to be able to attend one of these events, be sure to engage and live every minute.

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Quick Facts About Papua New Guinea Festivals

• The National Mask & Warwagira Festival, held in East New Britain, focuses on the Tolai and Baining cultures, featuring intricate masks and fire dances as rites of passage.
• Papua New Guinea’s festivals, known as ‘sing-sings’, showcase the country’s immense tribal diversity through elaborate dances, music, costumes, and storytelling.
• The Hiri Moale Festival, held in September, commemorates ancient trading routes between the Motu people and Gulf neighbors with canoe processions.
• The Baining Firedance Festival features fire dancing performed by the Baining people to commemorate births, deaths, and coming-of-age ceremonies.
• The Enga Cultural Show focuses on the unique customs and language of the Enga province, highlighting community heritage.
• The Sepik Crocodile Festival honors the spiritual and cultural connection between the communities along the Sepik River and crocodiles.
• The Hagen Show is one of the oldest and biggest festivals in Papua New Guinea, showcasing the cultural diversity through dance, drama, and costume.
• The Goroka Show is the longest-running festival in Papua New Guinea, attracting around 150,000 people to celebrate cultural diversity through performances from over 100 tribes.