Borneo’s sunshine, vivid rainforests, and a laid-back attitude are the perfect ingredients for outdoor festivals. The friendly people certainly know how to throw a party; festivals in Borneo are usually vibrant events with food, music, and good times for both locals and visitors!

You can find festivals in Borneo practically any time of year, with a vibe that completely diverges from that of festivals in the rest of Malaysia. With such a mix of indigenous cultures and religions, there is always something to celebrate.

The Rainforest World Music Festival
July
is one of the largest music festivals in Southeast Asia. Held every year just outside of Kuching, the three-day concert features bands from nearly every continent. Musicians from all over the world showcase their traditional instruments in workshops throughout the day before the headlining bands take to the two main stages in the evening.
The Rainforest Music Festival takes place annually in July. The festival draws thousands to dance in the mud — make plans to attend early. Tickets can be purchased in Kuching or at the gate.

For 2020, the Rainforest World Music Festival takes place from July 10 to 12.

Regatta Lepa Semporna
End of April
This festival is celebrated with much pomp by the Bajau community of Sabah’s east coast region of Semporna. People of this fishing community have been celebrating this event in honour of their tradition of building “lepa”, a traditional single-mast sailing boat. The method of building these boats made from red wood has been handed over from generation to generation. During this festival, which started in 1994, decorated boats sail the seas to win the crown of the most beautiful “lepa”. Other contests like kelleh-kelleh, tug of war, Lepa Beauty Pageant, cultural performances and fireworks display are held in celebration of the festival.

Pesta Kaamatan
May
Rice is the staple diet of most Sabahn people and for them this crop is a gift from their God – Kinoingan. Legends say, Kinoingan sacrificed his only, beautiful daughter ‘Huminodun’ and sowed her body parts as seeds, which later grew to padi (rice). To this day, the people honour the commitment shown by their God in the form of a festival by conducting various ceremonies as a tribute to Bambaazon, the spirit of Kinoingan’s daughter ‘Huminodun’. During the Pesta Kaamatan festival, which takes place during first week of May, the Magavau ritual is conducted to invite the spirit of Bambaazon to the Pesta. This ritual is performed only by the high priestess as without the spirit of Bambaazon the festival cannot go on further.

Gawai Dayak
Beginning of June
Gawai Dayak — also known as the Harvest Festival — is one of the most important celebrations for the Iban and other indigenous cultures in Sarawak. Traditional costumes, ritual music, a chicken sacrifice, and lots of locally-brewed rice wine make this event one of the most educational and entertaining in Sarawak.

Gawai Dayak is celebrated across Sarawak annually, beginning at sundown on May 31. The Sarawak Cultural Village outside of Kuching — the same venue as the Rainforest Music Festival — is just one of many places to witness the celebration of a good harvest. Sampling some of the traditional food in Kuching is half the fun.

Sabah Dragon Boat Race ( Visit Site )
Mid June
Sabah Dragon Boat Race is held every year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, at the Likas Bay. During the race, Dragon Boats and other streamers make their way across the River Milo to the rhythm of pounding drums and cheering from the crowd. Spectators are not only treated to the exciting dragon race but also delicious local fare at the stalls set up along the Likas Bay.

Pesta Rumbia
Beginning of July
This event is celebrated in the town of Kuala Penyu, situated a little far away from the town of Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah. Rumbia or sago forms an indispensable part of the daily diet of the Bisayas and Kadazan community who reside in the region of Kuala Penyu and the surrounding districts of Beaufort and Papar. Every part of the sago plant is used and nothing is disposed off. The leaves are used to make roofs, mats, baskets, etc. All theses uses, handicrafts, sago delicacies are demonstrated at a kiosk at Kampung Kasugira.

Borneo Cultural Festival
July
Every July the small city of Sibu in Sarawak comes alive for 10 days of traditional music, celebrations, contests, and even a beauty pageant. Three stages spread around Sibu’s green town square stay busy: Dayak drums and gongs bang on one stage, singing performances fill the Chinese stage, while a choir occupies the Malay stage.
A trade show, art contest, and lots of food draw around 20,000 people every year. The Borneo Cultural Festival is a great place to learn about Sarawak’s indigenous music and culture.

Borneo Arts Festival
August/September
The Borneo Arts Festival is spread over seven days on the island of Labuan — a popular stopover between Sabah and Brunei. Traditional and progressive music, dance performances, tattoo shows, and even a fire-eating performance make this festival a worthy diversion!
The Borneo Arts Festival is the perfect place to pick up authentic handicrafts and original artwork in Borneo.

Kinabalu International Climbathon ( Visit Site )
Mid October
Mt. Kinabalu’s peak point is the aim for every hiker who takes part in this competition held every year in October. Held for over 20 years, the hike is about 12 miles long and tests every participant’s physical as well as mental fitness.

Tamu Besar Kota Belud
End of November
Kota Belud, located on an hour’s drive from Kota Kinabalu, is famous in Malaysia for its cultural diversity. The peaceful co-existence of Muslim Bajau community with other tribes like the Kadazandusun and the Irranun has led to development of a rich, artistic heritage of Kota Belud, unique to the region. Every year, Tamu Besar, the biggest traditional open-air market is held in Sabah, where all the farmers, anglers and traders get together to sell their produce to the consumers. All the communities dress up in the traditional costumes and display their distinctive traditions such as the riding skills of the Bajau community. Buffalo parade, Horsemen Tug of War and the Buffalo race with Sack of Paddy are some of the major attractions of the festival.

Kiulu 4M Challenge
Beginning of December
The town of Kiulu located about 40 kms away from Kota Kinabalu is the venue for the 4M Challenge. 4M, which stands for four traditional Kadazandusun sports starting with ‘M’, comprise of managkus (running), mamangkar (bamboo rafting), manampatau (swimming with bamboo) and mamarampanau (walking with bamboo stilts). The K4MC sports contest, which tests mental and physical fitness, is also thoughtful about preservation and protection of nature, especially Kiulu River. The main purpose of this challenge is to promote eco-tourism, traditional sports and environmental consciousness among people.