GEORGE TOWN, August 3 – George Town Festival 2025 kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony at Esplanade, officiated by Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow and State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai.
Celebrating its 16th edition, this year’s festival runs from 2–10 August and showcases over 50 multidisciplinary programmes—80% of which are free to attend—spanning theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and cutting-edge technology experiences.
Themed “Connection”, the festival celebrates shared humanity through diverse artistic expressions, featuring talents from Penang, across Malaysia, and internationally. Highlights include “WARIS”, a contemporary coastal dance piece by Penang’s own performers, and “Living the Tanjong Life”, a tribute to beloved cartoonist Azmi Hussin.
The immersive AR/VR experience “Symbiosis: Crab Chronicle” and citywide projection mapping showcase “TERANG” bring innovation and environmental storytelling to life. With strong support from embassies, global partners, and the Penang State Government.
George Town Festival 2025 reaffirms Penang’s position as a vibrant, inclusive cultural capital and a key destination for creative exchange in Southeast Asia.
