GEORGE TOWN, PENANG – The annual George Town festival is back for a new edition, once again bringing George Town alive with arts and culture. Now in its 16th edition, the festival takes on the theme of ‘Connection’, as it focuses on how arts and human experiences are closely intertwined.

Over 40 events make up this year’s programme lineup, ranging from theatre, music, dance, photography, visual arts, and more, all of which offer a fresh lens through which to view art, inspiring new thoughts and feelings while celebrating how art awakens our senses. This year, three theatre shows will be featured. In Safari, discover mim and object theatre that takes audiences on an imaginative journey through the wonders of the wilderness.

Between Light & Grey: A Double Bill of Puppetry is a poetic exploration of memory, identity, and human connection, showcasing the power of handcrafted puppets, expressive movement, and an original score, to reveal the invisible threads that connect us all. Also featuring puppetry, Paper Monkey Theatre presents My Cloud, as a young child, holding a cloud tethered by a rope, finds the courage to embark on a journey of bravery and self-discovery. Designed for children aged 3 and above, this vibrant, interactive performance bursts with fun, movement, and storytelling magic.

On the dance front, look out for Birdy, a captivating dance piece by Lai Hung-chung that explores the interplay of freedom and limitations. Using a cage and dreamer metaphor, Lai bridges personal struggles with broader societal contexts. The deconstruction of traditional Chinese opera props, set to an eclectic mix of electronic and Chinese classical music, Birdy reinterprets percussion and seamlessly blends Tai Chi with contemporary dance, portraying It portrays the journey from tradition to modernity and conveys a powerful message that in this era, we can redefine class, freedom, and limitations while seeking balance and identity.

Choreographed by Vietnamese-French artist Bui Ngoc Quan, 129BPM is a raw and spiritual quest that explores the fragile balance between individuality and collectivity. As the dancers push their physical and emotional limits, their bodies become vessels for resistance, longing, and release, posing the urgent question: Can we find a shared rhythm that allows us to move together, even in our differences?

And site-specific performance WARIS transforms Paramount Beach into a living, breathing stage where tides, memory, and movement converge. More than a performance, WARIS is a collaboratorium, a space of communion between artists, place, and spirit. Rooted in the rhythms of the sea and the ancestral wisdom of the last living waris (heirs), this work becomes a vessel for stories shaped by salt, labour, and ritual. Over at Hin Bus Depot, The South Paradise: Rong-ngeng Folk Dance is a vibrant cultural showcase that celebrates the traditional Rong-ngeng folk dance—a rich expression of the shared Malay heritage found across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore.

On the music front, check out The Malaysian Real Book, with a pair of concerts – The Malaysian Real Book: Page to Performance – celebrates the rich and diverse heritage of Malaysian music while also showcasing the work of current composers and songwriters. Or come explore Rhythms & Roots, a journey through sound where music becomes a bridge between land, lineage, and identity, in a performance that reimagines Southeast Asian folk traditions through a contemporary lens.

Explore jazz with Three Generations, One Jazzy Heartbeat, a live performance by The Stacey Wei Quartet, an intergenerational ensemble brings together leading voices in Taiwanese jazz and acclaimed Malaysian pianist and composer Tay Cher Siang. Together, they’ll deliver a rich musical journey through original compositions and thoughtfully selected works that resonate deeply with audiences across generations and borders. Meanwhile, A Night in Spain invites you on a vivid musical journey through its rich and varied soundscapes, brought to life by three internationally acclaimed artists—Malaysian pianist Mei Yi Foo, Polish violinist Bartosz Woroch, and Spanish cellist Ivan Torres.

But above all, GTF is a time for celebration, with events like Kongsi Party, an atmospheric concert set in the stunning courtyard of the historic Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongs, where you’ll be treated to the dreamy harmonies of The Impatient Sisters, the spirited sounds of Planet Canto Rock and the eclectic energy of Kool Kongsi. In fact, celebrate GTF from start to end, with After Dusk kicking off the festivities with an unforgettable celebration of lights, music, and creativity after dark, or party on the go with Between Departures, a moving live music experience on a city bus! Enjoy intimate, unplugged performances by 1Drum and Sundal Malam Ensemble as you cruise through George Town’s streets. 

Don’t forget to shop local with A Market Under a Starry Night, with vendors hawking whimsical art, vintage finds, handmade treasures, tasty street eats, and Penang’s creative soul on full display. And of course, the countless workshops, and plenty of visual arts experiences all around George Town to discover, from projection mapping showcases, gorgeous paintings, photography and even cartoons and comics.

Taking place over just two weekends, George Town Festival 2025 is a loving celebration of Penang’s arts and culture, both past and present, that invites all to participate in and discover. Bigger and more exciting that ever before, don’t miss your chance to immerse in this festive period for George Town, and feel connected to Malaysia and the world through the arts.

George Town Festival 2025 runs from 2nd to 10th August 2025. More information available here