George Town Festival 2023
Penang is more than its dazzling miscellany of hawker eats and cafe gems – the city is bursting with such a vibrant heritage core and its bounty of art, its creative diversity has become a huge appeal of the island in recent years. The annual George Town Festival on the island has been an integral part of the local arts scene, creating a venue for Malaysians to explore and express their heritage, culture, and arts.
The festival returned on 15th and runs till 30th July this year, with a schedule featuring a spirited slew of performances, exhibits, workshops, and bazaars across George Town for all to experience. Read on to find out more about the upcoming events:
The city’s celebration of its heritage, culture & arts
Image credit: George Town Festival via Facebook
George Town Festival 2023 is back to excite, inspire and ignite your artistic flame to burst forth.
At this year’s George Town Festival, visitors can look forward to a schedule packed with performances, art exhibits, and bazaars hosted at various cityscapes and localities within Penang – it’ll be a rambunctious festival of arts in all of its glory.
Currently in its 14th year, this vivacious festival continues to be an influential voice in celebrating the rich culture and fierce artistry of George Town, highlighting notable and lesser-known homegrown artists.
Image adapted from: George Town Festival via Facebook
Among the 50 programmes part of this year’s schedule are contemporary and traditional dance and music performances, comedy acts, digital installations, book and game launches, documentary films, workshops, forums, and a light show.
Image credit: George Town Festival via Facebook
The myriad of events that take place throughout the 16-day festival may sound overwhelming, so we compiled some highlights that you can take part in during the last week of the festival:
A Night At Hin
Image credit: @georgetownfestival via Instagram
A Night At Hin invites visitors to park themselves at Hin Bus Depot’s open courtyard, where you’ll find dozens of pop-up stalls selling items such as artisanal products and books.
This event is spread out across three Saturdays, with different themed nights so audiences can flock the space dressed in eccentric outfits, sprawl out on the green lawns, and groove to live performances by local talents.
Image credit: @georgetownfestival via Instagram
The theme for the next event on Saturday is Launcher, which combines old-school and modern vibes with traditional decorations and futuristic lighting. The theme will be reflected in the performances as well, with a band set to play a medley of modern beats using traditional instrumentals.
Venue: Hin Bus Depot
Date: 29th July
Time: 5pm-12am
Leaving Traces
Image credit: @georgetownfestival via Instagram
It’s no secret that Penang is a playground for street art muralists. Leaving Traces is one of the many art exhibits that’ll take place during the festival that highlights this unique aspect of the city. Hosted in an art gallery at Hin Bus Depot, the exhibit explores the visual art form of contemporary drawing practices in Malaysia.
Image adapted from: @georgetownfestival via Instagram
Art enthusiasts can admire a variety of works by local and international artists, and engage with drawings that were created using non-conventional tools such as wire, wood, and steel. All the works on display are experimental and explorative, holding an authenticity and sensitivity to the core of drawing practices.
Venue: Hin Bus Depot
Date: 15th-30th July 2023
Time: Mon-Fri 12pm-7pm | Sat & Sun 11am-7pm
Light In The City
Image credit: George Town Festival
The George Town Festival culminates with Light In The City this year – a grand finale that’ll cast a radiant luminosity on every corner of Beach Street. The closing event for the festival is a tribute to the presence, power, and endless possibilities of the arts in Penang, as well as a celebration of the arts and how it brings communities together.
The installation lets its audience have an immersive encounter with the world of digital and new media art, through an array of digital art exhibits by both local and international talented new media artists.
Image credit: George Town Festival
Watch in wonder as light projections are reflected against the pristine white Bank Of China building, aweing audiences with a spellbinding fusion of lights, colours, patterns, and sounds.
Venue: Beach Street, George Town
Date: 29th & 30th July
Time: 7pm
George Town Festival 2023 in Penang
Weaving tradition, heritage, and arts and culture together to create a tapestry of human experiences, George Town Festival 2023 will let you discover some of the best art, literature, and musicians that Malaysia has to offer.
For more artsy spots to discover in Penang, check out ChinaHouse, the longest cafe in Penang with a mini library and an art gallery, and Straits & Oriental Museum, a new museum that houses over 250 ancient ceramics.
Cover image adapted from: George Town Festival via Facebook