Penang Puppet Festival 2026 檳城偶戲節 2026

BERBUNGA | 生花

Penang Puppet Festival (PPF) returns from 12–23 August 2026 with its third edition, BERBUNGA (生花), celebrating puppetry as a living tradition that continues to grow, adapt and inspire across generations.

The festival opens with a historic gathering of representatives from five regions where Hokkien glove puppetry (POTEHI) continues to flourish—Penang, Jakarta, Singapore, Taipei and Zhangzhou (Fujian)—marking the first time these living traditions come together in Southeast Asia.

Over 12 days, audiences can experience performances, exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, forums and community programmes featuring diverse forms of puppetry, including POTEHI, Teochew iron-rod puppetry, Wayang Kulit Kelantan, contemporary puppetry and shadow theatre.

More than a celebration of performance, PPF 2026 creates a platform for intercultural dialogue, artistic exchange and heritage transmission, inviting audiences to discover how traditional puppetry continues to bloom in the contemporary world.

檳城偶戲節（Penang Puppet Festival, PPF）將於 2026 年 8 月 12 至 23 日舉行，以「生花 BERBUNGA」為主題，透過演出、交流與創作，展現偶戲作為活態文化，如何在不同土地持續生長、傳承與創新。

本屆偶戲節將迎來東南亞首次——來自檳城、雅加達、新加坡、臺北及福建漳州五個仍延續閩南布袋戲（POTEHI）傳承的地區代表齊聚檳城，共同呈現同源文化在不同社會與歷史脈絡下所發展出的多元風貌。

十二天的節目涵蓋布袋戲、潮州鐵枝木偶、吉蘭丹皮影戲、當代偶戲及影子戲等多元偶戲形式，並設有展覽、講座、工作坊、論壇及社區活動，打造一個連結藝術、文化、教育與國際交流的平台，讓傳統偶戲在當代持續綻放新的生命力。

Photos

Videos

PROJECT DETAILS

Date & Time

TICKETS

OTHER FASCINATING PROGRAMMES

SIX TO ELEVEN

As the sun begins to set and the city comes alive, “Six to Eleven” transforms the opening weekend of George Town Festival into an evening of music, light, movement, and shared celebration. From 6pm until 11pm, Padang Kota Lama becomes a vibrant playground where local and international artists, communities, and audiences come together in a joyful encounter that blurs the boundaries between performance and everyday life. Journey through glowing projection-mapped heritage buildings, wander into immersive light installations, discover lively arts markets and participatory workshops, and be captivated by performances that span cultures and traditions—from the haunting sounds of Borneo’s indigenous music and contemporary ethnic fusion to shadow puppetry, interactive street theatre, and spectacular roaming performances. Along the way, spontaneous moments of wonder await around every corner, inviting visitors of all ages to pause, explore, and connect. More than an opening event, “Six to Eleven” is an invitation to experience George Town after dark through curiosity, creativity, and community. Whether you’re dancing to live music, marvelling at illuminated heritage landmarks, creating alongside artists, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, every hour offers a new encounter—turning the city itself into a stage where stories, cultures, and people meet.

Dream Space

Step into a dreamlike world where giant whales glide through the air, forgotten legends come alive, and puppets dance beyond the stage. “Dream Space” by Creative Group SSAK is a mesmerising non-verbal puppet and physical theatre performance that transforms ordinary spaces into poetic landscapes of wonder, healing, and imagination. Combining beautifully crafted puppets, live music, dynamic movement, and stunning visual storytelling, this immersive production invites audiences of all ages on an unforgettable journey through folklore, fantasy, and celebration.

The Malaysian Real Book II: Past to Present

“The Malaysian Real Book II” brings together three of Malaysia’s finest jazz vocalists—Ida Mariana, Janet Lee, and Yon Lynn—in a vibrant celebration of the Great Malaysian Songbook. Singing traditional standards and contemporary originals from the treasure trove of The Malaysian Real Book – songs in Malay, Chinese and English – their individual and combined styles are innovative and charged by boundless musical joy, all rooted in a distinctly Malaysian jazz sound. Expect soaring vocals and a foot-tapping vibe carried by the rhythms of swing, bebop and soul, and accompanied by the award-winning WVC Jazz Sextet.