Mayor: Kuching Festival Fair drew over one million visitors in 2026, but falls short of last year’s record

Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng announced that the Kuching Festival Fair 2026 attracted 1,011,067 visitors, slightly less than the record-breaking 1,044,417 visitors in the previous year. The fair ran for 26 days from July 22 to August 16, and saw a peak of 76,225 visitors on a single day, while the low of 14,648 visitors was recorded on another occasion.

400 booths showcased a diverse range of traditional delicacies, including halal and Dayak food. Extreme weather and poor air quality were cited as factors leading to the lower daily visitor numbers. The Mayor highlighted the wide selection of food options and the introduction of oyster pancakes from different styles, including Teochew.

An award was given to a stall operator who created a plain rice dish to cater to customers who might need it with other meals. Visitors were counted at all entry points by MBKS personnel who followed a specific formula, starting from 4pm or 5pm each day. However, a few successful applicants were found to have sublet their booths for quick income, an issue the mayor vowed to prevent in future.