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The Borneo Native Festival (BNF) is going to be back at Central Market, KL, and it'll be bigger and more colourful than ever
If you've been craving East Malaysian vibes but your bank account is side-eyeing the price of flights to Kota Kinabalu or Kuching… good news.
You can get a taste of Borneo right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur!
The Borneo Native Festival (BNF) is returning to Central Market this 22 to 24 May 2026, bringing with it a weekend of music, culture, food, and colours that will make Pasar Seni feel like it temporarily teleported across the South China Sea.
The festival turns Central Market into a mini cultural hub celebrating Sabah and Sarawak traditions, with colourful tribal attire, rhythmic music, and food stalls that will absolutely test your self-control
One minute you're browsing stalls filled with handwoven textiles and beadwork, the next minute there's a traditional dance performance happening five steps away.
For many Sabahans and Sarawakians living in the peninsula, BNF feels a bit like a reunion.
The festival celebrates traditions often seen during Kaamatan and Gawai, giving visitors a glimpse into East Malaysian heritage through dance, music, storytelling, and community activities.
Highlights from past events include the much-anticipated Miss Ethnic competition, live music by Bornean performers, dance showcases, cultural workshops, and booths by local entrepreneurs offering handmade crafts, snacks, organic skincare, and other unique gifts.
The event in 2025 drew an impressive crowd of over 100,000 attendees, generating more than RM500,000 in sales revenue for vendors and exhibitors.
Of course, no Malaysian festival is complete without food
Based on past events, visitors will be able to try authentic Bornean favourites like hinava (pickled fish), linopot (rice wrapped in leaves), and of course the iconic kek lapis.
You'll also find booths run by Bornean entrepreneurs selling handmade crafts, traditional snacks, organic skincare, and locally made goods that make excellent gifts.
Or impulse buys.
With Visit Malaysia 2026 approaching, events like this are also part of a bigger movement to celebrate the country's diversity
Sure, the colours, food, and performances make BNF a fun weekend outing. But the event also serves a deeper purpose.
It's a space for Borneans in West Malaysia to reconnect with their roots, for local communities to share their culture, and for visitors to discover the traditions that make East Malaysia so unique.
And what better way to do that than through music, food, stories, and a whole lot of dancing?
