The George Town Festival (GTF) returns for its 16th edition from 2 to 10 August 2025, promising to once again transform Penang into a vibrant stage celebrating art, culture, and community. With the theme “Connection”, this year’s festival features 50 compelling programmes, including 18 international showcases and 32 Malaysian productions—22 of which are by Penang-based artists and collectives.

Held across 20 venues throughout George Town and greater Penang, GTF 2025 spans non-verbal expressions in music, dance, visual arts, theatre, and multimedia. Upholding its spirit of inclusivity, 80% of the events are free, welcoming all to engage in the arts.

International highlights include collaborations with the Embassy of Spain, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, featuring acclaimed performances like Birdy and 129BPM. The Festival opens with “After Dusk”, a dazzling weekend of projection mapping, music, and dance at Padang Kota Lama, with digital artworks by Filamen Malaysia lighting up the historic Town Hall.

Notable homegrown highlights include WARIS, a sea-side performance rooted in Penang’s natural landscapes, and Living the Tanjong Life, a tribute exhibition to the late cartoonist Azmi Hussin. Experimental showcases such as Crab Chronicle(AR/VR experience) and Between Departures (a musical performance aboard a city bus) redefine how audiences interact with art.

GTF 2025 also features workshops, artist talks, and community programmes by Canon Marketing Malaysia, USM, and EPSON, amplifying creative exchange and human stories.

Organised by TLM Event under the direction of George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) and endorsed by the Penang State Government, GTF 2025 promises an unforgettable celebration of connection through the transformative power of the arts.