Lamaholot International Festival 2026: Cultural Carnival and Tourism Village Post Tour

Lembata Regency is preparing to welcome the grand event of the Lamaholot International Festival 2026. This annual cultural agenda is scheduled to take place over four days, from 1 to 4 July 2026, centred at Wulen Luo Beach with a series of events combining tradition, the creative economy, and tourism village exploration. The festival will begin on Wednesday (1/7) at 08.00 WITA with an exhibition of MSMEs and local woven products. The highlight of the first day will be marked by the grand opening and the Lamaholot Cultural Carnival moving from Swolsa City Park towards Wulen Luo Beach. This carnival involves communities from East Flores, Alor, nine sub-districts in Lembata, and various ethnic associations. The opening atmosphere is guaranteed to be lively with the accompaniment of flute music, gambus, gongs, and the Hedung war dance. The event is planned to be attended by the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government, regents from the Lamaholot region, and representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. The opening procession will be marked by a mass blowing of buri (snail shells) and the presentation of the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) Charter to the Lembata Regency Government. Entering the second day, Thursday (2/7), the focus of activities shifts to direct experience through a post tour to Atakore and Lusilame Tourism Villages. Tourists will be welcomed by the Holo Beba dance and invited to visit the Karun Watuwawer geothermal natural kitchen. Additionally, visitors can see firsthand the process of weaving, lontar woven crafts, and taste local cuisine. The cultural journey continues to the Lewogolen traditional village to witness the Gese and Erak folk games, as well as the Dua Bolo dance. In the evening, the main stage at Wulen Luo Beach will feature art performances from the Manggarai and Ende associations. On Friday (3/7), the post tour agenda targets the Lamaholot Ile Ape community in Muruona and Lamagute villages. The third night of the festival will be enlivened with Lamaholot ethnic music and cultural performances from Watodiri Village, Ile Kerbau, and the Sikka and Rote associations. The peak of the festival on Saturday (4/7) will present various closing attractions, ranging from the Sumba Association dance, a modified fashion show by Sanggar Nubagere, to the Barakat Lembata attraction. The Regent of Lembata is scheduled to officially close the festival series at 18.30. The event will conclude with a communal dinner and the colossal Sole Oha and Dolo dances as a symbol of togetherness. The Lamaholot International Festival 2026 is expected to be a strong momentum to promote Lamaholot cultural identity while driving the wheels of the creative economy in East Nusa Tenggara.