Mount Slamet Festival 2026 Aims to Revive Purbalingga Tourism After Natural Disasters

The 9th Mount Slamet Festival (FGS) has officially opened at the D’Las Serang tourist attraction in Serang Village, Karangreja District, Purbalingga. The event is intended to be a driving force for the revival of tourism and the local economy after natural disasters struck the slopes of Mount Slamet in February 2026. Purbalingga Deputy Regent Dimas Prasetyahani stated that the festival proves the area has recovered and is ready to welcome tourists again. “Hopefully, FGS #9 will be an attraction and a lever for the communities affected by the disaster. Today, the community has proven its ability to rise, work together, and welcome tourists back with extraordinary spirit,” Dimas said during the opening at the D’Las Serang complex. He emphasised that the Purbalingga Regency Government will continue to support the Mount Slamet Festival as part of a sustainable tourism development strategy aimed at boosting community economic growth. According to Dimas, the festival’s repeated inclusion in the national Karisma Event Nusantara programme since 2024 is a recognition of Purbalingga’s tourism potential, which combines natural beauty, culture, and local wisdom. With the theme “Culture and Nature,” the 2026 festival showcases a blend of cultural preservation and the natural beauty of Mount Slamet’s slopes. The theme reflects the community’s commitment to maintaining traditions such as the Ruwat Bumi Tuk Sikopyah ritual, traditional arts, and environmental conservation. The three-day event, running until 5 July 2026, features various cultural performances and tourist attractions. Activities include a cultural arts parade, traditional performances, and an exhibition by at least 15 tourism villages from across Purbalingga Regency. The festival also includes a concert by Parade Hujan, a band formed by former members of Payung Teduh, performing in a segment titled ‘Akustik Kabut Lembut’. Sugito, the Head of Serang Village, noted that the participation of numerous tourism villages, including Karangpucung, Panusupan, and Tanalum, aims to strengthen inter-destination collaboration and introduce Purbalingga’s wider tourism potential to visitors.