Rainforest Festival Brings the World Together – and Back Again in 2026
The 28th Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) came to a rousing close on 22 June 2025 with a powerful performance by Sarawak's own At Adau. Their emotionally charged set brought the three-day celebration full circle, closing a festival that championed rhythm, resilience, and a shared global purpose.
Held at the Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching, the 2025 edition of RWMF welcomed music lovers, cultural advocates, and environmentally conscious travellers under the theme 'Connections: One Earth, One Love.'
A significant moment came on the festival's second day when YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak's Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, officially launched the event.
His walkabout included visits to festival partners, the Green Ruai environmental hub, and the Alunan Tukang Artisan Zone. The Minister's symbolic placement of the final eco-brick in a sculpture underlined Sarawak's commitment to circular sustainability and empowering local communities.
Sustainability was at the heart of RWMF 2025, embedded in every aspect of the festival experience. From waste segregation systems and bring-your-own-bottle water refill stations to solar-powered lighting and innovative composting technology, the event demonstrated what a climate-smart festival can be.
YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak presenting the certificate of appreciation to Miri Secondhand Dealers and Recyclers Association representative as Partners of Green Ruai.
The Green Ruai featured WWF's wildlife conservation efforts, PATA's carbon tracking booth, and practical recycling education led by the Miri Secondhand Dealers and Recyclers Association, making environmental awareness accessible and engaging.
'This year's theme — 'Connections: One Earth, One Love' — was more than a slogan. It came to life in every corner of the festival,' said Puan Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board.
'We brought together generations, cultures, and values. We made room for performance and purpose. RWMF 2025 reminded us that meaningful tourism is not about transactions, it's about transformation.'
Musically, RWMF 2025 delivered unforgettable performances. Siberian Indigenous group Otyken opened the festival with their Malaysian debut, setting a powerful tone.
Day two featured the iconic Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, energising the crowd beneath the rainforest canopy. The closing act by At Adau stirred pride and unity, bringing the festival's journey full circle with a deeply emotional performance.
In addition to the music, the festival welcomed participants from the Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS), a three-day gathering of young climate leaders from across ASEAN.
More than 22,000 attendees were recorded over the three days, with a noticeable rise in family participation. From hands-on cultural workshops to eco-learning zones, the festival's growing multigenerational appeal reaffirmed its evolution into an inclusive space for music, education, and meaningful connection.
Looking ahead, the Rainforest World Music Festival is set to return from June 26 – 28, 2026. With its unique blend of world music, sustainability, and cultural exchange, RWMF continues to stand out as a global showcase of how responsible tourism can create lasting legacies. Related
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