6TH NOVEMBER TO 8TH NOVEMBER, 2026 🪶
“When we hear the sound of the Kundu, we hear our ancestors.”
Returning this 2026 to Alotau, Milne Bay Province, from 6–8 November – this vibrant three-day celebration brings together cultural groups, canoe crews, artisans and communities from across Milne Bay Province and the wider Southern Region.
The festival celebrates the maritime heritage that has shaped life in Milne Bay for generations. Traditional canoes—known locally as kenu—are more than a means of transport. Built using knowledge and skills passed down through generations, their designs, carvings and colours express the identity and heritage of the communities they represent.
Against the beautiful coastal setting of Alotau, visitors can experience the spectacle of canoe racing and maritime displays accompanied by the resonant beat of kundu drums. Traditional sing-sings, ceremonial dress, music, dance, arts and crafts bring together the diverse cultures of Milne Bay in a powerful celebration of identity, creativity and community pride.
Festival highlights
Visitors can look forward to:
- Traditional canoe races and maritime displays
- Colourful cultural performances and sing-sings
- Kundu drumming, traditional music and dance
- Distinctive traditional dress from participating communities
- Local arts, crafts and cultural exhibitions
- Opportunities to meet local artisans, performers and community members
- A lively celebration of Milne Bay’s seafaring heritage
A celebration born from the sea
First held in 2003, the National Kenu & Kundu Festival was established to celebrate and preserve the traditional knowledge, craftsmanship and cultural practices of Milne Bay’s coastal and island communities.
The kenu and kundu are enduring symbols of Papua New Guinea’s cultural identity. In Milne Bay, they carry stories of voyaging, ceremony, trade, war, kinship and people’s deep connection with the ocean.
The festival provides communities with an important platform to pass this knowledge to younger generations while sharing their heritage with visitors from Papua New Guinea and around the world.
Plan your visit to Alotau
Alotau is the provincial capital of Milne Bay and the main gateway to the province’s islands, reefs and coastal communities. Visitors can reach Alotau by air through Gurney Airport, with road transfers available between the airport and town.
Festival season is a popular time to visit, so travellers are encouraged to book flights, accommodation and local transport early.
While in Milne Bay, extend your stay to experience the province’s island escapes, coral reefs, diving and snorkelling, traditional village experiences, rainforest landscapes and Second World War history.
Save the dates and experience one of Papua New Guinea’s most distinctive celebrations of maritime culture.
Event dates: 6–8 November 2026
Location: Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Southern Region, Papua New Guinea
Festival activities, times and venue information may be subject to change. Check for official updates before travelling.
