Borneo Jazz Festival 2026 returns to Miri on 4–5 December 2026 for its 20th edition, bringing 10 acts from seven countries to Pullman Miri Waterfront under the theme “Beyond Jazz”. The milestone edition will also introduce a broader festival experience that connects international music with Bornean culture, creative expression and community participation.
The festival’s programme spans Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, the United States, Australia and Sweden, bringing together established performers, regional talent and contemporary musical styles. Among the highlights are Malaysian music icon Dato’ Zainalabidin, performing with the Julian Chan Jazz Orchestra, and Swedish group Platina Jazz, known for its jazz interpretations of popular anime music.
Taking place in Miri city centre for the first time, the festival will extend beyond its ticketed evening concerts through a Festival Village, the All Borneo Pavilion and community activities. The expanded format reflects the intention behind “Beyond Jazz”: to position the festival as a broader cultural gathering while maintaining music at its core.
DAY 1 : JAZZ, REIMAGINED
Beyond Jazz – A Broader Festival Experience
The 20th edition marks a significant point in the festival’s development. While live music remains the main attraction, the programme is designed to give visitors more ways to engage with the event, whether through the concerts, cultural activities or the wider Festival Village.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah described the anniversary as an important milestone, reflecting the festival’s continued role in music, creativity and cultural exchange.
The theme ‘Beyond Jazz’ reflects this broader direction. Rather than limiting the experience to performances on stage, the festival will bring together music, cultural expression, local businesses and community participation in one waterfront setting.
Festival Village – Culture Beyond the Concert Hall
A key addition for 2026 is the outdoor Festival Village, which will operate from 10am to 10pm on both 4 and 5 December. Entry is free, although visitors must register online before entering.
The village will feature food and beverage vendors, retail booths, arts and crafts, live performances, family activities and other community experiences. Its daytime programme gives visitors an opportunity to explore local creativity and spend time at the waterfront beyond the evening concerts.
The All Borneo Pavilion will bring together participation from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia, providing a shared platform to showcase the region’s cultural identity, creative offerings and tourism appeal.
Together, these activities give the festival a wider public dimension, allowing people who may not attend the ticketed concerts to participate in the event.
Borneo Jazz Fun Run – Bringing the Community Together
Extending the festival experience beyond the concert venue, the Borneo Jazz Fun Run will take place on 5 December 2026, offering a community activity alongside the festival’s music and cultural programme.
The non-competitive 5km run is open to participants of all ages and is scheduled to start at 6.30am in front of Pullman Miri Waterfront. The activity adds a wellness and community dimension to the festival, giving residents and visitors another way to participate in the 20th-edition celebration.
Together with the Festival Village and All Borneo Pavilion, the Fun Run reflects the festival’s broader programme of activities designed to engage audiences beyond the evening concerts.
Borneo Jazz Fun Run – Bringing the Community Together
Extending the festival experience beyond the concert venue, the Borneo Jazz Fun Run will take place on 5 December 2026, offering a community activity alongside the festival’s music and cultural programme.
The non-competitive 5km run is open to participants of all ages and is scheduled to start at 6.30am in front of Pullman Miri Waterfront. The activity adds a wellness and community dimension to the festival, giving residents and visitors another way to participate in the 20th-edition celebration.
Together with the Festival Village and All Borneo Pavilion, the Fun Run reflects the festival’s broader programme of activities designed to engage audiences beyond the evening concerts.
DAY 2 : SOUND WITHOUT BOUNDARIES
A Platform for Music and Talent Development
The programme also includes a collaboration with Berklee Asia Rising, connecting the festival with musicians and emerging talent through performances and learning opportunities.
Malaysian bassist and composer Greg Tan will perform alongside Japanese pianist Ai Furusato. The wider programme includes workshops, masterclasses and collaborative sessions intended to encourage musical exchange and skill development.
Associate Professor Edvard Lee, a Malaysian-American lecturer at Berklee College of Music and founder of Berklee Asia Rising, is also scheduled to contribute remotely through a lecture, audience conversation and artist-development masterclass.
The collaboration adds an educational dimension to the festival, creating opportunities for local musicians and aspiring performers to engage with different approaches to composition, improvisation and performance.
A Milestone Performance for Malaysian Music
One of the headline performances will bring together Dato’ Zainalabidin and the Julian Chan Jazz Orchestra.
Marking 50 years in music, Zainalabidin is known for enduring songs such as ‘Hijau’ and ‘Puteri’. His performance with the 17-piece orchestra offers an opportunity to hear familiar material in a large-ensemble jazz setting, with new arrangements and a different musical scale.
The appearance also connects the festival’s anniversary with a milestone in Malaysian music. Zainalabidin’s established repertoire and the orchestra’s ensemble approach bring together different generations of musical experience on one stage.
Miri in the Spotlight
For Miri, hosting the festival in the city centre creates an opportunity to connect an international music event with the destination’s wider tourism and hospitality offerings.
The Festival Village is expected to draw visitors throughout the day, while the evening concerts provide a central programme for ticket holders. Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Dr Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor has set an attendance target of 1,000 to 1,200 visitors for the main concerts and 2,000 to 3,000 visitors to the Festival Village over the two days.
The festival will also include the Borneo Jazz Fun Run, a non-competitive 5km event scheduled for 6:30am on 5 December, starting in front of Pullman Miri Waterfront. The run extends the programme into a community activity for participants of different ages.
For local businesses, artisans and tourism operators, the expanded format creates additional opportunities to engage with visitors. For attendees, it provides more reasons to explore Miri beyond the concert venue.
Looking Ahead to the 20th Edition
Borneo Jazz Festival 2026 takes place on 4 and 5 December at Pullman Miri Waterfront. The main concerts run from 7pm to midnight, with five acts scheduled each evening. The Festival Village is open from 10am to 10pm and is free to enter with prior online registration.
Official ticket categories include standard standing tickets at RM150 per show, VIP tickets at RM500 per show and young adult tickets at RM75 per show. The organiser also offers a 20% discount on eligible multiple-ticket purchases, subject to the ticket-category conditions published on its official website.
As Borneo Jazz reaches its 20th edition, ‘Beyond Jazz’ sets out a broader vision for the festival: one that brings international performers to Miri while creating space for regional culture, local participation and music education. The anniversary programme keeps live music at its centre while opening the experience to a wider audience.
For the latest programme and ticketing information, visit the official Borneo Jazz Festival website.