KOTA KINABALU: The fourth edition of Lampoopalooza lit up Gaya Street over the weekend, as vibrant lights, creative installations, and festive energy drew crowds and transformed one of the city’s most iconic streets into a lively celebration space.
Launched on Saturday (Feb 14) by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin, Lampoopalooza 2026 continues to serve as a creative platform that brings together innovation, artistic expression, and community participation in the heart of the city.
Throughout the evening, the crowd was treated to a captivating projection mapping showcase on the historic Sabah Tourism Board building and its neighbouring structures, turning the façades into a dynamic canvas of light and motion.
The immersive visual experience was complemented by live performances from a lineup of local artistes, including Isobahtos, Eylia Guntabid, Ryenald Guntabid, Masmona, and DJ Tony Starr, adding energy and local flavour to the celebration.
Jafry said the festival reflects ongoing efforts to activate urban spaces and create engaging experiences that resonate with both locals and visitors.
“City-based events such as Lampoopalooza complement Sabah’s nature- and culture-driven attractions by offering contemporary urban experiences that appeal to diverse audiences.
“By transforming familiar public spaces into immersive environments, such initiatives help shape a more dynamic and memorable city identity.
“As we move closer to Visit Sabah 2027, we want programmes like Lampoopalooza to keep evolving—becoming bigger, brighter, and more impactful next year,” he said.
Jafry encouraged Sabahans to take pride in homegrown events and to actively share their experiences, helping to showcase Sabah’s culture, creativity, and attractions to visitors from near and far.
Lampoopalooza is also a community-driven initiative under the Sabah Tourism Board’s corporate social responsibility efforts, with local artists using sustainable materials to create festival decorations and art installations that will later be donated to the community for reuse.
