KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s iconic Tanjung Aru Beach will once again come alive with the annual beach festival, with the event's zero-waste policy highlighting its focus on environmental protection and sustainability.
Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (Sept 21 and 22) from 10am to 10pm daily, the Tanjung Aru Beach Festival (TABC) is expected to draw around 15,000 visitors, surpassing last year’s crowd of 10,000.
As part of its zero-waste initiative, the organisers encourage attendees to bring reusable bags and bottles to reduce single-use plastics, aligning with the event's commitment to beach conservation.
Supported by the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, TABC is organised by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) and Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd.
It is co-organised by Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) and the Sabah Human Development and Empowerment Association, and presented by Hello Sabah Events.
Ministry deputy permanent secretary Mary Isidore Malangking said the festival stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness while enjoying the festivities.
“This festival celebrates the beauty of Tanjung Aru Beach, known for its stunning sunsets and nostalgic value.
"But more importantly, it reinforces our commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental protection,” she said.
The two-day festival will feature performances by Sabah artistes including Datuk Francis Landong, Velvet Aduk and Ryenald Guntabid, alongside competitions like arm wrestling and a dragon boat tug-of-war.
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy beach soccer, touch rugby and stand-up paddleboard races, while families can head to the Kids Corner for interactive games.
In line with the festival's eco-friendly theme, beach clean-ups and educational talks will promote active participation in preserving the area's scenic beauty.
"Eleven shuttle buses have been arranged to run between Imago Shopping Complex and Tanjung Aru to address the limited parking of only 700 spaces," Malangking said.
