GEORGE TOWN: Streets in the Unesco World Heritage Site came alive with music, dance, crafts and traditional flavours as thousands of locals and tourists flocked to the George Town Heritage Celebrations 2026 Street Festival on Saturday (July 4).
The event marked the opening of the city's four-day heritage celebration.
Held in conjunction with the 18th anniversary of George Town's inscription as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the festival transformed Armenian Park, Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple and surrounding heritage streets into vibrant cultural spaces under this year's theme, "Kongsi Cerita!" (Share Stories!).
Visitors of all ages filled the festival grounds from the afternoon. They tried traditional crafts, games, food preparation and dialect sessions while cultural practitioners demonstrated customs passed down through generations.
The opening day featured 34 hands-on cultural workshops and eight interactive dance performances, encouraging visitors to join in rather than simply watch.
Children learnt traditional games while adults made handicrafts, sampled heritage food and met community groups sharing stories behind their customs and traditions.
Many visitors queued to collect commemorative stickers featuring 12 historic buildings. The activity was part of an interactive trail introduced by organiser George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) to encourage exploration of the heritage zone.
The festival also highlighted Penang's multicultural identity through performances and demonstrations by heritage associations, religious organisations and cultural groups.
GTWHI said this year's "Kongsi Cerita!" theme encourages people to appreciate the stories, memories and traditions embedded in everyday cultural practices that have shaped George Town over generations.
The celebrations continue on Sunday with more cultural activities and the George Town Heritage City Walk, followed by Historic Building Open Houses on Monday. The programme offers the public rare access to several heritage buildings within the World Heritage Site.
