Gorontalo’s Karawo Carnival 2026 Celebrates Cultural Heritage and Creativity

RRI.CO.ID, Gorontalo - The 2026 Gorontalo Karawo Carnival (GKK) will take place from September 11 to 13 at the Grand Palace Convention Center (GPCC). Carrying the theme “Ritme Hulonthalo, Harmoni Warisan Gorontalo” (The Rhythm of Hulonthalo, Harmony of Gorontalo’s Heritage), the festival will showcase the richness of Karawo, Gorontalo’s traditional embroidery, along with the region’s arts, culture, and creativity through a variety of performances and activities involving designers, artists, communities, creative economy players, and the public.

Organized by the Gorontalo Provincial Government through the Provincial Tourism, Creative Economy, Youth and Sports Office, GKK is an annual event that has been held since 2011. The event has twice been included in the Top 100 Calendar of Events (CoE) and has been selected five times as part of the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program. In 2026, GKK has once again been proposed for inclusion in the Ministry of Tourism’s Karisma Event Nusantara program.

In addition to showcasing works by Gorontalo designers featuring Karawo, GKK 2026 will offer a range of side events. Residents and visitors can take part in competitions including poetry, storytelling, digital Karawo motif design, and photography.

The festival will also feature exhibitions of creative economy products and those produced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as Jelajah Rasa Nusantara, music performances, fashion shows, and cultural arts performances. The diverse program is designed to offer residents and tourists a broader experience throughout the festival.

One of this year’s highlights is Mo Karawo Kolosal, a large-scale presentation involving high school students from across Gorontalo Province. The event is expected to introduce Karawo to younger generations while encouraging greater appreciation for the traditional craft.

A large-scale traditional music performance will also showcase Gorontalo’s rich artistic heritage and cultural identity. GKK 2026 will further collaborate with the Hulonthalo Art and Craft Festival to expand opportunities to promote local arts and crafts, creative economy products, and MSMEs.

The Gorontalo Provincial Government is inviting residents, business owners, creative communities, and tourists to take part in GKK 2026. Beyond serving as a tourism event, the festival is expected to support efforts to preserve Karawo as a cultural heritage while contributing to the growth of tourism and the creative economy in Gorontalo.