Next: about 16 to 18 Sept 2027
Goroka Show
Highland tribes in feathers and paint gather for the sing-sing, a display of dance, song and body decoration.
When is Goroka Show in 2027?
Goroka Show 2027 runs from 16 to 18 September 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, 16 to 18 September 2026; 2028, 16 to 18 September 2028.
About Goroka Show
The Goroka Show is held in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, on or around the weekend nearest to 16 September, the date of independence. It started in 1957 as a way for tribes to come together peacefully, and has grown into a large cultural festival in which over a hundred groups from across Papua New Guinea take part. Each group performs a sing-sing, a gathering of songs and dances, wearing elaborate costumes made of bird-of-paradise feathers, shells, boar tusks, grass and clay, with faces painted in intense colours. The groups represent different clans, villages and provinces, each with their own story and design. The show also includes traders' markets and trade in crafts. Visitors from abroad are welcome and are asked to respect the performers.
Goroka Show dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Goroka Show date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 to 18 September 2026 |
| 2027 | 16 to 18 September 2027 |
| 2028 | 16 to 18 September 2028 |
This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.
What is eaten
- mumu
- sweet potato
- pork
Also part of it, and being written: Sing-sing (The festive gathering of songs and dances.), Bird-of-paradise (The bird whose feathers are used.), Papua New Guinea (The country.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Goroka Show" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.