Penyengat Island Festival: A Malay Culture Celebration off Tanjung Pinang

Pulau Penyengat, the small island facing Tanjung Pinang, is the cultural heart of the Riau Malays. It hosts a festival that brings traditional games, boat races and Malay literature to the shore.

From Festival Pulau Penyengat to Penyengat Heritage

The first Festival Pulau Penyengat took place in July 2017, supported by Indonesia's tourism ministry and the local government. Its aim was to showcase Malay traditions and to attract visitors from across Indonesia as well as from neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia. The festival has returned in several editions since then. In June 2026 it was held under the name Penyengat Heritage at Pantai Balai Adat, with the involvement of the Riau Islands provincial government.

What to expect

The programme varies, but many elements come back regularly:

• races with sampan rowing boats and jong, the traditional sailing boats of the Riau Islands; in 2026 around 200 jong from 55 clubs from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore took part
• gasing (spinning top) competitions
• lively water games such as pillow fights over the sea and duck-catching contests
• recitals of the Gurindam Dua Belas by Raja Ali Haji
• Malay music, dance and performing arts, plus bazaars with local food and fashion

It is this mix of traditional sport and literature that sets the festival apart from an ordinary tourist event. Visitors can see first-hand how the maritime heritage of the Malays is still very much alive.

When and how to go

There is no fixed date; past editions have taken place in different months. Watch for announcements from the Riau Islands provincial tourism office and the city of Tanjung Pinang. Penyengat is reached by pompong from Tanjung Pinang in about 15 to 20 minutes. During the festival the island gets busy, so arrive early, bring cash for snacks and dress modestly, as Penyengat is a deeply religious place, home to the historic Masjid Raya Sultan Riau.