Mt. Hagen Festival
The Mount Hagen Cultural Show, commonly known as the Mt. Hagen Festival, is a vibrant celebration of Papua New Guinea's rich cultural heritage. Held annually in the town of Mount Hagen, this festival showcases the diverse traditional practices, costumes, and performances of the various ethnic groups across the highlands.
Typically taking place in August, the festival attracts thousands of visitors from both local communities and abroad. Participants representing numerous tribes come together to perform traditional dances, share stories, and display their colorful attire, often embellished with feathers, shells, and body paint.
The event features a variety of performances, including traditional singing and dancing, which are integral to the cultural identities of the tribes involved. Audience members can witness the intricate storylines conveyed through these art forms—often depicting ancestral journeys, daily life, and spiritual beliefs.
Craft stalls and food vendors also play a significant role in the festival, offering a taste of local cuisine and handcrafted goods. This not only provides an authentic cultural experience but also supports local artisans and communities.
The Mt. Hagen Festival serves as a crucial platform for the preservation of cultural traditions amid modernization. It fosters a sense of unity among the tribes while inviting the world to appreciate the unique and rich cultural tapestry of Papua New Guinea.
HOW TO GET THERE
We flew into the capital of Port Moresby early in the morning, then caught a domestic flight via Air Niugini to Mt. Hagen. These flights are known to get super delayed; we were originally on the noon flight but it ended up being 3.5 hours late. After the festival the flight back to Port Moresby ended up getting cancelled due to technical issues so we had two extra days in Papua New Guinea. It’s important to stay flexible so I recommend planning spare days for cushion room or take a side tour up to see the tribes in Goroka.
Where to stay
We stayed at a place called Shalom Guest House, and the owner set everything up from transportation to the festival tickets. It was about 150 Kina per night when I stayed in August 2024. I get a lot of questions about safety, because usually that’s a deterrent for people to visit independently. The guesthouse was gated and felt completely safe, but we didn’t wander off outside of the festival grounds or the guesthouse area. As long as you follow the guidelines of the guesthouse owners, you will be fine.
SEARCH | Alternatively, check out Booking.com for more options in the area.
How to purchase mt. hagen festival tickets
Make sure you contact the guesthouse owners beforehand so they can arrange everything, but they can purchase the 2-day Mt. Hagen Festival tickets for you in advance for 300 Kina per person. The festival starts early in the morning and ends around 1 PM both Saturday and Sunday. I didn’t know the festival ended so early and would have tried flying out of Mt. Hagen on Sunday instead of Monday if I knew beforehand!
Are there ATms in Mt. hagen?
Unfortunately the ATMs usually don’t work, so you need to bring cash from Port Moresby. The guesthouse and shops don’t accept credit card, USD, or Euro (and there aren’t any exchange offices either), so make sure you plan out how much you need in advance.
How to get around mt. hagen
The guest house arranged all our transportation, from the airport pickup to shuttling us to and from the festival. Prices may vary depending on how many people are in your group. Since the guesthouse was completely full when we went, the owners hired a bus to take all of us around for the weekend and we also got to do some sightseeing besides the festival.
How to Budget for your trip to Mt. Hagen
Please keep in mind that prices may vary, but hopefully this gives you a rough idea for planning your trip and that it’s possible to visit the Mt. Hagen Festival independently and on a budget without spending $3800+ for a single tour!
Shalom Guest House: 150 Kina / $38 USD per night
Festival tickets: 300 Kina / $75 USD
Transportation: 117 Kina / $30 USD
Food: Prices may vary, but there is a communal kitchen at the guesthouse so we stopped by a grocery store and cooked all our meals during our stay. We didn’t really see too many options for restaurants in Mt. Hagen.
TOTAL: $220 USD (minus food and round-trip flights)
