Editor’s Note
- North Sumatra Events Calendar 2026
- Tourism and the Creative Economy in North Sumatra
- Symbolizing the Power of Collaboration between 33 Regions/Cities
- 36 events across 33 regions/cities
- Positive Trends in North Sumatra’s Tourism Sector
North Sumatra Events Calendar 2026
The North Sumatra Provincial Government (Pemprov) has launched the 2026 events calendar. Thirty-six major events in North Sumatra are expected to symbolize the power of collaboration between the 33 regions/cities.
This was announced by the Vice Governor of North Sumatra, Surya, during the launch of the North Sumatra events calendar for 2026 at the multifunctional building of the North Sumatra Trade Fair (PRSU) on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
“With this events calendar, we want to offer tourists a clearer itinerary. We want tourists, both domestic and international, to be able to plan their trips to North Sumatra more effectively, with longer stays and more destinations to visit,” Surya said.
Tourism and the Creative Economy in North Sumatra
Surya stated that tourism and the creative economy are no longer complementary sectors, but driving forces for the regional economy.
Each event serves not only as a stage for entertainment, but also as a living space for SMEs, artisans, artists, the culinary sector, the transport sector, and the hospitality industry.
“When events grow, the local economy thrives. Therefore, the launch of the 2026 Events Calendar for North Sumatra is a strategic step to ensure that economic activity continues year-round, spreads across various regions, and benefits the broader community,” he said.
A symbol of the strength of cooperation among 33 regencies/cities
Surya emphasized that the 2026 Events Calendar symbolizes the strength of cooperation among the 33 regencies/cities in North Sumatra.
“No region stands alone. From the Lake Toba area, the east coast, the Nias Islands, the Karo Highlands, and the major cities, everything is connected by a spirit of joint promotion,” he emphasized.
The diverse events calendar includes a variety of festivals, ranging from cultural and traditional festivals, folk festivals, art carnivals, national and international sports tourism, music and choir festivals, to fashion and creative economy events.
“I emphasize three key aspects: hygiene, hospitality, and good infrastructure. Tourists will return not only because the events are vibrant, but also because they feel comfortable there,” he said.
36 events spread across 33 regions/cities
Meanwhile, Yuda Pratiwi Setiawan, head of the North Sumatra Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Bureau, stated that the main goal of organizing the event is to strengthen regional brand awareness, provide certainty in tourism planning, and stimulate domestic tourism, which is currently experiencing significant growth.
After a careful selection process, 36 top events were selected from a total of 51 events spread across 33 regions/cities on the opening night.
Of these dozens of events, six are included in the Kharisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia: Manaiamolo Fest in the South Nias district, Samosir Music International in the Samosir district, the Flower and Fruit Festival in the Karo district, Berlabuh in the Deliserdang district, Gelar Melayu Serumpun in Medan, and Gebyar Batubara Beranjak in the Batubara district.
In addition, the 2026 event in North Sumatra will also include several other world-class events, as well as events themed around the creative economy and fashion.
“We hope that the 2026 event will run as smoothly as the 2025 event, which started last year,” he said.
Positive trends in the North Sumatra tourism sector
The North Sumatra tourism sector continues to show a positive trend. The number of foreign tourist visits reached 268,939 in November 2025, a 15.5 percent increase compared to 2024.
“We are optimistic that this number will continue to grow in 2026, thanks to the synergy of the pentahelix concept involving government, academia, communities, businesses, and the media,” the speaker said. ***obs
