×

Papua New Guinea🇵🇬 | festivalsGoroka ShowAsaro mudmen, Huli wigs, highland singsing, Independence weekend | things to do and best time to go

Explore Port MoresbyExplore Hiri Moale Festival

Backpacking in Goroka Show
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Goroka Show suits travelers who want raw, close-up cultural spectacle and don’t mind dust, crowds and a bit of logistical sweat. Photographers, culture hounds and anyone who has wanted to see Highland tradition without a stage barrier will love it. If you need polished schedules, seating and quiet, you may find it less rewarding. It happens in the Eastern Highlands town of Goroka, in the east of Papua New Guinea’s mainland, around the Independence weekend in mid-September, over two days. Picture a grassy showground where hundreds of singsing groups, painted in clay, ochre and soot, stamp, chant and drum within arm’s reach. You wander between circles of bird-of-paradise plumes and boar-tusk necklaces, and every turn gives you another face worth a photo. Compared with the Mount Hagen Show, held in the Western Highlands, Goroka feels a little smaller and easier to move through, with a more relaxed crowd and closer access to the performers.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Papua New Guinea Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 festival in Papua New GuineaWhy visitors keep coming back

Backpackers build routes around Goroka because it packs dozens of Highland tribal groups into one showground, which would otherwise take weeks of difficult overland travel to see. Normally, reaching these communities means arranging guides, vehicles and permissions village by village. Here the villages come to you, and you can talk with performers between dances, ask about the meaning of their paint and headdresses, and trade a few words in Tok Pisin.

The social side matters too. Because the event draws a small crowd of foreign visitors, you quickly fall in with other travelers, photographers and expat Highlanders at guesthouses and on the grounds. That temporary community is part of the fun.

It also fits a longer trip well. Goroka sits on the Highlands Highway, with flights from Port Moresby, … read more 👉
Backpackers build routes around Goroka because it packs dozens of Highland tribal groups into one showground, which would otherwise take weeks of difficult overland travel to see. Normally, reaching these communities means arranging guides, vehicles and permissions village by village. Here the villages come to you, and you can talk with performers between dances, ask about the meaning of their paint and headdresses, and trade a few words in Tok Pisin.

The social side matters too. Because the event draws a small crowd of foreign visitors, you quickly fall in with other travelers, photographers and expat Highlanders at guesthouses and on the grounds. That temporary community is part of the fun.

It also fits a longer trip well. Goroka sits on the Highlands Highway, with flights from Port Moresby, so it works as an anchor for a loop through the Eastern Highlands, including the Asaro Mudmen villages nearby. Book early, since beds in town fill up long before the show weekend.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while celebrating the Goroka Show

  1. The Singsing Group Parade: The core of the show is the arena, where tribes enter in turn, drumming on kundu drums and chanting. Each group has its own costume, dance and song, and no two look alike.
  2. Asaro Mudmen: Dancers wear grey clay masks and tall, eerie bodies of dried mud, with long bamboo claws. Their look comes from a legend of surprise attack, and they are among the most photographed sights of the show.
  3. Huli Wigmen: Men from Hela Province arrive with wigs woven from human hair and decorated with feathers, plus yellow, red and white face paint. Their stance and steady chanting stand out.
  4. Backstage Painting and Dressing: Before performances, groups gather on the edges of the grounds to apply paint and fit plumes. This is the best place to chat, take portraits respectfully and see how long
… read more 👉
  1. The Singsing Group Parade: The core of the show is the arena, where tribes enter in turn, drumming on kundu drums and chanting. Each group has its own costume, dance and song, and no two look alike.
  2. Asaro Mudmen: Dancers wear grey clay masks and tall, eerie bodies of dried mud, with long bamboo claws. Their look comes from a legend of surprise attack, and they are among the most photographed sights of the show.
  3. Huli Wigmen: Men from Hela Province arrive with wigs woven from human hair and decorated with feathers, plus yellow, red and white face paint. Their stance and steady chanting stand out.
  4. Backstage Painting and Dressing: Before performances, groups gather on the edges of the grounds to apply paint and fit plumes. This is the best place to chat, take portraits respectfully and see how long the preparation takes.
  5. Craft and Food Stalls: Around the arena, vendors sell bilums (string bags), carved masks, bows, arrows and roasted sweet potato and corn. Highland coffee is also worth tasting, since the surrounding hills are coffee country.
Start with the singsing parade in the morning, when the light is soft, the crowds are thinner and groups are fresh, then explore backstage and the stalls once the heat builds.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Goroka Show?

The Goroka Show is held over a weekend in mid-September (usually the Saturday and Sunday closest to Papua New Guinea’s Independence Day on September 16) at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.
  • Best day: Saturday is the one to catch, when the sing-sing groups parade and perform in full paint and feathers. Sunday is more of a judging and winding-down day with fewer groups.
  • Weather: Mornings are cool and clear at about 1,600 m (5,250 ft), around 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F), warming to 26 to 28°C (79 to 82°F) by midday. Showers can arrive in the afternoon. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a light rain jacket and a warm layer for early starts.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed two to three months ahead, since Goroka fills completely. Room prices commonly rise 30 to 100 percent that weekend.
  • Arrival
… read more 👉
The Goroka Show is held over a weekend in mid-September (usually the Saturday and Sunday closest to Papua New Guinea’s Independence Day on September 16) at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.
  • Best day: Saturday is the one to catch, when the sing-sing groups parade and perform in full paint and feathers. Sunday is more of a judging and winding-down day with fewer groups.
  • Weather: Mornings are cool and clear at about 1,600 m (5,250 ft), around 14 to 16°C (57 to 61°F), warming to 26 to 28°C (79 to 82°F) by midday. Showers can arrive in the afternoon. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a light rain jacket and a warm layer for early starts.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed two to three months ahead, since Goroka fills completely. Room prices commonly rise 30 to 100 percent that weekend.
  • Arrival and departure: Fly into Goroka a day or two early. Flights and PMV buses on the Highlands Highway from Lae and Mount Hagen are packed on the Monday after, so leave on Tuesday if you can.
Arrive Friday so you can watch groups arrive and get ready, and so you are at the gate when it opens Saturday morning.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPapua New Guinea Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Papua New Guinea
The digital guide (251 pages) contains:
✅ 81 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Papua New Guinea

Central Goroka is the best base for backpackers, because the town is small and the show ground sits within a short taxi ride or a walk from most guesthouses.

The streets around the main town center and the market are the most practical. You can eat, change money, buy a SIM and find transport within a few blocks. Other travelers and festival volunteers pass through these areas, so it is easy to meet people for shared taxis out to the stadium. Daytime is lively and generally fine on foot, but after dark use a taxi, even for short hops.

The quieter residential hillside areas on the edge of town … read more 👉
Central Goroka is the best base for backpackers, because the town is small and the show ground sits within a short taxi ride or a walk from most guesthouses.

The streets around the main town center and the market are the most practical. You can eat, change money, buy a SIM and find transport within a few blocks. Other travelers and festival volunteers pass through these areas, so it is easy to meet people for shared taxis out to the stadium. Daytime is lively and generally fine on foot, but after dark use a taxi, even for short hops.

The quieter residential hillside areas on the edge of town are safer and calmer at night. They suit solo travelers who want sleep after long show days, though you will rely on taxis to get around. Choose places with walled compounds and security guards.

If town is full, look at guesthouses and homestays in nearby villages in the Eastern Highlands. These offer a real chance to meet local families, but you need a reliable driver and should arrange transport in advance. Do not travel the highway at night.

As a general rule in Papua New Guinea, ask your host to arrange taxis, carry minimal valuables and stay with groups. Book early, as nearly everything is taken by August.
Best hostels in Papua New Guinea


Best quality hotels in Papua New Guinea

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Budget about US$95 to 130 a day for Goroka Show, with the festival ticket and a bed in a town where rooms fill up and cost far more than in the rest of the country.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$12 to 25 a dayEntry at the Sir Ugi Memorial Grounds is cheaper for locals than for foreign visitors, and the fee is paid in kina at the gate. Photography fees for performers and some groups are separate.
AccommodationUS$40 to 70 a night (high season)Guesthouse rooms and basic lodges are scarce and priced up during show weekend. Dorm-style beds are rare, so sharing a room is the main way to cut costs. Book months ahead.
Local transportUS$3 to 15 a dayPublic motor vehicles (PMVs) around Goroka cost roughly US$0.50 to 1 a ride. A hired car with a driver for a day runs US$60 to 100,
… read more 👉
Budget about US$95 to 130 a day for Goroka Show, with the festival ticket and a bed in a town where rooms fill up and cost far more than in the rest of the country.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$12 to 25 a dayEntry at the Sir Ugi Memorial Grounds is cheaper for locals than for foreign visitors, and the fee is paid in kina at the gate. Photography fees for performers and some groups are separate.
AccommodationUS$40 to 70 a night (high season)Guesthouse rooms and basic lodges are scarce and priced up during show weekend. Dorm-style beds are rare, so sharing a room is the main way to cut costs. Book months ahead.
Local transportUS$3 to 15 a dayPublic motor vehicles (PMVs) around Goroka cost roughly US$0.50 to 1 a ride. A hired car with a driver for a day runs US$60 to 100, so splitting it with others helps. Taxis are pricey and often shared informally.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 25 a dayMarket kaikai (sweet potato, boiled corn, fruit, roasted pork) costs US$1 to 4 a portion. Stall meals at the show cost US$3 to 6, and sit-down meals in town run US$8 to 15. Bottled water is about US$1 to 2.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$8 to 20 a dayCovers a local SIM and data, a small tip or gift for a village host, handicrafts such as bilums (US$10 to 40), and a spare cash buffer, since ATMs in Goroka can run dry on show weekend.
Total Daily BudgetUS$95 to 130 a dayPer person, per day, in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Food at the Goroka Show is about highland staples sold from stalls around the stadium and the town market.

Look for mumu, meat and sweet potato (kaukau) cooked in an earth oven with hot stones, which you often find in portions wrapped in banana leaves. Roasted corn, boiled sweet potato, bananas, peanuts and fresh pineapple are everywhere and cheap. Grilled lamb flaps and chicken pieces are sold by the roadside, and scones and fried dough appear in the mornings. Highland coffee, grown right around Goroka, is the drink to try, and you can usually buy a fresh cup or bagged beans from local growers. Bottled water, soft drinks and local SP lager are sold at larger stalls.

Try mumu if someone offers it from a community group, as it tastes of smoke and is the closest thing to a festival meal. Be … read more 👉
Food at the Goroka Show is about highland staples sold from stalls around the stadium and the town market.

Look for mumu, meat and sweet potato (kaukau) cooked in an earth oven with hot stones, which you often find in portions wrapped in banana leaves. Roasted corn, boiled sweet potato, bananas, peanuts and fresh pineapple are everywhere and cheap. Grilled lamb flaps and chicken pieces are sold by the roadside, and scones and fried dough appear in the mornings. Highland coffee, grown right around Goroka, is the drink to try, and you can usually buy a fresh cup or bagged beans from local growers. Bottled water, soft drinks and local SP lager are sold at larger stalls.

Try mumu if someone offers it from a community group, as it tastes of smoke and is the closest thing to a festival meal. Be careful with raw salads and unpeeled drinks, and favor food cooked hot in front of you.

Carry cash in small notes (kina), because stalls do not take cards and change can be hard to find. Portions are generous and often meant to share. Lines are informal, so be patient. Ask before photographing vendors or performers eating, as many expect a small payment or a friendly chat first. Alcohol is limited around the grounds, so keep drinking low-key.

FAQTraveler FAQ

The Goroka Show takes place over two days in mid-September, usually the weekend closest to Independence Day on September 16. It is held at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province. Saturday has the biggest parades, while Sunday focuses on judging and the finale.
Plan on about US$110 to 220 per day all in, including a bed. Foreign entry tickets are typically around US$25 to 50, and show-weekend rooms in Goroka cost about US$50 to 100 a night. Taxis to the stadium cost K20 to 50 (US$5 to 13), and a market meal costs K5 to 20.
Tickets are usually bought at the gate at the stadium, and advance purchase is not usually necessary, though bring cash in kina. Your real booking pressure is accommodation and flights, which should be arranged two to three months ahead since Goroka sells out. Arrive by Friday to sort tickets and avoid the Saturday morning rush.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Papua New Guinean festivals near Goroka Show

Explore more nearby:

  • Goroka Bilum Festival—Looped string bags, natural dye displays, bilum fashion parade| 2 km away
  • Madang Festival—Harbor waterfront, string bands, decorated outriggers, north coast| 105 km away
  • Mount Hagen Cultural Show—Kagamuga grand parade, bird-of-paradise plumes, camp areas, clan regalia| 123 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Papua New Guinea including Goroka Show and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all festivals

Or checkout all Papua New Guinea has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Papua New Guinea
Country photo of Papua New Guinea
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Pair Goroka Show with a few extra days in the Eastern Highlands, then continue by road or air toward Mount Hagen or Madang on the coast, and finish with the Kokoda or Rabaul side of the country if time allows. I would book beds and flights months ahead, bring small kina notes for photos and snacks, and keep a rain layer in your daypack.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Papua New Guinea. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story