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- Traditional kastom dances and ceremony — Live island dance, song and costume that aren’t museum pieces but family and community ritual made public for the festival. The energy and layers of meaning—from chiefly greetings to ancestral stories—make these performances feel authentic rather than “staged for tourists.”
- Contemporary Pacific theatre and spoken-word — Intimate plays, monologues and slam-poetry from local writers and theatre groups that tackle identity, tradition and modern life. It’s a rare chance to hear Ni-Vanuatu voices directly; the venues are small, so the words land hard and stay with you.
- Local music and drum circles — Everything from acoustic island ballads to high-energy bands and traditional garamut drumming. Musicians from different islands often jam together, producing
- Traditional kastom dances and ceremony — Live island dance, song and costume that aren’t museum pieces but family and community ritual made public for the festival. The energy and layers of meaning—from chiefly greetings to ancestral stories—make these performances feel authentic rather than “staged for tourists.”
- Contemporary Pacific theatre and spoken-word — Intimate plays, monologues and slam-poetry from local writers and theatre groups that tackle identity, tradition and modern life. It’s a rare chance to hear Ni-Vanuatu voices directly; the venues are small, so the words land hard and stay with you.
- Local music and drum circles — Everything from acoustic island ballads to high-energy bands and traditional garamut drumming. Musicians from different islands often jam together, producing one-off collaborations you won’t hear anywhere else—and late-night beach gigs where everyone joins in.
- Visual arts, live painting and craft markets — Paintings, sand-drawing demonstrations, tapa cloth, wood carving and baskets sold by the makers themselves. Artists work live, you can ask about techniques, and you’ll find honest prices for real, hand-made pieces—perfect for meaningful souvenirs.
- Food stalls, kava sessions and the beachfront atmosphere — Cheap, delicious island food (think grilled fish, lap-lap, coconut curries), sleepy kava circles and open-air concerts by the water. The festival’s vibe is relaxed and communal: eat, sit on the sand, listen to music and chat with locals and travelers without the fuss of big crowds.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Major Tom -Sailing Day Cruise, with Snorkeling, Lunch & More!
✓ Free cancellation
Small Group River Kayaking Tour from Port Vila
✓ Free cancellation
Vanuatu Jungle Zipline with Transfers
✓ Free cancellation
Port Vila Full Day Tour - Experience the Real Vanuatu
✓ Free cancellation
Full-Day Efate Round Island Trip with Yumi Tours
✓ Free cancellation
Private Daily Mini Van Hire Including Tour Guide
✓ Free cancellation
Port Vila International Airport to Hotel with Yumi Tours
✓ Free cancellation
Rarru Cascades, Waterfall & Kava
✓ Free cancellation
Hotel to Port Vila International Airport with Yumi Tours
✓ Free cancellation
Half Day Blue Lagoon & Eden + Duty free shop'g Tour
✓ Free cancellation
Best Backpacking
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.