RABAUL NATIONAL MASK FESTIVAL AND WARWAGIRA MUSIC FESTIVAL
National Mask Festival 7-12 July 2026
Five nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the Rapopo Plantation Resort, Kinavai Ceremony, Bainings Fire Dance* (supplement may be required depending on location), full day Rabaul WW2 Tour, Kokopo agriculture and food tour or Mt Tarvurvur volcano hike, Duke of York Islands tour, Dolphin swim, airport transfers.
Double occupancy rates: Bayside Garden room $795 per person sharing. Poolside Premier room $910.
Twin occupancy rates: Bayside Garden room $895 per person sharing. Poolside Premier room $990.
Single occupancy rates: Bayside Garden room $1175 per person sharing. Poolside Premier room $1375.
Extensions for the end of the Warwagira music festival are possible. Rates in USD. Return Port Moresby flights between $450 and $600.
Extensions for the end of the Warwagira music festival are possible. Rates in USD. Return Port Moresby flights between $400 and $650.
Itinerary
7th July: Fly to Rabaul, transfer to hotel
8th July: Kinavai Ceremony on the beach, breakfast, full day at the festival.
9th: Swimming with dolphins. Mauke Island half-day trip. Half-day at the festival.
10th: Half-day tour to coconut oil factory, cocoa plantation, vanilla growing, Rabaul mangos (when in season), Bolsa, OR Mt Tarvuruvur Volcano hike. Half-day at the festival.
11th: Full day WW2 History Tour.
12th: Return to the airport.
The National Mask Festival takes place every year in Rabaul and is run by the PNG National Cultural Commission. Highlighting Papua New Guinea’s mask culture, it attracts artists and performers nationwide. Many types of ancestor, spirit and tumbuan masks are visible, both old and recent.
Ancestor masks represent humans, often with holes in the eyes being a key feature. Smaller masks are used as headgear during dances and ceremonies or to depict ancestors in people's homes. Spirit masks are also mounted on walls or gables to provide protection through the representation of non-human forms. The Tumbuan is also the representation of a spirit, but larger so that they can be worn over the head and shoulders, or even the entire body during dances that tell stories about the afterlife.
This is without a doubt the largest and most wide-ranging collection of masks at a Sing-Sing, and overlaps with the Warwagira music festival. It's a great occasion to see and purchase local crafts and artefacts, witness the Kinavai opening ceremony, visit the Baining's village for a captivating fire dance, explore the local history and cultures.
Double occupancy rates: Bayside Garden room $795 per person sharing. Poolside Premier room $910.
Twin occupancy rates: Bayside Garden room $895 per person sharing. Poolside Premier room $990.
Single occupancy rates: Bayside Garden room $1175 per person sharing. Poolside Premier room $1375.
Extensions for the end of the Warwagira music festival are possible. Rates in USD. Return Port Moresby flights between $450 and $600.
Extensions for the end of the Warwagira music festival are possible. Rates in USD. Return Port Moresby flights between $400 and $650.
Itinerary
7th July: Fly to Rabaul, transfer to hotel
8th July: Kinavai Ceremony on the beach, breakfast, full day at the festival.
9th: Swimming with dolphins. Mauke Island half-day trip. Half-day at the festival.
10th: Half-day tour to coconut oil factory, cocoa plantation, vanilla growing, Rabaul mangos (when in season), Bolsa, OR Mt Tarvuruvur Volcano hike. Half-day at the festival.
11th: Full day WW2 History Tour.
12th: Return to the airport.
The National Mask Festival takes place every year in Rabaul and is run by the PNG National Cultural Commission. Highlighting Papua New Guinea’s mask culture, it attracts artists and performers nationwide. Many types of ancestor, spirit and tumbuan masks are visible, both old and recent.
Ancestor masks represent humans, often with holes in the eyes being a key feature. Smaller masks are used as headgear during dances and ceremonies or to depict ancestors in people's homes. Spirit masks are also mounted on walls or gables to provide protection through the representation of non-human forms. The Tumbuan is also the representation of a spirit, but larger so that they can be worn over the head and shoulders, or even the entire body during dances that tell stories about the afterlife.
This is without a doubt the largest and most wide-ranging collection of masks at a Sing-Sing, and overlaps with the Warwagira music festival. It's a great occasion to see and purchase local crafts and artefacts, witness the Kinavai opening ceremony, visit the Baining's village for a captivating fire dance, explore the local history and cultures.
