If there’s one festival that deserves a big bold circle on your 2026 calendar, it’s this one. 🎉
Explorers World Ventures Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian-based tourism and events company known for spotlighting Asia’s rich culture and lifestyle through creative experiences, has officially announced the Asian Youth Festival 2026 (AYF 2026)during a grand launch ceremony and press conference held this morning at Saloma Kuala Lumpur.
And yes — this is not just another event announcement. AYF 2026 is shaping up to be a massive youth festival designed to unite young people across Asia through culture, creativity, and unforgettable shared experiences.
Supported by MOTAC & Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026)
The launch was officiated by the Honourable Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), YB Tuan Chiew Choon Man.
Also present at the event were Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) Head of Secretariat Tuan Mohd Akbal Setia, representatives from MOTAC and Tourism Malaysia, along with dignitaries, celebrity guests, key partners, collaborators, and members of the media.
During his keynote address, the Deputy Minister highlighted how meaningful it is to see strong private sector involvement in supporting national tourism efforts.
“We are proud that the private sector has come on board to support Visit Malaysia Year 2026 with such an elaborate and highly engaging festival program,” expressed Deputy Minister Tuan Chiew Choon Man.
He also shared his confidence that AYF 2026 will play a strong role in energising tourism:
“We believe the Asian Youth Festival, with its extensive, thrilling and diverse youth engagement programme, will be a boost to the tourism sector this year.”
When & Where is Asian Youth Festival 2026 Happening?
Here’s what you need to know (and save!):
📍 Venue: Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC), Sungai Besi
📅 Dates: 10th to 12th July 2026
🤝 Official Support: Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026
AYF 2026 is set to be a large-scale multi-vertical festival that aims to unite Asian youth under one celebration of inclusivity, creativity, and regional friendship — inspiring the next generation to lead with passion, innovation, and cultural pride.
A Festival That Celebrates the Best of Asia (Food, Fashion, Entertainment & Digital Innovation!)
The festival’s mission is clear: to create a vibrant platform connecting youths from diverse Asian nations through shared experiences — showcasing the best of Asian culture, from:
- Food 🍜
- Fashion 👟
- Entertainment 🎶
- Digital innovation 🎮
At the same time, AYF 2026 aims to strengthen youth tourism in support of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, positioning Malaysia as the cultural hub of Asia.
“Designed by Youth, for Youth” — Meet the Festival Co-Founders
The festival welcome address was presented by AYF 2026 co-founders Chris Avinash and Marina Abdullah .
Chris shared the bigger vision behind the festival:
“Asian Youth Festival 2026 is more than an event — it’s a platform where creativity, innovation, and culture converge.”
He also emphasised that the festival is created with youth at the centre:
“AYF 2026 is a festival designed by the youth for the youth, where everyone will be able to experience the heartbeat of Asia’s culture — where rhythm, ideas, and energy collide.”
Marina added how the festival will transform the venue into a vibrant creative space:
“From day to night, AYF 2026 transforms its venue into a living hub of creativity, culture, and collaboration. The three-day festival, which will feature live stages, pop-up booths, international guests, tournaments, food showcases, and a shared spirit that defines what it means to be young in Asia today.”
Expect Thousands of Youth Creators Across Asia
Festival-goers can look forward to meeting and connecting with thousands of young creators, innovators, performers, and adventurers from across Asia, making AYF 2026 one of the most vibrant youth gatherings of the year.
And the scale? HUGE.
✨ Seven major zones will be created across an area exceeding 1.2 million sq ft, designed to celebrate youth culture in every form.
7 Major Zones at Asian Youth Festival 2026
These exciting zones (and the general event programme) were presented during the launch by a panel of key youth personalities representing their areas of specialty.
🎤 1) Music Concerts
Enjoy live performances by rising stars and headline acts across Asia — including:
- Pop
- Rock
- Traditional Fusion
- Hip-Hop
- EDM
- Indie
- K-Pop
🎮 2) e-Sports Arena
A dream for gamers! Expect thrilling Mobile Legends battles, big prizes, and electrifying matches whether you’re competing or cheering.
🧩 3) ACG & TCG Zone
Your pop-culture playground featuring:
- Cosplay competitions
- Collector zones
- Trading card tournaments
- Fan meet-ups
👟 4) Fashion Street
Discover:
- Fresh streetwear drops
- Young & student designers
- Style showcases celebrating creativity and self-expression
🍜 5) Asian Food Village
Foodies, this one is for you. Attendees can savour authentic and fusion flavours across Asia through 10 themed streets of delicious discoveries. Because yes — Asians do love to eat 😋
🚀 6) Youth Engagement Zone
A space for growth and inspiration through:
- Interactive talks
- Workshops
- Future-focused sessions on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship
🏓 7) Pickleball Tournament
Join or watch the Asian Pickleball Challenge, with attractive prizes and friendly competition for all.
Who’s Behind AYF 2026?
The Asian Youth Festival is presented by:
- Explorers World Ventures — festival owner and strategic tourism platform
- Memories Entertainment — official festival partner and production collaborator
Both parties are committed to making AYF 2026 a grand success, aiming to turn it into the go-to event of the year, not only for youths but also for those who are young at heart.
About Explorers World Ventures
Explorers World Ventures brings a strong tourism ecosystem vision supported by:
- extensive regional B2B networks
- destination partnerships
- inbound tourism development strategies
- long-term commitment to positioning Malaysia as a global tourism hub through innovation, digital platforms, and destination packaging
About Memories Entertainment
Memories Entertainment contributes deep experience in:
- large-scale event production
- entertainment programming
- talent management
- creative direction
- live event execution
ensuring AYF 2026 is delivered to international standards of quality, professionalism, and experience design.
More Details Coming Soon
More information on Asian Youth Festival 2026 will be announced in the coming months — so stay tuned because this festival is only going to get bigger and better.
Official Asian Youth Festival Links
🌐 Website: https://www.asianyouthfestival.com/
📌 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587327682425
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianyouthfestival/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asianyouthfestival
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