In the room
The experience
Fest'Napuan has run every October since 1996 at Saralana Park in central Port Vila, the South Pacific's longest-running music festival. The festival's name fuses Festival with Napuan, a Tannese word for music and dance. String-band music (acoustic guitar, ukulele, tea-chest bass) is the Pacific's most underappreciated genre and Fest'Napuan is where it lives, alongside Pacific reggae, ni-Vanuatu contemporary songs, and the opening kastom (traditional) night that pulls performers from across Vanuatu's 80 islands. Free admission. Four days. Civic, indigenous-led.
Insider tip
Walk in knowing
The opening kastom night is the most intimate. The rest of the festival builds toward contemporary bands.
Why it fits
Why it is in the atlas
A free, civic, indigenous-led festival that has run continuously for 30 years.
Plan the trip
When to go, hours, getting there
Best time to go
Annual, four days mid-October. Wednesday opening kastom night, Thursday through Saturday main programme. The dry season makes the outdoor sessions comfortable.
Hours
Annual four-day festival, mid-October. Free admission. Programme runs from 16:00 to 23:00 each night.
Getting there
Fly Port Vila (VLI). From the airport, 20 minutes by taxi to central Port Vila. Saralana Park is on the seafront in central Port Vila, walking distance from the cruise terminal.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Where is Fest'Napuan?
Fest'Napuan is in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Vanuatu. Coordinates: -17.7333, 168.3273.
What kind of music is at Fest'Napuan?
Fest'Napuan programmes String-band, Pacific Reggae, Kastom, Ni-Vanuatu Contemporary. Pacific's longest-running music festival since 1996. Four days every October at Saralana Park in central Port Vila. Free admission. The opening kastom (traditional) night is the most intimate.
When is the best time to visit Fest'Napuan?
Annual, four days mid-October. Wednesday opening kastom night, Thursday through Saturday main programme. The dry season makes the outdoor sessions comfortable.
How do I get to Fest'Napuan?
Fly Port Vila (VLI). From the airport, 20 minutes by taxi to central Port Vila. Saralana Park is on the seafront in central Port Vila, walking distance from the cruise terminal.
Why is Fest'Napuan in the Sonic Paths atlas?
A free, civic, indigenous-led festival that has run continuously for 30 years.
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Stay
Book somewhere to stay nearby
Find a bed close to Fest'Napuan in Port Vila through our accommodation partner, Stay22.
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