Labuan Bajo is Ready to Welcome Communal Pilgrimages to Care for the Integrity of Creation
Labuan Bajo, August 10, 2026 – A spirit of togetherness and care for the Earth is set to enliven Labuan Bajo. The organizing committee for the Golo Koe Labuan Bajo Maria Assumpta Nusantara Festival 2026 is preparing for this grand event, scheduled to take place from August 10 to 15, 2026, at Waterfront City and other locations. Centered on the theme “Communal Pilgrimage in Synergistic Fellowship to Care for the Integrity of Creation” and the tagline “Walking Together, Restoring the Earth,” the festival is not merely a celebration of culture and faith, but also a collective call to safeguard the preservation of creation.
The Golo Koe Festival 2026 will open on August 10 with a grand ceremony attended by Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism. This visit also signifies national recognition of the festival as one of the “Top 10 Kharisma Event Nusantara” (KEN) events. From the very first day, visitors will be welcomed by MSME exhibitions, art performances, and various cultural attractions showcasing local richness.
However, the essence of this festival extends beyond mere entertainment. On August 11, the event will highlight spiritual and ecological dimensions. Starting in the morning, the faithful will gather at St. Peter’s Church in Sernaru for a Catholic spiritual renewal gathering alongside spiritual communities—an occasion for prayer and reflection that strengthens faith while fostering a sense of brotherhood. That same day, a Psalm-singing competition will be held for Catholic Youth (OMK) and adult categories, serving as a platform to showcase liturgical talents and deepen love for the Holy Scriptures.
In the afternoon, the ecological spirit will be embodied through an ecological initiative at Binongko Beach, featuring an ecological service, a cleanup drive, and mangrove planting. These tangible actions symbolize how faith and culture go hand in hand with the responsibility to care for the Earth. The organizers have also set up a dedicated booth for ecological education and are limiting the use of single-use plastics throughout the festival.
The following day, August 12, will feature social and charitable activities, a vibrant cultural carnival, and a massive dance performance involving hundreds of young dancers from SMKS Stella Maris Labuan Bajo. Local traditions will also take center stage with a grand Caci performance by students from SMKS Stella Maris and SMKN 3 Komodo on August 13 at the John Paul II Seminary/St. Ignatius Loyola High School field, showcasing the powerful and meaningful culture of Manggarai.
The spiritual highlight of the festival takes place on August 14 with the Grand Procession of Mary of the Assumption of the Archipelago. The statue of Mary will be carried in procession from Stella Maris Church to the Blue Pier, followed by a procession by sea to Waterfront City, and finally a procession to the Golo Koe Marian Grotto. This procession symbolizes a journey of faith that unites the faithful in prayer and togetherness.
To conclude, August 15th will feature the Grand Eucharist of Mary of the Assumption (Maria Assumpta Nusantara) at Waterfront City, followed by a music concert featuring guest star Alvin Jo, an alumnus of the third season of X-Factor Indonesia.
In addition, the festival features a “Cleanest Area” competition involving three parishes in Labuan Bajo—Merombok, Wae Sambi, and the Holy Spirit Cathedral—as well as free health services ranging from screenings for blood sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid to vaccinations for overseas travel. More than 148 culinary and non-culinary MSMEs will participate, showcasing a creative economy spirit that flourishes alongside faith and culture.
The Golo Koe Festival 2026 is a celebration of faith, culture, community, and ecology. Labuan Bajo invites everyone to attend, move forward together, and take part in the movement to restore the Earth.
RD Charles Suwendi
Director of the Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Labuan Bajo
(Chair of SC Golo Koe Labua Bajo Maria Assumpta Nusantara Festival Committee 2026)
HP: 0813 8742 1567
