Marquesas Arts Festival 2027: a complete guide

The Marquesas Islands, or Fenua Ènata, an enchanting archipelago of French Polynesia known for its volcanic landscapes and preserved nature, host a major cultural event: Matavaa O te Henua Enana, the Marquesas Arts Festival.

This article guides you through everything you need to know to make the most of this unique and extraordinary experience.

What is the Marquesas Arts Festival?

The Matavaà which means “cultural awakening”, takes place every two years in December.

It takes place in turn on each of the Marquesas Islands. Depending on the capacity of the host island, it welcomes delegations from across the archipelago, or from farther afield such as Easter Island.

Its primary purpose is to preserve local heritage and bring the Marquesan people together around their culture, keeping it alive. It ensures that the elders’ knowledge is passed orally to younger generations through many activities, including singing and dancing, handicrafts, tattooing and culinary arts.

This is why the archipelago’s reputation for artistic richness is thoroughly deserved: it is rooted in the daily lives of its inhabitants, with a vitality carried by the festival. This is not folklore, but an intense exchange among all festival-goers, whether spectators or members of a delegation. The latter prepare for the festivities more than a year in advance, such is the scale of the work involved. The organisers also rely on many volunteers, with preparation beginning as soon as the previous festival ends.

How does the festival unfold?

The festival, or Matavaà o Fenua Henata, shines a light on ancestral traditions. Over several days, it immerses us in the splendour, strength and richness of Marquesan culture through dance, song, crafts, cooking, tattooing and traditional sports. It brings together several thousand people, participants and visitors alike.

For each edition, the organising committee chooses a theme covering all the activities and events offered over four or five days.

After the opening ceremony, where all the delegations parade, competitions are organised in every activity. Artisans display their work in beautifully arranged stalls. Culinary art is not forgotten, with a large shared feast.

It is an event filled with the joy of reunions among inhabitants from all the Marquesas Islands.

History and origins of the festival

Created in 1986 by the Motu Haka o te Fenua Enata association, the festival’s mission is to preserve and promote the cultural richness of the Marquesas.

Since its first edition in 1987, it has expanded to include delegations from other Polynesian archipelagos, strengthening cultural ties within the Polynesian Triangle.

The festival is one of the driving forces behind the revival of Marquesan culture. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the population had fallen to around 2,000 people. Thanks to its different promoters, people now dance the Haka Manu, or bird dance, at Marquesan school celebrations. A little more than three decades have passed since its creation, and the cultural awakening it sparked now reaches every traditional discipline through a vibrant oral culture: dance, song, music, sculpture, tattooing, cooking, massage and medicinal plants.

When and where will the next edition take place?

The next edition will take place from 17–20 December 2027 HIVA OA !

The second-largest Marquesas island after Nuku Hiva is a regular host of the Marquesas Arts and Culture Festival, and its population is fully involved in the festivities.

Hiva Oa is the most populated island in the southern Marquesas. It is made up of broad, fertile and flower-filled valleys surrounded by steep cliffs, and is distinguished by an outstanding cultural heritage, including the PUAMAU Marae and its famous Takaii tiki, the largest in Polynesia.

On this paradise island, the inhabitants are deeply attached to their cultural heritage and share and keep their traditions alive, especially through crafts, dance and music. It is no coincidence that artists Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel settled there and now rest in the pretty little cemetery of Atuona, where visitors come to pay their respects. The Paul Gauguin Cultural Centre and the Jacques Brel Space offer a glimpse of their work and lives on this island at the end of the world.

What to see and do at the Marquesas Arts Festival?

1. Traditional dances and songs

After the opening ceremony, you can watch dance and song performances that tell the legends and history of the Marquesas. Each island presents its own choreographic styles, offering astonishing diversity. Every troupe wears traditional costumes, including carved bone ornaments and plant decorations. The declarations and songs in Marquesan make it possible to distinguish the languages of the Northern and Southern groups.

The strong, wild and intense nature of the Marquesas shines through its people, who have an extraordinary ability to transport spectators and visitors through songs, dances and declarations. The drums and music in particular create a palpable emotion among the audience, made up mainly of Marquesans.

One of the dances, the Haka Manu, expresses the Marquesans’ connection with nature. Through sensual movements, it celebrates the sacred bird. In the past, it was performed only by young girls from the royal class.

It is a feast for the eyes and ears.

2. Local crafts

At the festival, discover the exceptional quality of Marquesan crafts. In every valley of the archipelago, you will find sculptors working in wood, bone, stone or whatever material the surrounding nature provides. The works range in size from several metres to a few centimetres.

Tapa cloths, drawings, woven items, seed or shell jewellery and fragrant crowns add to the variety of creations. Workshops let you try your hand or simply watch the artists. It is the perfect opportunity to buy authentic souvenirs.

3. Traditional cuisine

You can discover a whole range of dishes that you might otherwise never have had the opportunity to taste at the festival. On Kai Kai day, the large shared feast, each delegation lets visitors sample specialities from its island.

Based on hunting, fishing and gathering, Marquesan cuisine is varied: raw or cooked fish, seafood, wild pig, goat, and delicious fruit and vegetables such as uru (breadfruit) and taro.

One event always draws a crowd: the aromas of the Umu Kai filling the air as soon as the Marquesan oven is opened. Achieving this result requires two days of preparation by the volunteers. An extraordinary experience.

4. Marquesan tattoos

Admire the art of Marquesan tattooing, universally recognised for its complex and meaningful designs. Each tattoo tells a story: after talking with someone to understand their life and motivations, a local tattoo artist chooses a design for them. Local artists often offer demonstrations and even tattoo sessions.

5. Traditional sports

You can watch competitions in a variety of traditional sports, such as canoe races and stone carrying, which showcase the skill and strength of the participants. There is no doubt that the athletes’ stature and physical abilities will impress you.

How can you attend the Marquesas Arts Festival?

There are several ways to attend the festival: a traditional option with accommodation on land, or a cruise option.

“Classic” option with accommodation on land

First step: get to Hiva Oa. Here is how:

Hiva Oa is directly accessible from Tahiti.

• By plane, Air Tahiti and Air Moana together operate three to four flights (duration: 3 hours 15 minutes) per week from Tahiti (Papeete). An inter-island air link (45 minutes) also connects to Nuku Hiva in the Northern Group.
• Flight prices fluctuate, but allow at least around 42,000 XPF / €750 per return journey with Air Moana and 52,000 XPF / €850 with Air Tahiti.
• Hiva Oa airport is outside Atuona village. Taxis are available on arrival, or you can arrange a transfer service.

How to find accommodation in Hiva Oa ?

You will find several types of accommodation, from guest rooms and campsites to seasonal rentals.

Seven guesthouses or family pensions can accommodate you.

Allow approximately 12,000 to 15,000 XPF per person per night for half board.

The Tahiti Tourism website lists all accommodation options on Hiva Oa.
Hanakee Lodge Hiva Oa, the island’s only hotel, offers more sophisticated comfort.

For meals outside your half-board arrangement, snacks and food trucks serve dishes for a budget of around 2,500 XPF per person.

“Cruise” option: two choices, aboard a sailboat or a cruise ship

Option 1: take part fully in the festival aboard a catamaran as part of a cruise

A catamaran cruise, such as the one offered by Tahiti Guest Boat. Since the Marquesas anchorages are not protected by a lagoon, a catamaran is preferable to a monohull for comfort.

Fly directly from Tahiti to the Marquesas and board a cruise between the islands. You will not only discover Hiva Oa with a major stop during the festival, but also the magnificent island of Tahuata and, depending on the cruise duration, perhaps sail further to the legendary southern island of Fatu Hiva.

Sailing between the Marquesas Islands is generally quite easy, which makes it easier to discover several of them.

A cruise also lets you adapt the programme to your wishes and pace. It is not unusual to plan to spend three days somewhere and then feel so good that you would like to stay a little longer. On a cruise, that is a possible luxury.

Finally, the Marquesas archipelago, a mythical and mystical territory, is still relatively undeveloped in terms of tourist accommodation. Not having to worry about accommodation as part of a cruise is a definite advantage.

Option 2: cruise aboard the mixed cargo ship Aranui, with a one-day stop at the festival

The Aranui 5 mixed cargo ship is both a supply vessel and a cruise ship (an impressive 126 metres). It can accommodate 230 passengers in cabins or dormitories.
Between 13 and 26 December 2027, the Aranui will take you from Tahiti, among other places, to Hiva Oa for the festival. It will call at Atuona for two days, one of them devoted to the festival. At each stop, from half a day to a full day, you will be invited ashore to discover the island or part of it, with excursions offered by local residents.

Which option should you choose to attend the Marquesas Arts Festival?

• In summary, if you are considering a cruise in the Marquesas and can be satisfied with a short stop at the Arts Festival in Hiva Oa, the Aranui option could suit you.
• On the other hand, if you want to discover the Marquesas, by sea and on land, in a privileged way (unlike a group tour), and make the most of the incredible Arts Festival experience, then a catamaran cruise is probably your best option.
• If you are not a sailor at all and are going to the Marquesas mainly to enjoy the festival, accommodation on land is certainly a good solution.

Whatever the accommodation option, meeting the Marquesan people will be easy, as they are so welcoming and fascinating.

What can you do alongside the Marquesas Arts Festival?

Use your stay to explore the Marquesas’ sumptuous natural landscapes, which change from island to island, and share in the daily life of the local population.

Hiking on foot or horseback, scuba diving, big-game fishing, visits to archaeological sites and museums (Hiva Oa) are just some of the activities to discover.

Continue your immersion in the Marquesas by attending a religious service. The fervour, the beauty of the singing and the participants’ clothing will delight you.

For those whose dates are incompatible with the festival: on each island, attend the delegations’ rehearsals. It is a way to discover the dances and songs before the festival, behind the scenes and without the full ceremonial setting. Impressive!

FAQ

What is the Marquesas Arts Festival?

The Marquesas Arts Festival, or “Matavaa O te Henua Enana”, is a major cultural event held every two years in December. It celebrates Marquesan heritage and culture through dance, song, crafts, cuisine, tattoos and traditional sports. The festival aims to preserve ancestral knowledge and pass it on to younger generations.

When and where will the next edition of the festival take place?

The next edition of the Marquesas Arts Festival will take place from 17 to 20 December 2027 in Hiva Oa, an island known for its exceptional cultural heritage, archaeological sites and museums, as well as its breathtaking nature: broad valleys, steep cliffs and diverse flora.

What can you see and do at the Marquesas Arts Festival?

The festival offers a variety of activities:
Traditional dances and songs — Performances telling the legends and history of the Marquesas.
Local crafts — Discover sculptures, tapa cloths, jewellery and introductory workshops.
Traditional cuisine — Taste local dishes during the large shared feast.
Marquesan tattoos — Demonstrations and tattoo sessions.
Traditional sports — Canoe races, stone carrying and more.

How can you attend the Marquesas Arts Festival?

You can attend the festival in several ways:
By cruise — Sailboat, catamaran or cruise-ship options departing from Tahiti.
From Tahiti with accommodation on land — Family pensions, hotels or holiday rentals.
Transport — Flights from Tahiti, car hire and taxis.

How can you eat during the festival?

You can eat at food trucks serving simple outdoor meals or at restaurants on the main island.

What can you do alongside the festival?

Use your stay to explore the Marquesas’ natural landscapes, hike, scuba dive, visit archaeological sites and museums, and attend religious services. You can also discover the delegations’ rehearsals before the festival.