The Mount Hagen Show and Hagen Market give a trip to Mount Hagen two distinct focal points: a cultural program featuring groups, handicrafts and performances, and a market visit with fresh produce. The show lasts three days; Hagen Market is in the city centre. You can first decide whether to plan your trip mainly around an event program or a visit focused on produce from Mount Hagen. There are also two practical planning considerations: event dates and, if travelling by air, the current flight schedule.
Cultural program at the Mount Hagen Show
The Mount Hagen Show brings tribes and cultural groups from across Papua New Guinea together at Queen’s Park in Mount Hagen. It includes handicraft exhibitions by artisans from Papua New Guinea. During the three-day show, visitors can experience sing-sing performances, traditional dances, ceremonial attire, tribal rituals, drumming and feasts. The program also includes contemporary entertainment by local musicians and artists.
The combination of exhibitions, cultural performances and contemporary entertainment makes the show a multifaceted cultural program. You can tailor your visit to your interest in handicrafts, traditional forms of expression or contemporary artists. Check the specific event dates before travelling if you choose the show as your main reason for visiting. This lets you plan your stay around the actual program dates.
Hagen Market: fresh produce
Hagen Market, in the city centre, offers fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and organic spices. Fresh produce associated with Mount Hagen includes pineapples, watermelons, strawberries, peanuts and sweet potatoes; these are available at Hagen Market.
The market therefore offers a different focus from the show: produce takes centre stage, while the show offers an event program. If food and products are also part of your travel decision, Hagen Market is a specific reason to visit alongside the cultural program. You can make the market a distinct point of interest rather than planning your trip solely around the show program.
Getting there and finding accommodation
Daily commercial flights from Port Moresby to Mount Hagen are offered by Air Niugini and PNG Air. As flight frequency and airlines can change, check current flight schedules before travelling. If travelling by air, coordinate your travel dates with the current connections. If the show is your main reason for visiting, compare its event dates with the flight schedule for the same travel period.
If you are looking for hotels in Mount Hagen, first decide on your preferred travel period. For a trip around the show, use its specific dates as a guide; if travelling by air, also take current connections from Port Moresby into account.
Discover more destinations: Tufi, Madang, Rabaul, Lorengau, Kimbe, Port Moresby, Kavieng, Lae.
Return to the main travel overview: Papua New Guinea.
