The Bougainville Chocolate Festival is set to kick off tomorrow, October 28, 2025, for a three-day celebration of cocoa, culture, and tourism.

Running until October 30 at the Hutjena Oval, the seventh annual event promises to be a key economic and cultural highlight for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

The festival’s origins date back to 2016 when it was launched as the "Cocoa Festival" by the Department of Primary Industry and the Department of Commerce, Trade and Economic Development.

A significant shift occurred in 2018 when the name was officially changed. This rebranding strengthened its ties to the PNG-Australia Government’s Bougainville Partnership Program, which now co-funds the event alongside the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Department of Primary Industry and the Department of Commerce.

The Bougainville Arts, Culture and Tourism Authority (BACTA) is central to the festival’s organization.

According to BACTA Website and Information Officer Marcia Jeraha, the authority’s primary goal is to use the event to increase visitor arrivals.

“BACTA's main role is to promote the chocolate festival as a major tourism attraction here in Bougainville.”

“In the future, we will have more visitors coming in, not only for the festival, but also to see the other tourism hotspots in Bougainville as well.”

The festival features a confirmed number of 120 stalls, which were fully booked and began setting up today, October 27.

The stalls represent a diverse array of corporate entities, SMEs, and agriculture stakeholders.

Visitors can look forward to a range of cultural and industry exhibits:

• Cultural Demonstrations: The North Bougainville Tourism Association and Bougainville Artisans Association will display traditional Bougainville food and host demonstrations of basket weaving, including the preparation of the traditional dish, tamatama.

• Industry Deep Dive: The Department of Primary Industries’ stalls will be "showcasing the cocoa value chain," highlighting the journey from bean to finished product.

• Information Hub: BACTA's Information Hub will provide details on all of Bougainville’s tourism attractions and industry co-operators.

The festival will officially open on Tuesday morning with welcoming remarks from government leaders and development partners, culminating in a keynote address by President Ishmael Toroama.

Festival Highlights include:

• Live Demonstrations: Showcases of the cocoa value chain by the ABG Department of Primary Industries.

• Farmer Seminars: Information sharing and learning sessions with industry experts.

• Competitions: Including the popular Cocoa Budding Competition and Big Pod Competition.

• Entertainment: Live music from the local KAWAS Band and a dedicated Kids Corner with games and activities.

Meanwhile, an information booth will be located next to the main stage, where festival-goers can visit to receive Festival merchandise.