Karnival HPM Sabah 2026: Where to Stay in Kota Kinabalu
Karnival HPM Sabah 2026 runs 23 to 25 October at Lintasan Deasoka, Kota Kinabalu. Event times, getting there, and a private villa stay for groups and families.
Viannie Undikai
10/19/20264 min read
Gaya Street welcome arch, Kota Kinabalu. Photo: Ralff Nestor Nacor, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Heading into the city this weekend? Karnival HPM Sabah 2026 brings more than 150 local entrepreneurs to the heart of Kota Kinabalu for three days, and it is the kind of event that is easy to enjoy if you plan a little.
In short: Karnival Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia (HPM) 2026 Edisi Sabah runs from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, 9am to 10pm daily, at Lintasan Deasoka, Jalan Gaya, Kota Kinabalu. It is organised by KUSKOP with support from Sabah's MINDET, and the organisers are expecting about 50,000 visitors.
What is Karnival HPM Sabah 2026?
HPM stands for Hebatkan Perniagaan Malaysia, a carnival run by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP). The Sabah edition is supported by the state's Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET), which said it would bring 50 local entrepreneurs to take part.
Beyond the sales booths, the organisers say it includes business matching programmes to help small businesses reach new markets.
Dates, times and venue
Dates: Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026
Hours: 9am to 10pm each day
Venue: Lintasan Deasoka, 137 Jalan Gaya, at the start of Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu city centre
Organiser: KUSKOP, with support from MINDET Sabah
Expected visitors: about 50,000 over three days
Closing: the Chief Minister of Sabah has been invited to close the carnival on 25 October
What to look out for
Local products and small businesses: a good chance to shop directly from Sabah entrepreneurs and support them.
Business matching: useful if you run a small business or cooperative and want to meet buyers, partners or agencies.
Morning Zumba: KUSKOP has announced a Zumba session with Sahabat Usahawan AIM (Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia) on Sunday 25 October at 8am.
Programme details can change, so check KUSKOP's official social media before you go.
Getting there and tips
Lintasan Deasoka sits at the start of Gaya Street, in the old heart of the city.
This weekend is already busy on Gaya Street. The Api-Api Night Food Market runs every Friday and Saturday from 6pm, and the famous Gaya Street Sunday Market runs every Sunday from about 6am to 1pm, with the street closed to traffic.
Parking will be tight. Consider Grab or a taxi, or come early in the morning.
Gaya Street Sunday Market. Photo: Wadaihangit, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay near the carnival
If you are coming from outside KK, or bringing the whole family, staying in the city saves you a long drive each day. KK Sunset Villa, Your Private Villa with Full Sunset Views is in Kota Kinabalu, a short city drive from Lintasan Deasoka.
Sunset over the sea from KK Sunset Villa. Photo: KK Sunset Villa.
Sleeps up to 12, with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms
Private villa, so your group has the whole place to itself
Full sunset views from the villa, perfect after a day at the carnival
WiFi 5G, BBQ and a karaoke machine for evenings together
It suits families, friends, and exhibitor or agency teams who would rather share one home than book several rooms. Spend the day at the carnival, then come back to watch the sun go down over the sea.
Want a taste first? Read about a private sunset at KK Sunset Villa and why the KK sunset is the heartbeat of every Borneo evening.
Living room at KK Sunset Villa. Photo: KK Sunset Villa.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is Karnival HPM Sabah 2026?
It runs from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, 9am to 10pm daily, at Lintasan Deasoka on Jalan Gaya, at the start of Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu city centre. KUSKOP organises it with support from Sabah's MINDET.
Who is the carnival for?
Everyone. Families and shoppers can browse products from more than 150 local entrepreneurs, while small business owners and cooperatives can join the business matching programmes. About 50,000 visitors are expected over the three days, so mornings are usually the calmest time to visit.
What is the best way to get to Lintasan Deasoka?
Grab or a taxi is the easiest choice. Gaya Street also hosts the Api-Api Night Food Market on Friday and Saturday evenings and the Gaya Street Sunday Market on Sunday morning, so parking nearby will be limited that weekend.
Where can a family or group stay near the carnival?
KK Sunset Villa is a private villa in Kota Kinabalu that sleeps up to 12, with 5 bedrooms and full sunset views. It is a short city drive from Lintasan Deasoka, so you can enjoy the carnival by day and relax together in the evening.
Plan your carnival weekend
Three days of local businesses, good food on Gaya Street, and a sunset waiting back at the villa. If you are bringing family or a team to Karnival HPM Sabah 2026, book early while dates are open.
By Viannie Undikai, 19 October 2026
Sources
KUSKOP on X, venue and hours (14 Oct 2026): https://x.com/KUSKOPMalaysia/status/2110312100774248760
KUSKOP on X, more than 150 entrepreneurs (13 Oct 2026): https://x.com/KUSKOPMalaysia/status/2109812373494378766
KUSKOP on X, Zumba with AIM (13 Oct 2026): https://x.com/KUSKOPMalaysia/status/2109935626535817415
Daily Express, MINDET support, 50,000 visitors, business matching: https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/287618/100-entrepreneurs-for-sabah-business-carnival/
Sabah News, Chief Minister invited to close on 25 Oct: https://sabahnews.com.my/karnival-hebatkan-perniagaan-malaysia-sabah-sasar-50000-pengunjung-oktober-ini/
Sabah Tourism Board, Gaya Street Sunday Market 6am to 1pm: https://www.sabahtourism.com/destination/gaya-street-sunday-market/
Sabah Tourism Board, Api-Api Night Food Market Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm: https://sabahtourism.com/article/gaya-street-the-sensational-weekend-street/
Social Media
Creating unforgettable memories in Sabah's beauty.
© 2025 StaysWellGlobal. All Right Reserved.