HOBICON 2026 Returns to Lombok, Bringing Together Communities, Creativity, and Local Economic Growth
MATARAM – One of West Nusa Tenggara’s largest community and hobby festivals, HOBICON (Hobby & Community Connect) 2026, is set to return on June 19–21, 2026, at Transmart Mataram F1 Floor. Entering its fourth year, the event continues to grow as a major platform for communities, creative talents, local businesses, and hobby enthusiasts from across the region.
Organizers are targeting at least 5,000 visitors throughout the three-day event, which will occupy more than 4,000 square meters of exhibition and activity space. Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of community showcases, competitions, entertainment performances, creative exhibitions, and family-friendly attractions.
According to HOBICON 2026 Committee Chairperson Fatin Afifah, the event is designed to be more than just a gathering of hobby enthusiasts. It serves as a collaborative space where young people can connect, learn, and express their creativity through positive activities.
“HOBICON is a home for communities. It brings together people with different interests and passions, allowing them to share experiences, build networks, and showcase their talents. We believe hobbies can become a pathway for personal development, creativity, and even future opportunities,” she said.
More than 20 communities have confirmed their participation in this year’s event. They represent a wide range of interests including Japanese pop culture, K-Pop, diecast collecting, Mini 4WD racing, Gundam model building, trading card games, chess, reptiles, and various creative communities.
Among the participating groups are Banzai Mataram J-Community, K-Pop Squad Lombok, Lombok Diecast Crew, Mini 4WD GTS Galeria, Mataram Gundam, Lombok Reptile Community, Pokémon TCG Lombok, Yu-Gi-Oh Duelist Lombok, Mataram University Chess Club, Project Isekai, Mayoung Universe, and several emerging communities making their HOBICON debut this year.
The growing number of participating communities reflects the rapid development of Lombok’s creative and hobby ecosystem. Organizers believe community-driven events like HOBICON play an important role in encouraging youth engagement and fostering positive social interaction.
In addition to community exhibitions, HOBICON 2026 will feature a variety of attractions including a Toys Fair, interactive community zones, family recreation areas, children’s activities, and creative marketplace booths.
The event is also expected to generate significant economic benefits for local businesses. More than 40 exhibitors are targeted to participate, with approximately 99 percent of them coming from West Nusa Tenggara.
Visitors will be able to explore a diverse range of products, including collectibles, hobby merchandise, handmade crafts, toys, fashion items, and local culinary specialties. The festival also supports various sectors within the creative industry, including costume makers, makeup artists, photographers, printers, designers, and content creators.
One of the highlights of HOBICON 2026 will be its competitive events. Hundreds of participants are expected to compete in tournaments such as the Mini 4WD Championship, Diecast Race, Cosplay Competition, Coswalk Competition, Rapid Chess Competition, K-Pop Dance Cover Competition, and E-Sports tournaments featuring Mobile Legends, PUBG Mobile, and PES.
The Mini 4WD Championship remains one of the most anticipated competitions, attracting racers from several Indonesian cities, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, and other regions. The event has gradually established itself as one of the leading hobby competitions in eastern Indonesia.
Entertainment will also play a major role during the festival. More than ten performers and guest talents are scheduled to appear throughout the three-day event. One of the most anticipated performances is by Shizuna, a Chika Idol from Malang, who will take the stage during the festival’s closing day on June 21.
Beyond entertainment and competition, HOBICON aims to strengthen Lombok’s position as a destination for community-based tourism. Through its “Tourism Based by Community” concept, the festival seeks to showcase local creativity while encouraging visitors to experience the island’s vibrant youth culture and creative economy.
As HOBICON continues to grow each year, organizers hope the event will evolve into one of Indonesia’s largest community and hobby festivals, while also contributing to the promotion of Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara as dynamic destinations for culture, creativity, and innovation.
