Bali Great Escape
You may think that Bali is all about the sun, sand, and surf, but you would be missing out if you didn’t know about the festivals in Bali. From flying kites to live music, Bali has annual festivals that are attracting increasing numbers of visitors.
Since the beginning of time, human beings have been gathering in masses with those they share common grounds with. Historically, we put aside our differences a few times a year to come together to celebrate our culture and traditions, religious beliefs, food, art, and music – with the first documented music festival dating back to the 6th century BC in Ancient Greece during the Panhellenic Games. The music competition was dedicated to Apollo, the Greek god of music.
Today, festivals can be found all over the world at almost any time of the year. From massively produced Electronic Music festivals (think Tomorrowland or Ultra), to wild and fun parades (like Toronto’s Gay Pride Parade or Sydney’s Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras), to dangerously delicious food festivals (like Hokitika Wild Food Festival or FAWC). These festivals give us a chance to not only celebrate but to learn more about each other and our society.
In Bali alone, there is a range of festivals throughout the year. With a vibrant history of art, music, and dance, the island of the Gods offers a unique experience for its visitors. While being a unique province of Indonesia, Bali’s population is a mixing pot of people from every region of the Indonesian Archipelago. This means you can get a bang for your buck when it comes to experiences and learning new things while you’re in Bali. You may come across Javanese, Sumatrans, Makassarese, Sasak, Sundanese, and many more ethnic groups sharing both traditional and Western art forms – all on this one small island.
If you’re looking for something a little smaller, also check out my posts on The Best Live Music in Bali and How to Book a DJ in Bali.
Music
Bali Blues Festival
The Blues made its way from the deep south of the USA in the mid-1800s all the way to Bali where it is kept alive by devoted musicians and listeners alike. The Bali Blues Festival is an annual music festival hosted by the Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and gives a stage for local, national, and international Blues musicians.
It is normally held over a 2-day event on Peninsula Island, Nusa Dua, where everyone can experience a variety of world-class performers and the beauty of the waves crashing against Nusa Dua’s reef.
The festival receives direct support from the Badung Regency Government, the Bali Provincial Government, and the Ministry of Tourism with hopes that Bali will become a center for some of the most notable Blues concerts in Indonesia and Asia. The Bali Blues Festival shouldn’t be missed if you consider yourself a fan of the Blues.
Ubud Village Jazz Festival
The improvisational art of Jazz can be found in just about any corner of the globe, and if you’re a true Jazz lover, you will definitely appreciate the performances at the Ubud Village Jazz Festival. Initially formed as a community concert, the UVJF aimed to provide a platform (literally) for local Jazz artists which then grew into a 2-day festival lined with local and international Jazz musicians, workshops for Jazz students and new talents, and heaps of food.
The stages are shared by Jazz musicians and bands from Indonesia, Germany, Holland, South Korea, Australia, Russia, France, and Italy – with many more lined up for future events. Over the years since its conception, the Ubud Village Jazz Festival has built a reputation as the “can’t miss” event for Jazz advocates.
This Is Life Festival
Hosted on Bali’s little sister island, Gili Air, This is Life Festival aims to fuse music and culture into one experience. Enjoy a full 24 hours of letting loose on a magical island while surrounded by the refreshing ocean and swaying coconut trees. This party serves you a musical platter of Minimal House, Techno, Deep House, Psychedelic Trance, Progressive, and Tech House – all played by notable Bali-based DJs as well as international acts.
This is Life Festival is annually held at Lucky’s Bar, and welcomes hundreds of tourists and locals who get together and enjoy nothing but good vibes. The organizers aim to support the local Gili Air community by investing the profits from ticket sales back into the welfare of the island and its people. Note: due to the relatively small scale of both the festival and the island, the limited tickets sell out quickly. And if you’re Indonesian – you get in for free!
Kuta Beach Festival
Kuta has been a popular choice of stay for many since the 1970s, being home to some of the first tourism-focused amenities like hotels, resorts, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. Kuta Beach, known by some as Sunset Beach, has become a world-famous spot for swimming, surfing, tanning, or just catching a Bali sunset. Every October, Kuta Beach becomes the grounds for the Kuta Beach Festival – an event spanning 3 days of music, food, clothing, surfing, and tons of activities to indulge in.
Ubud Writer’s And Readers Festival
This annual project is an initiative by the Mudra Swari Saraswati Foundation, founded in 2004. The foundation operates independently as a non-profit NGO, aiming to develop a series of arts and cultural programs for the community. Current initiatives include the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Ubud Food Festival, and the Bali Emerging Voices Festival.
The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival started in 2003 and eventually became Southeast Asia’s most notable literary festival. It brings together hundreds of Indonesian and international writers, authors, activists, and thinkers for a series of events over several days in October. With a different theme every year, the festival features workshops, book launches, film screenings, panel discussions, poetry readings, and talks, where both writers and audiences can share inspirations and ideas.
Balinale: Bali International Film Festival
Bali International Film Festival, also known as “Balinale,” is Indonesia’s only international film festival. It showcases local and international films made by talented individuals in the film industry and is internationally recognized for its programming. The festival’s diverse agenda includes international and Indonesian independent and award-winning fiction films, documentaries, feature-length films, and short films.
Established in 2007, Balinale has been growing rapidly and has affiliations with organizations such as the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Motion Picture Association, ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards, Asian Film Commissions Network, and Sundance Institute’s Film Forward. The festival’s awards include the Jury Award, Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Subject, Festival Awards, and the Gary L Hayes Award for Emerging Indonesian Filmmakers.
Bali Kite Festival
Did you know the oldest known image of a kite was found in a Mesolithic-period cave painting in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Muna Island? The kite painting dates back to 9000 BC and depicts a Kaghati, a type of kite still used by the people of Muna Island.
Kite flying in Bali is a long-standing tradition considered religious by the traditional folk. According to local historians, kites were initially used to convey gratitude to the Balinese Hindu Gods and were made in their likeness. During the windy season (usually from July to September), Balinese people of all ages build or buy beautifully colored and designed kites. The Bali Kite Festival is a series of events held annually during this windy phase. Hundreds of villages participate in the competition with some of the most eccentric kites you’ve ever seen. This unique experience is held at Padang Galak Beach in Sanur and attracts visitors from outside Bali.
Nyepi – Day of Silence
If you are ever in Bali for Nyepi, you will experience something truly unique — a complete day of silence across the whole island. Most tourists who are unfamiliar with the tradition are often surprised. A whole day without the internet?
Nyepi is a Hindu ceremony only commemorated in Bali. It’s a day of silence, fasting, and meditation for the Balinese, but non-Hindu residents and tourists must also observe restrictions on noise and travel.
Dance for Peace Festival
Think Psy-Trance. Now mix that with cosmology, spirituality, and culture, and you’ll get the Dance for Peace Festival. This festival is an electronic dance music event organized to raise awareness for “peace, celebrating love, life, sharing, and wellness.” It is a nonprofit and non-commercial festival in Bali which donates its funds to causes that are working to create a peaceful society.
The Dance For Peace Festival takes you to West Bali National Park for a 2-day experience. For those seeking to transform themselves through art and dance, the grounds include a mainstage, food stalls, a flea market, art space, lounging areas, and a healing zone.
Being far west in Bali, it is recommended that you find accommodation in the area. There are several homestays and hostels, all of which are reasonably priced, and Mimpi Resort Menjangan which offers a special discount for Dance For Peace Festival attendees. Shuttle services for the festival are also available from Kuta and Ubud.
Nusa Dua Light Festival
The Nusa Dua Light Festival, along with the Bali Blues Festival, is another event hosted by the Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation. It is usually held in July of every year and is the biggest lantern festival in Bali. Imagine a fun family-friendly environment filled with playful activities, live bands, games and rides for the kids, and heaps of food, all surrounded by thousands and thousands of colorful lights. The festival easily attracts over 10,000 people with its hot air balloon rides and light shows.
Imagine giant lanterns in different shapes and sizes floating around you, kids frolicking everywhere, and the enticing smell of both international and local Indonesian foods. The Nusa Dua Light Festival offers a fun atmosphere for families and friends and a great date idea for a night out with your special someone.
