Besides the many famous nightclubs around Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu, there are many festivals during the year you can visit. The variation is large, there are music festivals, food festivals, film festivals, art festivals and of course the national festivals.
Music festivals:
Air Festival Gili Air:
This electronic dance music festival will take place at Gili Air, a majestic island near Bali. The duration of the festival is 3 days, with DJ’s from all over the world. DJ’s like Lando, Sylvie Foret, Dada Disco and Turmspringer will make this festival a blasting party. The festival is being held during the Easter weekend, 25 until 27 of March 2016. The tickets range between $65 and $550, it depends if you only buy a ticket for the festival or also a boat ticket and accommodation. A normal ticket with a boat ticket and normal accommodation is around $250 for 3 days.
Ubud Village Jazz Festival:
This jazz festival is a must-see for jazz lovers. This will be the fourth time that the festival is being held and it is still growing! The festival will take place in Ubud at the Agung Rai Museum of Art, the 12th and 13th of August 2016. Tickets are not yet available at the moment, but will be sold soon. Some of the artist that will play there music are Gregory Gaynair (Germany), Bali Gypsy Fire (Indonesia), Peter Bernstein (USA) and Youn Woo Park Trio (South Korea). With the rest of the artists, they will make the festival an unforgettable fourth edition.
Ultra Bali:
Ultra Music Festival has gone global during the years and they didn’t forget about Bali! Last year the first edition of Ultra Beach Bali was a success, so they will be returning to the Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak. The dates has to be announced, so has the line-up. Ultra always has the best DJ’s from all over the world so don’t worry, there will be some big names standing behind the tables. The price for a normal ticket will be around $150 for two days. The first edition was at the end of September, so there is a big chance it will be around the same date again. You can subscribe for the newsletter to stay updated.
Food festival:
Ubud Food Festival:
The Ubud Food Festival’s name says it all. This festival is all about food, especially the Indonesian kitchen. Cooking demonstrations will be held, you can follow some workshops, go to one of the food markets or to one the many more things you can do. The festival will be held on Friday 27th of May until Sunday the 29th of May. Tickets are not yet available, but to keep informed you could follow them on one of their social media accounts.
Film Festivals:
Ombak Bali International Surf Film Festival:
The Ombak Bali International Surf Film Festival is a three-day during festival what will be held in La Plancha, Seminyak. This festival is the first independent showcase for international and national surf films and documentaries in South East Asia. If you are in the surf vibe after you had one or more lessons at Odysseys Surf School, this is definitely worth a visit. The festival is free and the best national and international surf films and documentaries will be showcased. Ombak Bali is being held on the 6th of August until the 8th of August.
10th Annual Balinale:
This year it is already the 10th year that Balinale is being held. The festival is being held in the Cinemaxx in the Lippo Mall, Kuta. In contrast to the Ombak Bali International Surf Festival, Balinale has all kinds of different movies and documentaries that will be showcased. Besides the movies itself, there are screenings, workshops and seminars being held by filmmakers from all over the world. If you are interested in films and documentaries, this festival should be on your to do list when you are at Bali. The festival starts the 24th of September and ends the 30th of September. Tickets are available the first of September.
Art Festival:
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival:
The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is the biggest cultural and literary event in South East Asia. This year there will come more than 200 writers to give seminars and workshops. The theme is Tvat Tvam Asi, which means: I am you, you are me. The meaning is to connect everyone with each other, whatever religion you have or what country you come from. This year will be the 13th edition already and it will be held in Ubud. The main sessions take place at Left Bank, Indus Restaurant and Neka Museum, all located at Jalan Raya Sanggingang. Besides the main program, there are other side events like a children’s program, youth program, film and arts programs. The festival will have duration of 5 days; it starts the 28th of October and ends the 1st of November. For book lovers a must go!
These are the festivals that are worth a visit when you’re spending time at Bali. We are looking forward to read about your experience or if you are interested to go to one of the Festivals. Let us know!