Sanur Village Festival presents a week filled with numerous arts, cultural, food, water sports and environmental-awareness events on Bali’s popular sunrise coast. Most of the festivities are focused in the Maisonette area of the legendary Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel. Each year’s festival slightly differs from the last, usually with new activities and exhibitions at … Continue reading SANUR VILLAGE FESTIVAL
Category: FESTIVAL
MAKEPUNG ‘BUFFALO RACE’
Makepung is the name of a major annual racing event that takes place around Jembrana in West Bali, featuring racing buffaloes. Hundreds of pairs of buffaloes are teamed up together with their farmer-turned-jockeys who ride like charioteers on the traditional wooden ploughs, which are slightly modified for the competition. The racer buffaloes are locally referred … Continue reading MAKEPUNG ‘BUFFALO RACE’
PERANG ‘WAR’ PANDAN
Perang Pandan is an age-old tradition unique only to the well-preserved old Balinese village of Tenganan in East Bali. Also referred to as mekare-kare and megeret pandan among locals, Perang Pandan is a mass coming-of-age ritual, dedicated to the Hindu god of war and the sky, Indra. It sees friendly duels between young male villagers, … Continue reading PERANG ‘WAR’ PANDAN
GALUNGAN and KUNINGAN CEREMONY
The Balinese celebrate the day of Galungan, which commemorates the triumph of Dharma over Adharma, or good over evil. Second in terms of significance after the Nyepi day of silence or Saka New Year, this observance comes twice a Gregorian year, as the Balinese use a 210-day calendar system known as the pawukon which serves … Continue reading GALUNGAN and KUNINGAN CEREMONY
UBUD FOOD FESTIVAL
Ubud Food Festival is a celebration of diverse Indonesian cuisine and local produce held annually in Ubud. It also serves as a gathering of the island’s most prominent chefs together with a variety of presentations, live cooking demonstrations and culinary tours. It also brings together a host of restaurateurs, food producers, professionals, celebrated figures in … Continue reading UBUD FOOD FESTIVAL
BALI SPIRIT FESTIVAL
Bali Spirit Festival is an annual festival that’s usually held between March and May, gathering yoga practitioners of all different levels and well-being enthusiasts from Bali and around the world. The festival is also a celebration of ‘east meets’ west through world arts, dance and music with colourful concerts and performances. The festival’s agenda often … Continue reading BALI SPIRIT FESTIVAL
NYEPI ‘SILENCE’ DAY
Nyepi Day in Bali is a New Year celebrated unlike anywhere else on the planet. The Saka New Year here is also known as the Bali day of silence. It's ultimately the quietest day of the year – all of the island's inhabitants abide by a set of local rules that bring routine activities to … Continue reading NYEPI ‘SILENCE’ DAY
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Chinese New Year in Bali takes place around late January or mid-February each year. This special holiday is celebrated mostly by Balinese of Chinese descent as well as by most Chinese Indonesians across the nation. Bali’s Chinese cultural influences go way back in history. Fine examples include Balinese temples bearing Chinese architectural features, the use … Continue reading CHINESE NEW YEAR
ART FESTIVAL
The Bali Arts Festival is an annual cultural treat for visitors which traditionally runs from mid-June through mid-July. The event is the perfect moment for witnessing Bali’s wealth of performing arts. You'll also catch a glimpse of various cultural highlights from other islands in Indonesia. The festival is locally known as Pesta Kesenian Bali or … Continue reading ART FESTIVAL