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Ten annual events tourists can look forward to in Bali
Bali is always a good idea as the island hosts many events and festivals throughout the year.
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Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple in Bali. (Shutterstock.com/Pelikh Alexey)
Traveling to Bali is always a good idea as the island hosts many events and festivals throughout the year.
As compiled by Four Seasons Resorts Bali, below are 10 events on the island that you should not miss out on.
1. Nyepi
Known as Nyepi, this Balinese-Hindu New Year offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a silent day where locals are found meditating and cleansing their spirit. The night before Nyepi there is the ogoh-ogoh (giant effigy) parade which is a fascinating celebration including displays of art and engineering.
Since Nyepi follows the lunar-based Balinese saka calendar, the date changes each year. In 2020 you can celebrate it on March 25.
2. Bali Spirit Festival
From March 24 to 31, Ubud will host an annual yoga festival that focuses on global community, dance, world music and wellbeing for both tourists and locals.
Among the different activities presented are interactive workshops and seminars, a community market and healing center, children´s activity zone and a variety of yoga classes.
3. Ubud Food Festival
Slated for April 26 to 28, Ubud Food Festival started five years ago and has become one of the most popular food events in Indonesia where visitors can expect to be exposed to various culinary cultures, local food and prominent restaurants.
Read also: Jakpost explores Bali
4. Bali Arts Festival
The creative and artistic event in Denpasar lasts an entire month, from June 16 to July 14, which should be enough time to see all the exhibitions showing both traditional and contemporary aspects of Balinese culture.
Artists from all regions of the island will get together to present their works at the event, featuring many interesting cultures from epic dances and gamelan orchestras to local handicrafts and wayang kulit shadow puppets.
5. Tanah Lot Arts Festival
Scheduled on July 20, the event will showcase an opening show performance of the Rejang Sandat Ratu Segara sacred dance featuring 1800 dancers. It previously had set an Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) for such a colossal show.
6. Sanur Village Festival
From Aug. 21 to 25, lovers of art, delicious food, culture and the environment can join the Sanur Village Festival. Among its versatile programs are eco-activities like planting corals and exotic and endangered plant species, fashion shows and photography exhibitions. There will also be gold and fishing tournaments, a cycling tour and family-friendly events such as body painting, kite flying, beach games and a fun run.
7. Bali Kite Festival
On Aug. 29 the Balinese sky will be full of colorful high-flying kites of all shapes and sizes. The idea is to thank the gods for bountiful harvests and fertility. You can either watch the event at the beach or take part and put your ability to the test.
8. Ubud Writers & Readers Festival
From Oct. 23 to 27 more than 150 writers, artists, authors, thinkers and performers from around the world will spend five days in Ubud together to participate in cross-cultural dialogue. Every year the festival has a certain theme which will lead to interesting discussions and performances.
9. Bali International Triathlon
Usually held in October, Bali´s main sport event invites both Indonesian and international athletes to join a triathlon. After swimming at sunrise, participants have to do a bike leg, followed by a road race through villages. It will also host a fun run in addition to sprint and Olympic distance courses.
10. Perang Pandan War Dance Ceremony
The annual mass coming-of-age ritual that honors Indra, the Hindu god of war and the sky, is a signature of the Balinese old village Tenganan in Karangasem regency. The ancient tradition includes a war dance called makre-kare or megeret pandan where male villagers fight friendly duels, armed with a small rattan shield in one hand and a packet of thorny pandan leaves in the other. (sop/kes)
