Headliners in Bali’s cultural capital
UBUD’S 2024 FESTIVAL CALENDAR
Destination 2 minute read
Ubud is often referred to as Bali’s cultural capital, with a lively art, music and food scene tucked between surrounding jungle and paddy fields. It has a festival roster to match its reputation, with a number of annual celebrations ranging from the culinary to the literary. Here, we list the best festivals to visit in Ubud for the remainder of 2024.
Bali Arts Festival
June 15th to July 13th
The Bali Arts Festival, also known as Pesta Kesenian Bali, has become one of the island’s most popular events since it was founded in 1979. During this month-long art festival, Bali’s capital, Denpasar will be transformed with outdoor stages and impromptu exhibitions dedicated to this year’s theme; ‘Uplifting Human Dignity and Excellence’. The forty-minute drive from Ubud is well worth it for the inaugural parade, which is attended by hundreds of artists in traditional costumes from all around Bali. But the festivities spread as far as Ubud’s vibrant art scene too. Visitors will see a range of traditional and modern artistic practices, including dance performances, and exhibitions ranging from photography to sculpture.
Ubud Village Jazz Festival
August 2nd to August 3rd
The Ubud Village Jazz Festival will enter its eleventh year this August, with two days of musical performances at the Sthala hotel, overlooking Ubud’s Wos River. The carefully curated programme celebrates both local and international acts, with 20 performances and 100 musicians playing on three different stages. A diverse range of jazz forms is encouraged, so expect anything from swing and bebop to modal and smooth jazz. The festival runs from early morning to late night, filling the neighbourhood with the sound of saxophones and trumpets.
Ubud Writers and Readers Festival
October 23rd to October 27th
Ubud’s Writers and Readers Festival has become one of Southeast Asia’s most well-regarded literary events. The 2024 festival will last for five days, featuring a world-class series of authors across live panel discussions, literary lunches, performances and workshops. This year’s theme is ‘Uniting Humanity’ and while the schedule hasn’t yet been released, if last year’s line-up is anything to go by (including Pulitzer Prize-winning Vandana Shiva and International Booker Prize-winning Bernadine Evaristo), attendees can look forward to an exciting and modern forum for ideas, with a global focus.
Find out more about ticketing and festival details from our concierge at COMO Shambhala Estate and COMO Uma Ubud.
