Cloaked in colour and culture, Bali is a destination that keeps travellers returning annually. Thanks to an amazing landscape caressed by waterfalls, rivers, temples, volcanoes and more it provides an almost indescribable backdrop unless you’ve visited. This scenic setting has now become an abode for burgeoning alternate festivals that both celebrate the culture and community alongside their higher purpose of educating and connecting their attendees.
NewEarth Haven Heal Fest, last weekend of each month
Descendent from the Balinese term Ubad which means medicine, Ubud is the home to the NewEarth Haven. This healing centred day festival encompasses an array of activities that lead towards a greater healing and realisation for us as individuals and as a collective. Now one of Bali’s ongoing monthly festivals, this is a great opportunity to experience different healing techniques and workshops to learn more about how we can be self sustaining as part of our own personalised healing processes. At night guests are paraded by a procession of Balinese music, dance and performers which expands into a world music platform with guest performers.
Bali Spirit Festival, 19 – March 26
If connection and community are essential part of your transcendence, then Bali Spirit Festival is considered one of the biggest and longest running Yoga festivals in the world. The event joins people from all walks of life to enjoy the collective benefits of yoga, dance, music and healing. Set in a beautiful venue and surrounded by the breadth of Balinese landscape this is the perfect haven to switch off from stresses of everyday life. Presenting a range of workshops, seminars, community markets and healing centre the program runs from 8am until 11pm daily. Promoted as the perfect place to unite and meet new friends, whilst enjoying yoga you are also welcomed to include the whole family in your activity. There is a customised children’s activity zone and live performances span the entire week long celebration.
Gili Air Festival, March 31 – April 2
Gili Air Festival commits to bring the adventure straight to you. Priding itself on creating a joyful space to harness fun whilst providing the lowest possible impact on the natural surrounding. The festival is set just off the coast of Bali. Positioned on a tiny island where there are no cars, only bicycles and horse drawn carriages, the island invites you to explore, dive and with direction form the likes of Air Festival, dance under the starry skies at night.
Ancient Futures : NewEarth Festival, 5 – 9 April
This is the first year for Ancient Futures festival in Bali and is an offering from the laudable NewEarth Nation. Set outside of Ubud, the festival area is immersed in nature from water to forests. The gathering itself is held in bio-resonant structures so the whole event is curated to connect on a far greater level. Offering an holistic experience for its co-creating participants alongside dynamic talks and debates from world class speakers. Attendees are offered a range of healing modalities which include yoga and transformational breathing,vibrational nutrition and ceremony, through to punctuated performances from global musicians, DJs dancers, artists and more.
Bali Arts Festival, June – July
July in Bali just got better with an amazing production and program, The Bali Arts Festival has a wealth of activities that highlight the abundance of culture and art in Bali. This is where hundreds of artisans from Denpasar, Bali’s eight provinces and other neighbouring islands all join together in a diverse showcase of talent and creativity. Leading with a parade through the town with a mix of adults and children alike, this beautiful spectacle is beacon to the vibrance of life. The event runs from the second Saturday in June throughout July providing insight and experience of new and traditional Balinese art, dance and entertainment on a daily basis.
