- Kuningan Festive Celebration, Bali (03 May 2025)
The vibrant Kuningan festival marks the joyful conclusion of the Galungan period, a time for Balinese Hindus to express gratitude to their ancestral spirits. The color yellow, “kuning,” is central to the day, reflected in the yellow rice offerings that honour the spirits as they return to heaven. Temples come alive with ceremonies, traditional music and dance, creating a truly festive atmosphere. Beyond the religious rituals, Kuningan is a cherished time for family and community gatherings, reinforcing the bonds of Balinese society.
- Mekotek Ceremony, Bali ( 03 May 2025)
In the village of Munggu, Mengwi, a traditional ceremony unfolds where men, adorned in customary attire, offer prayers at the temple before parading through the surrounding area, each carrying a wooden spear. The spears are then meticulously arranged to form a pyramid, which some of the men ascend. This ritual, steeped in history, originally served to welcome returning warriors who had bravely defended the Mengwi kingdom.
- BTR Ultra, Bali ( 09 – 11 May 2025)
Bali’s biggest trail running event. Runners will experience the thrill of running through the traditional villages of Kintamani, Bali, where sacred energy meets breathtaking natural beauty. Every step of the race offers a deep connection to the land, the people and the rich culture that surrounds you.
- Bali Spirit Festival, Bali ( 07 – 11 May 2025)
The Bali Spirit Festival embodies the core mantra of Balinese Hinduism – Tri Hita Karana – to live in harmony with our spiritual, social and natural environments. Through the traditions of yoga, dance, healing and world music, this Bali music festival attracts over 5,000 people from all over the world every year. This Bali Festival offers you a wide range of events to choose from, such as interactive workshops & seminars, a lively community market and healing centre, a children’s activity zone, yoga classes and vibrant night time programs of live Bhakti music concerts, ecstatic dance and DJs, set among the picturesque rice-fields of Ubud, Bali.
- Gelar Melayu Serumpun Festival, Medan – North Sumatra ( 20 – 24 May 2025)
The Gelar Melayu Serumpun is an event aimed at preserving Malay art and culture as an essential part of national heritage, while also serving as a platform to foster connections among Malay communities from different regions, both within the province and abroad, including neighbouring countries.
- Ngerebeg and the Painted Boys of Tegallalang, Bali ( 28 May 2025)
The Ngerebeg Festival, a vibrant tradition, transforms young Balinese boys into living canvases of colour and creativity. The boys, adorned with intricate body paint, become otherworldly figures, their faces masked with demonic expressions and vibrant hues. This transformation is not merely aesthetic, it is a ritualistic journey, a symbolic embodiment of the spirits that inhabit the Balinese cosmos.
- Aekhula Festival, West Nias – North Sumatra ( 28 May – 01 June 2025)
Through cultural arts performances, educational facilities for the millennial-generation, the creation of culinary treasures and regional handicrafts and the involvement of creative economy business actors, this event aims to preserve local wisdom and regional culture.
- Ubud Food Festival, Bali (30 May – 1 June 2025)
A renowned culinary event, popular across Indonesia and Southeast Asia, draws food enthusiasts from far and wide. Over three days, this festival showcases the best dishes and culinary creations from restaurants and food producers throughout Indonesia, with a strong representation from Bali. Attendees can indulge in these delectable offerings, enjoy live performances, watch cooking demonstrations and meet internationally acclaimed chefs and food experts.
