The Bali Arts Festival is an annual cultural treat that traditionally runs from mid-June through mid-July. The event is an excellent moment for witnessing Bali’s wealth of performing arts. You'll also catch a glimpse of various cultural highlights from other islands in Indonesia.
Locally known as Pesta Kesenian Bali (PKB), the festival is one of the main highlights on Bali’s calendar of events. It showcases the island’s wealth of artworks and cultural achievements. Following a grand opening procession, the festival’s main events are held at the Taman Werdhi Budaya Arts Center in Denpasar.
Bali Arts Festival - one of the highlights of 16 Best Things to Do in Denpasar (Read all about Bali here)
Bali Arts Festival and Bali Arts Center
The Bali Arts Festival usually kicks off with an opening parade in front of the Bajra Sandhi monument in Denpasar. Hundreds of participating artists from Denpasar, Bali’s 8 provinces, neighboring islands, and even art troupes from abroad, participate and showcase their best works and talents.
On the following days, the various stages and different venues of the Bali Arts Center come to life with the wide and colorful variety of performances from different art groups from all over the island and Indonesia. The month-long festival offers you the best of Balinese and Indonesian arts and culture.
The Denpasar Art Center introduces you to magnificent sculptures and Balinese architectural features. It's also a venue of choice for photo shoots with exotic backdrops. During special events, crowds gather in front of the art center’s open stages, auditoriums or outdoor pavilions to admire traditional and contemporary dances.
Art exhibits and performances of the Bali Arts Festival
You can enjoy traditional music and gamelan recitals at the Ayodya and Angsoka stages. Balinese documentary film screenings take place at the Ksirarnawa auditorium in the evenings. There are Balinese children’s Gong Kebyar gamelan jamming sessions at the Ardha Candra amphitheater, along with vocal, musical and dance collaborations.
Browse through handicrafts, paintings and sculptures at the art exhibition spaces. Traditional culinary bazaars feature favorite Balinese dishes. The Bali Arts Festival customarily closes with a small ceremony and an evening traditional ballet known as sendratari, held at the Ardha Candra open stage.
Bali Arts Festival
Location: Denpasar Arts Center (Taman Werdhi Budaya), Jalan Nusa Indah No.1, Panjer, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80236, Indonesia
Phone: +62 (0)361 245 294
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