Bali Arts Festival 2025 Adds Spectator Stands for Grand Parade

TheIndonesia.co - The 47th annual Bali Arts Festival (Pesta Kesenian Bali/PKB) returns in 2025 with a major upgrade for spectators: for the first time, special stands will be provided for the public to comfortably enjoy the colorful opening parade. This long-awaited feature, organized by the Bali Provincial Department of Culture, aims to offer better access and viewing experience for the thousands of locals and tourists who gather each year.

According to Antara News Agency, the festival will run from June 21th to July 19th, 2025, beginning with a grand parade in Renon, Denpasar , in front of the lush Niti Mandala Renon Field. While the southern side remains reserved for official guests, the northern section will now include two-level, roofless stands for public viewing.

The theme this year, Jagat Kerthi: Loka Hita Samadaya, Harmony for Universal Wellbeing, reflects a deep connection between humanity and nature—a message echoed through all artistic expressions during the month-long festival.

The opening parade will feature performers from all  regencies and cities in Bali, with traditional costumes, dances, symbolic flags, and thematic presentations that highlight local customs and cultural pride. The parade starts at the intersection of Jalan Ir. H. Juanda and Jalan Raya Puputan and finishes in front of the  Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Finance.

Following the parade, events continue at Taman Budaya Art Centre in Denpasar, where over 20,000 artists will present more than 500 performances across various categories: parades (Peed Aya), performances (Rekasadana), cultural competitions (Wimbakara), workshops (Kriyaloka), exhibitions (Kandarupa), world cultural showcases, awards ceremonies, and more.

The festival is a spectacular celebration of Bali’s living traditions and a must-see for cultural travelers.

Getting to Bali from Major Gateways

From Australia:
Direct flights to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) are available from major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane. Airlines such as Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Qantas offer daily service. Flight time ranges from 3.5 to 6.5 hours.

From Singapore:
Bali is a quick 2.5-hour flight from Singapore. Carriers like Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and AirAsia operate frequent flights throughout the day, making Bali an ideal weekend or festival getaway.

From the United States:
Though there are no direct flights from the U.S., travelers can transit through major hubs such as Singapore, Tokyo, or Doha. Most U.S.-to-Bali journeys take between 20 and 25 hours depending on layovers. Major airlines include Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and ANA.

From Europe:
While there are no direct flights to Bali from most European cities, one-stop connections are widely available via major international hubs in Doha, Dubai, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, and Singapore Airlines offer convenient routes from cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Rome.

Flight times range from 16 to 20 hours depending on the route and layover duration. For a more seamless journey, opt for flights with shorter layovers in Asia or the Middle East.

From Africa:
Travelers from Africa can reach Bali via connections in the Middle East or Southeast Asia. Common departure points include Johannesburg, Nairobi, Cairo, and Lagos.

Flights typically connect through Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) before continuing to Bali. Expect total travel times to be 18 to 25 hours, depending on layovers and departure cities.

Arrival and Local Transport:
All international travelers arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), also known as Denpasar Airport, located near the southern part of the island. From there, it’s a 30–40 minute ride to central Denpasar, where the Bali Arts Festival is held.

Airport taxis, private transfers, and ride-hailing apps like Grab and GoJek are readily available. Many hotels also provide airport pick-up services, especially during large events like PKB.

Upon arrival, Denpasar city is about a 30-minute drive from the airport, with many hotels and transport services offering transfers to Renon or the Taman Budaya Art Centre.

Whether you're coming for the stunning opening parade or the diverse artistic showcases, the Bali Arts Festival 2025 offers an immersive look into the island’s vibrant soul.