Soar into Bali’s culture with this year’s Bali Kite Festival!
Between July and August, the skies of Bali explode in colour, tradition, and thunderous cheers of victory.
At this very moment, the islanders are busy crafting their giant handmade kites that will be dancing over the beaches in no time. This is a celebration unlike any other, a mix of spiritual ritual and community competition that you should witness at least once while you’re in Bali.
In 2025, the festival promises BIG- bigger kites, bigger crowd, bigger feast and brighter skies. Whether you’re staying near Ubud, exploring Bali, Indonesia’s coastlines, or hopping between temples and treks, we at Thrillark will help you book and map every nearby attraction so that you can have a seamless adventure.
What is the Bali Kite Festival?
This isn’t a game of who is the best kite runner. Each kite carries meaning:
- Bebean – fish-shaped, symbolising prosperity
- Janggan – long-tailed, symbolising spiritual connection
- Pecukan – curved and tricky to fly, symbolising challenge and mastery
The Bali Kite Festival traces its roots back to ancient Hindu rituals, where flying kites was a way to send messages to the gods and ask for good harvests. Today, it’s celebrated across villages, with local banjar (community) teams crafting massive kites to honour this legacy. Did you know, many locals believe that a kite crash is a divine message.
When and Where is the Bali Kite Festival 2025 Happening?
The Bali Kite Festival 2025 is going to take place between July and August, when the winds are strongest and the skies are clearest. Dates vary based on weather and lunar calendars, so stay tuned to the local updates. The main festival grounds are at Padang Galak Beach, just north of Denpasar, which makes it conveniently close to the Airport! The other venues are Kuta, Sanur and Ubud.
So here’s how you can plan the Kite Festival with other events based on the locations to make the best of your time in Bali-
- If you are headed to Kuta or Sanur, enjoy Bali’s best water sport experience with over 14 watersport activities at Tanjung Benoa Watersport by Bintang.
- If you are headed to Ubud, you don’t want to miss out on the famously magical Kecak Fire Dance or even the Legong Dance at the Ubud Palace
- From Ubud Palace, it takes about a 45–60 minute drive to Padang Galak.
[click to start your journey] - Hey, you can also pair this festival with The Bali Art Festival, which is also happening in July!
What to Expect at the Festival
Teams bring their kites that can stretch over 10 meters long. As the kites begin their ascend to the skies, you will hear echoes of Gamelan music across the beach. Traditional parades and costumes file out to the beach as the game proceeds. Intense competitions will have the locals cheering in victory and loss. If you find them rejoicing upon two kites crashing together, don’t get confused! It is a sign that the Gods have spoken! While the judges are scoring flight time, control, and crashes. The little champions are having their own Mini-kite zones where everyone wins. Oh, and do we have to mention just how Instagram-worthy the visuals are from sunrise to sunset? If you want to take a clean portrait away from the crowd- try Warung Mak Beng (Sanur) which is a short walk away from all the action. And if you want that panoramic ariel view, head to the Artotel Sanur’s rooftop bar.
Festival Food & Local Eats
All that kite-watching, cheering and chasing is bound to serve you an appetite! Around Padang Galak and Sanur, there are plenty of delicacies that you sure don’t want to miss:
- Sate Lilit – Seasoned meat mixture is wrapped around skewers. Sate Lilit traditionally uses minced meat like pork, fish, or chicken. A great finger food to have while you are watching the Kites dance!
- Nasi Campur – a scoop of white rice served with a variety of side dishes, including meats, sambal, peanuts, eggs, and fried shrimp krupuk
- Es Campur – a popular Indo-dessert made with fruit, coconut, jelly, condensed milk and shaved ice. (perfect for the heat)
- Best local bites? Check out Warung Sunrise for beachfront eats just steps away from all the Kite action.
Top Things to Do in Bali During the Kite Festival!
| Thrillark Choices | Perfect Combos to complete your Bali Experience |
|---|---|
| Mount Batur Sunrise Trek | Start your day in Ubud with a spiritual sunrise before heading to the beach. |
| Ayung River Rafting | If you are in Ubud, this is ideal for you adrenaline lovers, hit the rapids after sky-gazing. Complimentary lunch included! |
| Bali Safari Park | A family favourite, especially before or after a beach day. Get up close with incredible creatures like the Komodo Dragon! |
| Myna Chocolate & Coffee Workshop | If you are in Sanur, learn to make your own tasty goodies before you go, and uncover the mysteries of Bali’s homemade chocolate. |
| Ubud Swing Experience | Capture unforgettable post-festival shots in the jungle. Alas Harum Bali in Ubud offers a thrilling experience like the Super Extreme Swing, Sky Bike station, Flying Fox/Zip Line and more! |
Double the Adventure, double the fun- Click to browse all Thrillark Bali Activities here
Bali Kite Festival 2025 Belongs on Your Bucket List!
Did you know? Some team kites are passed down for generations like family heirlooms or that the tail of the Janggan kite can stretch over 100 meters! The Bali Kite Festival is a deep cultural tradition that celebrates spirit, sky, and shared joy. If you are like us, you don’t want to do the same old “Bali tourist attractions”. Enjoy Bali like a true local, know the true aura of Bali through these off beat cultural experiences! Whether you’re visiting from halfway across the world or already planning your summer Bali, Indonesia getaway, this is the event that ties together heritage, celebration, and unforgettable travel.
And with Thrillark, you can book every experience around it, from sunrise hikes in Ubud to rafting adventures and temple tours.
Fly high, and travel high and low, book your Bali adventure today and we’ll see you there, Sampai jumpa!
