The latter part of this month will turn out to be one of the busiest and most fun filled times of the year. Right along with Christmas comes the 3-day Balinese festival of Galungan, followed by the end-of-year celebrations. We’re in for an exciting and action-filled time. Many hotels, restaurants and beach clubs are organising special dinners and entertainment to help you celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve. For the Auld Lang Syne regulars there are many festive offerings to choose from. You can opt for a gala dinner with live entertainment at 5-star venues, enjoy spectacular beach front fireworks at midnight or dance the night away at Bali’s trendy nightclubs. Whatever you choose to do, be safe and rock in the new year in style. Happy Holidays!
Exhibition of Sumba Island Ikat – Now through 15 February 2019
The Saravasti Design Store located at the Padma Resort in Legian has a special exhibition, Whisper on the Grassland, of the traditional textiles of Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara. Sumba ikat is prized for its exquisite heirloom-style textiles made following centuries-old weaving traditions and natural dying techniques handed down through the generations. Like elsewhere in Indonesia, Sumba ikat is worn for sacred rituals, birth, marriage and death rites. Beautiful motifs woven in rich colors and unique designs pay homage to human, animals, and plant themes. Besides the sumptuous textiles other East Sumbanese crafts and photography will be on display.
When : Open daily until February 15 2019.
Where : Saravasti Design Store – Padma Resort Legian
Cost : free
Betelnut Film: Da Vinci Code – 19 December
Even if you have read the book, you gotta go see this film of a murder inside the Louvre and clues in Da Vinci paintings leading to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years, which could shake the foundations of Christianty. Starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou. Directed by Ron Howard.
When : Wednesday 19 December at 7:30 pm. Doors Open 7pm
Where : Betelnut, Jl Raya Ubud
Cost : min. 2 x Rp30k vouchers for your F&B consumption
Galungan – Tuesday through Thursday 25 to 27 December
The twice yearly festival of Galungan commemorates the celebrated battle of good over evil and is one of Bali’s most colourful celebrations as every street in Bali is decked out with soaring bamboo poles called penjors. The penjors are decorated with typical products celebrating the harvest and some get quite fanciful with neon lights and moving widgets and gadgets. While Galungan is decidedly a very Balinese observance, it is a great opportunity for taking a ride or walk through the streets to gawk at all the splendidly decorated penjors.
Betelnut Film: The Best Years of Our Lives – 28 December
This 1947 classic is still very appealing as it follows the story of three World War II veterans who return home to small-town America and discover that they and their families have been irreparably changed. Each of the veterans faces a crisis upon his arrival, and each crisis is a microcosm of the experiences of many American warriors who found an alien world awaiting them when they came marching home. Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews and Fredric March are starring in this marvellous film.
When : Friday 28 December at 7:30 pm. Doors Open 7pm
Where : Betelnut, Jl Raya Ubud
Cost : min. 2 x Rp30k vouchers for your F&B consumption
Bazaar at Old Man’s Canggu Bali – 29 December
This funky bazaar at Old Man’s is becoming a monthly event. Featuring home goods store MACHAstore with an eclectic mix of beautiful and creative home decoration and fashion stuff at a very competitive price. Browse the offerings of cushion covers, carpets, tote bags, shoes, etc. You can check their catalog and photos for more detail or message them on Facebook.
When : Saturday 29 December from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where : Old Men’s at the end of the Batubolong road, Canggu beach
Mulia Circus Acrobatica – 30 December
A spectacular world-class professional acrobatic circus show all the way from Russia is performing at the Mulia Grand Ballroom in an exciting display of live acrobatic performances, graceful theatrical aerial ballet dance and entertaining clown acts. The show promises to be thriving entertainment for families and friends. Children at all ages are welcome to attend.
When : Sunday 30 December from 3:00 to 6:00 pm
Where : Grand ballroom at Mulia Hotel, Jalan Raya Nusa Dua
Cost : Limited tickets, dining and accommodation packages available
More info : Email social.media@themulia.com or phone +62 361 301 7777
Mekotekan Ritual – 5 January 2019
The Mekotekan Ritual is part of the traditional Kuningan festival activities in the village of Munggu, Mengwi. Kuningan follows 10 days after Galungan and falls on 5 January in the new year according to the traditional Balinese calendar. This ceremony is an enactment of the end of the Blambangan war, fought sometime in the 17th century between the kingdom of Mengwi and East Java’s Blambangan kingdom. Legend has it that the Mekotekan ritual was conducted to welcome the kingdom’s soldiers back from the battlefield after fighting the Blambangan battle. On their way to Mengwi they passed Munggu village, where local residents cheered them as the winners of the war. The tradition involves men carrying long wooden poles which they stack to form a huge pyramid. Some men will climb the pyramid to “face off” with each other whilst cheered on by the onlookers. This ritual is an important cultural event for the village of Munggu. Visitors are welcome to watch the proceedings, though they are not invited to participate as it is considered disrespectful to the Balinese people.
When : Saturday 5 January from 2pm onward
Where : Jalan Raya Munggu-Kapal, Munggu Village, Mengwi
Send email to:
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