Bali’s GWK Cultural Park Hosts Penjor Festival, Celebrating the Island’s Biggest Cultural Event of the Year
Bali’s premier cultural landmark, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park, is drawing visitors this autumn with its grand celebration of the island’s most significant cultural festival. The Penjor Festival, held annually to mark the sacred Balinese Hindu holidays of Galungan and Kuningan, is currently underway and runs until November 1, 2025, offering a rich cultural experience for both locals and tourists.
The festival coincides with Galungan and Kuningan, which fall this year between November 19 and November 29. These holidays commemorate the victory of good over evil, an integral theme in Balinese spirituality. Galungan is celebrated as the time when ancestral spirits return to the earthly realm, while Kuningan, ten days later, honors their return to the divine world.
Rossie Andriani, Operations Director of GWK Cultural Park, emphasized the festival’s role in cultural preservation and education. “Through the Penjor Festival, we aim to present a comprehensive cultural experience where visitors can admire the beauty of art, understand the significance of tradition, and partake in a joyful Balinese celebration with their families,” Andriani said. She also expressed gratitude to the local government for their strong support, highlighting the collaboration between community and authorities as key to thriving cultural heritage.
The Penjor Festival showcases iconic decorated bamboo poles known as penjors, which are symbolic offerings representing prosperity. These tall, ornately adorned structures typically line streets and family homes throughout the festival period and remain standing as a symbol of blessing even after the celebrations conclude.
Festival attendees can enjoy a variety of events and activities at the GWK Cultural Park. Highlights include cultural competitions such as a mini ogoh-ogoh contest. Ogoh-ogoh are large, often fearsome effigies traditionally paraded on the eve of Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence, to drive away evil spirits. While many ogoh-ogoh are preserved instead of being burned, their artistic craftsmanship continues to be celebrated widely.
In addition to artistic displays, the festival also features live performances—culminating in a special show by the Sanggar Saba Sari dance troupe accompanied by musician Bagus Wirata. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the “My Melali GWK Market,” which offers an array of local culinary treats and handcrafted products, providing a complete sensory experience of Bali’s vibrant culture and flavors.
General admission to GWK Cultural Park grants full access to all Penjor Festival activities, making it a family-friendly event suitable for all ages. Through engaging cultural programs, traditional arts and crafts markets, as well as educational activities, attendees are immersed in Balinese customs and values.
Galungan and Kuningan, observed every 210 days according to the traditional Pawukon calendar, are among the most joyous periods to visit Bali. During this festive season, visitors might find themselves invited by locals to join temple ceremonies, prayer rituals, or village festivities, including visits from the Barong—mythical guardian spirits—and communal feasts, especially on Kuningan Day.
With the Penjor Festival underway at the GWK Cultural Park, travelers to Bali this season have an exceptional chance to engage deeply with the island’s cultural heart, witnessing traditions that have been cherished and passed down through generations.
For those planning to visit, the GWK Cultural Park remains a must-see destination, blending cultural education with celebration in one of Bali’s most iconic settings.
Add a comment