MANGUPURA, balitourismnow.com – When the bleganjur gamelan began to play, a procession of kites slowly made its way toward Pererenan Beach. Residents and festival participants walked cheerfully, carrying various traditional kites and folk creations ready to take flight. From traditional Balinese kites to uniquely shaped creations from different countries, they all became part of an eye-catching procession.
At the very back of the procession, janggan kites with their long tails were carried and accompanied by a line of women. The scene evoked the “leladan” procession performed during piodalan temple ceremonies in Bali. This combination of tradition, performing arts, and folk games opened the 2026 Mereren Festival, held in Pererenan, Badung, on Friday, August 21, 2026.
The procession began at the lobby of Noema Resort and continued for approximately one kilometre to Pererenan Beach. Along the way, the cultural procession unfolded like a street performance, drawing the attention of residents and tourists enjoying the atmosphere of Pererenan.
Upon reaching the beach, dozens of kites were already filling the sky. Their shapes and sizes varied widely, from traditional kites to creations resembling fish, squid, octopuses, dogs, cubes, snakes, and many other forms.
The atmosphere became even more vibrant when the participants were welcomed by the Sri Melanting Dance, performed by the Bumi Bajra Community. The meaningful movements of the dancers blended with the kites dancing in the sky, moving with the lively sea breeze.
The performance became an attraction in its own right for visitors. Cameras and mobile phones were raised to capture the movements of the dancers as well as the dynamic kites soaring across the Pererenan sky.
As sunset approached, the janggan kites, representing Naga Basuki—a symbol of the guardian of stability and balance in the world according to Balinese Hindu cosmology—were flown together. Accompanied by bleganjur gamelan music and a First Flight performance by Kadek Armika, the 2026 Mereren Festival was officially launched.
Celebrating the Signs of the Sea
Ricky Tanza, Director of the 2026 Mereren Festival and General Manager of Noema Resort Pererenan, said the festival’s second edition carries the theme “Sasmita Samudra: The Sign of the Sea.” The theme is expressed through three main elements: Wind, Wave, and Neighborhood.
“Mereren Festival kali kedua ini mengangkat tema “Sasmita Samudra: The Sign of the Sea” atau Tanda-Tanda Laut yang diterjemahkan melalui tiga elemen utama, yakni Wind atau angin, Wave atau gelombang, dan Neighborhood atau lingkungan,” kata Ricky Tanza di sela-sela acara pembukaan.
According to Ricky, these three elements serve as the common thread connecting the various activities held over three days, from August 21 to 23, 2026. The festival is not merely about entertainment; it also invites residents and visitors to discover the character, traditions, creativity, and way of life of the Pererenan community.
“Mereren” itself means to pause, or to stop for a moment. The concept is an invitation to slow down and appreciate the space, atmosphere, culture, and local way of life amid Pererenan’s rapid development as an increasingly dynamic tourism destination.
“Mereren Festival ini dibuat untuk memperkenalkan Desa Pererenan yang kaya budaya. Di desa ini bisa melihat pantai, seni, budaya dan masyarakatnya yang semuanya terhubung,” ujar Ricky.
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From Kites to Culinary Experiences
On the first day, the programme began with the Festival Kick-off & Rise Run Anniversary, bringing the community together for shared activities before moving into a series of cultural and creative programmes. As evening approached, the festivities continued with Dinner Under the Kite: The Sky Feast.
The open-air dining experience was curated by Chef Dom Tropical and accompanied by performances from Orasare and Lamented Laughter, as well as a live painting session by Sastia Naresvari.
Around 70 visitors took part in the dining experience. Rather than simply enjoying the food, they were invited to witness the creative process firsthand. The culinary concept combined organic ingredients from the sea and land, with each dish telling its own story.
Meanwhile, BICARA Talks #1, titled “Following the Tide: Through the Frame,” explored the evolution of Bali’s tourism industry over time. The discussion examined the roles of local communities, creativity, and the hospitality sector in the development of new destinations across Bali.
Other activities included Pasar Pererenan with Diwagraya and Wax in the Lobby: Arrival Sounds with Archie.
Ricky said the Mereren Festival also forms part of the second anniversary celebration of Noema Resort, which falls on August 23, 2026. For this reason, the festival is designed as an annual event.
“Mereren Festival tahun lalu ada konsep layangan, tetapi tahun ini mengundang pemain layang-layang dari delapan negara,” ujarnya.
The presence of kites is not merely a visual spectacle but also serves as an entry point for introducing visitors to Balinese philosophy, art, and traditions. This can be seen in the involvement of the Bumi Bajra Community, which highlights the figure of Dewi Melanting through the Sri Melanting Dance.
This cultural element demonstrates how the festival seeks to bring local traditions into dialogue with the context of modern tourism.
“Mereren Festival ini untuk memperkenalkan Desa Pererenan yang kaya budaya. Bisa melihat pantai, seni, budaya dan masyarakatnya yang semuanya terhubung,” papar Ricky.
The concept is also part of Noema Resort’s effort to offer experiences rather than simply accommodation.
“Artinya, Noema Resort tak hanya menjual kamar, tetapi pengalaman,” ujar Ricky.
The experience continues through a range of programmes leading up to the closing, including Kecak Api, the lowering of the kites, a beach photography workshop, Wayang Lemah, traditional Balinese dance performances, and a culinary collaboration between Filipino and local chefs.
Following the Rhythm of the Waves
On the second day, Saturday, August 22, 2026, the festival moved into the theme WAVE – “Moving with the Rhythm.” The morning began with Sunrise Meditation with The Path.
This was followed by BICARA Talks #2, titled “Beyond Waste: Creating Tomorrow Together,” which explored sustainability and the application of circular economy principles in everyday life, particularly in the hospitality, design, business, and community sectors. The discussion featured Fabian Peri of su-re.co, Rony “Onik” Rahardian of Rebellionik, and Seven Clean Seas.
Pasar Pererenan with FLOYD provided a space for creative community interaction, while Wax in the Lobby: Vinyl Afternoon with ZOOT complemented the afternoon programme.
At night, the music programme featured Live at Mamaloma: Coastlines After Dark, with French electronic group Télépopmusik as one of the headline performers, alongside FAKTTA and ZOOT.
Amid these contemporary programmes, Balinese cultural elements remained an important part of the festival. The Kite Festival & Showcase, curated by Kadek Armika, featured a kite-making workshop in the beach area.
On the third day, Sunday, August 23, 2026, the festival continued with a Kite Competition in collaboration with MMS, or Mah Mah Super Pererenan, involving kite enthusiasts from the local community.
Learning from Local Culture
The Mereren Festival also presents a Cultural Lab at Noema Hub and the beach area. The programme gives visitors an opportunity not only to observe culture but also to participate directly in a range of creative activities.
The workshops include incense making, traditional batik motif design, natural soap making, upcycling, clockmaking, clay painting with glaze, cyanotype, pinhole photography, dance, and various wellness activities.
This approach ensures that the festival goes beyond being a space for recreation. Visitors are encouraged to understand the cultural practices and creativity that have grown within the Pererenan community.
For travellers, experiences such as these offer a different way of discovering Bali—not merely through its beaches or accommodation facilities, but through direct interaction with the traditions, communities, arts, culinary culture, and environment where local people live their everyday lives.