JEMBRANA, balitourismnow.com – Taman Pecangakan, located in the heart of Negara, will take on a different atmosphere this weekend as the public space in front of the Jembrana Regent’s Office is transformed into a creative hub for the Jembrana Creative Festival (JCF) 2026, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, October 31 to November 1.
Organized by the Jembrana Regency Government through the Jembrana Tourism and Culture Office (Disparbud), under its Marketing and Creative Economy Division, in collaboration with local creative communities, the two-day festival will feature a diverse lineup of activities, including live music, art performances, culinary experiences, workshops, creative markets, and intellectual property rights (IPR) consultation services.
Under the theme “Reimagine the Playground — Where Creativity Meets Play,” JCF 2026 invites visitors to go beyond simply watching performances and actively participate in creative activities. The festival is free and open to the public, with its gates opening daily at 12 noon Central Indonesian Time (WITA).
Festival Director Wena Wahyudi said the event aims to transform Taman Pecangakan into a shared space where Jembrana’s younger generation can explore ideas, experiment, and collaborate.
“We want Taman Pecangakan to become a space where young people in Jembrana dare to experiment, discover, and collaborate. Visitors to JCF are not spectators; they are players in this playground,” Wena said on Friday, October 30, 2026.
He explained that the festival was conceived as a way to bring new life to a public space that has long been part of the community’s everyday environment. Local communities, musicians, artists, and business owners have been directly involved in developing and contributing to the festival’s program.
More Than 30 Music Performers Take the Stage
One of the main attractions of JCF 2026 is its Main Stage, featuring more than 30 performers over two days. The lineup brings together local musicians from Jembrana and established names from Bali’s music scene.
On the opening day, Saturday, October 31, audiences can enjoy performances by Tika Pagraky, Birama, Bramasta, Kabyah & Gung Gen, as well as Jembrana-based father-and-son duo Mr. Rayen & Omang Verly. Peradah Jembrana, together with Nawadewata Production, will also present a special cultural show.
The first evening will continue with remarks from the Regent and Deputy Regent of Jembrana, an Awarding Night, and certificate presentations to participating communities. Legendary Balinese band Navicula is scheduled to close the first day’s performances.
On Sunday, November 1, local musicians Yeh Kuning and Made Gimbal will take the stage as local heroes at 5:25 p.m. The lineup will continue with Deleo, Afterteen, and Jangar, an award-winning heavy rock quartet and recipient of an Anugerah Musik Indonesia (AMI) Award.
One of the most anticipated performances is the collaboration between Lolot and Bagus Wirata, bringing together Balinese rock and koplo music. Their performance is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. The festival will then conclude with Pemoeda Soeka Karokoe.
Workshops, Talks, and Live Ogoh-Ogoh Sketching
Beyond live music, visitors can take part in various discussions and learning sessions at the Community Stage. Highlights include a Music Publicity talk show featuring Rudolf Dethu and Dani Supriatna, as well as Negaroa Speaks, an informal discussion session featuring local content creators Jebret and Kak Aul alongside the Regent of Jembrana.
Cultural traditions will also take center stage through Reimagining Tradition: Nyikut Rupa and a live ogoh-ogoh sketching session titled Dari Garis Jadi Raksasa. Led by Sunaren and members of local Sekaa Teruna Teruni (STT), the session will showcase the creative process of developing an ogoh-ogoh design, from initial sketches to a complete concept.
Visitors looking to try something new can join a Cyanotype Workshop with Gung Ama or a Drum Clinic with Hendra Lolot and JDC. StandupIndo Jembrana will also bring humor to the festival with a stand-up comedy performance.
Local Brands and IPR Services in the Creative Market
JCF 2026 is also designed to support the growth of local creative businesses. One of its key initiatives is the provision of consultation and registration assistance for trademarks and intellectual property rights.
Through a collaboration between Disparbud Jembrana and the Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA) of Jembrana, musicians, artists, and local brand owners can receive guidance on protecting their brands and creative works at the HKI/IP Corner booth.
Located within the Creative Market & Hub area, the booth will sit alongside vendors showcasing local fashion, handicrafts, artworks, and independent brands from Jembrana.
Food lovers can explore Taste of Jembrana, featuring local food and beverage vendors. West Club Creative Syndicate will also host free coloring activities and digital art sessions.
For adult visitors, the Red Zone 18+ will feature The Art of Mixology, presented by the Jembrana Bartender Community, exploring the use of Balinese arak in creative mixology. Other highlights include a live cooking session by Taman Teduh x Kabyah and nightly DJ performances by DJ Arpani and DJ Erick Foe.
Developing Jembrana’s 21 Creative Economy Subsectors
Beyond entertainment, JCF 2026 forms part of the Jembrana Regency Government’s broader efforts to develop the region’s creative economy. The initiative focuses on 21 creative economy subsectors, ranging from music, culinary arts, crafts, and fashion to digital content.
Through the festival, the local government aims to connect creative practitioners, communities, and the wider public in one shared space, while creating opportunities for collaboration and greater market access for local products.
JCF is envisioned as an annual event that will help strengthen Jembrana’s creative economy ecosystem and provide a platform for local talent to grow.
“The future does not always begin with something big. Sometimes, it starts with a space, a meeting, and the courage to try. That is what we want to celebrate together with the people of Jembrana,” Wena concluded.
With its diverse range of activities, JCF 2026 is expected to offer residents an alternative recreational experience while providing a platform for Jembrana’s younger generation to express their creativity, develop their talents, and gain wider recognition. [buda]