Kites, outriggers and a beach full of stalls
Sanfest is Sanur’s annual party for itself. It is held at Mertasari Beach, the quiet southern end of Sanur’s shoreline, where a reef keeps the water shallow and the low tide exposes wide seagrass flats.
The programme centres on four things:
- Kite flying: traditional Balinese kites such as the fish-shaped bebean and the janggan, a dragon with a tail many metres long, each one launched by a team.
- Boat races in jukung, the brightly painted outrigger canoes Sanur’s fishermen still pull up on the sand.
- Cultural performances: Balinese dance and gamelan.
- Food bazaars: rows of stalls selling Balinese and Indonesian dishes.
Dates, tickets and where it happens
This edition runs in November 2026 at Mertasari Beach, Sanur, in the South Denpasar district. The organiser runs ticketing and the daily schedule on its official Sanur Village Festival channels. This guide prints no times or prices, because none have been verified here.
November is the start of Bali’s rainy season. Mornings are usually clear and heavy showers tend to come in the afternoon. Experienced visitors carry a light rain layer. They also treat the kite events as weather-dependent, since kites need steady wind.
Most people give the festival half a day. Many come back for a second session if the programme spreads its kite and boat events across different days.
Reaching Mertasari
Bali has no rail service, so getting there means road or bike. From Ngurah Rai International Airport the drive up the Bypass Ngurah Rai to Sanur usually takes 30–40 minutes outside rush hour. Grab and Gojek both run cars and motorbike taxis in Sanur.
Visitors staying in central Sanur often skip the road entirely. A paved beachfront path of roughly 5km runs along the coast, so they walk or cycle south to Mertasari past the hotels and warungs.
Nearby, for before or after:
- Museum Le Mayeur on Sanur Beach, the former home of the Belgian painter Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur.
- Prasasti Blanjong, a stone pillar inscribed in 914 CE and Bali’s oldest dated inscription.
- Sanur Harbour, where fast boats leave for Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.
Paying, eating and behaving on the sand
Stall-holders at the bazaar mostly take Indonesian rupiah in cash. Many small vendors also display a QRIS code, which most Indonesian banking and e-wallet apps can scan. Foreign cards are less reliable at stalls than in Sanur’s restaurants, so attendees usually carry small notes.
Food is ordered by pointing at the dish and paying the person at the stall. Locals usually eat standing or on low benches. Helpful words: terima kasih (thank you) and berapa? (how much?).
Etiquette:
- Small palm-leaf offerings called canang sari are often placed on the ground. Walk around them, not over them.
- During ceremonial performances, Balinese spectators dress modestly. A sarong and sash is the standard dress at any temple ceremony.
- Kite teams need clear running space on launch lines. Spectators stand well back from the ropes, because a big kite pulls hard.
Many locals ride scooters to Mertasari, and parking is informal attendant-run lots along the access lanes. Taking a ride-hail drop-off or the beach path avoids that crush.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sanur Village Festival 2026?
It takes place in November 2026 at Mertasari Beach in Sanur, Denpasar. The organiser runs the day-by-day schedule on the official Sanur Village Festival channels.
Where exactly is Mertasari Beach?
At the southern end of Sanur, on Bali's southeast coast in the South Denpasar district. It is usually 30–40 minutes by road from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and you can also reach it on foot or by bike along the Sanur beachfront path.
What happens at Sanfest?
Traditional Balinese kite flying, jukung outrigger boat races, dance and gamelan performances, and a food bazaar with Balinese and Indonesian stalls.
What is the weather like in November?
November is the start of the rainy season. Mornings are often clear and afternoon showers are common, so visitors usually carry a light rain layer.
What else is near the festival?
Museum Le Mayeur on Sanur Beach, the 10th-century Prasasti Blanjong pillar, and Sanur Harbour, where fast boats leave for Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.
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