VisitBali

Arts & Culture

Nusantara International Folklore Festival

Traditional Dance, Music & Cultural Exchange in Ubud

A non-competitive international gathering of traditional dance and music groups, with exhibitions and workshops that celebrate folklore, cultural exchange, unity and peace at Museum Puri Lukisan in Ubud.

The Nusantara International Folklore Festival (NIFF) is a cultural exchange festival built around the idea that traditional dance and music can bring communities together. Rather than being a competition, it gives performing groups from Indonesia and overseas a place to present their heritage, meet one another and share stories through live performance.

The organiser’s official 2026 programme confirms NIFF in Bali from 25 to 28 September, with Museum Puri Lukisan in Ubud named as the main venue. The 2026 theme, “Global Rhythms, Shared Stories”, reflects the festival’s focus on international friendship, unity and peace through artistic expression.

NIFF is organised by the Ardhanari Dharma Citta Foundation, which describes the festival as part of its ongoing commitment to appreciation of Indonesian cultural heritage and traditional performing arts. The foundation’s earlier international event, the Jakarta International Folklore Festival in 2019, welcomed 28 performing groups from eight countries at Taman Lapangan Banteng in Jakarta.

The Bali festival grew from that international exchange: according to the organiser, NIFF 2025 brought together 16 performing groups from five countries. In 2026 the programme is planned to extend beyond stage performances with curated exhibitions and interactive traditional-arts workshops led by practitioners and speakers from Indonesia and abroad. Check the official NIFF website for the final public schedule and access details.

Highlights

  • ✓ International folklore performances
  • ✓ Traditional dance and music from Indonesia and overseas
  • ✓ Curated exhibitions and interactive arts workshops
  • ✓ Museum Puri Lukisan setting
  • ✓ Cultural exchange centred on unity and peace

Practical information

Dates
25–28 September 2026
Location
Museum Puri Lukisan, Ubud
Admission
See the official NIFF website for programme access and ticket information.
Best time
Follow the official daily programme for confirmed performance times.
Category
Arts & Culture

Tips for visitors

  • • Check the official schedule before choosing a day.
  • • Walk or use a local driver where possible because central Ubud traffic is busy.
  • • Respect any photography restrictions announced at performances.

Plan your visit

More upcoming events

Information last verified 31 August 2026. Recheck the official source before travelling.

Plan around this event