GWK Cultural Park Successfully Hosts the 2026 Penjor Festival, Strengthening Collaboration and Preserving Balinese Culture

Badung, November 8, 2026. GWK Cultural Park successfully held the Penjor Festival 2026 on November 5–8, 2026, at the Lotus Pond area of GWK Cultural Park. Entering its fourth year since its inception in 2023, the festival, themed “A Feast of Flavors Wrapped in Art and Culture,” presented a blend of traditions, art, culinary delights, music, and local creativity. During the four-day event, the festival served as a meeting place for local communities, artists, and businesses to collaborate and introduce Bali’s cultural and creative potential to visitors.

As a key element of the festival's identity, the penjor tradition is highlighted through a number of activities that encourage the public to learn about and preserve it, one of which is the Mini Penjor Competition. This competition provides a platform for the community to express their creativity and introduce the penjor tradition to the next generation. In the competition, Umah Layang from Denpasar won first place. Furthermore, visitors also had the opportunity to participate in a Penjor Workshop facilitated by Duen Penjor to learn about the penjor-making process and its philosophical values. Rows of penjor adorning the Lotus Pond area also reinforced the Balinese cultural nuances throughout the festival.

The Penjor Festival is GWK's commitment to preserving and introducing Balinese traditions to the wider community. Its consistent implementation since 2023 has made this festival an annual event that continues to be developed. "For us, cultural preservation must go hand in hand with efforts to provide a space for community involvement and creativity. We hope the Penjor Festival can continue to be a forum for maintaining the sustainability of the penjor tradition while introducing its cultural values to future generations. We also appreciate all communities, artists, MSMEs, and other parties who have collaborated and supported the implementation of this festival," said Ch. Rossie Andriani.

Going forward, GWK Cultural Park is committed to continuing to present programs to preserve Balinese culture, arts, and entertainment for the public and tourists to enjoy. This commitment will continue through various upcoming events, including the 2027 GWK Ogoh-Ogoh Festival. GWK Cultural Park will also welcome the new year with the GWK Bali Countdown 2027, scheduled for December 31, 2026.
The spirit of collaboration is also evident through the involvement of local communities and creative actors in various activities. The Ungasan Village LPM (LPM) presents a series of competitions with participants from the Ungasan community. Visitors can also participate in educational and interactive activities, such as an introduction to Balinese script and writing lontar (palm) with Puri Lontar.

The spirit of collaboration was also evident through the involvement of local communities and creative actors in various activities. The Ungasan Village LPM presented a series of competitions with participants from the Ungasan Village community. Visitors could also participate in educational and interactive activities, such as an introduction to Balinese script, writing lontar with Puri Lontar, and batik workshops. Meanwhile, Joyful Music Bali, Debeat Music Course, Cressendo, and the Dana Swara Arts Community provided space for local talents to perform and showcase their work. The festival atmosphere was further enlivened by performances by Balinese musicians, including Nanoe Biroe, Tika Pagraky, Ary Kencana with Neli Ambarawati, and Leeyonk Sinatra.

In addition to being part of cultural preservation efforts, the 2026 Penjor Festival is expected to inspire the community to continue developing creativity in penjor creations, both through exploring shapes, decorations, and utilizing materials, while maintaining the philosophy and values of its traditions. This spirit of creativity and collaboration is also manifested through the involvement of local MSMEs in the bazaar, which presents a variety of products and provides an opportunity for them to introduce their products and creations to visitors.

About GWK
GWK Cultural Park is a cultural tourism destination located in Ungasan, Bali, covering an area of 60 hectares, home to the 121-meter-high Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue. As one of Bali's iconic destinations, GWK Cultural Park offers a blend of art, culture, entertainment, and recreational experiences in one area. GWK presents 15 cultural performances daily, as a form of appreciation for the richness of Balinese art and traditions. All these performances can be enjoyed by visitors at no additional cost as they are included in the area's entrance ticket.

Besides being a cultural tourism destination, GWK Cultural Park is also a venue for various national and international events, including the G20 Summit and the World Water Forum, as well as various MICE activities, concerts, festivals, and community events. Through various collaborative programs, GWK Cultural Park continues to develop its role as a space that brings together culture, community, creativity, and various experiences to support Bali's tourism ecosystem and creative economy.

For further information, please contact:
Public Relations Department – GWK Cultural Park
Telephone: (0361) – 700808 ext.8109
Email: info@gwkbali.com