10 Things To Do In Bali This Month: December 2019

The year might be ending, but the good people of Bali aren’t about to let it go without a final hooray of festivities and events galore. And as much as we love babi guling, give it a miss this time for exclusive dinners at Aperitif and Mads Lange at the Capella hotel. Other highlights include the vibey Boiler Room Bali, a week-long studio session that’s all about indigo, and a 2020 party with one of Berlin’s hottest DJs.

The Taste of Indonesia

Here’s a series of delicious treats away from the hustle bustle of island life and into the jungle with Mads Lange’s weekend lunch. The Taste of Indonesia features Indonesian classic dishes designed for sharing, served with a variety of locally harvested rice, cooked through ancient recipes inspired by the spice trail across archipelago. Look out for lunch menu items like Lalapan (raw organic ‘crudite’ vegetables & tomato sambal), Jimbaran-style Grilled Whole Red Snapper, and Keliki organic rice!

When: Every weekend of December 2019

Where: Mads Lange, Capella Ubud, Ubud

Entry: IDR350++/person. See here for more information.

Intrinsic – Light, Sound and Medicinal plants x Laws on Earth

Join Ubud-based tribe Kosmos Islands on a day of dancing and journeying through sound, light, and medicinal plants. Taking place at the beautiful venue that is Akasha Restaurant, Intrinsic includes LIGHTSEEDS healing stations, Reishi mushroom tea, and moringa therapy. There’s also Jane Chen’s sacred Blue Lotus tea circle and ceremony, a futuristic Bio-Matrix scan for chakra, and tuning fork acupuncture with oil and light therapy. As for music, Laws on Earth and Skizo from Kosmos Islands have you covered.

When: Saturday, 7 December 2019

Where: Akasha Restaurant, Ubud

Entry: IDR150k (pre-sale), IDR200k (at the door). See here for more information.

Mat.Joe at W Bali

Berlin’s power duo Matze and Johannes a.k.a Mat.Joe will be hitting Woobar’s underground dancefloor with their crispy hip hop and house beats this December. The two musicians first joined forces in 2008 over a shared passions for rap, breakdancing, skateboarding and music, and later on formed producer team Twomanics, focusing on creating authentic and credible hip hop productions for independent artists.

When: Saturday, 7 December 2019

Where: Woobar Bali, Seminyak

Entry: Free entry. See here for more information.

Boiler Room: Bali

A late night beachside session you would not want to miss, here comes Boiler Room rolling through Bali this year end, linking up two of Bali’s most outstanding parties, Basement Love and PNNY. Happening at the magnificent venue of La Brisa This will be a throwback to their earlier show, featuring the island’s favourite artists such as Gerd Janson, Mistral, PNNY, Tantrà and Tiago Oudman.

When: Saturday, 7 December 2019

Where: La Brisa Bali, Canggu

Entry: IDR165k (pre-sale), IDR250k (at the door). See here for more information.

All About Indigo: 5 Days of Farm To Fabric

Experience two entirely natural indigo processes from farm to fabric with Threads of Life on a 5-day studio session taking place at the lush Umajati Retreat, Ubud. Participants will be harvesting the indigo, along with side activities such as exploring the couching of leaves through the fermentation vat preparation and making indigo paste. Materials for the dyeing process will using yarn and cloth will be provided throughout the week.

When: Sunday, 8 December 2019

Where: Umajati Retreat, Ubud

Entry: US$695 – US$1,090. See here for more information.

White Party on the Rocks

Doll up in your favourite white chic outfit, gather your clique, and celebrate Christmas Eve in style at AYANA Resort and Spa’s restaurant overviewing the ocean. Sip on signature cocktails, feast on the tapas and Greek-themed menu and party on with AYANA’s guest DJ and the Fourshades Band. It’ll be one of the ultimate Christmas parties on the Island of the Gods!

When: Tuesday, 24 December 2019

Where: AYANA Resort and Spa, Jimbaran

Entry: Free entry. See here for more information.

Old Man’s presents Allday

Old Man’s Big Stage will soon present the Aussie rapper Allday, best known for his bittersweet storytelling and youthful music mixed with 90’s American East Coast rap. Dance the night away to tunes in the likes of ‘Right Now’ and ‘You Always Know the DJ’. Supporting Allday on stage will be electro-soul duo Boo Seeka with their pulsating synth sounds and sweet vocals.

When: 28 December 2019

Where: Old Man’s, Canggu

Entry: IDR 250k (early bird). See here for more information.

Phoenix Sundays with Miami Horror (DJ Set)

Close the year by dancing to upbeat disco-house tracks by Australian electro-dance group Miami Horror and their always-stunning DJ set at OMNIA’s Phoenix Sundays this month. Expect to get a peek of their soon-to-be-released third album’s tunes as well, in anticipation of the launch next year. Our favourite track? The new single ‘Luv Is Not Enough’, featuring vocals by Clear Motiffee.

When: Sunday, 29 December 2019

Where: OMNIA, Uluwatu

Entry: IDR200k. See here for more information.

NYE Gala Dinner

Reserve your table and join Apéritif Restaurant & Bar at their 1920s-inspired setting for a 10-course dinner with wine pairing included to end the year. Bringing together the flavours of modern gastronomy, unique Indonesian ingredients, and exquisite produce sourced globally and as well as the property’s own greenhouse harvest, there’s no doubt this is one of Bali’s hottest restaurants. Plus, there will be performances by DJ Martin Denev as well from 8pm all the way till dawn.

When: Tuesday, 31 December 2019

Where: Apéritif Restaurant & Bar, Ubud

Entry: IDR150k (early bird)

Gou Year’s Eve

Come together to Desa Potato Head for one of Bali’s most anticipated NYE celebrations! With Berlin-based DJ Peggy Gou and DJ Harvey taking over the decks, it looks set to be one hell of a celebration together with a hot lineup of performances by Bali collective Tantrà, Potato Head residents Pete Herbert and Gero, a gamelan ensemble, Mall Grab, and Jordon Alexander.

When: Tuesday, 31 December 2019

Where: Desa Potato Head, Seminyak

Entry: See here for more information.


An art curator turned a nomad as of late, Chitra currently spends her days juggling between cooking, journalism and pottery. Having lived a few years in multiple countries away from home, the photography-and-poetry enthusiast decided to reside back in Indonesia, choosing Bali as the place to reconnect with her creativity and passions.