PUBLISHED September 18th, 2023 12:00 pm | UPDATED July 25th, 2024 03:53 pm
An escape from a polarised world of differences, Wonderfruit Festival has long stood as a catalyst between community, mind, and nature. We’ve been part of this magical journey since 2014, the festival holds a special place in our hearts. It’s a pilgrimage back to hallowed grounds of The Fields in Siam Country Club. Perhaps it’s the space where we get to indulge our true unapologetic self, forge friendships with fellow wonderers, or make discoveries from new explorations.
Returning to its home from December 14 to 18, 2023, we know that the cultural open-house will once again deliver on its promise of a day-to-night odyssey of captivating musical performances, mesmerising art installations, enlightening talks, immersive workshops, and soul-soothing wellness activities. And guess what? You can still secure weekend passes at the last ticket call, right here.
How Shared Interaction, Mind & Nature Co-exist at Wonderfruit
For us, Wonderfruit’s magic lies in its ability to bring people together regardless of backgrounds and borders. Designed with intention, the festival sets the stage to engage with not only each other, but also our surroundings, and our own consciousness. It fosters a sense of community, gratitude, and mindfulness that makes this annual rendezvous truly unique.
One such archetype is the Solar Village, a gathering point powered by the sun. An iconic climbable wooden structure supports communal interaction, nature and music to live in peace, paving way for huddled bodies appreciating a brand-new day, or evenings for reflection and unwinding. This year, the village will host performances including a Rush Hour label showcase, a DJ set by Nightmares on Wax and a special show by the Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band playing with a community of friends.
The sonic alchemy continues at the new serene temple-shaped space, Dhyana, dedicated to ancient communities before us and Buddhism-inspired rituals.
Transcending The Realm Of Music Festivals
While the festival never fails to disappoint with its musical line-up, Wonderfruit engrains sound in every aspect of the festival, merging it with community and the earth for an integrated journey. Take the rewilded one-year-old Ancestral Forest for example, planted during festival downtime. The haven now houses a new forest-inspired stage where minimalist master Terry Riley is set to perform alongside MSCTY, keeping the symphony of nature alive, along with thought-provoking conversations, and activities that keep us in touch with mother nature.
Community is further amplified at stages like Forbidden Fruit and The Quarry, celebrating international acts as well as regional and local sounds. This year, the former will feature seven takeovers from collectives around Asia including Rainbow Disco Club from Japan and the Medusa crew from Shanghai. The latter blends beats with nature, immersing attendees in new sounds by resident DJs and international acts like Nicola Cruz, Helena Hauff and DJ Nobu.
Get A Taste of Wonderfruit
Besides nourishing the mind and soul, Wonderfruit also paves the way for a more intimate relationship between us and our appetites. Here, open kitchen formats, long-table communal buffets, and farm-to-table food stalls celebrate sustainable sourcing, fresh ingredients, traditional recipes and unique menus. A must visit is the Theatre of Feasts, where local and international chefs come together to offer wonderers world-class cuisine paired along tasty tipples. Not forgetting the all-new brunch club that sets wholesome breakfast spreads with Bloody Marys. The Open Kitchen is equally enticing featuring traditional recipes with an intimate ‘my-grandma-made-it’ touch.
Much more than mere entertainment; Wonderfruit is a sanctuary for shared experiences, self-discovery and gratitude. So, before we return home after the purposeful 5-day event, let’s ask ourselves: How can we infuse the ‘Wonderfruit way of life’ into our daily routine? In a world often lived through screens, how do we keep that profound connection between nature, mind, and spirit alive and kicking?
Wonderfruit 2023 runs from 14 to 18 December 2023 at The Fields at Siam Country Club, Pattaya, Thailand. Final ticket sales run from 18–21 September at 6pm (BKK, GMT+7) for Weekend Passes, priced from THB 7,500 (S$286). The number of Weekend Passes available in this sale is limited, with each transaction capped at four tickets per purchase. Limited upgrades to 5-Day Full Passes are also available. For more information & tickets, click here.
All images courtesy of Wonderfruit.