Bali Rockin’ Blues Festival 2025 is scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025, bringing a day-to-night fusion of gritty blues and high-energy rock to Sanur’s Mertasari Beach on Bali’s southeast coast, according to multiple event roundups and festival guides that list the date and location for this edition. The event continues the island’s evolution from the original Bali Blues Festival launched in 2015 at Peninsula Island, Nusa Dua, to today’s broader Bali Rockin’ Blues format that blends electric guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and community-driven culture by the sea. Local listings and industry calendars consistently position the 2025 festival in late September in Denpasar, with Sanur’s beach setting highlighted for its sunset atmosphere and easy visitor access.
What it is
Bali Rockin’ Blues Festival is a community-forward music celebration that unites Indonesian blues and rock artists with visiting performers, complemented by artisan markets, food stalls, and cultural activations that give the day a distinctly Balinese flavor. After years of staging as “Bali Blues,” organizers expanded the scope around 2022 to embrace rock alongside blues, which broadened the lineup and audience while preserving the festival’s friendly, collaborative spirit often described locally as “Blues is Making Friends”. The result is a welcoming, beachside gathering where guitar, harmonica, and powerful vocals share space with Balinese arts and small creative communities.
Date and location for 2025
Event roundups and Bali festival calendars list Friday, September 26, 2025, at Mertasari Beach in Sanur as the slated date and location, aligning with social posts and music calendars that place the festival in Denpasar with a Sanur beachfront vibe for 2025. Global blues calendars also carry a September 26, 2025 listing for the “Bali Rockin’ Blues Festival” in Denpasar with references to the festival’s social presence and continued staging in the Sanur area. Additional guides corroborate a September timing window with Sanur highlighted for the 2025 edition, underscoring venue continuity and coastal ambience.
Background and evolution
The festival traces its roots to the Bali Blues Festival, first held in 2015 at Peninsula Island, Nusa Dua, as a showcase for Indonesia’s blues scene that steadily built a loyal following across the archipelago. Around 2022, the format evolved to include rock, rebranding as the Bali Rockin’ Blues Festival while maintaining its community partnerships with creative groups, culinary vendors, and automotive clubs that add color and character to the grounds. The current formula balances established and emerging Indonesian acts with occasional international guests, all staged in an approachable, beach-oriented setting that suits Bali’s late-dry-season weather.
Highlights and activities
- Live sets at sunset and into the night: Performances typically build from late afternoon into the evening, pairing golden-hour sets with moonlit headliners as the beach transforms into a concert space with sea breezes and sound carrying over the shoreline.
- Cultural marketplace: Handcrafted jewelry, batik textiles, and wood carvings offer a local art dimension, with browsing between sets part of the festival rhythm in Sanur.
- Food and drink: Expect Balinese staples like nasi goreng, sate lilit, grilled seafood, and tropical fruit drinks, alongside casual international favorites for a down-to-earth festival menu.
- Creative add-ons: Vintage motorcycle showcases and interactive art walls have featured in recent editions, reflecting the festival’s ties to creative communities across Denpasar and Sanur.
2025 lineup outlook
As of the latest roundups, full artist rosters for the Bali Rockin’ Blues Festival 2025 have not been publicly confirmed; event listings emphasize the date, location, and format, noting a mix of top Indonesian blues-rock performers and potential guest artists from abroad, consistent with prior years. Prospective attendees can monitor the festival’s social presence for band competition news and lineup reveals, which are often announced closer to the show date during late summer. This cadence aligns with past local music events in Bali, where final lineups and set times publish in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Travel tips for Sanur and Mertasari Beach
- Getting there: Mertasari Beach sits on the southern end of Sanur, about 30–40 minutes by car from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport depending on traffic; taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available, with Sanur’s main streets also served by hotel shuttles.
- Where to stay: Sanur offers boutique resorts, beachfront hotels, and villas within a short walk or quick ride of the beach, making it easy to move between accommodations, dining, and the festival grounds.
- What to bring: Light clothing for Bali’s late dry season, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, a beach mat for daytime sets, and a light layer for breezier evening hours along the water.
- Cash and connectivity: Many pop-up vendors prefer cash in Indonesian rupiah; some accept digital wallets, but having small bills helps at artisan stalls and food stands.
Practical info and on-site experience
Festival guides indicate a one-day program with single-day tickets and simple on-site facilities such as shaded seating, restrooms, food courts, and merchandise booths that keep focus on music and community atmosphere. The beachfront setting means informal seating on sand or grass, so comfortable footwear is advisable. Arriving in time for late-afternoon sets rewards visitors with Sanur’s famous sunsets, followed by headliners under the stars and a relaxed, neighborly feel that echoes the festival’s community-first ethos.
Culture meets coastline
Part of the Bali Rockin’ Blues appeal is how it merges contemporary live music with Balinese cultural expressions. Traditional dance interludes, gamelan sounds, and opening blessings have appeared between modern sets, reflecting a respectful tie to place that enriches the concert flow without interrupting the momentum of the night. For travelers, the festival acts as a bridge between Bali’s global music audience and its local arts scene, offering an accessible entry point to Balinese craftsmanship, cuisine, and performance traditions in a casual format.
Make it a weekend in Sanur
Sanur’s calm shoreline, cycling paths, and family-friendly cafes make it an easy base for a long weekend around the festival date. Pair the event with sunrise walks along the beachfront promenade, snorkel trips to nearby reefs, or a day hop to Nusa Lembongan from Sanur’s fast-boat pier. In the evenings before or after the festival, Sanur’s laid-back bars and live-music lounges continue the vibe at a gentler volume.
Stay updated
With the date and venue listed across multiple Bali event calendars, watch the festival’s social channels for final lineup drops, set times, and any venue logistics updates as September approaches. Music media roundups and Bali tourism listings often refresh details in early September as artist confirmations finalize, so checking again a few weeks out can help refine arrival times and pre-show plans.
Bali Rockin’ Blues Festival 2025 promises an oceanfront soundtrack of blues and rock with the easy warmth of Sanur’s beach culture. Mark Friday, September 26 at Mertasari Beach on the calendar, gather friends for a sunset-to-stars music sprint, and be ready to explore Sanur’s markets, cafes, and shoreline while the island’s musicians plug in and let the riffs fly. Keep an eye on the festival’s social updates for lineup news, and plan an island weekend that blends guitar grit, coastal breezes, and Balinese hospitality into one unforgettable night by the sea.