Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025 returns to Bali’s cultural heart from Wednesday, October 29 to Sunday, November 2, 2025, uniting acclaimed authors, poets, journalists, translators, and readers for five days of conversations, performances, workshops, and community events across Ubud. This 22nd edition explores the theme Aham Brahmasmi — I Am the Universe, drawing from Sanskrit philosophy to consider how individual creativity connects with the wider cosmos in an age of profound technological and cultural change. Early announcements confirm an exceptional international lineup, including winners of the International Booker Prize and celebrated Indonesian voices, with early-bird passes already on sale for the multi-day program.
Dates, theme, and first lineup
The festival runs October 29 to November 2, 2025, with the central program staged at Ubud venues including Taman Baca and nearby cultural spaces, supported by satellite events around town and in partner locations. The 2025 theme, Aham Brahmasmi — I Am the Universe, originates from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and will guide panels, author talks, and artistic showcases on identity, consciousness, and creative potential within our interconnected world. The first lineup reveal highlights winners of the 2025 International Booker Prize, including Indian author and activist Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi for Heart Lamp, alongside Jenny Erpenbeck, winner of the 2024 International Booker for Kairos, among other notable writers and thinkers.
What to expect on the program
Festival-goers can look forward to in-depth author conversations, panel debates on contemporary issues, book launches, literary lunches, spoken word and music galas, late-night readings, and industry workshops, all designed for an intimate, idea-rich experience. The program blends Indonesian and international perspectives, with many sessions presented in English, Indonesian, or bilingually, and interpreters available in most events to welcome a global audience. With over 150 to 200 participating writers and artists expected, the 2025 edition continues the festival’s reputation for diverse, thoughtful curation and cross-cultural dialogue in a walkable, village-like setting.
Background and significance
Established in 2004 by Janet DeNeefe and the not-for-profit Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati, the festival began as a healing response to the 2002 Bali bombings and has grown into Southeast Asia’s most prominent literary gathering. Over two decades, it has brought hundreds of leading voices to Ubud, pairing literature with cultural programming, village walks, and culinary events that reflect Bali’s deep heritage and hospitality. The 2025 edition marks 22 years of the festival’s mission to celebrate storytelling, foster critical conversations, and create shared spaces for writers and readers from Indonesia and around the world.
Highlights and signature events
- Author talks and big-idea panels: Hear prize-winning and emerging authors discuss craft, translation, identity, climate, technology, and social issues through the lens of the 2025 theme.
- Literary lunches and long-table dining: Intimate meals with authors that bring cuisine, conversation, and community together in quintessential Ubud fashion.
- Workshops and industry sessions: Practical seminars in writing, editing, poetry, and publishing for aspiring and established creatives, often led by headline guests.
- Spoken word and music nights: Evening galas showcase poets, musicians, and performers, turning Ubud’s cultural venues into stages for language, rhythm, and improvisation.
- Youth and community programming: Events designed for students and local participants ensure the festival remains embedded in Ubud’s social and educational life.
Venues and how to navigate
Main programming occurs at and around Taman Baca and well-known Ubud venues such as Indus Restaurant and Neka Museum, with additional happenings spread across central Ubud’s galleries, cafés, and courtyards. The town’s walkable core makes venue-hopping easy, and bilingual session formats help international travelers get the most from each event. Visitors should check the official schedule for daily maps, session times, and any shuttle or access details that streamline movement between stages.
Tickets and passes
Early-bird 4-day passes and ticketing tiers are available through the official festival site, with limited-seating workshops and special events often requiring separate bookings. Given the popularity of headline sessions and culinary experiences, advance purchase is strongly encouraged to secure preferred seats and time slots. The festival typically offers a range of options for budget-conscious attendees, including day passes and select free community events that keep the celebration accessible.
Travel tips for Ubud in late October
The festival lands at the tail end of Bali’s dry season, with warm days and comfortable evenings that suit outdoor dining and nighttime events. Staying within central Ubud allows for easy walking to most venues; taxis, rideshares, and hotel shuttles fill in for evenings or outer venues. Popular accommodations near the festival hub tend to book early during event week, so securing rooms well in advance is wise, especially for those planning to attend workshops or literary lunches with limited capacity. Many visitors pair the festival with wellness experiences, cooking classes, and day trips to rice terraces and temples, creating a balanced cultural itinerary around the main program.
Theme in focus: Aham Brahmasmi — I Am the Universe
This year’s theme asks participants to consider the unity of the self with the universe and the responsibility that comes with creative power, especially in an era of rapid technological advancement. Framed by the festival as a meditation on consciousness, interconnectedness, and ethical imagination, the theme invites conversations that cut across disciplines, linking ancient philosophy to contemporary storytelling and innovation. Expect sessions that interrogate how literature can illuminate personal and collective transformation while honoring local traditions and global perspectives.
Beyond the main program
In addition to the flagship events, the festival ecosystem includes pop-up readings, publisher showcases, bookstore signings, and opportunities to meet authors informally between sessions at cafés and lounges. The Perth Edition, a separate collaboration held in Australia in past years, has extended the reach of festival ideas and may feature parallel conversations that echo the Ubud program’s core themes. Keep an eye on official news channels for special announcements, headliner additions, and community partnerships that often surface in the months leading up to opening day.
How to stay updated
For the most accurate information on speakers, schedules, passes, and venues, consult the official website and news posts, which publish lineup expansions and program guides as the festival draws near. Recent updates from the festival include the first lineup reveal and early-bird ticket launch, with additional headliners and schedule details expected to roll out through late summer and early autumn. Local and regional media, including Bali-focused outlets, also share timely previews, travel tips, and thematic spotlights to help plan each day on the ground in Ubud.
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025 is set to be an inspiring, idea-rich week that brings the world’s stories to Bali while elevating Indonesian literature on the global stage. Book passes early, base in central Ubud for easy venue access, and prepare for conversations that linger long after the final session. Mark October 29 to November 2 on the calendar, explore the first lineup and theme, and get ready to join readers and writers from around the world in Ubud for a festival that celebrates imagination, empathy, and the creative spark that connects us all