On the lower west coast of Bali, a unique weekly event is redefining the island's famous party scene. More than 200 people, predominantly Westerners aged 18 to 50, gather on a dance floor overlooking Seseh Beach, moving to the music in a vibrant, smiling crowd dressed in everything from hippie attire to swimwear.
A Party Unlike Any Other in Bali
What sets this gathering apart is a strict rule: no alcohol is sold or permitted on the premises. In fact, the venue also bans smoking and even discourages the use of mobile phones. Located just a 20 to 30-minute drive from the bustling tourist hub of Canggu, this is the Udara Sunday Festival's signature dance party, described by one attendee as "clubbing for spiritual people" or, perhaps more simply, clubbing for teetotallers.
The event is hosted at Udara, a remarkable three-storey, open-sided circular building constructed from natural materials with an Indigenous design. This facility is part of an integrated yoga and healing lifestyle resort, offering an array of amenities including four open-air yoga studios, a day spa, a water healing pool, a Finnish sauna, a meditation cave, herbal steam rooms, a swimming pool, an organic restaurant, and guest accommodation.
The Sunday Festival Schedule: From Breathwork to Beats
The festival kicks off at 9am every Sunday with a choice of five workshops. Attendees can select from four yoga and meditation sessions or specialised classes like quantum breathwork, which blends conscious breathing with sound healing, and rebirthing breathwork, a technique aimed at releasing trauma by accessing the subconscious through continuous circular breathing.
Another unique offering is "fascial manoeuvres by Human Garage," a workshop that uses slow, gentle movements and deep breathing to release tension stored in the body's fascia—the connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs.
The alcohol-free dance party begins at 10.30am, filling the space with energy. This is followed at midday by a "sound healing journey," where participants lie on yoga mats, relaxing or even falling asleep to a curated audio experience featuring gongs, bongos, classical guitars, vocals, and the sounds of traditional Indonesian xylophones and drums.
A Celebration of Life and Connection
The day culminates in a "celebration of life," a communal moment focused on gratitude, connection, self-honour, and sharing positive energy through flower blessings. For many, it presents a spiritually enriching alternative to a typical Sunday at a Bali beach club.
Tim, the DJ from Germany, captures the sentiment: "It's much better than a regular dance party because people come here without judgment, without drugs and without alcohol, young or old, just to dance. It is so good for the body and soul." He even compared the energy favourably to major festivals like Tomorrowland, noting the absence of artificial aids like alcohol. "The people don't need it, they're loose enough as it is," he said.
Entry to the Udara Sunday Festival is $25 per person. For $65, attendees also receive an all-you-can-eat vegetarian and vegan brunch plus a day pass to the resort's pools and sauna facilities. The venue is located at Udara Bali Yoga Detox and Spa, Jalan Pura Kramat, Seseh Beach, Cemagi. Bookings are recommended via udara-bali.com to secure a spot at this popular weekly wellness event.
