17th Mel Tanjung Kite Festival Sends 1,685 Kites into Sanur’s Sky

Sanur — A total of 1,685 traditional and creative kites took part in the 17th Mel Tanjung Kite Festival at Mekarsari (Mertasari) Beach in Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, in 2026, according to Tempo.co and local outlet Diari Bali. The festival was organized by youth group ST Eka Dharma of Banjar Tanjung in Sanur Kauh Village and drew participants from kite clubs, community groups and individual enthusiasts.

The figure refers to kites entered in the competition rather than total visitors or competitors, but it underlines the scale of a community event that organizers and Denpasar officials describe as part of efforts to preserve Bali’s kite-flying tradition while providing space for creative expression.

Traditional forms meet creative competition

According to Tempo.co, the competition was divided into youth and adult divisions and featured both traditional and creative categories. The traditional Balinese kite forms included Bebean, Janggan, Janggan Buntut, Pecuk and mini kites, alongside additional categories for plastic and Celepuk kites.

Diari Bali reported that participants in the traditional categories were required to use fabric in four colors closely associated with Balinese visual and ritual tradition: red, yellow, black and white. Organizers said the rule was intended to ensure that traditional Balinese kites retain their distinctive character even as they are adapted for competitive events.

These rules and categories are designed to balance preservation and innovation. Traditional designs provide a cultural framework rooted in local custom, while creative and plastic-kite entries open the festival to participants from different backgrounds and age groups, keeping the kite tradition accessible to younger generations.

A recurring cultural platform

The festival was officially opened by Denpasar Deputy Mayor I Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa, who launched a kite before observing the competition, according to Tempo.co and Diari Bali. The event ran over three days at Mekarsari Beach, continuing a series that local media describe as a long-standing annual fixture on Sanur’s cultural calendar.

Festival adviser I Wayan Mariyana Wandhira, quoted by Diari Bali, said the 2026 edition carried the theme “Bhumi Samudra Akasa Sanggama”, interpreted as harmony between land, sea and sky as the foundation for sustaining culture across generations. He described the festival as a responsible outlet for kite-flying enthusiasts and a way to strengthen ties among young people and the wider kite community.

Wandhira also emphasized that after 17 editions the organizers are focused on maintaining standards and improving the professionalism of the event, positioning the festival as a structured platform for both traditional and creative kite practices in Denpasar.

Deputy Mayor Arya Wibawa described the Mel Tanjung Kite Festival as an annual event supporting the preservation of kite arts and traditions in Denpasar. He said such activities can contribute to culture-based tourism in Bali, provided the kite tradition continues to evolve without losing its core values.

Festival by the numbers

Festival data

• Kites entered: 1,685 traditional and creative kites
• Festival edition: 17th Mel Tanjung Kite Festival (MTKF XVII)
• Duration: Three days
• Organizers: ST Eka Dharma youth group of Banjar Tanjung, Sanur Kauh Village
• Participant groups: Community kite clubs, youth groups and individual flyers
• Competition divisions: Youth and adult, including traditional and creative categories
• Theme (2026): “Bhumi Samudra Akasa Sanggama,” highlighting harmony between land, sea and sky

Sources

• Tempo.co - Bali Kite Festival Draws 1,685 Traditional and Creative Kites in Sanur
• Diari Bali - Geliat 1.685 Layangan Tradisional Bali di Mel Tanjung Kite Festival XVII