Set against the crystalline waters and breathtaking views of the South China Sea, the Southeastern Johor coastline will come alive with music and jovial fun this September for Ombak Festival. Derived from the Malay word for “ocean wave”, Ombak is more than just a festival; it’s a celebration where music, art, food and family wonderfully come together.
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Taking place at the award-winning Desaru Coast destination resort from 13 to 15 September 2024, imagine mouth-watering dishes and Ombak-exclusive cocktails from award-winning chefs and mixologists; head-bopping live music reverberating across the orange sky of a sunset; and mesmerising art installations and crafts for your viewing and shopping pleasure.
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“Ombak Festival embodies Desaru Coast’s values, offering vibrant, high-quality events with a distinctly Malaysian flair…With more than 50 events, guests can mix and match food, art, and music offerings at their own pace, supported by four five-star resorts,” shares Karina Ridzuan, Director of Ombak Festival.
So gather your loved ones and friends for a three-day extravaganza at this 4,000-acre destination for the ultimate weekend getaway—here’s what to expect.
Pop icons and disco royalty
Ombak Festival is putting together a show-stopping lineup of international headliners, and local and regional acts to keep you entertained from dusk till dawn. Expect 16 hours of Ombak Main Stage acts across two days, including an Asia-exclusive performance by pop culture icon Grace Jones.
Also performing for the first time in Malaysia are six-time Grammy winner Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Swedish band The Cardigans. Other international headliners include Grammy winner and R&B Hall of Famer Macy Gray and prolific British DJ and producer Quantic.
For performers closer to home, 23 local and regional acts such as music icon Joe Flizzow, rising rap star Bunga, Alena Murang, and Aisyah Aziz will dazzle the stage with their diverse genres.
Gather at the Ombak Main Stage or chill by the beach, where you can enjoy scintillating Nanyang Jazz by The Shang Sisters and WVC Jazz in the cool summer breeze; sway to Latin rhythms by Cuban band Havana Jazz Tumbao or dance the night away to the Afro-Latin beats of DJ Güpson Pierre with the sand between your toes.
A gastronomic affair
Even with a fantastic musical lineup, every festival is only as good as its food—and fortunately, Ombak Festival has a truly gastronomic experience in store.
Expect an explosion of Malaysian and international flavours as the region’s top chefs and mixologists craft culinary delights exclusively for the festival. Taste innovative dishes and concoctions from award-winning chefs at F&B pop-ups and kitchen takeovers across Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, One&Only Desaru Coast, and The Els Club Desaru Coast.
From bold Latin street flavours by Feliz and Bornean-inspired tapas by Chocha Foodstore with Ombak-exclusive tipples by Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 awardee Reka:Bar and Vér – The Bar at Nadodi to the grill offerings of Carbon KL, spend each hour of the festival indulging in mouth-watering flavours amidst spectacular views.
A vibrant mix of arts and crafts
Apart from the culinary offerings at Ombak Festival, there will be plenty of head-turning art to feast your eyes upon. Art lovers will be captivated by intricate installations and sculptures celebrating the region’s rich artistic heritage.
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From the mesmerising fluid metal sculptures of Abdul Multhalib Musa to the eco-conscious Shore Debris Table installation by artist and photographer Ernest Goh of Ayer Ayer, be on the lookout for these masterpieces during your time at the festival.
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Those looking for retail therapy can also find that at Ombak Festival, as its Festival Village features two bustling marketplaces. Fashion and lifestyle platform Dia Guild will curate a collection highlighting artisans from Southeast Asia; and Kapten Batik will showcase their unique batik collection, along with special collaboration Ombak Festival merchandise.
Fun for all ages
Unlike your usual outdoor music festivals, Ombak Festival is fun that extends even to the youngest of guests. Through Ombak Kids, families can bring along their little ones and enjoy activities together.
From Silent Disco Kids and Junglewalla eco-adventures to Mereka Garden Games and Star Wars-inspired Wayang Kulit, there will be a variety of interactive workshops, thrilling games and lively entertainment for the young and young at heart to revel in.
Ombak Festival Stay Packages
The best part of it all is that festival goers will have the chance to experience Ombak Festival at their own pace in the world-class resorts at Desaru Coast. All four five-star resorts—Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, and One&Only Desaru Coast—are within walking distance of scenic festival sites.
Complete your experience of having the ultimate weekend at Desaru Coast, with the entire Ombak Festival right at your doorstep. All Ombak Festival Stay Packages are exclusive to Desaru Coast resorts and are designed for two adults with a complimentary stay for one child aged 12 and under.
The packages include accommodation and breakfast, access to the Festival Opening Party on 13 September; Festival Weekend Passes for the Ombak Main Stage with headline acts on 14 and 15 September, access to the Festival Village, Ombak Kids, and Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast, as well as selected food offerings — essentially, an unbridled, full experience of Ombak Festival in all its glory.
Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast is a great family destination, given its proximity to Adventure Waterpark and where Ombak Kids will be held. Packages at Hard Rock start from RM3,500.
The Westin Desaru Coast Resort is perfect for two, with packages starting from RM4,000.
Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas offers immersive art and culinary experiences, from RM5,550.
Exclusive Ticketed Events
The fun doesn’t just stop there—Stay Package ticketholders also have exclusive access to Exclusive Ticketed Events. This includes a slew of add-on programmes by celebrated chefs and musicians such as Chef Andrew Walsh of Cure Singapore, Chef Adu Amran of ADU Bangsar, Chef Jun Wong of Yellow Fin Horse, and DJs Quantic, Maftsai and Mellow Goeslaw.
The programme will kick off with the Ombak Supper Club with The Stars by Yellow Fin Horse on 13 September 2024 at Sea.Fire.Salt Anantara, where guests will have the opportunity to dine with performers and artists. Also on Friday night is All Q’ued Up by Quantic, held at Ember Beach Club, One&Only.
On 14 September 2024, An Exploration of Nusantara Cuisine with Khir Johari & Chef Adu will deliver an immersive culinary experience that intersects culture and heritage. On 15 September 2024, Chef Adu will create a culinary smorgasbord representing the best of Johor street food in Streets & Beats. Both events will be at Turmeric, Anantara.
Then on 14 and 15 September 2024, One&Only will present Ember Beach Club Brunch by Chef Andrew Walsh, an elevated barbecue experience infused with Asian flavours amidst head-bopping Southeast Asian beats by DJs Maft Sai and Mellow Goeslaw.
Over the weekend, Kitchen Takeover by Carbon KL will be held at The Westin’s Kedidi restaurant, while Beachfront Sip & Paint will be available at the Anantara beachfront.
For more information about Ombak Festival and to purchase festival Stay Packages, visit the official website here.
For more travel ideas, head here.
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