Set off in style to the ultimate weekend with pop stars, visual wonders, culinary delights and fun for all!
We love crossing the Causeway for our weekend Johor Bahru trips as much as the next Singaporean. But if you’re on the lookout for a getaway unlike the norm, cast your sights on Ombak Festival 2024 at Desaru Coast. Set by the glistening coast of Desaru, Malaysia, this three-day extravaganza from 13 to 15 September 2024 is your ticket to a fun-filled weekend with music, food, art and more.
With more than 50 events and 16 hours of live performances on the cards, gear up for non-stop partying at your own pace. And the cherry on top? There are not just one, but four five-star resorts within walking distance of the festival sites. A jam-packed weekend of fun and revelry at your doorstep, read on for all the highlights at Ombak Festival 2024!
Ombak Festival 2024 at Desaru Coast: What to expect
1. For the groove seekers: Live it up with endless revelry
Can’t help but break into a dance every time you hear groovy tunes and pulsating beats? With a line-up of electrifying performances at Ombak Festival, keep those dance moves and hip sways in your back pocket! Get ready for pop icons and Grammy winners, joined by some of the biggest names in the regional music scene.
Kicking off the weekend on Friday is British DJ and producer Quantic, who will helm the decks at Ember Beach Club, One&Only Desaru Coast. Come Saturday, make your way to the Ombak Main Stage to catch Swedish band The Cardigans play their global smash hits like Lovefool; as well as pop culture icon Grace Jones’ Asia-exclusive performance.
To end the festival on a high note, Nile Rodgers & CHIC (six-time Grammy winner and household name in the world of disco) will take to the Ombak Main Stage on Sunday; alongside R&B Hall of Famer, Macy Gray, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her debut album. Psst: stay tuned for other regional icons like Zainal Abidin, Joe Flizzow, Bunga, Alena Murang, Thee Marloes, and homegrown singer Aisyah Aziz, too!
2. For the gourmet lovers: Food, glorious food
Confession: we are huge foodies and just thinking about the delectable fare in Malaysia is enough to make our mouths water. If this sounds like you, great news: you’ll be in for a treat with exquisite F&B experiences from the region’s top chefs and mixologists.
The foodie weekend kicks off on Friday with the exclusive Ombak Supper Club with The Stars. 90 guests staying on destination will have the chance to dine with the stars of the festival, indulging in a menu curated by chef Jun Wong of Yellow Fin Horse KL. From 14 to 15 September, swing by the Festival Village, where an array of F&B pop-ups by well-loved restaurants (think Licky Chan and Jojo’s by Joloko) await.
Alternatively, head to The Westin Desaru Coast Resort to savour local cuisine with a modern twist at casual fine dining restaurant Carbon KL’s kitchen takeover. Or, make haste to Westin Beachfront for Feliz KL’s Latin Street Flavours pop-up. Indulge in a Peruvian feast and fiesta, accompanied by a rhythmic dance workshop with DJ Güpson Pierre and infectious beats of Havana Jazz Tumbao.
For an elevated gastronomic experience, book yourself a spot at the exclusive ticketed F&B events. Over at Ember Beach Club, award-winning chef Andrew Walsh will present an elevated brunch menu of Asian-infused dishes and barbecue delicacies. If you’re craving local delicacies, check out the events at Turmeric, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas. It’s your chance to join Adu Amran Hassan, owner of ADU Sugar Restaurant in Bangsar, and dive deep into Nusantara and Johorean cuisine.
3. For the creative spirits: Specially-crafted puppets, sculptures and art all around
Now, we love a festival with groovy music and delicious nosh. But a festival that lets you get in touch with your artistic side? That’s a gem we’re making a beeline for. Unleash your inner creative soul with the captivating art and workshops at Ombak Festival.
Take a stroll around the intricate installations and community art projects that pay homage to Malaysia’s and the region’s artistic heritage. Look out for artworks by master sculptors and artists-in-residence from Segaris Art Centre, alongside Abdul Multhalib Musa’s fluid metal sculptures, and the Shore Debris Table installation by Singapore’s very own artist and photographer Ernest Goh of Ayer Ayer. Sparking important conversations about plastic pollution, this 10m-long participatory installation invites participants to remove micro plastic-ocean fragments from a mountain of sand.
Not to be missed are also the specially-commissioned puppets, Meera and Fiz, from award-winning Thai studio Nice Monster. A take on Johorean folklore characters, these giant puppets will roam around the festival sites throughout the weekend. Meanwhile, those feeling crafty can try creating a traditional Malay kite under the guidance of local wau-maker Razi Said.
Want a sustainable keepsake? Don’t forget to stop by the Festival Village, where Kapten Batik will showcase their unique batik collection, along with Ombak Festival merchandise. The Festival Village is also home to two marketplaces for the shopaholics. Get unique fashion and lifestyle pieces from Southeast Asian brands at Dia Guild’s retail pop-up, or local artisanal designs at Lokal Market.
4. For the little ones: Kid-friendly interactive activities
When we say party as you go, we mean the kids too! Meet Ombak Kids, a dedicated zone for children near Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast. From hands-on activities to a kid-friendly Silent Disco, young ones will be kept busy over two fun-filled days.
We recommend saving a spot at the Star Wars-inspired wayang kulit show. Blending the traditional art of shadow puppetry with modern pop culture, this epic performance featuring well-loved Star Wars characters will entertain both the young and young at heart. Over at the Mereka Garden Games, kiddos can try their hand at life-sized versions of classic games like congkak, sack toss and Connect Four.
Craving precious bonding time? Round up the family for an exploration of Malaysia’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage with a JungleWalla tour. Or, don your swimsuits and make haste to Adventure Waterpark for some splashing fun under the sun.
Who’s up for a fun-filled weekend at Desaru Coast?
Dazzling performances with iconic international headliners, gourmet culinary experiences, visual arts and crafts, and more… Ombak Festival 2024 at Desaru Coast ticks all the boxes for a jam-packed weekend of fun.
And the best way to experience the festival? Book yourself a stay at a Desaru Coast resort. In-destination guests get to experience all of Ombak Festival from their resort doorstep, with world-class comfort, no less. Plus, the four five-star Desaru Coast resorts – Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, and One&Only Desaru Coast – are all within walking distance of the festival sites.
Priced from $1,000, your stay package experience will include world-class accommodation, festival passes, as well as access to the festival’s opening party on 13 September, Ombak Kids programmes, Adventure Waterpark, the Festival Village and selected food offerings. Psst: guests staying on property are also eligible for the exclusive Ombak Supper Club with The Stars on 13 September, where you can dine with festival performers including headlining acts!
Prefer to attend the festival as a day trip? Opt for the 1-day ($170++) or 2-day ($305++) passes.
Book your tickets or stay package for Ombak Festival 2024 at Desaru Coast, put on your beach wear, and get ready for a coastal weekend!
This post is in partnership with Desaru Coast.
