Desaru Coast Unveils Bigger and Bolder Ombak Festival for 2025

Following a breakout debut that drew crowds from the region last year, Ombak Festival returns to Desaru Coast from 12–14 September 2025 with an even bigger celebration of global and Southeast Asian creativity, culture, and community. Set against Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship year, the 2025 edition expands its spotlight on regional talent across music, performance, arts, food, and family-friendly experiences with Ombak Kids.

Presented by Desaru Coast, the award-winning destination resort and home to five-star resorts all within walking distance of the festival village, grounds, and stages — Ombak Festival celebrates vibrant outdoor living with a distinctly Malaysian flair, natural charm, and a warm, inclusive vibe that resonates with every kind of festival-goer.

“For our second year, building on our intentionally diverse ethos, we are going bolder in vision, broader in scope and bursting with Southeast Asian soul. The play this year is to intrepidly represent the best of ASEAN by uniting global icons with regional talents to stage an unparalleled experience of live music, taste explorations, and artistic expression in one ultimate weekend,” said Karina Ridzuan, Director of Ombak Festival.

“We are thrilled to present Simply Red’s exclusive Southeast Asian performance as the band celebrates their 40th anniversary. The festival also welcomes funk legend George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, while Joss Stone offers a soulful preview of her upcoming 2025 album and DJ duo Flight Facilities make their long-awaited Malaysian debut. Taking the same stage are ASEAN powerhouses of talent — Thailand’s Phum Viphurit, our very own anak Johor, Joe Flizzow and friends, SonaOne and Ismail Izzani, Malaysian ska veterans Gerhana Skacinta, Singapore’s The Pinholes, and Indonesia’s Diskoria and Tanayu — and we have more Southeast Asian acts to announce in July,” Karina said.

What sets Ombak Festival apart is the fact that it is truly The Ultimate Weekend for everyone to enjoy with an array of F&B offerings, strong arts lineup, and dedicated Ombak Kids programming for the younger folk. Last year’s success has led to the return of several crowd favourites to the 2025 edition: the grill stylings of Andrew Walsh and Carbon KL on the culinary side, and kitemaking with Go Fly Kites and 10-foot festival puppets Meera & Fiz under Ombak Kids. On the arts side, Segaris Art Center is once again collaborating with local schoolchildren to showcase art techniques – last year was sculpture, this year block printing techniques.

“With iconic acts and culture-defining moments, Ombak Festival 2025 is set to deliver another year of extraordinary experiences in our intimate coastal setting. Driving our ambition is the vision to establish the event as Southeast Asia’s must-attend festival, setting the stage as we build momentum towards Visit Johor and Visit Malaysia Year 2026. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of the state authorities and the communities across the Greater Desaru region, whose collaboration was instrumental in bringing Ombak Festival to life,” she added.

Grab your early bird passes

Whether vibing with friends, enjoying quality time with family, or flying solo for a weekend of pure joy, you will find your rhythm, your tribe, and your place by the stunning coast. Early bird passes are now available, so don’t miss the opportunity to secure tickets to one of the most highly anticipated music events of the year at www.ombakfestival.com or Ticketmelon.

To enjoy the festival at your doorstep, book your stay at one of Desaru Coast’s 5-star resorts: Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, and Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas.

The Ultimate Weekend redefined through sound, taste, art and play

Over the span of three unforgettable days, the festival stages come alive with chart-topping legends and ASEAN’s brightest stars in soul, funk, pop and hip-hop, as festival acts turn every sunset into a party anthem.

From the timeless grooves of Simply Red to channelling your inner funk together with George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic as you kick back on the beach, every moment promises pure musical bliss. Tune in to the ’03 soul session with Joss Stone while Australia’s Flight Facilities takes you on an electronic journey that will have you dancing in the sand.

The stage will ignite a powerhouse of talent. Delight in the experience of Phum Viphurit serenading you with dreamy indie-pop tracks. Meanwhile, homegrown talent is front and centre with Joe Flizzow, Sona One and Ismail Izzani bringing the best of hip-hop and rap straight to the crowd. Bringing fresh and zesty energy and diverse sounds are Don West with coastal soul music, Diskoria with its infectious grooves, Gerhana Skacinta that specialises in musical style of ska and power-packed quartet The Pinholes exuding indie charm with dynamic renditions of funk, soul and pop as well as classic rock and roll.

Singapore’s Blackout Agency takeover is set to make waves with Miss Lil, Sivanesh, Zig Zach, Ouissam, and JonnyVicious tearing up the decks. Disko Santan and Golden Mammoth will keep the dancefloors packed, while Keyana, Kyoto Protocol, LZZY, and Masia One & The Jah Jah Army infuse the festival with smooth rhythms and bold performances. The beats roll on with NADA, Tanayu, The Filters and Cambodia’s Vanthan, all bringing their unique flair to the stage, making every moment spectacular together in a celebration of sound, culture, and pure joy!

The fun doesn’t just stop at music — Ombak Festival brings the vibes to life with immersive art installations, creative workshops, gastronomic adventures for the discerning and playful zones for kids, making it a full-on celebration for all ages.

Taste and Toast to Good Times

Culinary experiences will be served up, as top chefs from the region take over kitchens and present exciting showcases, highlighting the richness of both Malaysian and ASEAN ingredients and flavours. Festival-goers will be treated to the exquisite Sazón Tapas & Grill by Andrew Walsh while Carbon KL brings Smoke & Fire elevates the art of grilling with cutting-edge techniques, to Flavours of Johor, an exceptional spread that celebrates the finest of local tastes.

Nurture the Artistic Side

Art aficionados can immerse themselves in expertly-crafted exhibits that highlight cultural narratives, traditional techniques, and contemporary expressions drawing from Malaysia’s rich artistic legacy and the region’s creative spirit. They can experience the charm of Pasar Seloka at Ombak Festival – a vibrant marketplace teeming with artisanal finds, handcrafted treasures, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes. For those eager to dive into creative pursuits, the Pulau Pulao DIY and upcycling workshops are the perfect chance to roll up their sleeves and craft their own unique creations – no experience needed, just their imagination. Want to recreate the mahjong scene in Crazy Rich Asians? All Tiled Up is on hand with mahjong lessons for all!

Big Fun for the Little Ones

Little ones are in for a treat with Ombak Kids offering a lively lineup of family-friendly fun, from immersing in the Funfair of Forgotten Future, a build-and-play experience with LEGOLAND Speed Building Challenge, and interaction with the festival’s specially commissioned giant puppets, Meera & Fiz by Thailand’s Nice Monster puppetry studio. The 10-foot Meera & Fiz represent figures from Johor’s rich folklore, and were crowd favourites last year, together with kitemaking lessons with Go Fly Kites and super-sized garden games by Mereka Games, both returning due to popular demand.

Keep up with the excitement by following Ombak Festival on social media for the latest lineup reveals, exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses, and travel tips to make the most of your festival experience. Trust us; you will not want to miss the full lineup, curated experiences, and VIP-only events that are coming soon. Stay tuned – the adventure is just getting started.

Watch the official teaser on YouTube here and visit their website for more details.