How to Find Events in Bali (Without Living in WhatsApp Groups)
Bali has a lot going on. Networking dinners, cowork nights, badminton, yoga circles, tech meetups, game nights. Most weeks feel full if you know where to look.
The hard part isn’t “is there anything happening?” It’s finding it before it’s already over.
You’ve probably had that moment where someone mentions a great evening and you only hear about it the next morning. Or you spend twenty minutes scrolling Stories hoping something useful shows up. Events here still move through private WhatsApp groups, Instagram posts that vanish in a day, and a friend of a friend who happens to know.
There’s a simpler way to find what’s on and actually show up.
Why Bali events are so easy to miss
A lot of the best gatherings here are small and informal. That’s part of why they feel good. It also means:
- They get shared in closed WhatsApp groups you’re not in yet
- Instagram is the main channel, but Stories disappear fast
- There’s no single city calendar everyone checks
- If you’re new, it’s hard to know where people actually meet
So you either grind to get into the right chats, or you miss half of what’s happening near you.
That’s the gap BaliSquad was built for. One public place to see events across Bali, join them, and host your own, without needing an intro first.
Start here: one public calendar
Before you join ten more WhatsApp groups, open balisquad.com.
You’ll see what’s happening this week. Dinners, sports, wellness, tech, social meetups. Time, place, and how many people are going. Pick something that fits your energy and go.
No algorithm. No disappearing Story. Just a clear list of real gatherings.
If you just landed, this is the fastest on-ramp. You don’t need a warm intro to see what’s on tonight in Uluwatu, Canggu, or elsewhere.
Instagram, WhatsApp, and friends still help (with limits)
BaliSquad doesn’t replace every channel. It just stops those channels from being your only option.
Instagram is still good for vibe checks: photos, reels, who’s hosting. Follow organizers and communities you like. Just don’t treat Stories like your calendar.
WhatsApp groups are where a lot of last-minute plans land. Once you’ve been to a few events, you’ll get invited into the right ones. Treat them as a bonus layer, not your starting point.
Friends and coworkers will always tip you off to hidden gems. Go to one good meetup and you’ll usually leave with two more recommendations.
Use those. Just don’t wait on them to learn that something exists.
Match the event to what you actually want
Not every meetup feels the same. Before you RSVP, ask what you’re looking for this week:
- Easy social: game nights, dinners, casual hangouts
- Active: badminton, padel, runs, beach sports
- Focus plus people: coworking sessions, AI cowork nights
- Learning: workshops, lightning talks, skill meetups
- Wellness: yoga, circles, quieter connection
BaliSquad’s event pages usually make the vibe obvious. If it says “networking dinner” or “AI coworking,” you already know the tone. Start with one low-pressure option, then branch out.
A simple weekly rhythm that works
If you want to meet people without turning it into a full-time job:
- Sunday or Monday: open BaliSquad and pick 2 or 3 things for the week
- Choose one easy win: free, nearby, low commitment
- Show up a little early once: intros are easier before the room fills
- Talk to the host: organizers remember faces and can point you to the next good thing
- Follow up lightly: if you liked it, follow that community or host for next time
One solid event a week builds a real circle faster than five random ones.
Tips if you just arrived in Bali
Landing week can feel lonely even when the island is buzzing. A few things that help:
- Start with open, free events near where you’re staying
- Uluwatu / Bukit and Canggu both have dense calendars. Don’t try to cover the whole island at once
- Coworking meetups are often the softest entry if you’re remote working
- Sports and game nights are underrated for making friends fast
- Say yes to one thing before you feel “ready”
You don’t need a perfect network on day three. You need one room where people are glad you showed up.
Hosting is part of finding (seriously)
Once you’ve been to a few gatherings, the other side opens up: hosting.
If you wish a certain kind of meetup existed (a niche hobby, a beginner workshop, a regular dinner), put it on BaliSquad. Public events reach people outside your existing chats, and the page doesn’t disappear after 24 hours.
A lot of Bali’s communities started because someone got tired of waiting for the “right” invite.
The short version
Finding events in Bali used to mean living inside Stories and private groups. You can still use those. You just don’t have to start there.
Browse what’s public. Pick something real. Show up.
That’s it.
See what’s on this week → balisquad.com
Want to host? Share your event on BaliSquad and reach people beyond your current circle.
If you’ve got a favorite way to discover things on the island that we missed, message the squad. We read every note.