Desaru Coast in Johor, Malaysia, became the setting for the second edition of Ombak Festival, held from September 12 to 14. The three-day event brought together global icons, Southeast Asian performers, culinary showcases, and family-friendly activities, drawing large crowds from across the region.

The festival’s main stage featured exclusive international performances. Simply Red marked their Asia-exclusive 40th anniversary set, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic delivered their signature funk, Joss Stone previewed songs from her upcoming album alongside classic soul hits, and Flight Facilities made their Malaysian debut.

Simply Red celebrating their exclusive Asian 40th anniversary show at Ombak Festival 2025, delivering timeless classics on Desaru’s iconic Main Stage.

“Ombak Festival 2025 was designed as a bold celebration of ASEAN creativity, culture and community and our artistes and festival goers helped us deliver just that,” said Karina Ridzuan, director of Ombak Festival 2025. “The energy on stage and in the crowd was electric from Simply Red’s Asia exclusive 40th anniversary set to Joss Stone’s soulful preview of her new album and our regional stars such as Phum Viphurit, Joe Flizzow, SonaOne, and Ismail Izzani made this truly an ASEAN-forward experience.”

Alongside the international line-up, 29 regional acts performed, including Phum Viphurit, Joe Flizzow, SonaOne, Ismail Izzani, Zamaera, Diskoria, The Pinholes, Tanayu, Keyana, Kyoto Protocol, and Vanthan. The inclusion of Southeast Asian performers underscored the festival’s emphasis on ASEAN talent.

Funk legend George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic brought their stage presence to Ombak Festival 2025.

Gastronomy was a core feature. Sazón Tapas & Grill by Andrew Walsh presented modern tapas, while Carbon KL’s Smoke & Fire highlighted advanced grilling techniques. Visitors also sampled local offerings through Flavours of Johor, which showcased regional cuisine.

The festival extended into arts and culture. Attendees joined rhythm sessions with The Coast Drum Circle, explored contemporary Malaysian works curated by Segaris Art Center, and participated in traditional dance through the Zapin workshop. The Pasar Seloka bazaar presented artisanal crafts, complemented by an upcycling initiative led by Adeline Loo and puppetry by SIAPA Theatre. Additional activities included a vinyl pop-up by Kena Sound and mahjong sessions by All Tiled Up.

Ember Beach Club Brunch: Guests enjoy delicious flavors at Sazón Tapas & Grill by Andrew Walsh.

For families, the Ombak Kids zone returned with interactive attractions. Highlights included Go Fly Kites, the LEGOLAND Speed Building Challenge, 10-foot puppets Meera & Fiz, Mereka Games, and the Funfair of Forgotten Futures. The 2025 edition also introduced a new partnership with Kiddocare, providing childcare services for attending parents.

“Ombak Festival 2025 was more than just a weekend celebration, it also reflected Desaru Coast’s commitment to supporting Johor’s growing role as a hub for cultural events in Southeast Asia, especially as Malaysia leads ASEAN in 2025 and gears up for Visit Johor and Visit Malaysia Year in 2026. We are grateful to visitors, partners and the Johor community for making another extraordinary weekend at Desaru Coast possible,” Ridzuan added.

Children are having fun at Ombak Kids zone.

Festival-goers also experienced the coastal destination through stays at partner resorts including The Sirēya Desaru Coast, Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, and Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, combining music and culture with leisure and hospitality.

The three-day program combined music, food, art, and family-friendly experiences. With global acts performing alongside Southeast Asia’s brightest talents and a diverse calendar of cultural activities, Ombak Festival 2025 concluded its second edition as a destination event on Malaysia’s east coast. Plans for the 2026 edition are underway, with organizers aiming to build on the momentum established this year.