Bali Festivals & Events Calendar 2026

Bali is not just a destination — it is a living culture where ceremonies, festivals, and rituals happen almost every day of the year. The Balinese calendar is packed with celebrations ranging from island-wide holidays that shut down the entire island to village-level temple ceremonies that you might stumble upon simply by walking down the right street at the right time.

Understanding the festival calendar can transform your trip. Timing your visit to coincide with a major ceremony like Galungan or the lead-up to Nyepi adds a dimension of cultural immersion that beaches and beach clubs cannot match.

Here is what to expect throughout 2026.

Understanding the Balinese Calendar

Before diving into specific dates, it helps to understand how Balinese time works. Bali operates on two calendar systems simultaneously:

The Pawukon calendar runs in 210-day cycles (not 365 days). This means festivals like Galungan and Kuningan fall on different Gregorian dates each year, and they occur roughly every 7 months rather than annually.

The Saka calendar is a Hindu lunar calendar used for events like Nyepi (Balinese New Year). These dates shift year to year based on moon phases but follow a roughly annual cycle.

On top of these, there are odalan (temple anniversary ceremonies) happening somewhere on the island every single day. With over 20,000 temples, each celebrating its own anniversary on the Pawukon cycle, ceremony-free days in Bali essentially do not exist.

January 2026

New Year’s Day (January 1)

While not a Balinese festival, New Year’s Eve and Day are celebrated widely in tourist areas. Seminyak and Canggu beach clubs host major countdown events, and fireworks light up the south coast.

Galungan (January 14, 2026)

One of the most important festivals in the Balinese Hindu calendar. Galungan celebrates the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil). For ten days, the ancestral spirits are believed to visit their families on earth.

What you will see: Tall bamboo penjor poles decorated with offerings line every road in Bali. Families dress in their finest traditional clothing and visit temples together. Villages come alive with prayer, music, and processions. The atmosphere across the entire island shifts — it is one of the most beautiful times to be in Bali.

What it means for visitors: Some shops and restaurants may close for the day, especially locally-owned ones. Private drivers may be unavailable or charge premium rates. Book transport in advance.

Kuningan (January 24, 2026)

The conclusion of the Galungan period, ten days later. Kuningan marks the day the ancestral spirits return to heaven. Offerings are even more elaborate than Galungan, with yellow-tinted rice (symbolizing prosperity) placed at every shrine and temple.

February 2026

Chinese New Year (February 17, 2026)

Bali has a significant Chinese-Indonesian community, and Chinese New Year is celebrated with vibrant lion dances, fireworks, and temple ceremonies — particularly in Kuta, Denpasar, and Singaraja. The main temples to visit are Vihara Dharmayana in Kuta and temples in the Denpasar Chinatown area.

March 2026

Nyepi — Day of Silence (March 19, 2026)

The most extraordinary festival in Bali and one of the most unique cultural events on earth. Nyepi is the Balinese New Year (Saka calendar), and it is celebrated by doing absolutely nothing.

The day before Nyepi (Ogoh-Ogoh Parade): Giant papier-mache demon statues are paraded through the streets in every village across Bali, accompanied by gamelan music, torches, and hundreds of participants. The ogoh-ogoh represent evil spirits, and the parade is meant to confuse and drive them away. This is one of the most spectacular things you will ever witness — massive, terrifying demon figures carried by teams of young men through torch-lit streets.

Nyepi Day itself: The entire island shuts down for 24 hours. No one is allowed outside. No lights. No fires. No noise. No travel. The airport closes. Hotels keep guests on their premises (pools and grounds are usually accessible). It is meant to trick the evil spirits into thinking the island is deserted so they leave.

What it means for visitors: You will be confined to your hotel for 24 hours. This is non-negotiable — pecalang (traditional security guards) patrol the streets and enforce the silence. Most travelers find it a surprisingly peaceful and memorable experience. Stock up on snacks and entertainment the day before.

Important: Do not book flights arriving or departing on Nyepi Day. The airport is closed for the full 24 hours.

April 2026

Easter Week

Not a Balinese holiday, but many international visitors travel during Easter, making it one of the busier periods. Book accommodation and activities in advance.

Full Moon Ceremony (Purnama)

Monthly full moon ceremonies happen at temples across Bali. The April full moon ceremony is one of the more significant ones. Visit any major temple around the full moon date to see elaborate offerings and prayer. Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, and the temples around Ubud are all excellent choices.

May 2026

Waisak / Vesak (May 12, 2026)

The celebration of Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death. While Bali is predominantly Hindu, the Buddhist communities celebrate at monasteries and viharas across the island. The Brahma Vihara Arama Buddhist monastery in North Bali (near Lovina) holds the largest celebrations.

June 2026

Bali Arts Festival (Mid-June to Mid-July)

The largest annual cultural event in Bali, held at the Taman Werdhi Budaya Arts Centre in Denpasar. For one month, the festival showcases traditional and contemporary Balinese performing arts — dance, music, puppetry, painting, sculpture, and crafts.

What to expect: Daily performances, exhibitions, craft markets, and a grand opening parade. Many performances are free. This is the single best opportunity to see the full breadth of Balinese artistic tradition in one place.

Tip: The opening parade through Denpasar is spectacular — hundreds of performers in full ceremonial dress. Arrive early to get a good viewing spot.

Usaba Sambah Festival (Tenganan Village)

This annual festival in the ancient Bali Aga village of Tenganan features the mekare-kare pandanus leaf fighting ritual — young men ritually fight using bundles of thorny pandanus leaves. It is found nowhere else in the world and is one of Bali’s most unique cultural experiences.

July 2026

Bali Arts Festival Continues

The festival runs through mid-July with daily performances and events.

Peak Tourist Season Begins

July and August are Bali’s busiest months, coinciding with European and Australian school holidays. Book everything in advance — popular activities like the Mount Batur sunrise trek and Nusa Penida day trips sell out during this period.

August 2026

Galungan (August 12, 2026)

Galungan occurs again — remember, it follows the 210-day Pawukon cycle, not the 365-day calendar. This second Galungan of 2026 falls in peak tourist season, giving August visitors the rare opportunity to experience this significant festival alongside peak-season weather and atmosphere.

Kuningan (August 22, 2026)

Ten days after the August Galungan, with the same ritual significance as the January observance.

Indonesian Independence Day (August 17)

Indonesia’s national holiday celebrating independence from the Netherlands in 1945. In Bali, expect flag-raising ceremonies, parades, community competitions (sack races, eating contests, pole climbing), and a festive atmosphere, especially in towns and village centers.

The celebrations are fun, community-oriented, and welcoming to visitors. Red and white bunting decorates every street.

September 2026

Shoulder Season Sweet Spot

September is one of the best months to visit Bali. The dry season weather is still excellent, the peak-season crowds have thinned, and prices drop. Many Balinese ceremonies continue on their usual cycle, meaning cultural experiences are just as rich without the competition for space.

Piodalan Temple Ceremonies

Temple anniversary celebrations (odalan) happen constantly throughout September, as they do all year. If you are traveling with a private driver who knows the local calendar, they can take you to village ceremonies that most tourists never see. These smaller, community-level ceremonies are often more intimate and moving than the major festivals.

October 2026

Purnama Kedasa (Full Moon Ceremony)

The tenth full moon of the Balinese year is one of the most auspicious. Major ceremonies take place at temples across the island. This is an excellent time to visit Uluwatu, Besakih, or Tirta Empul for a heightened spiritual atmosphere.

Bali Vegan Festival

A growing annual event celebrating plant-based food and sustainable living, typically held in Ubud. The festival features cooking demonstrations, talks, yoga, and food stalls from Bali’s thriving vegan restaurant scene.

November 2026

Wet Season Begins

The rainy season typically starts in November. Rain usually comes in short, intense afternoon bursts rather than all-day drizzle. Mornings are often clear, making early activities like the volcano trek and waterfall tours still viable.

Tumpek Landep

A ceremony dedicated to metal objects — originally swords and weapons, now extended to cars, motorbikes, and computers. You will see offerings placed on vehicles and machinery across the island. It is a uniquely Balinese way of honoring the tools that sustain daily life.

December 2026

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival

One of Southeast Asia’s premier literary events, held annually in Ubud. The festival brings together writers, thinkers, and artists from Indonesia and around the world for several days of panels, workshops, and performances.

Christmas & New Year Period

The busiest tourist period of the year. Bali’s hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs go all-out for the festive season, with special menus, events, and parties. Seminyak and Canggu host the biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Book well in advance. December prices are at their annual peak, and the best villas and restaurants sell out months ahead.

Tips for Experiencing Bali’s Festivals

1. Dress appropriately. If you attend any temple ceremony, wear a sarong and sash. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Most major temples provide rentals, but carrying your own is more respectful.

2. Ask before photographing. Balinese people are generally welcoming of respectful photography during ceremonies, but always ask permission first, especially for close-up portraits and during sacred moments.

3. Follow your driver’s lead. A knowledgeable private driver will know which ceremonies are open to visitors, what the etiquette is, and when it is appropriate to step back. This local guidance is invaluable.

4. Be patient with closures. During major festivals, roads may be closed for processions, some businesses shut down, and your driver may need to take alternative routes. Embrace it — these disruptions are the culture happening around you.

5. Check dates before booking. Nyepi Day in particular requires planning. Do not book flights on that date, and make sure your hotel has arrangements for the 24-hour silence period.

Let Gede Time Your Trip Perfectly

Gede can help you plan your visit around the festivals and ceremonies that interest you most. Whether you want to witness the ogoh-ogoh parade before Nyepi, participate in a temple ceremony, or simply avoid peak-season crowds, he will build an itinerary that puts you in the right place at the right time.

Get your free personalized itinerary →