Bali is a vibrant cultural hub where centuries-old traditions come to life through a myriad of festivals. In 2025, the island’s festive calendar offers tourists a unique opportunity to witness authentic Balinese traditions, partake in spiritual rituals, and enjoy colorful cultural displays. This guide not only lists the festivals month by month but also suggests curated tours and nearby accommodations to help you fully immerse yourself in the celebration.
Bali Festival Calendar – Month-by-Month Guide
| Month | Major Festivals |
| January | Suwat Water Festival (Jan 1, 2026) – Water-splashing ritual in Suwat Village, Gianyar, symbolizing purification and renewal. |
| February | Bau Nyale Festival (Feb 10–11, 2026) – Sea worm catching festival in Lombok, linked to local legend and coastal cuisine. |
| March | Nyepi (Day of Silence) (Mar 18–19, 2026)
Ogoh-Ogoh Parade (Mar 18, 2026) Omed-Omedan (Mar 20, 2026) – Includes the famous demon parades and the playful “kissing festival.” |
| April | Ubud Food Festival (Apr 22–26, 2026) – Indonesia’s premier culinary event celebrating food, culture, and creativity. |
| May | Festival Teluk Jailolo (Date TBA) – Cultural festival in West Halmahera.
Usaba Sambah / Perang Pandan (May 22, 2026) – Traditional warrior ritual in Tenganan Village. |
| June | Bali Arts Festival (June 13 – July 11, 2026) – Month-long arts and culture showcase.
Galungan (June 17, 2026) – Victory of good over evil. Kuningan (June 27, 2026) – Closing day of Galungan celebrations. |
| July | Penglipuran Village Festival (July 7–9, 2026) – Cultural heritage celebration.
Bali Kite Festival (July 20–21, 2026) – Giant traditional kite competition in Sanur. Makepung Buffalo Races (Sundays, July onwards) – Traditional buffalo racing in Jembrana. |
| August | Nusa Dua Festival (Date TBA) – Cultural performances, exhibitions, and food showcases. |
| September | Bali Carnival (Sept 26 – Oct 2, 2026) – Caribbean-themed carnival with parades and beach parties. |
| October | Makepung Bullock Races (June – Nov 2026) – Ongoing traditional buffalo races in West Bali. |
| November | Makepung Governor’s Cup Finals (Mid-November, Date TBA) – Championship buffalo races in Jembrana. |
| December | Denpasar Festival (Denfest) (Approx. Dec 27–29, 2026) – Island-wide cultural festival.
Pemuteran Bay Festival (Date TBA) – Eco-festival focused on marine conservation. Christmas (Hari Raya Natal) (Dec 25, 2026) – Festive celebrations in tourist areas. New Year’s Eve (Malam Tahun Baru) (Dec 31, 2026) – Fireworks, beach parties, and island-wide celebrations. |
1. January – Suwat Water Festival
- Date: January 1st, 2026
Suwat Water Festival 2026 is a lively cultural celebration in Suwat Village, Gianyar, Bali, marking the start of the New Year. Centered around the traditional Siat Yeh (water-splashing ritual), the festival symbolizes purification, renewal, and gratitude for water as a source of life. Locals and visitors gather to take part in joyful water play, traditional dances, and community rituals, creating a vibrant atmosphere that blends spiritual meaning with festive fun.
2. February – Bau Nyale Festival
- Date: February 10th – 11th, 2026
The Bau Nyale Festival is a unique cultural event in Lombok where locals catch sea worms, believed to be reincarnated spirits, from the pristine coastal waters. This festival is intertwined with the region’s love for fresh seafood and local specialties like grilled fish and spicy sambal, providing visitors with a taste of traditional coastal culinary practices.
Explore more: Things To Do in Lombok, Indonesia
3. March – Nyepi, Ogoh-Ogoh Parade & Omed-Omedan
March in Bali is marked by a series of contrasting celebrations.
Nyepi (Day of Silence) (March 18–19, 2026)
A day dedicated to introspection and fasting, where the meals are simple yet symbolic, often featuring steamed rice and light vegetable dishes.
Ogoh-Ogoh Parade (March 18th, 2026)
On the eve of Nyepi, vibrant demon effigies are paraded through the streets. After the procession, local vendors offer an array of street foods such as satay, jajan pasar (market snacks), and refreshing drinks to break the day’s quietude.
Omed-Omedan (March 20th, 2026)
The following day, the playful “kissing festival” is celebrated with the communal sharing of treats and local sweets that reflect the joyous spirit of the occasion.
4. April – Ubud Food Festival
- Date: April 22th – 26th, 2026
The Ubud Food Festival is a vibrant celebration of Indonesian cuisine, culture, and creativity set in the heart of Bali. This multi-day culinary event brings together renowned chefs, local food artisans, and culinary storytellers for cooking demonstrations, tastings, workshops, and panel discussions. Visitors can explore traditional and modern Indonesian flavours, enjoy live performances, and engage with the island’s rich food heritage, making it a must-visit experience for food lovers and cultural travellers alike.
5. May
Festival Teluk Jailolo (Date TBA)
Festival Teluk Jailolo in West Halmahera is a vibrant cultural celebration showcasing indigenous music, dance, and crafts. Central to this festival is the display of local cuisine – fresh seafood, locally grown spices, and traditional sweets that highlight the region’s maritime heritage and agricultural abundance, inviting visitors to savor the authentic flavors of the area.
Usaba Sambah (May 22th, 2026)
Usaba Sambah is a traditional warrior ritual held in Tenganan village, deeply rooted in Bali’s martial heritage. During this event, communities come together for ritual dances and martial arts demonstrations, often accompanied by communal feasts featuring hearty dishes like ayam betutu (slow-cooked spiced chicken) and jamu (herbal drinks) that energize participants and honor ancestral traditions.
You might be interested in the Perang Pandan Festival (Held annually during the Usaba Sambah festival)
6. June
Bali Arts Festival (June 13th, 2026 – July 11th, 2026)
The Bali Arts Festival is a month-long tribute to the island’s rich artistic legacy. Alongside dazzling performances and art exhibitions, the festival is famous for its food bazaars that offer an extensive range of Balinese culinary delights—from aromatic satays and babi guling (suckling pig) to traditional desserts like jaja Bali. These food offerings provide a delicious complement to the artistic experiences on display.
Galungan (June 17th, 2026)
What it is: This is one of the most important and beautiful religious festivals in Bali. Galungan celebrates the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil). It’s a 10-day-long celebration where the Balinese believe the ancestral spirits return to earth to visit their homes.
What you’ll see: This is an incredible time to be in Bali. The entire island transforms. You will see:
- Penjor: Beautiful, tall, decorated bamboo poles arching over the streets in front of every Balinese home.
- Offerings: Families present vast, beautiful offerings at their family temples and local temples.
- Traditional Attire: You’ll see locals dressed in their finest kebaya and sarong as they travel to temples for prayer.
Note for Travelers: While this is a family-oriented holiday, the visual spectacle is a privilege to witness. Be respectful of processions and temple ceremonies. This is a celebration of life, and the island is filled with a joyful, positive spirit.
Kuningan (June 27th, 2026)
What it is: Kuningan is the 10th and final day of the Galungan festival. This day marks the time when the ancestral spirits are believed to ascend back to heaven.
What you’ll see: The celebrations are similar to Galungan, with special ceremonies and offerings, particularly of yellow rice (nasi kuning). It’s a day of joy, feasting, and final prayers, concluding the most significant holiday period in the Balinese calendar.
7. July – Bali Kite Festival & Penglipuran Village Festival
July brings two distinct festivals with a strong culinary connection.
Makepung Buffalo Races Finals (July onwards, Sundays)
What it is: Held in Jembrana, West Bali, Makepung is a unique tradition of buffalo racing. Farmers and their “jockeys” race colorful, decorated water buffaloes down a wet, muddy racetrack. The main “Governor’s Cup” finals are often held in mid-November.
What you’ll see: It’s a thrilling, muddy, and vibrant cultural spectacle, vastly different from the serene scenes in Ubud or Seminyak. It’s a powerful display of local tradition and community pride.
Bali Kite Festival (July 20th – 21st, 2026)
At Sanur Beach, this colorful kite-flying competition is not only a visual spectacle but also a gastronomic delight, with food markets serving local snacks, fresh coconut water, and Balinese treats that add to the festive atmosphere.
Explore more hotels in Sanur.
Penglipuran Village Festival (July 7th – 9th, 2026)
In the picturesque Penglipuran Village, traditional food preparation is a communal affair. Visitors can enjoy authentic rural dishes such as nasi campur and jamu, reflecting the village’s commitment to preserving its cultural and culinary heritage.
8. August – Nusa Dua Festival
- Date: Date TBA
The Nusa Dua Festival is a dynamic cultural event that brings together performance art, exhibitions, and a wide array of culinary experiences. Food is a central feature, with gourmet stalls offering both contemporary twists on classic Balinese dishes and time-honored recipes. The festival serves as a celebration of Bali’s culinary evolution, where tradition meets modernity on every plate.
Check out: Best Things To Do in Nusa Dua
9. September – Bali Carnival
- Date: September 26th – October 2nd, 2026
Bali Carnival is the first Trinidad and Tobago-themed carnival in Southeast Asia.
Taking place across 6 days, the festival centers around the New Renaissance Bali Hotel in Nusa Dua and includes parades, pool parties, and its own color festival. This vibrant celebration brings together the energy of Caribbean culture with Bali’s unique charm, offering an unforgettable experience for visitors
10. October – Makepung Bullock Races
- Date: June – November 2026
Makepung Bullock Races in Jembrana are a thrilling display of rural Balinese customs. These traditional buffalo races are a cornerstone of the local agrarian lifestyle and are typically accompanied by festive food stalls offering hearty, rustic dishes. Visitors can enjoy local specialties such as sate lilit (minced meat satay) and traditional desserts, which encapsulate the flavors of rural Bali.
11. November – Legian Beach Festival
- Date: Date TBA
What it is: This lively, modern festival usually takes place in November (dates are announced a few months prior). It’s a celebration of local art, culture, and cuisine, stretching along the sands of Legian Beach.
What you’ll see: Expect a bustling atmosphere with dozens of food stalls, local craft markets, surfing competitions, and live music stages right on the beach.
12. December
- Date: December 31st, 2026
Bali’s New Year’s Eve Celebrations mark the end of the year with a dazzling display of beach parties, cultural performances, and elaborate feasts. The festivities are celebrated with a mix of modern entertainment and traditional Balinese cuisine. Lavish banquets, street food festivals, and communal meals featuring local delicacies create an unforgettable culinary experience to welcome the New Year with joy and abundance.
Pemuteran Bay Festival (Date TBA)
What it is: A wonderful eco-festival in Northwest Bali, celebrating marine conservation. Pemuteran is famous for its “biorock” underwater reef restoration project.
What you’ll see: The festival combines art, culture, and nature. Expect traditional Gebug Ende (ritual stick fighting) performances, art exhibitions, yoga sessions, and opportunities to learn about the incredible marine conservation efforts.
Denpasar Festival (Approx. Dec 27th – 29th, 2026)
What it is: The capital city of Denpasar hosts a massive, island-wide festival to close out the year. It’s a huge showcase of Balinese culture, art, and creativity, centered around the Puputan Badung Square and the Catur Muka statue.
What you’ll see: A vibrant street festival! Expect food bazaars, handicraft exhibitions, traditional dance and music performances, colorful parades, and a generally jubilant atmosphere as the city celebrates its identity.
Christmas (December 25th, 2025)
What it is: While Bali is predominantly Hindu, Christmas is warmly celebrated, especially in the tourist hubs of Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, and Nusa Dua.
What you’ll see: Hotels and restaurants offer lavish Christmas brunches and dinners. Malls and villas are decorated with festive lights, and you’ll even see “Christmas trees” made of bamboo or recycled materials. While it’s not a public holiday in the same way, the festive spirit is undeniable.
New Year’s Eve (Malam Tahun Baru) (December 31st, 2026)
What it is: This is the biggest party night of the year in Bali. The entire island celebrates, from quiet, spiritual gatherings in the mountains to massive beach parties on the coast.
What you’ll see:
- The Big Beach Clubs: Places in Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu host world-famous DJs and ticketed events.
- Beach Fireworks: The beaches of Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak become a massive, informal gathering, with fireworks being set off in every direction at midnight.
- Ubud: Celebrations are more relaxed, with special dinners at restaurants and smaller, more intimate gatherings.
- Jimbaran Bay: Famous for its seafood dinners on the beach, which become a prime (and very busy) spot for watching the fireworks.
Discover 20 Best Things To Do in Bali
Practical Travel Tips for Travelers
Can Tourists Join These Festivals?
Many of Bali’s festivals welcome tourists with open arms. Public events like the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, Bali Arts Festival, and Bali Kite Festival offer immersive cultural experiences. However, some religious ceremonies and temple rituals are reserved for locals, so please observe respectfully.
What’s Open & Closed During Festivals?
During Nyepi, the entire island observes a 24-hour silence—airports, roads, businesses, and attractions are closed. Other festivals may cause temporary disruptions, so be sure to check local advisories and plan your travel accordingly.
How to Plan a Trip Around Bali Festivals
- Book Early: Secure your accommodations well in advance, especially during peak festival seasons.
- Check Logistics: Look into road closures, public transport schedules, and any festival-specific restrictions.
Dress Appropriately: Respect local customs by dressing modestly, especially when visiting religious events.
Best Ways to Experience Festivals as a Tourist
- Stay Nearby: Choose accommodations close to the festival venues for easy access.
- Join Cultural Tours: Enhance your understanding by joining guided tours that explain the traditions and significance behind each festival.
- Respect Local Customs: Always observe local etiquette, whether it’s maintaining silence during Nyepi or following temple protocols.
By understanding the cultural significance and festive flavors that define each event, visitors can plan a meaningful journey that respects local customs while indulging in Bali’s dynamic culinary scene. Embrace the opportunity to experience these authentic cultural celebrations, and let Bali’s vibrant festivals transform your travel experience into a feast for both the senses and the soul.
