Bali, this picturesque Indonesian island, will take you into a dazzling cultural feast with its 2024 festivals and celebrations. Whether you want to avoid a specific period or rush to a Bali event feast, this complete guide can be your best index! Let’s explore the colorful and vibrant festival activities presented by this unique island together!
For friends who want to avoid Bali’s five peak seasons, please refer to: Bali Actually Has Five Tourist Peak Seasons! How to Avoid Peak Seasons and Travel Smart?
When is the rainy season and dry season in Indonesia/Bali? Please see: The Best Time to Travel to Bali? In-depth Understanding of Dry Season, Rainy Season/Pros and Cons Analysis
Understand Indonesia/Bali holidays, arrange your travel more easily!
Before starting the introduction below, it is important to let everyone understand that most of Indonesia and Bali’s festivals involve the Islamic calendar/Bali calendar/Chinese lunar calendar, so their dates are different from the Gregorian calendar and change every year. Next year, the same day may not necessarily be the same festival!
(The following text is long, click the “Open Directory” icon to quickly navigate)
Find this button and press “Open Directory” to quickly navigate
January
January 1: New Year’s Day (Indonesian National Holiday)
January 9: Siwa Ratri (Balinese Hindu Festival)
- January 1st, New Year’s Day, is a public holiday observed almost worldwide, including in Indonesia/Bali. The celebrations typically peak on December 31st with New Year’s Eve festivities. During this period, Indonesians have a spontaneous “Nataru” holiday. For more details, refer to the festival introduction at the end of December.
The countdown to the New Year is the highlight of January 1st! In Bali, there are many places hosting countdown parties!
- January 9th, Siwa Ratri, is one of the significant festivals in the Balinese calendar. Siwa Ratri emphasizes introspection, meditation, and seeking forgiveness. The rituals include staying awake for 36 hours, fasting for 24 hours, and maintaining silence for 12 hours. After this period, purification ceremonies are usually held at the beach, alongside ceremonies at some of the island’s major temples.
February
February 8: Ascension of Prophet Muhammad (Indonesian National Holiday)
February 9 - 15: Chinese Lunar New Year Holiday
February 28 - March 9: Galungan Kuningan (Balinese Hindu Festival)
- February 8, 2024, marks the Ascension of Prophet Muhammad, a national holiday in Indonesia. This is an important Islamic festival commemorating the Prophet’s ascension. On this day, Muslims gather in mosques for prayers and worship.
- February 9 - 15 is our Chinese Lunar New Year! Indonesia designates the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10, 2024) as a national holiday. However, this year it coincides with February 8, also a national holiday (Ascension of Prophet Muhammad), so February 9 is designated as a flexible holiday. Therefore, friends in Indonesia can enjoy a four-day holiday during the Lunar New Year period (February 11 is a Sunday)! The week-long Chinese Lunar New Year holiday may seem unrelated to Bali, Indonesia, but it is also a peak travel season as many tourists from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan take long vacations during this time!
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a long vacation for adults, winter break for kids, and bring your elders to Bali to escape the cold!
- February 28 to March 9: Galungan & Kuningan - One of Bali’s most important festivals, lasting about 10 days, celebrating the creation of the universe and the triumph of good over evil. During this festival, people honor their ancestors at home, seeking their blessings, and perform ceremonies at temples to show reverence to the gods. Galungan & Kuningan also marks the beginning of the Balinese New Year according to the Pawukon calendar, signifying the day of the universe’s creation. Schools in Bali close for two weeks during this period, highlighting its significance!
March
March 1 - 3: Joyland Festival Bali (Bali Event)
March 8: Maha Shivaratri (Balinese Hindu Festival)
March 10: Bali Monster Parade (Bali Event)
March 11: Balinese Day of Silence & Hindu New Year (Nyepi) (Indonesian National Holiday)
March 12: Flexible Holiday for Nyepi & Start of Islamic Ramadan
March 12: Omed Omedan (Bali Event)
March 25: Holi (Balinese Hindu Festival)
March 29: Good Friday (Indonesian National Holiday)
- From March 1 to March 3, 2024, the Joyland Festival Bali will take place in Nusa Dua, Bali. Joyland Festival Bali is an annual music and arts festival held in Bali. The event showcases three days of live music, comedy, films, workshops, and activities.
“Joyland Festival” is a grand music celebration
➡️Click here for more great deals in Bali⬅️
-
On Friday, March 8, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated, a Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva. On this day, Hindus gather in temples for prayers and worship.
-
March 10: Bali’s Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, a unique experience! Check out Jay’s introduction for a chance to experience it yourself:
-
March 11: Nyepi Day/Hindu New Year in Bali. This is the most important holiday in Bali. What is Nyepi Day? Is Nyepi Day a good time to visit Bali? What should you be aware of? Where can you watch the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade? Find out here.
-
March 12: Nearly 90% of Indonesia’s population, who are Muslim, begin a month-long fast on this day! What is fasting? Why fast? Check out Jay’s mom’s Q & A on Ramadan:
-
March 12: Omed-Omedan Festival. While Muslims in other parts of Indonesia begin fasting, Bali coincidentally celebrates “Omed-Omedan” on the same day in 2024. This is one of Bali’s most exciting festivals. On this day, large groups of unmarried young people gather for a mass kissing event. Men and women stand opposite each other, then begin hugging and kissing. Spectators cheer them on and splash water on them. This event welcomes foreign tourists to watch, but participation should be avoided.
-
Monday, March 25, 2024, is Holi, a Hindu festival. Holi is a celebration of spring and love, also known as the Festival of Colors. On this day, people throw colored powders at each other and share food and sweets.
Bali’s Holi Festival
- March 29 is a Christian holiday. According to Indonesia’s Pancasila principle of equality among the five major religions, major Christian holidays are also national holidays in Indonesia.
April
April 8 - 15: Eid al-Fitr Joint Holiday (Public Holiday)
April 10: Eid al-Fitr (Indonesian Public Holiday)
- The Eid al-Fitr holiday in Indonesia for 2024 will begin on Friday, April 8, and continue until April 15. Eid al-Fitr is the most important holiday in Indonesia, celebrating the end of the Muslim fasting month (April 10). It is a time for Indonesians to spend with family and friends, similar in significance to the Chinese Lunar New Year.
In 2024, the Eid al-Fitr holiday in Indonesia will begin on Friday, April 8, and continue until April 15. Eid al-Fitr is the most important holiday in Indonesia, celebrating the end of the Muslim fasting month (April 10). It is a time for Indonesians to spend with family and friends, similar in significance to the Chinese Lunar New Year. Typically, Bali starts to see an influx of local Indonesians around April 5, with crowds filling the island. This marks the first peak season of Bali’s five major peak periods. It is highly recommended to avoid traveling to Bali during this holiday!
The bustling scene of Eid al-Fitr in Bali in previous years
- During Eid al-Fitr, it is also known as ‘Lebaran’. For more information about Eid al-Fitr, please watch Xiao Jie’s video: VID0
May
May 1: International Labor Day (Indonesian Public Holiday)
May 1 - 5: Bali Spirit Festival (Bali Event)
May 9: Ascension Day of Jesus Christ (Indonesian Public Holiday)
May 10: Ascension Day Joint Holiday (Flexible Holiday)
May 23: Buddha’s Birthday (Waisak Day) (Indonesian National Holiday)
May 24: Buddha’s Birthday Joint Holiday (Flexible Holiday)
May 28–29: Ubud Open Studios 2024 (Bali Event)
- May 1: International Labor Day
- May 1–5: The 2024 Bali Spirit Festival begins on May 1 and runs through May 5. The Bali Spirit Festival is a music, wellness, and yoga festival designed to provide participants with a holistic mind-body-soul experience. The festival takes place in Ubud. During the event, participants can join yoga, dance, music, and healing workshops, and connect with people from around the world. The Bali Spirit Festival aims to create a global community that respects and cares for the environment we live in.
- May 9: Christian Holiday
- May 23: Waisak Day, the most significant Buddhist holiday, is a national holiday in some Asian countries. Why haven’t we heard much about it? Check out this introduction by Xiao Jie.
You can also explore the relationship between Chinese festivals and Indonesia:
- May 28–29: Ubud Open Studios is an art festival where over 70 studios will open to the public during the event. Participants include painters, illustrators, architects, interior designers, photographers, ceramicists, glassblowers, leatherworkers, weavers, clothing makers, and sculptors. Ubud is considered Bali’s cultural hub, home to a large community of artists. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with some of the island’s most creative talents.
June
June 1: Pancasila Day (Indonesian National Holiday)
June 1–7: Bali International Film Festival (Bali Event)
June 15–July 13: Bali Arts Festival (Bali Event)
June 17: Eid al-Adha (Indonesian National Holiday)
June 18: Eid al-Adha Joint Holiday (Flexible Day Off)
-
June 1, Pancasila Day, is similar to Taiwan’s Constitution Day concept (Indonesian National Holiday). Check out Xiao Jie’s introduction for more details:
-
June 1 - June 7: Bali International Film Festival This is an international film festival showcasing independent and award-winning films from Indonesia and around the world, including fiction, documentaries, feature films, and short films. The 17th edition will take place in 2024. Please follow the festival’s official website for more information.
-
June 15 - July 13: Bali Arts Festival, the largest cultural event in Bali, Indonesia, aims to celebrate, preserve, and develop Balinese art and culture. This festival starts on the second Saturday of June every year and lasts for a month, having been held since 1979, making it one of Indonesia’s oldest art festivals. The Bali Arts Festival includes various exhibitions, performances, and art-related activities to showcase Balinese culture and art. During the festival, many towns are decorated with traditional bamboo and coconut to celebrate. Numerous outdoor stages and pavilions are set up across Bali to host various talent performances. On these stages, you can enjoy dance, puppet shows, and musical performances. The festival usually begins with a parade in Denpasar, followed by traditional music, and then opens to the public with painting, sculpture, and photography exhibitions, as well as craft displays and food stalls offering Balinese cuisine. Link to the 2023 Bali Arts Festival introduction
Bali Arts Festival is exciting for a whole month!
- June 17 is the second most important Islamic holiday, called Eid al-Adha, which involves the sacrifice of livestock. Behind the seemingly bloody and cruel festival lies a deeply moving significance:
➡️Click here for more great deals in Bali⬅️
July
TBD Ubud Food Festival (Bali Event)
July 7: Islamic New Year (Muharram) (Indonesian National Holiday)
13th: Saraswati (Bali Hindu Festival)
17th: Pagerwesi (Bali Hindu Festival)
20th: Bali Kite Festival (Bali Event)
TBD Sanur Village Festival (Bali Event)
-
The Ubud Food Festival will be held in Ubud, Bali, between June and July 2024 (dates TBD). This festival is a celebration of Indonesian food and beverages, featuring various activities including long-table lunches, culinary collaborations among Southeast Asia’s leading chefs, food talks, concerts, and film screenings. If you wish to attend, you can purchase tickets on the official website.
-
July 7th marks the Islamic New Year, though no special celebrations are typically held.
-
July 13th Saraswati is a festival celebrating the goddess of wisdom. It is primarily celebrated by children who pray and bring offerings to their school temples. Balinese people also honor the goddess and books by sprinkling holy water. The most famous Saraswati water temple in Bali is located just a five-minute walk from Ubud Palace, also known as “Ubud Water Palace.” Check out Xiao Jie’s introduction for more: VID1
-
July 17th Pagerwesi is a Balinese religious festival aimed at strengthening and developing an individual’s spiritual power against evil. On this occasion, prayers and offerings are made to save humanity and keep evil away from both the living and ancestors.
-
The Bali Kite Festival is a celebration of Balinese culture, usually held in July and August each year, with the 2024 edition taking place on July 20th and 21st. During this festival, participants from around the world bring their uniquely designed kites to compete on the beaches of Sanur.
The Bali Kite Festival is an internationally renowned kite competition.
- The Sanur Village Festival is an annual event held in the coastal village of Sanur (for more on what to do in Sanur, check out Xiao Jie’s Sanur Travel Guide). This festival celebrates art, food, culture, fashion, yoga, and the environment. Numerous large-scale events coincide with the festival, including tennis, traditional boat races, marine water sports, surfing competitions, photography contests and exhibitions, kite flying festivals, village bike tours, markets, coral planting, baby turtle releases, food festivals, music and cultural performances, yoga, open golf tournaments, and the Bali International Triathlon.
The Sanur Village Festival is a major annual event.
August
August 2-3: Ubud Village Jazz Festival (Bali Event)
August 17: Indonesian Independence Day (National Holiday)
August 19: Raksha Bandhan (Bali Hindu Festival)
August 26: Janmashtami (Bali Hindu Festival)
-
The Ubud Village Jazz Festival (Ubud Village Jazz Festival) held from August 2 to 3 is an annual music festival set in the artistic ambiance of Ubud, Bali. The event showcases a variety of jazz music performed by both local and international musicians. In addition to live performances, there are also jazz music workshops.
-
August 17: Indonesian Independence Day, also known as Indonesia’s National Day, is celebrated every year on August 17. On this day, Indonesians engage in various celebratory activities, including fun competitions, parades, concerts, and fireworks displays.
-
August 19: Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that typically takes place in August. This celebration honors the bond between siblings, where sisters tie a bracelet around their brothers’ wrists to protect them from evil influences.
-
August 26: Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. This event usually occurs in August or September, with the date determined by the Hindu calendar.
September
September 7: Ganesh Chaturthi (Bali Hindu Festival)
September 16: Maulid Nabi Muhammad (Indonesian National Holiday)
September 25 - October 5
26th: Bali Carnival （Bali Event）
- Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the deity of prosperity and wisdom, highly revered by the people of Bali. This festival usually takes place in August or September each year, with the date determined by the Hindu calendar.
Hindu Lord Ganesha
- Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) is an Islamic festival celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad. This festival usually falls on the 12th day of the third month (Rabi’ al-awwal) in the Islamic calendar, with the date determined by the lunar calendar.
- Starting on 9/25, Galungan & Kuningan is one of Bali’s most important festivals, typically lasting around 10 days, celebrating the creation of the universe and the triumph of good over evil. During this festival, people honor their ancestors at home, seeking their blessings, and hold ceremonies at temples to pay respects to the gods. Galungan & Kuningan also marks the beginning of the Balinese New Year, according to the Pawukon calendar, and is considered the day of cosmic creation. Schools in Bali close for two weeks during this period, highlighting its significance! Note that transportation services like ferries, private cars, and taxis may be affected.
- The most exciting event in September is the ‘Bali Carnival’! This is a new annual cultural festival in Bali, held from September 26th to October 2nd in Sanur. The festival features vibrant samba dances, carnival parades, music, and art performances, attracting visitors from around the world. For detailed event information, check out our coverage.
➡️Click here for more Bali deals⬅️
October
3rd - 12th: Navaratri (Bali Hindu Festival)
12th: Dussehra (Bali Hindu Festival)
- Navaratri is a Hindu festival celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga. This festival usually takes place in September or October each year, lasting for 9 days, during which people observe fasting, prayers, flower offerings, and dances. The final day of Navaratri is Dussehra, celebrating Prince Rama’s defeat of the demon king Ravana.
November
Day 1: Diwali (Bali Hindu Festival)
- Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrating the victory of light over darkness. This festival usually takes place in October or November each year, with the date determined by the Hindu calendar. In 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on November 1st.
December
25th: Christmas (Indonesian National Holiday)
26th: Christmas Flexible Holiday
- December 25th is Christmas, a national holiday in Indonesia. For Christians, Christmas is an important festival, and Indonesia has an average of nearly 10% Christians. Since Christmas and New Year’s Day are close together, many Indonesians try their best to take leave to combine the two holidays into one long vacation. This gives them the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends and travel to other cities or countries. Indonesians have even coined a term called “Nataru,” meaning “Christmas - New Year Holiday,” combining “Natal” (Christmas) and “tahun baru” (New Year).
Many Indonesians from other regions take advantage of the Christmas holiday to visit Bali.
➡️Click here for more great deals in Bali⬅️
Above is the most complete list of festivals in Indonesia/Bali for 2024. Bali is a popular tourist destination, and it gets crowded during peak seasons. If you don’t like crowds, you can avoid the “Top Five Peak Tourist Seasons in Bali” we mentioned, and combine it with some of Bali’s unique festivals mentioned above. “Plan your trip to Bali based on the dates” to make your vacation more diverse and exciting!
2025 Festival Guide
If you’re already planning your Bali trip for 2025, we’ve prepared ‘The Complete Guide to Indonesian National Holidays & Bali Festivals for 2025: A Full Year of Exciting Events!’ This guide covers national holidays across Indonesia as well as unique festivals in Bali, helping you better plan your vacation and immerse yourself in local cultural celebrations.
Don’t forget to bookmark this 2025 Festival and Holiday Guide to make the most of your Bali adventure!
Avoid peak season + join the festivals, and your vacation will be extra special!
留言討論