In January 2025, Bali welcomes an unprecedented surge of tourists during the Christmas and New Year holidays, followed by the Lunar New Year travel rush in late January and February. Bali’s festivals are vibrant and diverse, and March is no exception. On March 29, 2025, Bali will observe Nyepi (Day of Silence), a day of complete stillness across the island, which is also a national holiday in Indonesia.
Spending Nyepi in a resort is the best way to enjoy life!
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What is Nyepi (Day of Silence)?
Nyepi (pronounced “Nyeh-pee”) is the Balinese New Year, a day for introspection, spiritual cleansing, and a unique religious and cultural festival. On this day, Balinese residents engage in absolute meditation and reflection, and the entire island falls into silence. It symbolizes the events of the past year, offering people a chance to cleanse their souls and reflect on themselves. Bali’s Nyepi is the only festival in the world that shuts down an entire island to honor and adhere to traditional values. Check out Xiao Jie’s introduction:
Nyepi is a time for self-dialogue and seeking inner peace. It is a deeply meaningful part of Balinese culture, not only allowing people to reflect spiritually but also showcasing Bali’s profound religious beliefs and cultural traditions.
Why are there such customs on Nyepi? The Balinese believe that keeping the island silent on this day will make demons and evil spirits think the place is uninhabited, thus avoiding calamities. The prohibition on going outside ensures that people are not discovered or disturbed by evil spirits. The ban on lighting fires prevents the flames from attracting evil spirits.
What can and can’t you do on Nyepi?
On Nyepi Day, the Balinese people adhere to strict traditional customs. They stay at home in silent meditation and prayer, refraining from using any electrical appliances, phones, computers, or entertainment devices, and even avoid speaking. All island residents must follow these four prohibitions, which also apply to tourists:
- Amati Geni: Prohibition of using fire or light, including electricity.
- Amati Karya: Prohibition of work, all commercial activities cease.
- Amati Lelunganan: Prohibition of travel, all transportation halts.
- Amati Lelanguan: Prohibition of entertainment and noise.
Tourists are also expected to respect this tradition by staying indoors and maintaining silence.
Since going out is not allowed on Nyepi Day, choosing a medium to large-sized resort can offer more activities.
Not only are all shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores closed, but some villages and neighborhoods also patrol the streets to ensure everyone complies with the rules. Tourists who do not comply may receive warnings or, in severe cases, be deported.
Therefore, going out is not allowed on this day! Fortunately, hotels and resorts usually provide essential services, allowing guests to enjoy a peaceful time indoors, use WiFi, or swim quietly. Facilities and activities are limited on this day, such as no water slides, no music, strict prohibition of noise, and after dark, even inside the hotel, curtains must be drawn to prevent light from leaking outside, in adherence to Nyepi Day regulations.
On the night of Nyepi Day, if the weather is clear and cloudless, remember to step outside (within the resort, not outside!) to admire Bali’s starry sky completely free of light pollution. It’s truly breathtaking!
The Ogoh-Ogoh Parade on the Eve of Nyepi
The day before Nyepi is famous worldwide for a carnival known as the “Ogoh-Ogoh Parade,” where one can witness Bali’s unique traditional monsters. This colorful parade involves noisy street processions to drive away evil spirits and prepare for the new year. Many shops, supermarkets, and restaurants close early in the evening, so those planning to shop or dine should be prepared! The parade, starting in the evening, passes through several villages and main roads, culminating at “Lapangan Puputan” in Denpasar, where many elaborately crafted large monsters gather for public viewing. Watch the video below for Xiao Jie’s introduction:
Where to Watch the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade?
Want to experience this visual and cultural extravaganza up close? Here are popular Ogoh-Ogoh parade viewing spots across Bali:
- Kuta: Pasar Kuta
- Legian: Legian Street near Mercure Hotel
- Kerobokan: Lio Square intersection
- Seminyak: Camplung Tanduk intersection
- Denpasar: Puputan Square
- Sanur: Near Sanur McDonald’s
Transportation Reminder
On Nyepi Day, all transportation across Bali will come to a halt. Airports, ports, and public transport will be closed, and roads will be blocked. This is to ensure people observe Nyepi traditions, so plan your itinerary accordingly and stay in appropriate locations during this time. We recommend choosing mid-to-large sized resorts where you can comfortably spend this day of stillness.
Besides Nyepi Day itself, traffic control measures will begin across Bali from midday the day before Nyepi to facilitate the evening Ogoh-Ogoh parade. Therefore, these two days are not ideal for long-distance travel! If you arrive in Bali on the day before Nyepi, you might face the awkward situation of having to walk to your hotel or struggling to reach it due to traffic restrictions.
On the evening before Nyepi, many shops, restaurants, and supermarkets close early, so make sure to go out early for shopping and meals!
Special Situation for Nyepi 2025
In 2025, Nyepi will be followed by ‘Eid al-Fitr’. The Eid holiday will start at the end of March and last for a whole week. Eid al-Fitr is Indonesia’s most important holiday, celebrating the end of Ramadan for Muslims, but it’s also a time for Indonesians to spend with family and friends, equivalent to our Chinese Lunar New Year.
Expect Bali to start seeing an influx of Indonesian locals from March 26th, peaking on March 28th when the holiday begins, with crowds lasting about two weeks. This marks the first of Bali’s five peak seasons - we recommend avoiding popular tourist spots during this time!
Special Festivals in Bali During Other Months
We recommend checking out our 2025 Indonesia/Bali Festival Guide for detailed information and guidelines on all the unique festivals in Bali, ensuring you have a meaningful and extraordinary holiday experience.
FAQ: Common Questions About Nyepi in Bali
1. Can I leave the hotel on Nyepi day?
No. Both locals and tourists are not allowed to go outside, and all public facilities and transportation on the island will be suspended.
2. Will Bali Airport close during Nyepi?
Yes, Ngurah Rai International Airport will halt all flights, with no takeoffs or landings.
3. Do I need tickets to attend the Ogoh-Ogoh parade?
No. The Ogoh-Ogoh parade is a free public event, and you can watch it freely.
4. Will hotels provide food service on Nyepi day?
Yes, most hotels will provide basic dining services, but some facilities may have restricted usage.
5. Can I use the internet during Nyepi?
Typically, mobile networks cannot be used, but hotel Wi-Fi will still be available.
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