2024 Indonesian National Holidays & Bali Festival Complete Guide: A Look at Exciting Event Dates!

Bali, the picturesque Indonesian island, will immerse you in a vibrant cultural feast with its festivals and celebrations in 2024. Whether you want to avoid a specific period or catch a lively Bali event, this complete guide is your ultimate index! Let’s explore the colorful and dynamic festivities this unique island has to offer.

Want to avoid Bali’s five peak seasons? Check out: Bali Has Five Peak Seasons! How to Travel Smart and Avoid the Crowds?

When are the rainy and dry seasons in Indonesia/Bali? See: Best Time to Visit Bali? In-Depth Look at Dry and Rainy Seasons/Pros and Cons

Understanding Indonesia/Bali holidays makes trip planning easier!

Before diving into the details, it’s important to note that most Indonesian and Balinese festivals follow the Islamic calendar, Balinese calendar, or Chinese lunar calendar. So their dates differ from the Gregorian calendar and change each year. The same date next year doesn’t guarantee the same festival!

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January

Day 1: New Year’s Day (Indonesian National Holiday)

Day 9: Siwa Ratri (Balinese Hindu Festival)

• January 1st, New Year’s Day, is a national holiday recognized worldwide, including in Indonesia and Bali. Celebrations typically peak during the New Year’s Eve countdown on December 31st. During this period, Indonesians enjoy a spontaneous “Nataru” holiday—check the festival introduction at the bottom of December for more details.

The New Year’s countdown is the highlight of the year! In Bali, many venues host countdown parties too!

• January 9th marks [Siwa Ratri], one of the significant festivals in the Balinese calendar. Siwa Ratri emphasizes introspection, meditation, and seeking forgiveness. Rituals include staying awake for 36 hours, fasting for 24 hours, and maintaining silence for 12 hours. After this period, purification ceremonies are often held on beaches, while rituals take place at some of the island’s major temples.

February

Day 8: Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad (Indonesian National Holiday)

Day 9–15: Chinese New Year Holiday

Feb 28–Mar 9: Galungan Kuningan (Balinese Hindu Festival)

• February 8, 2024, marks the Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad, an Indonesian national holiday. This is an important Islamic festival commemorating the Prophet Muhammad’s ascension to heaven. On this day, Muslims gather at mosques for prayers and worship.
• February 9th to 15th marks our Lunar New Year! Indonesia has designated the first day of the lunar calendar (February 10, 2024) as a national holiday. This year, it coincides with another national holiday on February 8th (Isra’ Mi’raj, the Prophet Muhammad’s Ascension), so February 9th in between is a flexible holiday. That means friends in Indonesia can enjoy a four-day break during the Lunar New Year (including Sunday, February 11th)! While China’s week-long Lunar New Year holiday doesn’t directly affect Bali, it’s a prime time for many travelers from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to take extended vacations, making it a peak season for Bali tourism!

During the Lunar New Year holiday, adults get a long break, kids are on winter vacation, and you can even bring elderly family members to Bali to escape the cold!

• February 28th to March 9th: Galungan & Kuningan. This 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 make offerings to their ancestors at home, seeking their blessings, and hold ceremonies at temples to honor the gods. Galungan & Kuningan also marks the start 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!

March

1st - 3rd: Joyland Festival Bali

8th: Maha Shivaratri (Balinese Hindu Festival)

10th: Bali Monster Parade

11th: Nyepi (Day of Silence) & Balinese New Year (Indonesian National Holiday)

12th: Nyepi Flexible Holiday & Start of Islamic Ramadan

12th: Omed Omedan (Bali Event)

25th: Holi Festival (Balinese Hindu Celebration)

29th: Good Friday (Indonesian National Holiday)

• From March 1 to 3, 2024, the Joyland Festival Bali will take place in Nusa Dua, Bali. Joyland Festival Bali is a music and arts festival held annually in Bali, featuring three days of live music, comedy, film, workshops, and activities.

“Joyland Festival” is a grand musical event.

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• Maha Shivaratri, celebrated on Friday, March 8, is a Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva. On this day, Hindus gather at temples for prayers and worship.

• March 10: The Bali Ogoh-Ogoh Parade—a truly unique experience! Check out Xiao Jie’s introduction for a chance to witness it firsthand.

• March 11: Nyepi Day (Day of Silence) / Balinese Hindu New Year. This is the most important holiday in Bali. What is Nyepi? Is it a good time to visit Bali? What should you be aware of? Where to watch the Ogoh-Ogoh parade? See here.

• March 12: Nearly 90% of Indonesia’s Muslim population begins a month-long fast today! What is fasting? Why do Muslims fast? Check out Xiao Jie’s mom’s explanation for Q&A about Ramadan:

• March 12: Kissing Festival. While Muslims in other parts of Indonesia start their fast, Bali celebrates “Omed Omedan” on the same day in 2024. This is one of Bali’s most exciting festivals, where large groups of unmarried young people gather for a mass kissing event. Two lines—one of men and one of women—stand facing each other, then embrace and kiss. Onlookers cheer and splash them with water. Foreign tourists are welcome to watch but should avoid participating.

• Monday, March 25, 2024, marks Holi, a Hindu festival celebrating spring and love, also known as the Festival of Colors. On this day, people throw colored powder at each other and share food and sweets.

Bali Holi Festival

• March 29 is a Christian holiday. Under Indonesia’s Pancasila principle of equality among five major religions, major Christian holidays are also national public holidays.

April

8th - 15th: Eid al-Fitr Joint Holiday (Extended National Holiday)

10th: Eid al-Fitr (Indonesian National Holiday)

• Indonesia’s 2024 Eid al-Fitr holiday period begins on Friday, April 8, and lasts through April 15. Eid al-Fitr is Indonesia’s most important holiday, celebrating the end of the Muslim fasting month (April 10). It’s a time for Indonesians to spend with family and friends, much like Chinese New Year.

Indonesia’s 2024 Eid al-Fitr holiday period begins on Friday, April 8, and lasts through April 15. Eid al-Fitr is Indonesia’s most important holiday, celebrating the end of the Muslim fasting month (April 10). It’s a time for Indonesians to spend with family and friends, much like Chinese New Year. Typically, around April 5, Bali starts seeing an influx of Indonesian visitors from all over the country, with crowds everywhere. This is the busiest of Bali’s five peak seasons—a holiday you should definitely avoid visiting Bali!

The scene of Eid al-Fitr in Bali in previous years

• The Eid al-Fitr period is also called ‘Lebaran.’ For an introduction to Eid al-Fitr, check out Xiao Jie’s video:

May

1: International Labor Day (Indonesian National Holiday)

1–5: Bali Spirit Festival (Bali Event)

9: Ascension Day of Jesus Christ (Indonesian National Holiday)

10: Joint Holiday for Ascension Day (Floating Holiday)

23: Vesak Day (Waisak Day) (Indonesian National Holiday)

24: Joint Holiday for Vesak Day (Floating Holiday)

5/28–29: Ubud Open Studios 2024 (Bali Event)

• May 1: International Labor Day
• May 1–5: The 2024 Bali Spirit Festival kicks off on May 1 and runs through May 5. This music, wellness, and yoga festival offers participants a holistic mind-body-spirit experience, held in Ubud. During the event, attendees can join yoga, dance, music, and healing workshops, connecting with people from around the world. The Bali Spirit Festival aims to foster a global community that respects and cares for the environment we share.
• May 9: Christian holiday
• May 23: Vesak Day, the most important Buddhist festival, is a national holiday in several Asian countries. Why haven’t we heard much about it? Check out this introduction by Xiao Jie

You can also learn about the relationship between Chinese festivals and Indonesia:

• May 28–29: Ubud Open Studios is an art festival where over 70 studios open to the public. Participants include painters, illustrators, architects, interior designers, photographers, ceramicists, glassblowers, leatherworkers, weavers, garment makers, and sculptors. Ubud is considered Bali’s cultural heart, home to a vibrant community of artists. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with some of the island’s most creative talents.

June

1st: Pancasila Day (Indonesian National Holiday)

June 1–7: Bali International Film Festival (Bali Event)

June 15–July 13: Bali Arts Festival (Bali Event)

17th: Eid al-Adha (Indonesian National Holiday)

18th: Eid al-Adha Joint Holiday (Floating Holiday)

• June 1 is Pancasila Day, similar to Taiwan’s ‘Constitution Day’ concept (an Indonesian national holiday). Check out Xiao Jie’s introduction:

• June 1–7: Bali International Film Festival — an international film festival showcasing independent and award-winning films from Indonesia and around the world, including fiction, documentaries, feature films, and shorts. 2024 marks its 17th edition. Visit the festival’s official website for more info.

• June 15 to July 13: Bali Arts Festival — the largest cultural event in Bali, Indonesia, celebrating, preserving, and developing Balinese art and culture. Starting on the second Saturday of June each year and lasting a month, it has been held since 1979, making it one of Indonesia’s oldest arts festivals. Activities include exhibitions, performances, and art-related events showcasing Balinese culture. During the festival, many towns are decorated with traditional bamboo and coconuts. Outdoor stages and pavilions are set up across Bali for various talent shows, where you can enjoy dance, puppet, and music performances. The festival typically kicks off with a parade in Denpasar, followed by traditional music, then public exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, and photography, along with craft displays and food stalls serving Balinese cuisine. Link to 2023 Bali Arts Festival introduction

The Bali Arts Festival lasts a whole month!

• June 17 is the second most important Islamic festival, called ‘Eid al-Adha’ (Festival of Sacrifice), which involves the slaughter of livestock. Behind this seemingly bloody and harsh tradition lies a deeply moving meaning:

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July

TBD: Ubud Food Festival (Bali Event)

7th: Islamic New Year (Muharram) (Indonesian National Holiday)

13th: Saraswati (Balinese Hindu Festival)

Day 17: Pagerwesi (Balinese Hindu Festival)

Day 20: Bali Kite Festival (Bali Event)

TBD: Sanur Village Festival (Bali Event)

• The Ubud Food Festival will be held between June and July 2024 (dates TBD) in Ubud, Bali. This festival celebrates Indonesian food and drinks with a variety of activities, including long-table lunches, culinary collaborations among leading Southeast Asian chefs, food talks, concerts, and film screenings. If you’d like to attend, you can purchase tickets on the official website.

• July 7 marks the Islamic New Year, but no special celebrations are known.

• July 13: Saraswati is a festival honoring the goddess of wisdom. It is mainly celebrated by children who pray and bring offerings to their school temples. Balinese also pay homage to the goddess and books by sprinkling holy water. Bali’s most famous Saraswati water temple is a five-minute walk from the Ubud Palace, also known as the ‘Ubud Water Palace.’ Check out Xiao Jie’s introduction:

• July 17: Pagerwesi is a Balinese religious festival aimed at strengthening and developing one’s spiritual power against evil. On this occasion, prayers and offerings are meant to save humanity and keep evil away from people and ancestors.

• The Bali Kite Festival is a celebration of Balinese culture, typically held in July and August each year. In 2024, it takes place on July 20 and 21. During this festival, participants from around the world bring their colorful and creative kites to compete on Sanur Beach.

💰 Want to know reference ticket prices for more attractions? The Bali Ticket Price List compiles real-time reference prices for 49 popular spots, with links to compare prices on Klook and Trip.com.

The Bali Kite Festival is an internationally renowned kite competition

• 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. It features a wide range of activities running alongside the main event, including tennis, traditional boat races, marine water sports, surfing competitions, photography contests and exhibitions, kite flying festivals, village bike tours, bazaars, coral planting, baby turtle releases, food festivals, music and cultural performances, yoga, an open golf championship, and the Bali International Triathlon, among others.

Sanur Village Festival is a major annual event

August

2–3: Ubud Village Jazz Festival (Bali Event)

17: Indonesian Independence Day (Indonesian National Holiday)

19: Raksha Bandhan (Bali Hindu Festival)

26: Janmashtami (Bali Hindu Festival)

• 8/2至3日的「烏布爵士音樂節（Ubud Village Jazz Festival）」是一個在峇里島Ubud藝術氛圍中舉辦的年度音樂節。該節日展示了國內外音樂家演奏的各種爵士音樂。除了音樂表演外，還有爵士音樂工作坊 。

• August 17: Indonesian Independence Day, the country’s national day, is celebrated annually on August 17. On this day, Indonesians hold various festivities, including fun competitions, parades, concerts, and fireworks displays.

• August 19: Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival typically celebrated in August. It honors the love and bond between siblings, with sisters tying a protective bracelet around their brothers’ wrists to shield them from evil.

• August 26: Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of the god Krishna. This festival usually takes place in August or September each year, with the date determined by the Hindu calendar.

September

7th: Ganesh Chaturthi (Bali Hindu Festival)

16th: Maulid Nabi Muhammad (Indonesian National Holiday)

25th – October 5th

26th: Bali Carnival

• Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of the god Ganesha. Ganesha is the Hindu god of prosperity and wisdom, deeply 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 god Ganesha

• Maulid Nabi Muhammad is an Islamic festival celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. This festival usually takes place on the 12th day of the third month (Rabi’ al-awwal) of the Islamic calendar, with the date determined by the lunar calendar.
• Starting September 25th, Galungan & Kuningan is one of Bali’s most important festivals, typically lasting about 10 days, celebrating the creation of the universe and the triumph of good over evil. During this festival, people make offerings to their ancestors at home, seeking their blessings, while also holding ceremonies at temples to show reverence to the gods. Galungan & Kuningan also marks the beginning of the Balinese New Year, and according to the Balinese Pawukon calendar, this day is also considered the day of creation. During this period, schools in Bali close for two weeks, highlighting its significance! Note that transportation such as ferries, private cars, and taxis will be affected.
• The highlight of September is the Bali Carnival! This is a new annual cultural festival in Bali, held from September 26 to October 2 in Sanur. The festival features vibrant samba dancing, carnival parades, music, and art performances, attracting visitors from around the world. For detailed activities, check out our coverage.

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October

3 - 12: Navaratri (Balinese Hindu Festival)

12: Dussehra (Balinese Hindu Festival)

• Navaratri is a Hindu festival celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga. It typically takes place in September or October each year, lasting nine days, during which people engage in fasting, prayer, flower offerings, and dance. The final day of Navaratri is Dussehra, commemorating Prince Rama’s defeat of the demon king Ravana.

November

1: Diwali (Balinese Hindu Festival)

• Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of light over darkness. It usually occurs in October or November each year, with dates determined by the Hindu lunar calendar. In 2024, Diwali falls on November 1.

December

Day 25: Christmas Day (Indonesian National Holiday)

Day 26: Christmas Holiday (Flexible Leave)

• December 25 is Christmas Day, a national holiday in Indonesia. For Christians, Christmas is an important celebration, and nearly 10% of Indonesia’s population is Christian. Since Christmas and New Year’s are close together, many Indonesians go to great lengths to take leave and connect the two holidays into an extended break. This gives them the chance to spend a longer vacation with family and friends, and to travel to other cities or countries. Indonesians have even coined the term “Nataru,” meaning “Christmas-New Year holiday,” combining “Natal” (Christmas) and “tahun baru” (New Year).

Many people from other parts of Indonesia take advantage of the Christmas holiday to visit Bali.

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That’s the most complete list of festivals in Indonesia/Bali for 2024. Bali is a popular tourist destination, and crowds swell during peak seasons. If you dislike crowds, you can avoid the “Five Major Bali Travel Peak Seasons” we’ve outlined, and combine that with the unique Balinese festivals mentioned above. By “planning your Bali trip around the right dates,” you’ll make your vacation more diverse and exciting!

2025 Festival Guide

If you’re already planning your 2025 Bali trip, we’ve prepared “2025 Indonesian National Holidays & Bali Festivals: A Complete Year-Round Guide with Key Event Dates!” This guide covers national Indonesian holidays and unique Balinese festivals, helping you better schedule your vacation and immerse yourself in local cultural events.

Be sure to bookmark this 2025 Festival and Holiday Guide to plan your Bali trip perfectly!

Avoid peak seasons and join festivals—your vacation will be unforgettable!