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 Visit Bali? In-depth Understanding of Dry Season, Rainy Season/Pros and Cons Analysis
Understand Indonesia/Bali holidays, and 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 be the same festival!
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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 worldwide, including in Indonesia/Bali. The celebrations typically peak on December 31st with New Year’s Eve festivities. During this period, Indonesians enjoy a voluntary “Nataru” holiday. For more details, refer to the festival descriptions at the end of December.
The countdown to midnight is the highlight of New Year’s celebrations! Bali also hosts numerous countdown parties!
- January 9th marks Siwa Ratri, one of the most 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 often held on the beach, alongside rituals at major temples across the island.
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, is the Ascension of Prophet Muhammad, a national holiday in Indonesia. This is an important Islamic holiday commemorating the Prophet Muhammad’s ascension. On this day, Muslims gather in mosques for prayers and worship.
- February 9 - 15 marks the Chinese Lunar New Year! Indonesia designates the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 10, 2024) as a national holiday. This year, it coincides with February 8, another national holiday (Ascension of Prophet Muhammad), making February 9 a flexible holiday. Therefore, those in Indonesia can enjoy a four-day holiday during the Lunar New Year (including February 11, a Sunday)! While the week-long Chinese Lunar New Year holiday may seem unrelated to Bali, it is a peak travel season as many tourists from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan take advantage of the long break to visit Bali!
Escape the winter chill this Lunar New Year holiday! It’s the perfect time for adults to take a long break, kids to enjoy their winter vacation, and bring the whole family to Bali for some warmth.
- February 28th to March 9th: 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 respect to the deities. 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
1st - 3rd: Joyland Festival Bali (Bali Event)
8th: Maha Shivaratri (Balinese Hindu Festival)
10th: Bali Monster Parade (Bali Event)
11th: Balinese Day of Silence & Hindu New Year (Nyepi) (Indonesian National Holiday)
12th: Flexible Holiday for Balinese Day of Silence & Start of Islamic Ramadan
12th: Omed Omedan (Bali Event)
25th: 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 a music and arts festival held annually in Bali. The event showcases three days of live music, comedy, films, workshops, and activities.
“Joyland Festival” is a grand music celebration
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On Friday, March 8, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated, a Hindu festival honoring Lord Shiva. On this day, Hindus gather in temples to pray and worship.
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March 10: Bali’s Ogoh-Ogoh Parade, a unique experience! Check out Jay’s introduction for a chance to experience it yourself:
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March 11: Bali’s Nyepi Day/Hindu New Year. This is the most important holiday in Bali. What is Nyepi Day? Is Nyepi Day suitable for traveling to Bali? What should you be aware of? Where can you watch the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade? Click here for more information.
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March 12: Nearly 90% of Indonesia’s Muslim population begins a month-long fast on this day! What is fasting? Why fast? For Q & A about Ramadan, check out Jay’s mom’s explanation:
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March 12: Kissing Day. 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 to participate in a mass kissing event. Men and women stand opposite each other and begin hugging and kissing. Spectators cheer them on and splash water on them. This event welcomes foreign tourists to watch but advises against participating.
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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 2024 Eid al-Fitr holiday in Indonesia will begin on April 8 (Friday) and last until April 15. Eid al-Fitr is the most important holiday in Indonesia, celebrating the end of Ramadan for Muslims (April 10). It is also a time for Indonesians to spend with family and friends, similar to the significance of Chinese Lunar New Year.
In Bali, local Indonesians typically start arriving around April 5, filling the island with crowds. This marks the first peak season among Bali’s five major peak periods. It is highly recommended to avoid traveling to Bali during this holiday!
Scenes of Eid al-Fitr in Bali in previous years
- Eid al-Fitr is also known as ‘Lebaran.’ For more about this holiday, check out 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 while connecting with people from around the world. The Bali Spirit Festival aims to create a global community that respects and cares for the environment.
- 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. Participants include painters, illustrators, architects, interior designers, photographers, ceramicists, glassblowers, leatherworkers, weavers, clothing makers, and sculptors. Ubud is considered the cultural heart of Bali, 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)
17th: Eid al-Adha (Indonesian National Holiday)
18th: Eid al-Adha Joint Holiday (Flexible Day Off)
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June 1st, Pancasila Day, is similar to Taiwan’s Constitution Day (Indonesian National Holiday). Check out Xiao Jie’s introduction:
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June 1st to June 7th: 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 shorts. The 2024 edition marks its 17th year. Please visit the festival’s official website for more information.
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June 15th to July 13th: 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 each 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 showcasing Balinese culture and art. During the festival, many towns are decorated with traditional bamboo and coconut leaves 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 music 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 handicraft 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 17th is the second most important Islamic holiday, called Eid al-Adha, which involves the sacrifice of livestock. Behind this seemingly bloody and cruel festival lies a deeply moving significance:
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July
TBD Ubud Food Festival (Bali Event)
7th: 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)
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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 such as 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.
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July 7th marks the Islamic New Year, though there are no special celebrations reported.
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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 just a five-minute walk from Ubud Palace, also known as “Ubud Water Palace.” Check out Xiao Jie’s introduction:
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July 17th Pagerwesi is a Balinese religious festival aimed at strengthening and developing personal spiritual power against evil. On this occasion, prayers and offerings are made to save humanity and keep evil away from people and ancestors.
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The Bali Kite Festival is a celebration of Balinese culture, usually held in July and August each year, with the 2024 event taking place on July 20th and 21st. During this festival, participants from around the world bring their colorful kites to compete on Sanur Beach.
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 Sanur has to offer, check out Xiao Jie’s Sanur travel guide). This festival celebrates art, food, culture, fashion, yoga, and the environment. Many large-scale events and festivities take place simultaneously, such as 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)
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The Ubud Village Jazz Festival (Ubud Village Jazz Festival) held on August 2-3 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 musical performances, there are also jazz music workshops.
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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.
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August 19: Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival typically celebrated in August. This festival honors the bond between siblings, where sisters tie a bracelet around their brothers’ wrists to protect them from evil.
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August 26: Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. This festival usually takes place 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 (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
- The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Maulid Nabi Muhammad) is an Islamic festival celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad. This festival usually occurs on the 12th day of the third month (Rabi’ al-awwal) of the Islamic calendar, with the date determined by the Islamic calendar.
- Starting from 9/25, Galungan & Kuningan (Kuningan Day), one of Bali’s most important festivals, typically lasts 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 also hold ceremonies in temples to show reverence to the deities. Galungan & Kuningan also marks the beginning of the Balinese New Year, according to the Balinese Pawukon calendar, and is considered the day of the universe’s creation. During this period, schools in Bali close for two weeks, 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 Bali’s new annual cultural festival, held from September 26th to October 2nd in Sanur, Bali. The festival features vibrant samba dances, carnival parades, music, and art performances, attracting tourists from around the world. For detailed event information, check out our report.
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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 engage in fasting, prayers, flower offerings, and dances. The last 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 to take leave to combine the two holidays into one long break. This gives them the opportunity to spend more time with family and friends and 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 Indonesians take advantage of the Christmas holiday to visit Bali.
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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 prefer to avoid the crowds, you can steer clear of the “Five Peak Tourist Seasons in Bali” we mentioned earlier. By combining these insights with some of Bali’s unique festivals, “plan your trip to Bali on the right dates” to make your holiday more diverse and exciting!
2025 Festival Guide
If you’re already planning your 2025 Bali trip, we’ve prepared ‘The Complete Guide to Indonesian National Holidays & Bali Festivals for 2025: A Full Year of Exciting Event Dates!’ This guide covers national holidays across Indonesia and unique festival celebrations in Bali, helping you better plan your vacation and immerse yourself in local cultural events.
Bookmark this 2025 Festival and Holiday Guide now to make the best plans for your Bali adventure!
Avoid peak season + join festivals = an extraordinary vacation!
