Holidays
Bali celebrates both Indonesian national holidays and its own Hindu festivals (calculated according to different calendars and falling on different dates each year).
National holidays (fixed dates):
- January 1st — New Year
- August 17th — Independence Day (Hari Kemerdekaan). Flag ceremonies, village festivals, competitions
- December 25th — Christmas
- Plus various Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, etc.) — dates vary according to the Islamic calendar
Balinese Hindu holidays (variable dates):
- Nyepi (March/April) — The Day of Silence. Airport closed, everyone stays indoors. The most important holiday!
- Galungan & Kuningan — Every 210 days (Pawukon calendar). 10-day ancestor festival with Penjor bamboo poles
- Saraswati — Day of the Goddess of Knowledge. Books and manuscripts are blessed
- Pagerwesi — Festival of strengthening the spirit, 3 days before Galungan
- Tumpek Landep — Blessing for metal objects (yes, cars and motorcycles are also blessed!)
- Tumpek Uduh — Blessing for plants and trees
💡 Tipp
Check before your trip if Nyepi falls within your travel period! On Nyepi, everything is truly closed — even the airport. No arrivals or departures possible. But the Ogoh-Ogoh festival on the eve is an absolute highlight.