Popular Festivals In Bali

Bali, known as the Island of the Gods, offers more than just stunning beaches and lush rice terraces. The best festivals in Bali represent the island’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.

From the colourful Bali Arts Festival to the day of silence – Nyepi, these celebrations provide unique insights into local customs that have been preserved for centuries.

Plan a Bali Tour Package in such a way that you would witness the colourful kites filling the sky, or purification ceremonies at the beach, that transform an ordinary vacation into an unforgettable one with cultural immersion.

The best part? These festivals in Bali are a perfect blend of spirituality, art, and community spirit, offering visitors a chance to experience an authentic Balinese lifestyle beyond the tourist attractions. Come, let’s explore the 10 best festivals in Bali below:

Bali Arts Festival 

The Bali Arts Festival starts with a huge parade that everyone loves to watch. Many talented people from Bali and other parts of Indonesia participate in this festival.

If you enjoy art, taking photos, or learning about different ways of life, you’ll have fun at this Balinese festival. The festival has many different events happening. 

You can see contests for writing, fashion, crafts, painting, and cooking. There are also traditional and modern dance shows and music concerts that showcase Balinese culture.

  • Date: 15 June to 13 July 2025
  • Venue: Taman Werdhi Budaya Arts Centre, Jl. Nusa Indah No.1, Panjer, Denpasar

Bali Kites Festival

When the wind season arrives at Padanggalak beach, the sky fills with many beautiful kites. They come in all shapes and sizes, while some are simple, others look like gods, goddesses, and animals in 3D.

The Bali festival 2025 list includes this wonderful kite event that began as a farming celebration long ago. Now, different community groups called ‘Banjar’ compete against each other with their kites. This special festival helps keep the island’s old traditions alive while sharing them with visitors. 

  • Date: 20 July to 21 July 2025
  • Venue: Padang Galak Beach, Denpasar

Nyepi Festival 

Nyepi is one of the most important traditional festivals in Bali. It happens on the third day of the six-day Balinese New Year celebration. People call it “The Day of Silence” because the whole island becomes very quiet. All shops, businesses, and transportation stop working for this special day.

During Nyepi, no one can play loud music or sounds, even inside their homes. After the sun goes down, people use very little light. This special day is meant for thinking quietly, meditating, and finding inner peace. 

The normally busy island turns into a peaceful, silent place where everyone can rest and reflect. 

  • Date: 29 March to 30 March 2025

Nusa Dua Fiesta

Nusa Dua Fiesta is one of the top Bali festivals that happens at Nusa Dua, where you can enjoy many beautiful sights. This pretty festival has dance shows, places to eat tasty food, and music concerts for everyone to enjoy.

The special thing about this festival is the many lanterns of different shapes and sizes that light up the sky. The celebrations last for about six weeks! As the biggest lantern festival on the island, Nusa Dua also gives visitors a chance to ride in hot air balloons and see everything from high above.

  • Date: October(date yet to be announced)
  • Venue: Across Nusa Dua, like the Bali Collection shopping complex, and other venues

Sanur Village Festival

The Sanur Village Festival is one of the top Bali festivals that makes for a Perfect Tropical Vacation. This community event was started by the Sanur Development Foundation. The festival shows how people and nature can live together, even in our world full of technology and computers.

When you visit, you’ll see many different activities based on special themes. There are interesting exhibitions, beautiful art shows, traditional cultural performances, and activities that help protect the environment. 

  • Date: Between 16 August to 20 August 2025 
  • Venue: Maisonette area of Segara Ayu Beach, Sanur

Galungan

The Galungan festival marks the start of many important Balinese celebrations. It celebrates the victory of good over bad. The last day of this festival is called Kuningan, when people believe ancient spirits come back to visit.

During this time, Hindu families in Bali put special bamboo poles called “penjor” outside their homes. These poles show that good has won over evil. 

People perform special ceremonies with offerings, prayers, and dances to welcome both the creator of the Universe and the spirits of their ancestors who have passed away. 

  • 1st Cycle Date: 23 April 2025
  • 2nd Cycle Date: 19 November 2025

Bali Spirit Festival 

Bali Spirit Festival is a special Balinese festival that follows the idea of “Tri Hita Karana,” which means living in harmony with your spiritual side, other people, and nature. 

The Bali Spirit Festival gives you a chance to try yoga, dance, peaceful music, healing activities, and meaningful celebrations that help you look inside yourself.

People come from all over the world to enjoy this Balinese festival and meet teachers who can help with yoga, personal growth, quiet meditation, and healing practices.

You can enjoy healthy, tasty food and listen to beautiful spiritual music, and live shows that calm your mind and lift your spirit(soul). 

  • Date: 7 May to 11 May 2025
  • Venue: The Yoga Barn and Puri Padi Hotel in Ubud, Bali.

Chinese New Year 

Bali celebrates Chinese New Year in a big way because of its strong historical connections to China. During this time, Chinese and Buddhist temples (called ‘Klenteng’) are decorated with bright, colourful ornaments that create a festive mood.

One of the most exciting parts is watching the lively performances of the ‘Barongsai’ – special Lion and Dragon dances. These dancers move to the beat of drums, while skilled wushu performers also show their talents. 

You can enjoy watching these wonderful shows while eating tasty Chinese food from the nearby food stalls. 

  • Date: 29 January to 12 February 2025
  • Venue: Different places across Bali, like The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, and Fu House in Seminyak

Ubud Food Festival 

Ubud Food Festival is one of the top Bali festivals, which is a 3-day event that food lovers really enjoy. Famous chefs from Indonesia and around the world come to share their cooking skills.

People look forward to this food celebration more than almost any other food event in Asia. At the festival, you can join cooking classes, listen to talks about food, taste different wines, and try many other food activities. 

The best part is getting to eat all the delicious foods prepared by talented chefs.

  • Date: 30 May to 1 June 2025
  • Venue: Taman Kuliner

Melasti

Melasti is a special cleaning ceremony that happens in Bali. It takes place three days before their New Year. During Melasti, people wear white and yellow clothes and walk to the beach. They bring important items from their temples with them.

The ceremony is about washing away bad things. People believe the ocean water can clean away their mistakes and bad luck. Everyone comes together to connect with God through this beautiful beach ceremony. The traditional Bali festival 2025 happens on March 25th.

  • Date: 29 March 2025
  • Venue: Labuan Sait Beach

By Laura Tremewan

I write insightful content on Scoop Updates, helping readers stay informed and inspired.