Special days Bali January
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Mekotekan (Mekotek): A traditional village ceremony held in Munggu village, Mengwi, where men dress in traditional costumes and pray at temples. It typically occurs in the first week of January and features the throwing of bamboo sticks in a symbolic ritual.
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Saraswati Day: Celebrated typically in January, this day honors Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom, and learning. Offerings are made in temples and homes, with ceremonies held across Bali.
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Galungan and Kuningan: Although Galungan may vary each year, it often falls in January. This holiday celebrates the victory of good over evil and involves various rituals, including offerings and prayers in temples.
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New Year’s Day: Celebrated on January 1st with various events and gatherings, including parties and cultural performances throughout Bali, marking the start of the new year.
Special days Bali February
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Bali Arts Festival: Although it usually spans several months, various cultural performances and art exhibitions often kick off in February. The festival showcases traditional Balinese music, dance, and crafts, promoting the rich cultural heritage of Bali.
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Nyepi Day (Day of Silence): This is a significant Balinese Hindu celebration that often falls in early March, but preparations and related ceremonies begin in late February. Nyepi marks the Balinese New Year and is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation. It is preceded by a vibrant parade of ogoh-ogoh (demonic effigies) which are burned at the end of the festivities.
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Tumpek Landep: Celebrated on a specific Saturday every six months, Tumpek Landep usually occurs in February. This ceremony honors tools and metal objects used in daily life. Balinese people make offerings to their tools to ensure they are effective and well-maintained, reflecting the community’s respect for craftsmanship.
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Chinese New Year: Though not traditionally Balinese, Chinese New Year is celebrated by the Chinese community in Bali. Festivities typically include dragon dances, fireworks, and family gatherings, enhancing the cultural diversity of the island.
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Bali Kite Festival: Some kite festivals start to emerge in preparation for the main event later in the year. Kite-making workshops and small local competitions can begin as early as February, showcasing the artistic and communal spirit of the Balinese people.
Special days Bali March
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Nyepi Day (Day of Silence): This is the Balinese New Year, celebrated with a day of silence, fasting, and meditation. The festival includes a lively parade of ogoh-ogoh (demonic effigies) that are burned at the end of the celebrations. Nyepi usually falls in March, but the date varies each year according to the Balinese calendar.
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Bali Spirit Festival: Held annually in Ubud, this festival celebrates yoga, dance, and music, attracting participants from around the world. Workshops, classes, and performances promote wellness and holistic living.
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Tumpek Krulut: Celebrated every six months, this ceremony honors the sacred bamboo used for traditional musical instruments. It typically falls in March, where offerings are made to ensure the sustainability of this important resource.
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Galungan: Although it primarily occurs every 210 days, it sometimes falls in March. This Hindu festival symbolizes the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil) and includes offerings, prayers, and family gatherings.
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Pagerwesi: Occurring every six months, Pagerwesi is a day dedicated to the worship of the god of science and knowledge, where devotees seek guidance for their studies and endeavors.
Special days Bali April
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Bali Kite Festival: This colorful festival usually occurs in April, showcasing stunning kites of various shapes and sizes. Participants compete to see whose kite can fly the highest.
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Bali Spirit Festival: Typically held in Ubud, this festival celebrates yoga, dance, and music. It features workshops, performances, and a vibrant marketplace.
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Brahmana Ceremony: This ceremony is held by Balinese Hindus to express gratitude to the gods for the harvest. It often includes offerings and traditional dances.
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Pagerwesi: Celebrated every six months, this ceremony is dedicated to the god of science and knowledge, with devotees seeking blessings for their studies and endeavors.
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Tumpek Landep: Celebrated every 210 days, this ceremony honors tools and weapons, with offerings made to ensure their effectiveness and safety.
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Omed-omedan: Held in the village of Sesetan, this unique festival involves a playful tug-of-war and water-splashing among young singles, symbolizing love and attraction.
Special days Bali May
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Bali Blues Festival: This music festival typically occurs in May, featuring blues musicians from Bali and beyond, promoting the genre through performances and workshops.
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Festival Bahari Badung: This month-long event showcases Badung regency’s culture and marine tourism, featuring parades, traditional dances, and culinary experiences.
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Galungan: Celebrated every 210 days, Galungan marks the victory of dharma over adharma. Offerings and ceremonies are held in temples, welcoming ancestral spirits.
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Kuningan: Occurring 10 days after Galungan, Kuningan involves offerings to the gods, with families honoring their ancestors through rituals and ceremonies.
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Omed-Omedan: This unique tradition, held in the village of Sesetan, involves a playful tug-of-war and water-splashing among young singles, symbolizing love and attraction.
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Brahmana Ceremony: Celebrated by the Balinese Hindus, this ceremony gives thanks to the gods for a good harvest and often includes offerings and traditional dance performances.
Special days Bali June
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Bali Art Festival (Pesta Kesenian Bali): Running from mid-June to mid-July, this is the largest cultural event in Bali, showcasing Balinese art, dance, music, and crafts across various performances and exhibitions .
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Kuningan: Celebrated 10 days after Galungan, this ceremony honors ancestors with offerings and rituals. It typically falls in June, depending on the Balinese calendar .
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Bali Blues Festival: Usually held in June, this festival features local and international blues musicians, offering performances, workshops, and cultural exchanges .
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Festival Bahari Badung: Celebrated in June, this festival highlights marine culture and tourism with various activities like parades, food stalls, and cultural performances .
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Ngaben (Cremation Ceremony)
Special days Bali July
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Bali Art Festival (Pesta Kesenian Bali): This month-long festival runs from mid-June to mid-July, featuring a vibrant display of Balinese arts, crafts, and performances from various regions of Indonesia.
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Bali Kite Festival: Usually held in July, this festival showcases stunning traditional kites and competitions across several beaches, drawing both local and international visitors.
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Piodalan Ceremony: Many temples in Bali hold this ceremony to commemorate their anniversary, which varies by temple but often occurs in July. The celebration includes offerings, prayers, and various traditional rituals.
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Hari Raya Galungan: While this holiday varies, it can occasionally fall in July. It celebrates the victory of dharma over adharma, involving various rituals and festivities.
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International Surfing Day: Celebrated in early July, this event promotes surfing and ocean conservation, often featuring beach cleanups and surf competitions.
Special days Bali August
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Bali Kites Festival: This vibrant festival features impressive kite competitions, drawing participants and spectators to the beaches, celebrating local culture and community spirit.
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Hari Raya Kemerdekaan (Independence Day): Celebrated on August 17, this day marks Indonesia’s independence with various events, including flag-raising ceremonies and cultural performances.
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Bali Arts Festival: While the main events occur from mid-June to mid-July, some artistic exhibitions and performances may extend into August, showcasing Balinese culture.
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Piodalan Ceremony: Many temples hold Piodalan ceremonies in August, celebrating the temple’s anniversary with offerings, prayers, and traditional rituals.
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Ubud Writers and Readers Festival: Usually held in late August, this renowned literary festival features discussions, workshops, and readings from authors and speakers worldwide.
Special days Bali September
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Ubud Writers and Readers Festival: Typically held in late September, this festival celebrates literature and features a variety of workshops, discussions, and readings from international authors.
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Galungan and Kuningan: This significant Hindu festival usually occurs in early September (depending on the Balinese calendar), celebrating the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil). The Kuningan ceremony follows ten days later, honoring the ancestors.
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Bali Arts Festival: While the main events are from mid-June to mid-July, some performances and exhibitions may extend into September, showcasing Balinese art and culture.
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Piodalan Ceremony: Many temples in Bali celebrate their anniversary with the Piodalan ceremony in September, involving offerings and traditional rituals.
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Bali Vegan Festival: Generally held in late September, this festival promotes a plant-based lifestyle through food stalls, cooking classes, and talks on health and wellness.
Special days Bali October
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Bali Kite Festival: This vibrant event usually runs from July to October, featuring large, intricately designed kites flown in a stunning display, particularly at Padang Galak Beach.
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Omed-omedan (Kissing Festival): Held in the village of Sesetan in Denpasar, this unique festival occurs after the harvest, where young singles participate in a playful kissing event. The date varies, often falling in October.
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Bali Arts Festival: While primarily celebrated in June and July, some events and performances may extend into early October, showcasing Balinese music, dance, and art.
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Piodalan Ceremony: Various temples celebrate their anniversaries in October with the Piodalan ceremony, involving traditional offerings and rituals to honor the deities and ancestors.
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Navaratri: Although primarily a Hindu festival celebrated in India, some communities in Bali observe Navaratri in October, involving prayers, dances, and rituals.
Special days Bali November
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Legian Beach Festival: Held in mid-November, this festival showcases cultural exhibitions, art displays, and performances, attracting locals and tourists alike.
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Bali Arts Festival: While primarily celebrated from June to July, some artistic activities and events may extend into early November, highlighting Balinese music and dance.
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Bali Spirit Festival: This international festival usually occurs in mid-November, featuring yoga, music, and wellness activities, attracting participants from around the globe.
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Galungan and Kuningan: Celebrated every 210 days according to the Balinese calendar, these significant Hindu festivals honor ancestral spirits, with ceremonies and offerings at temples. Dates in November can vary based on the calendar.
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Bali Vegan Festival: Typically taking place in November, this festival promotes veganism with food stalls, cooking workshops, and talks by prominent speakers in the health and wellness community.
Special days Bali December
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Bali Kite Festival: While primarily a summer event, some kite activities and exhibitions may extend into early December.
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Hari Raya Nyepi (Day of Silence): This is the Balinese New Year celebrated in March, but preparations and ceremonies often begin in December, leading up to the festival.
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Christmas Celebrations: Many hotels and restaurants in Bali host special events and dinners, featuring festive decorations, music, and traditional foods.
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New Year’s Eve Celebrations: Bali is known for its lively New Year’s Eve parties, with fireworks, beach parties, and events across the island, culminating the year with vibrant celebrations.
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Bali Spirit Festival: Some activities of this wellness festival may occur in early December, offering yoga, music, and healing workshops.
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Tirta Empul Temple Ceremonies: Various ceremonies take place at this significant water temple, which may include offerings and purification rituals in December.