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12 Epic Bali festivals to plan your trip around in 2025
Discover the top Bali festivals in 2025, from cultural rituals to music and art events, plus travel tips for a hassle-free and memorable trip in Bali.
Bali’s calendar is defined by ritual and celebration. From religious ceremonies to cultural parades and contemporary festivals, there’s always something happening on the Island of the Gods.
While many travelers consider March to July the best time to visit Bali, you’ll find celebrations happening all year round. Here are 12 Bali festivals in 2025 that you shouldn’t miss.
Before that, though, make sure to check out our Bali travel guide for 2025 to know the ins and outs of your next Bali trip.
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The best Bali festivals for every month of the year
Regardless of your travel preferences, Bali is sure to have something for you. If you’re heading back to Bali or just want to see something new, here’s when to go and what not to miss.
January: Odalan Temple Ceremonies
Rather than a single celebration, Odalan ceremonies take place across Bali throughout the year, and January often sees dozens of them. These temple “birthdays” are held every 210 days, with rituals, offerings, traditional dress, and community parades.
These Odalan Temple ceremonies reflect the Balinese belief in balance between humans, nature, and the divine. And because there are at least three major temples per village in Bali, or over 4,500 temples, there is always a temple birthday somewhere on the island.
The Komu Canggu Bali, for example, celebrates Odalan on January 8.
February: Lombok Bau Nyale Festival
The term Bau Nyale, from the local Sasak language, means “to catch Nyale,” with Nyale referring to a type of seaworm. And that’s exactly how people celebrate this festival. Each year, thousands gather along Lombok’s southern beaches to catch the Nyale, honoring her memory with rituals, horse racing, storytelling, and cultural performances.
This tradition, which takes place from February 18 to 19, originates from the legend of Princess Mandalika, who sacrificed herself for the good of her people and was believed to reincarnate as the colorful seaworms.
Although this is not in Bali itself, the Bau Nyale Festival draws many visitors from the island since Loombok is only a short trip away. Many combine their Bali holiday with a visit to Lombok during this time, making it both a spiritual and cultural highlight of their trip.
March: Ogoh-Ogoh Parade & Nyepi Day
Taking place one after another, the Ogoh-Ogoh Parade and Nyepi Day are the centerpiece of the Balinese New Year.
On March 28, the eve of Nyepi, the streets of Ubud come alive with noise and excitement as communities unveil their Ogoh-Ogoh—giant, brightly painted effigies made from bamboo and papier-mache.
These figures, often inspired by demons from Balinese mythology, are paraded through the streets in a display of creativity and storytelling.
The following day is Nyepi, the Day of Silence. In contrast to the chaos of the parade, the island falls completely quiet for 24 hours. No lights, no travel, and even the airport shuts down, as Balinese people dedicate the day to meditation, self-reflection, and renewal.
April: Galungan & Kuningan
Galungan and Kuningan are celebrated together as they tell the story of the triumph of dharma (good) over adharma (evil).
During Galungan, families pray, make offerings at their doorsteps, altars, and temples, and gather to share meals. The streets are lined with tall penjor (decorated bamboo poles), and you’ll see women in sashes and men in traditional headscarves participating in morning rituals.
Kuningan, held 10 days later, marks the end of the festival and is filled with the color yellow, which is seen in rice dishes, flowers, and ceremonial dress. The word kuning itself means “yellow” in Bahasa Indonesia, symbolizing prosperity and blessing.
Galungan and Kuningan are celebrated twice in 2025, with the first cycle of Galungan on April 23 and Kuningan on May 3, and the second cycle of Galungan on November 19 and Kuningan on November 29.
May: Bali Spirit Festival
From May 7 to 11, Ubud hosts the Bali Spirit Festival, four days and five nights of yoga, dance, music, healing, and spiritual practices. With classes, workshops, and performances, each day offers something new and interesting, which always draws participants from around the world.
Aside from the sessions, there’s a lively marketplace featuring organic food, sustainable products, handmade crafts, and souvenirs at this Bali festival. Visitors can also join meditation circles, enjoy live music, and connect with a global community.
Passes are available on the Bali Spirit Festival website, including full-event, single-day, weekend, and night passes.
June: Bali Arts Festival
From June 15 to July 13, 2025, the Bali Arts Festival transforms the Denpasar Arts Center into a month-long celebration of the island’s cultural heritage.
The event showcases traditional dances, cultural parades with floats and costumes, music, theater, and even Balinese culinary arts. Visitors can also take part in workshops like wood carving, weaving, jewelry making, and cooking, offering a hands-on way to experience Bali’s artistry.
With performances, exhibitions, and community events, the festival is both a showcase and a living expression of Balinese culture.
July: Bali Kite Festival
The Bali Kite Festival is a cultural and spiritual event held each July, when strong winds sweep across the island. Dedicated to Dewa Bayu, the god of wind, the festival is a way for Balinese communities to give thanks for the harvest and pray for balance in nature.
Villages and kite clubs build giant kites, some more than 10 meters wide, in traditional shapes like fish (bebean) or birds (jangan), with each carrying a symbolic meaning. The main official international competition takes place from July 20 to 21 at Padanggalak Beach and Mertasari Beach in Sanur, drawing local teams and international visitors.
Beyond competition, this Bali festival is a communal celebration filled with music, rituals, and displays of craftsmanship.
August: Ubud Village Jazz Festival
Now in its 12th year, the Ubud Village Jazz Festival brings together jazz musicians from Indonesia and around the world for two days of live performances in Bali’s cultural heart, Ubud.
Known for its intimate atmosphere, the festival showcases a wide range of jazz styles, from traditional to contemporary, attracting both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to the genre.
Beyond the concerts, the festival also serves as a platform for Indonesian musicians, offering workshops, collaborations, and opportunities to connect with international artists. Tickets are available as one-day or two-day passes, and the event will take place from August 1 to 2.
September: Minikino Film Week
Minikino Film Week, Bali’s International Short Film Festival, takes place from September 12 to 19, 2025. Screenings are held across venues like MASH Denpasar Art House Cinema and Dharma Negara Alaya, showcasing short films from Indonesia and around the world. The program includes filmmaker Q&As, discussions, and workshops.
Now in its 11th year, the festival highlights a wide range of genres and themes, from experimental shorts to documentaries. It has become a hub for networking and collaboration among filmmakers in Southeast Asia, while giving visitors in Bali a chance to experience world cinema in an intimate, community-based setting.
October: Nusa Penida Festival
The Nusa Penida Festival, held every October, combines cultural performances, music, and environmental activities on the island of Nusa Penida.
The program, which takes place from October 23 to 25 in 2025 at several venues like Sampan Field, Tanjung Keramitan Beach, and Dalem Setra Batununggul Temple area, includes Balinese dances, temple ceremonies, costume parades, and concerts ranging from traditional gamelan to modern genres like reggae and EDM.
This Bali festival also focuses on conservation, with activities such as coral restoration, sea turtle protection, beach clean-ups, and eco-tours. Visitors can take part in water sports, canoe races, and boat parades, making it both a cultural and outdoor experience.
November: Makepung Lampit Festival
The Makepung Lampit Festival in Jembrana, West Bali, is an annual competition where farmers race pairs of buffaloes pulling wooden plows along dirt tracks. The buffaloes are decorated with vibrant ornaments, and teams often represent different villages.
The tradition began as a way to celebrate the rice harvest and highlight the importance of farming in Balinese life. The festival usually starts early, past 7:00 a.m., and includes multiple heats that lead up to a grand final later in the season.
Although you can already catch the heats on September 14 and 28, you can watch the main event on November 17.
December: Denpasar Festival
The Denpasar Festival, held from December 22 to 25 at Kilometer Zero Point in West Denpasar, is one of Bali’s biggest year-end cultural events.
The festival highlights the city’s heritage through exhibitions of local products, food stalls, art workshops, and performances of traditional music and dance. Visitors can also enjoy cultural shows around landmarks like the Catur Muka Statue and Puputan Square.
The main events of this Bali festival include the colorful Mask Parade, traditional games such as Tajog (a bamboo-stilt race), and exhibitions featuring Balinese handicrafts and books.
Food is also central to the event, with stalls offering specialties like Laklak Bali (sweet rice pancakes), Lawar (spiced vegetable and meat mix), and Nasi Campur Bali (rice with assorted side dishes).
Top tips to make the most of your Bali festivals
Here are some things to keep in mind, from what to wear to how to get internet in Bali, as you prepare for your Bali festival.
1. Dress modestly when visiting temples
Temples in Bali have strict dress codes. You’ll need to cover your legs with a sarong and avoid sleeveless tops. Some temples provide sarongs at the entrance, but bring your own just in case.
2. Book accommodation early during festivals
Accommodation fills up fast during major festivals and peak travel seasons. Reserve your accommodation options in Bali, from hotels and villas, in advance so you don’t miss out.
3. Plan around Nyepi and traffic
Bali’s traffic can be unpredictable, and on Nyepi (Day of Silence), the entire island shuts down. This means no flights, cars, or outdoor activities. Check dates ahead of time and plan accordingly.
4. Follow local apps and accounts for updates
Stay on top of road closures, festival events, and weather changes by following local news sites, Bali tourism accounts, and social media updates. Google Maps and Grab are also handy for getting around.
5. Pack smart and stay connected
Check our Bali packing list to make sure you remember all of the essentials. For hassle-free connectivity, consider using a Bali SIM card or an eSIM like Holafly, as it makes it easier to navigate, book rides, and stay in touch.
Holafly: Enjoy Bali’s best festivals in 2025 with unlimited data
Enjoy unlimited data for your Bali festival adventures with the Holafly eSIM for Bali. With an adjustable usage period from 1 to 90 days, you can choose the exact number of days you’ll be in Bali to stay connected.
Plus, with 24/7 live chat support, you can quickly get help with installing, activating, or using your eSIM in Bali whenever you need it. You can also get an eSIM for Asia if you plan on traveling to other destinations in Indonesia and the rest of Asia.
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