Top Events in Bali to Help You Plan Your Holiday for 2026

Nyepi (19 March 2026) - Many will say the best time to visit Bali is the dry season, April through October, but for cultural buffs, the best month is March to experience the unique Balinese-Hindu New Year, known as Nyepi or “Silent Day.” While most of the world marks a New Year with social gatherings and midnight fireworks, in Bali it’s a time to cleanse the spirit, meditate and give Mother Nature a full day of well-earned rest. Each village’s Ogoh-Ogoh parade takes place the night before and is a fascinating display of art and engineering. To celebrate, Four Seasons Resorts Bali at Jimbaran Bay and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan curate special activities for guests to embrace this unique occasion. The date of Nyepi changes each year as it follows the lunar-based Balinese saka calendar, in 2026, Nyepi will fall on March 19.

Bali Spirit Festival (22 - 26 April 2026) - Named after the Sanskrit word for medicine (ubad), Ubud is a place for restoration of the soul, so it is no surprise that the Bali Spirit Festival is one of the world’s most inspiring yoga festivals. Celebrating global community, dance, world music and wellbeing, activities include interactive workshops and seminars, a lively community market and healing centre, children’s activity zone, and a variety of yoga classes.

Ubud Food Festival (May/June 2026) – Since its launch a few years ago, the Ubud Food Festival has grown into Indonesia’s leading food event, sharing diverse culinary cultures, unique local produce and top restaurants.

Bali Arts Festival (June/July 2026) - More than 40 years old, the Bali Arts Festival is an entire month dedicated to exhibitions of the many unique and dynamic aspects of Balinese culture, from the traditional to the contemporary. Artists from all regions of the island come together each year in Denpasar to showcase their craft, from gamelan orchestras and local handicrafts, to wayang kulit shadow puppets and epic dances.

Bali Kite Festival (July 2026) – What originally started out as a colourful way to thank the gods for bountiful harvests and fertility, this high-flying event has since grown into one of the most remarkable on Bali’s calendar. Prizes are awarded to the most distinct and creative kites, bringing out friendly rivalry between participants. If you head down to the beach to watch or take part, you will see a sky filled with kites of all shapes, sizes and colours soaring above the crowds.

Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (October 2026) - The festival has established itself as an annual pilgrimage for lovers of literature and conversation. Taking place over four days, it brings together some of the world’s most powerful voices in a melting pot of artists, authors, thinkers and performers, to provide a platform for meaningful exchange and cross-cultural dialogue.

Perang Pandan War Dance Ceremony (Date TBD) – A mass coming-of-age ritual that is held annually and dedicated to the Hindu god of war and the sky, Indra. This age-old tradition is unique to Tenganan, a well-preserved old Balinese village in East Bali (Karangasem regency), and follows the village’s own calendar. In friendly duels, male villagers will battle each other armed with a small rattan shield in one hand and a packet of thorny pandan leaves in the other.

Bali Marathon 2026 (August 2026) - The Bali Marathon is an annual road race featuring multiple distances: the full marathon (42.195 kilometres), half marathon (21.1 kilometres), and 10 kilometres. The event offers runners the chance to traverse Bali’s scenic landscapes and traditional villages. The course is enriched with unique cultural highlights, including marshals dressed in traditional Balinese attire and live local music performances, creating an authentic and immersive experience.