Bali Events Calendar

Indo Livestock 2013

Date: 05-07 June 2013
Location: Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) complex, Nusa Dua

Bali will host Indo Livestock 2013 - the 8th Indonesia's livestock, feed and fisheries industry expo and forum at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center. The last Indo Livestock in 2012 in Jakarta attracted 471 exhibitors from 40 nations and more than 14,000 trade visitors.

World Hindu Summit 2013

Date: 13-16 June 2013

Location: Denpasar Arts Centre

Hundreds of Hindu leaders and high priests from around the world will descend upon Bali for this summit. Last year's event invited around 250 world delegates. This year's Wold Hindu Summit coincides with the Annual Bali Arts Festival and is slated to discuss the formation of a world Hindu body to be called the World Hindu Parisad, which will replace the World Hindu Federation that was taken over in the communist coup in Nepal.

The 35th Annual Bali Arts Festival

Date: 15 June - 13 July 2013

The opening of the 35th Annual Bali Arts Festival is scheduled for Saturday, 15 June this year. Locally known as 'Pesta Kesenian Bali', the Bali Arts Festival, which interestingly takes place from every second Saturday of June to the second Saturday of July, is a yearly celebration of exhibitions and performances of various kinds of artworks and cultural achievements, and gathers locals and international visitors to the Niti Mandala Renon square for the opening, then to the Denpasar Arts Centre for daily performances and exhibitions.

SATTE Indonesia (Southeast Asia Travel & Tourism Event)

Date: 12-14 June 2013
Location: Bali International Convention Centre, Nusa Dua

This exhibition and conference event brings together over 300 domestic and international sellers representing top hospitality and travel brands and international buyers representing top multinational and unique leisure brands across the globe.

BII Maybank Bali Marathon 2013

Date: 16 June 2013

The BII Maybank Bali Marathon 2013 is to be held on Sunday, 16 June 2013. The 42.195km marathon race is open for public. Included in the event is the half-marathon race covering a distance of 21.0975 kilometers and 10 kilometers. The race will start in Gianyar and participants will run across a certified route with a timing chip to measure their personal record. The same race was held on 22 April 2012 and was participated by runners from 42 countries, including elite runners from Africa, Europe, USA, Asia and Australia.

Biznet Bali International Triathlon 2013

Date: 23 June 2013
Location: Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay, Jimbaran

The prestigious triathlon is back this year in Jimbaran, and will feature an Olympic 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run as well as a Sprint 500m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run to the finish line in the scenic Jimbaran Bay.

Goa Gajah Temple Piodalan Anniversary

Date: 25 June 2013
Location: Bedulu Village, Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Blahbatuh, Gianyar

Goa Gajah temple celebrates its 'piodalan' temple anniversary on an 'Anggara Kasih Prangbakat' Tuesday on the Balinese 210-day Pawukon calendar. This archaeological complex in the village of Bedulu, 3km east of Ubud, is now a temple site, boasting an assortment of large old structures and relics, some restored to their full glory today such as a bathing pool with working water spouts for holy water during these ceremonies.

Perang Pandan / Usaba Sambah

Date: TBA (June)
Location: Tenganan Pegringsingan, Karangasem

The age-old traditions of the Tenganan Dauh Tukad village in Karangasem include the ritual blood sport called perang pandan or 'thorny pandan-leaf battles', which is also a coming-of-age rite among village youths coinciding with the village's annual Ngusaba Desa ceremonies. The remote village of Tenganan Dauh Tukad is located an approximate 78km east of Denpasar. The highlight is when bare-breasted village boys take turns in deueling armed only with rattan shields and a tied packet of thorny pandanus as weapons.

The 35th Annual Bali Kite Festival

Date: 13-15 July 2013
Location: Padanggalak Beach, Sanur

The Bali Kite Festival is an annual feast among the Balinese as they regard the art of kite making and piloting highly. The event is also anticipated by the international community as it provides rare opportunities to enjoy gigantic traditional kites built with contemporary designs. The festival takes place in the windy season, in July and August. The agrarian background of the Balinese largely contributes to this kite-flying tradition, when these months usually provide open fields after harvests.

Tumpek Wayang

Date: 20 July 2013

Tumpek Wayang is a special day dedicated to performing arts especially the wayang shadow puppetry, and various offerings are made to the god Iswara for the blessings of the art form and its inheritance to the Balinese.

The 2nd Bali International Choir Festival

Date: 20-26 July 2013

The second annual choir symposium and competition event organized by the Bandung Choral Society is slated for July this year. In 2012, over a hundred choirs, several conductors, and clinicians gathered at the first event.

Makepung Bullock Races

Dates:

• 28 July 2013             Mertasari, Jembrana
• 11 August 2013         Tuwed, Jembrana (Regent's Cup)
• 25 August 2013         Delod Berawah, Jembrana
• 08 September 2013   Pangkung Dalem, Jembrana
• 22 September 2013   Mertasari, Jembrana
• 06 October 2013        Kaliakah, Jembrana
• 20 October 2013        Delod Berawah, Jembrana
• 03 November 2013    Awen, Jembrana
• 17 November 2013    Delod Berawah, Jembrana (Governor's Cup)

Location: Jembrana, Negara, West Bali

Bali has a wealth of bull races. This racing tradition is a large deal in the town of Jembrana, Negara regency, even taking on the official championships designation as the Governor's Cup or 'Piala Bupati'. The festival usually kicks off with various heats around the coastal race tracks of Jembrana in the month of July, leading up to the finals and festivities occurring mid-November. The tradition traces back to the legacies of the Jembrana farmers, and during the festivities various other art forms of the locality are performed as well, such as bull fashion shows and Jegog bamboo orchestras. Read More...

Gempita Gianyar

Date: TBA
Location: Catus Pata and Astina Soccer Field, Ubud, Gianyar

Gempita Gianyar, a festival of art, culture and fashion, attracts an international audience, featuring various art performances mainly taking place at the Astina Ubud soccer field with various composers, artists, dacners and orchestras involved.

Legian Beach Festival

Date: TBA (July)
Location: Legian Beach, Legian

The Legian Beach Festival is slated to present its annual offering of surfing, swimming, dancing and Indonesian food festivities in its seventh year this year. Usually taking place around the month of July, this event aims to promote tourism to this area north of Kuta offering visitors to discover and learn about Indonesian culture, with a range of activities that are well thought and reflect Indonesia’s natural wealth and diversity of traditions.

BeachLive! Summer Music Festival

Date: TBA (July)
Location: Kuta Beachwalk, Kuta

Set to become an annual beach music festival in Bali in 2012, last year's BeachLive presented international performers such as Ladyhawke, Flight Facilities, Gildas Kitsune and Stephane Pompougnac, as well as a host of many local bands.  Read More...

Ubud Village Jazz Festival

Date: 09-10 August 2013
Location: Arma Museum Ubud, Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud

The first Ubud Village Jazz Festival is slated for August this year. The event will bring together a lineup of various Jazz artists from Indonesia and all over the globe. Among the notable artists confirmed to perform include Koko Harsoe, Joe Rosenberg, Balawan & Batuan Ethnic Fusion, and Dwiki Darmawan. The festival will take place at the Arma Museum in Ubud. 

Saraswati

Date: 10 August 2013

Bali and the Balinese celebrate Saraswati, a day devoted to the Goddess of Knowledge, Art and Literature - Dewi Saraswati. To mark this joyous day, books of knowledge, manuscripts and the Vedas are blessed and special offerings are made together with aspirations for knowledge and wisdom. The day is the first in a series of five important religious highlights. Saraswati falls on an Umanis Watugunung Saturday in the Balinese 210-day pawukon calendar, hence its celebrations twice in the Gregorian year.

Banyu Pinaruh

Date: 11 August 2013

Banyu Pinaruh is the immediate day after Saraswati, which falls on a Paing Sinta Sunday in the Balinese pawukon calendar. The morning typically sees Balinese Hindus heading to the nearest beaches either for weekend family leisure and cleansing or purification purposes.

Soma Ribek

Date: 12 August 2013

Soma Ribek falls on a Pon Sinta Monday on the pawukon calendar and roughly means ‘rich Monday’. As Balinese culture is based on agrarian ways, the day signifies blessings for prosperity in the form of full harvests that fill the rice barns, symbolising affluence and sustenance.

Sabuh Mas

Date: 13 August 2013

Sabuh Mas is a day of wealth dedicated to precious stones and metals. Various rituals include the cleansing of items as well as blessings. It is also an opportunity among the Balinese to express their gratitude towards the Divinity for their worldly wealth and to remind that all can and will be separated by fate. The day falls on a Wage Sinta Tuesday on the Balinese pawukon calendar.

Pagerwesi

Date: 14 August 2013

Pagerwesi is the concluding day for the ‘wealth’ series of celebrations that signifies spiritual ‘reinforcement’; its name, combining the words pager and wesi suggests ‘iron fence’ in English. This means that anything of high importance, or the soul and spirituality in this sense, should be protected from destructive influences. The day is the final significant highlight in the series, aiming to protect the blessed subjects of spiritual assets celebrated in the previous days.

Indonesian Independence Day

Date: 17 August 2013

This year marks Indonesia's 68th year of independence. The day is celebrated on August 17, when red-and-white flags adorn the street sides and flag raising ceremonies take place at government offices and a major ceremony takes place in Jakarta, attended by the state head and officials. Households and communities throughout the archipelago also post flags and decorations at front of houses. Some communities also hold sack-run races and other revelries in the spirit of nationality. Check out your hotel's food and beverage highlights for some Independence Day promos and menu specials that usually feature national culinary delights.

The 1st Annual Bali Global Health Leadership Initiative Integration

Date: 19-25 August 2013

The Global Health Center of Advaita Medical Healthcare College in Bali present The 1st Annual Bali Global Health Leadership Initiative Integration - a week of multidisciplinary leadership international community forums, seminars, preliminary researches and community services.

Tumpek Landep

Date: 24 August 2013

Tumpek Landep is a holy day that is dedicated to the blessings of metal items, from heirloom kris daggers to various other metal objects such as modern machinery, automobuiles and such; all towards their better use in daily life. On this day you'll see cars and motorcycles decorated with intricate stitched-leaf ornaments called 'sampian' roaming the streets in Bali. 

Tumpek Uduh

Date: 28 September 2013

Tumpek Uduh is a holy day dedicated to the blessings of plants, especially those that produce fruits and flowers. On this day households bless their gardens, farms and plantations for successful harvests in lead up to the Galungan celebrations three weeks ahead, which largely require the items for various temple offerings.

Miss World Pageant

Date: TBA (September)

For the first time in Indonesia, the island will host the Miss World Pageant, bringing the most beautiful young women from around the globe to the 'island of the gods'. Last year, Julia Morley, chairwoman of the Miss World Organization, stated that Bali would host the competition in September this year and that 131 national beauty pageant winners had confirmed their attendance.

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival

Date: 11-15 October
Location: Various venues, Ubud

The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival once again gathers speakers and writers from all over the world in its 10th year this October, comprising an agenda filled with special events, literary workshops, book launches, youth's programs, and community and arts highlights. Main sessions take place at Indus restaurant and Neka Museum - all located in Sanggingan, Ubud. Various other hotels and venues also serve as hosts, the likes of Four Seasons, Maya Ubud, Casa Luna and Alila Ubud. Other fringe events also usually take place in other places, such as in Denpasar, Seminyak and Jimbaran, and beyond Bali such as Makassar, West Java, Sumatera, Papua and Jakarta.

The 7th Annual Balinale

Date: 04-10 October 2013
Location: Cinema XXI Beachwalk, Kuta Beachwalk, Kuta

The 7th annual Balinale will be held 4-10 October with a series of workshops, film industry forums, free seminars and a list of screening showtimes at Bali's newest cinema. A great opportunity for movie buffs enjoying their time in Bali. Read More...

APEC Summit 2013

Date: 05-07 October 2013
Location: Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) complex, Nusa Dua

Around 21 heads of state are scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, to be held in Bali in November. APEC was established in 1989, and is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries (formally Member Economies) that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Besakih Temple Piodalan Anniversary

Date: 08 October 2013
Location: Besakih Temple, Karangasem

Besakih Temple, also considered the 'mother temple' in Bali, celebrates its biannual piodalan temple anniversary, which coincides every Tuesday on a Kliwon Julungwangi cycle on the Balinese 210-day pawukon calendar. Pilgrims from all over the island flock to the temple for prayers, providing a unique sight to see on this sacred sanctuary at the foot of Mount Agung, the island's highest peak.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Piodalan Anniversary

Date: 08 October 2013
Location: Beratan Lakeside, Candikuning, Bedugul, Tabanan

Among the island's most iconic temples, this lakeside temple celebrates its biannual piodalan temple anniversary, which coincides each Kliwon Julungwangi Tuesday on the traditional Balinese pawukon calendar. Pilgrims from the adjacent villages attend to prayers at the temple. Read More...

Perang Tipat Bantal / Rice Cake Wars

Date: 19 October 2013
Location: Jalan Raya Kapal, Mengwi, Badung

This century-old tradition features the villagers of Kapal gathering in front of the village temple where prayers and blessings take place for the full moon of the fourth month in the Balinese calendar and proceed towards the foyer and streets where they divide into two groups armed with baskets of rice cakes called tipat bantal, later flinging their ammo at each other in a very rare and unique spectacle. The event signifies blessings and prosperity for the whole agrarian village. After the battles, the remainders are spread over rice fields. 

Tirta Empul Temple Piodalan Anniversary

Date: 19 October 2013
Location: Manukaya village, district of Tampaksiring, Gianyar

The prominent temple complex of Tirta Empul, located in the district of Tampaksiring, serves as a legendary setting for a traditional tale of good versus evil and is a national cultural heritage site. The temple celebrates its piodalan temple anniversary every 'fourth full moon' known as Purnama Sasih Kapat on the traditional Balinese pawukon calendar, which coincides with 19 October this year. Read More...

Penampahan Galungan

Date: 22 October 2013

Galungan eve sees all Balinese households busy preparing for the following day, by decorating curved bamboo poles with elements of harvests and natural items, such as rice, fruit, coconuts, and leaves. These penjor poles symbolize the blessing by Mother Nature. When complete, these ornamental bamboo poles provide a unique sight, lining every road throughout Bali. The day also features spit-roasted pigs in Banjar communal halls, and traditional food prepared for the whole village to share.

Galungan

Date: 23 October 2013

The day that commemorates the legendary battle of good versus evil, or the triumph of the spread of Hinduism in Bali. Offerings and prayers take place at family shrines and village temples.

Umanis Galungan

Date: 24 October 2013

The day after Galungan sees typically extended Balinese families visiting each other, as well as making short holiday trips with the whole family.

Batukaru Temple Piodalan Anniversary

Date: 24 October 2013
Location: Batukaru Temple, Wangaya Gede, Tabanan

Batukaru Temple celebrates its biannual piodalan temple anniversary, which coincides each Thursday after the Galungan celebrations. Pilgrims from the adjacent villages in Wangaya Gede and all over the island flock to this mountain temple for prayers.

Lovina Beach Festival

Date: TBA (October)

The Lovina Beach Festival takes place around the village of Kalibukbuk Beach in north Bali and is usually held in October. The festival highlights include a handicraft exhibition and an afternoon opening ceremony filled with a traditional Balinese marching band called Baleganjur and a towering fruit and flower offering or gebogan parade. Performing arts include the Gong Kebyar and Ki Barak Panji Sakti dance that hails from the North Bali region.

Sanur Village Festival

Date: TBA (October)
Location: Sanur Village, Sanur

The Sanur Village Festival attracts large numbers of international visitors to this small coastal village east of Denpasar. The organizers put in much communal effort to make the annual event bigger by the year and feature an array of water sports activities in its week-long agenda, celebrating its coastal heritage. This year's festival is slated to coincide with the APEC conferences, becoming a highlight for world delegates.

Kuta Karnival

Date: TBA
Location: Jalan Pantai and Kuta Beach, Kuta

The Kuta Karnival is a week filled with various events such as the Kuta Food Festival, a Paddle for Peace, various flags and banners on a 'sunset parade' and music and art festivities on the sand and at other venues in Kuta. The theme for each annual Kuta Karnival is different, but carrying on the notions of peace and togetherness. The Kuta Karnival was inspired as a 'community' and 'recovery' initiative of the Kuta Small Business Association (KSBA) for the island, supported by the local authorities and community representatives of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak.

Nusa Dua Fiesta

Date: TBA (November)
Location: Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) complex, Nusa Dua

The Nusa Dua Fiesta is an annual festival that features a week of arts, culture, sports, music and exhibitions that take place in and around the peninsula in Nusa Dua. The opening day features various art competitions and exhibitions at the beach fronts of the hotels that line the Peninsula. The following days are also filled with diving tours, children's carnivals, charity gala dinners and various live modern and cultural entertainments for the public. This year's Fiesta will mark its 16th year of festivities.

Tanah Lot Temple Piodalan Anniversary

Date: 06 November 2013
Location: Tanah Lot Temple, Tabanan

Tanah Lot Temple, one of the most significant sea temples on the island, celebrates its biannual piodalan temple anniversary, which coincides every Wednesday on a Langkir cycle on the Balinese 210-day pawukon calendar. Pilgrims from the adjacent villages and all over the island flock to the temple for prayers, providing a unique sight to see on this sacred offshore sanctuary with its famous sunset backdrops. Read More...

Goa Lawah Temple Piodalan Anniversary

Date: 12 November 2013
Location: Goa Lawah, Jalan Raya Goa Lawah, Pesinggahan Village, Dawan District, Klungkung

Goa Lawah is one of Bali’s most important temples. It features a complex built in a cave opening inhabited by hordes of bats and its name translates into English as simply ‘Bat Cave’. This temple was said to have been established in the 11th century by Mpu Kuturan, a high priest. Goa Lawah’s piodalan or grand temple anniversary takes place every 210 days on the Balinese Pawukon calendar cycle of an Anggara Kasih Medangsia Tuesday, the same temple anniversary day as Uluwatu’s. Read More...

Uluwatu Temple Piodalan Anniversary

Date: 12 November 2013
Location: Uluwatu Temple, Jimbaran

Uluwatu Temple celebrates its biannual piodalan temple anniversary, which coincides every Tuesday on a Kliwon Medangsya cycle on the Balinese 210-day pawukon calendar. Pilgrims from all over the island flock to the temple for prayers, providing a unique sight to see on this clifftop-perched temple with its famous sunset backdrop.  Read More...

The 6th Bali Democracy Forum

Date: TBA (December)
Location: Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) complex, Nusa Dua

The Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, brings together Heads of State and Foreign Ministers from countries across Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific. Last year's Bali Democracy Forum attracted delegates from 80 countries and international organizations with 11 heads of state. The forum discusses issues such as promoting synergy between democracy and development in Asia with prospects for regional cooperation.

Christmas

Date: 25 December 2013

Although a predominantly Hindu island, Bali has communities of other religions. During Christmas time, Christian Balinese gather in their masses to unique churches that blend traditional Balinese architectural features. Among the most notable Balinese Protestant and Catholic communities are located in the villages of Palasari and Blimbingsari in West Bali. There are also other notable churches and cathedrals around the Denpasar area.

New Year 2014 Countdown

Date: 31 December 2013
Location: various venues, island-wide

New Year's Eve in Bali is dominated by the partying scenes at various nightspots and public spaces all across the island, with fireworks in constant launches. For a more private and intimate celebration, check out your hotel's or favourite restaurant's New Year's Eve dinner programs.