Spending Christmas & New Year's Eve in Bali

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The year 2017 is coming to a close. But as anywhere else in the world, Bali is preparing to have a full blast and welcoming the year 2018. Almost all kinds of accommodation, restaurants, & clubs will host various events with different themes for the Christmas and new year’s eve in Bali.

Even though Bali natives are mostly Hindu followers but, as seen in other parts of Indonesia, Balinese also respects other religions and open to all kinds of celebration. Starts from early of December, Christmas decorations can be seen in most stores, shopping mall, restaurants, and hotels. They also offer special Christmas discounts, and packages. Some places also set up special Christmas events for couples, families, or children. Whatever plans you have in mind, spend your Christmas in Bali is never a bad idea.

People living in Bali enthusiastically celebrate the new year’s countdown too. The center stage of these celebrations is – of course – none other than the renowned Kuta beach. Every year more people come to Kuta in new year’s eve that the police close down some roads (jalan Benesari, jalan Dewi Sartika / jalan Kartika Plaza, jalan pantai Kuta, jalan Melasti, and jalan Legian) and advise people to walk to the beach. So, as the ‘tradition’ goes in 2013, 2014, 2015, and also 2016, it is to be expected that this year too, Kuta beach area and Legian will be off-limits to any kind of vehicles. The road closure will begin even before the sunset hours (usually introduced as early as 2 pm and will take full effect at 4 pm), and all roads near Kuta will be cleared from vehicle parkings. Police officers posted at various locations near Kuta to divert the traffic and secure the area. The same situation is also to be expected this year.

If you still want to join the crowd shouting the countdown at Kuta beach, then you would need some strategies:

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Transportation
The best choice is to go with your own vehicle. Park somewhere you can go in & out easily, and don’t forget to put extra safety measures on your vehicle. Make sure to go earlier in the day and park it at a strategic & secure place. Kuta Central Park is an obvious choice, but many people will think the same way and the place will be full in no time so look for parking spots around jalan Dewi Sri. Another option is to park at your friend’s house or your office’s parking lot which is located outside the road closure zones near Kuta. Public transportation such as Taxi or Ojek (motor taxi) is another choice. However, most probably they will charge more than normal fare. Also, since probably you will be leaving the area at the same time with everyone else, it would be difficult to get a taxi for yourself. Arrange a transport with your hotel is also possible, though you may have to wait a little longer because of the traffic. Things should be easier this year, with the rise of app-based transportation services like Grab, Uber, or Go-Jek. Just make sure that your pickup point is outside the car-free zone. Of course, you can always choose to walk all the way down from your home/hotel to Kuta beach.
Food & drink
Even though you can easily find more than 3 minimarkets in the same alley near Kuta beach, but chance is there will be a swarm of people inside. It is a wise choice to bring your own supply of water & snacks. Don’t forget to have a proper meal before heading over to Kuta.
Self-awareness
It is crucial keep an eye to your belongings & money at all times. Never be drunk even though you are with a group of people, to avoid any unwanted situations. Dress casually with minimal accessories. Wear a light jacket or windbreaker to shield yourself from the breeze and prepare for any chance of rain especially because December is a rainy season. Some people may rudely honk a deafening paper / air horn right to your ear, so it is recommended to get your ear covered or at least prepare for it. If you bring a good camera to try capturing the fireworks, get a secure place where you can shoot without being blocked by other people like the balcony of a beachfront hotel or restaurant.
Baby & pets
There will be fireworks everywhere in Bali so make sure to keep your loved pets indoors. Firework explosions could cause stress to most animals especially those sensitive to sound, such as cats, dogs, and rabbits. Keep them in their cages within a closed room with good sound insulation. You can start the ‘quarantine’ as soon as the sun sets, and let them go early in the next morning. If you travel / live with an infant or toddler, it is recommended to stay in rural areas where there will be less noise or put ear mufflers to protect their ears.

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Of course, there are many other options on where to spend the new year’s eve in Bali. Basically, you can come to any renowned beach in Bali, and you will see people gathering. You can also try go to Renon’s Bajra Sandhi park or Denpasar city park and join the local Indonesian people celebrate the new year. It’s similar to another public new year’s eve event as anywhere else in the world, though.

If you are planning to rent a villa and have a private party, make sure the accommodation allows you to throw a party and the booking should be made as early as possible because of the peak tourist season. There’s also nothing wrong with spending the new year’s eve at home. If you live in 2^nd floor or higher in an apartment / hotel where you can clearly see the Denpasar city’s night sky, then you can see non-stop streams of fireworks lit by the residents as soon as the sky is dark. The free firework show will get more intense as the clock ticking and reaches its peak at midnight.

Looking for a different vibe and feel like going to a party with your friends? Or looking forward to enjoy the precious Christmas moments with your family on a special dinner? Then check our list below. We have compiled Christmas dinner events, new year events, new year party, and promotions related to the holiday season held by different venues in Bali.