If you are planning to visit Bali in 2024, you might want to know the dates of the national and cultural holidays that are celebrated on the island. Bali is a unique destination that offers a rich and diverse culture, influenced by Hinduism, and local traditions. Here are some of the holidays that you can expect to see in Bali in 2024, along with some tips on how to enjoy them.
National Holidays
Indonesia has several national holidays that are observed throughout the country, including Bali. These are the dates for 2024:
- January 1: New Year’s Day. This is a public holiday that marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year. Many people celebrate with fireworks, parties, and family gatherings.
- February 10: Chinese New Year. This is a public holiday that celebrates the beginning of the lunar calendar year. It is also known as Imlek or Sin Cia in Indonesia. Many Chinese Indonesians celebrate with lion dances, lanterns, red envelopes, and special foods.
- March 12: Isra Mi’raj. This is a public holiday that commemorates the ascension of Prophet Muhammad to heaven. It is also known as Ascension Day or Ascension of the Prophet in English. Muslims observe this day with prayers, fasting, and charity.
- March 29: Hari Raya Nyepi. This is a public holiday that marks the Balinese New Year, also known as the Day of Silence. On this day, Balinese Hindus observe a day of self-reflection, fasting, meditation, and silence. No activities are allowed on this day, including traveling, working, lighting fires, or using electricity. The night before Nyepi, there is a ritual called Ngrupuk, where people parade giant effigies of demons called ogoh-ogoh and burn them to ward off evil spirits.
- April 5: Good Friday. This is a public holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday in English. Christians observe this day with prayers, fasting, and church services.
- May 1: Labor Day. This is a public holiday that honors the workers and their contributions to society. It is also known as May Day or International Workers’ Day in English. Many people celebrate with rallies, marches, and demonstrations.
- May 9: Vesak Day. This is a public holiday that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. It is also known as Buddha’s Birthday or Buddha Purnima in English. Buddhists observe this day with prayers, meditation, charity, and lanterns.
- May 25: Ascension Day. This is a public holiday that commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven. It is also known as Ascension Thursday or Holy Thursday in English. Christians observe this day with prayers and church services.
- June 5: Eid al-Fitr. This is a public holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It is also known as Idul Fitri or Lebaran in Indonesia. Muslims celebrate this day with prayers, feasts, charity, and family visits.
- June 6: Eid al-Fitr Holiday. This is a public holiday that extends the celebration of Eid al-Fitr for another day.
- August 17: Independence Day. This is a public holiday that celebrates the proclamation of independence of Indonesia from the Netherlands in 1945. It is also known as Hari Merdeka or Hari Kemerdekaan in Indonesia. Many people celebrate with flag-raising ceremonies, parades, competitions, and patriotic displays.
- October 14: Eid al-Adha. This is a public holiday that commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God. It is also known as Idul Adha or Hari Raya Kurban in Indonesia. Muslims celebrate this day with prayers, animal sacrifices, feasts, and charity.
- October 15: Eid al-Adha Holiday. This is a public holiday that extends the celebration of Eid al-Adha for another day.
- November 3: Mawlid al-Nabi. This is a public holiday that celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad. It is also known as Maulid Nabi or Milad un Nabi in Indonesia. Muslims celebrate this day with prayers, recitations, processions, and decorations.
- December 25: Christmas Day. This is a public holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is also known as Natal or Hari Natal in Indonesia. Christians celebrate this day with prayers, carols, gifts, and family gatherings.
Cultural Holidays
The Balinese calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar, as it is based on lunar cycles and astronomical phenomena. The Balinese calendar consists of several cycles, such as wuku, pancawara, saptawara, pawukon, and saka. Each cycle has its own significance and determines the auspicious and inauspicious days for various activities.
The Balinese Hindu holidays are based on the saka cycle, which is similar to the Indian lunar calendar. The saka cycle has 12 months of 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon phases. The saka cycle also has an intercalary month every 30 months to adjust the lunar and solar cycles. The saka cycle starts in March or April of the Gregorian calendar, and each month has a name derived from Sanskrit.
The Balinese Hindu holidays celebrate various aspects of life, such as nature, ancestors, gods, and spirits. They also involve rituals of purification, offerings, prayers, and festivities. Some of the most important Hindu holidays in Bali are Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi, Tumpek, and Siwa Ratri. Here is a brief overview of these holidays and their dates in 2024 according to the Balinese calendar.
Galungan and Kuningan
Galungan and Kuningan are two of the most important Hindu holidays in Bali. They mark the victory of good over evil and the return of the ancestral spirits to their homes. Galungan is celebrated every 210 days, or every six months of the Balinese calendar. Kuningan is celebrated 10 days after Galungan, and marks the end of the Galungan period.
The dates of Galungan and Kuningan in 2024 are:
- Penampahan Galungan: Tuesday, February 27
- Galungan: Wednesday, February 28
- Umanis Galungan: Thursday, February 29
- Penampahan Kuningan: Friday, March 8
- Kuningan: Saturday, March 9
Nyepi
Nyepi is the Balinese Hindu New Year. It is also known as the Day of Silence or the Day of Saka. Nyepi is celebrated on the first day of the saka cycle, which usually falls in March or April of the Gregorian calendar. Nyepi is a day of self-reflection, meditation, fasting, and abstinence from worldly activities.
The date of Nyepi in 2024 is:
- Nyepi: Monday, March 11
Tumpek
Tumpek is a series of holidays that celebrate the relationship between humans and nature. Tumpek means “close to” or “approaching” in Balinese. It refers to the days when the saka cycle is close to or approaching one of its six phases. Each phase is associated with a different aspect of nature, such as plants, animals, metal, wayang (shadow puppets), sound, and ancestors.
The dates of Tumpek in 2024 are:
- Tumpek Uduh/Pengatag: Saturday, February 3
- Tumpek Krulut: Saturday, April 13
- Tumpek Kandang: Saturday, May 18
- Tumpek Wayang: Saturday, June 22
- Tumpek Landep: Saturday, July 27
- Tumpek Kuningan: Saturday, September 28
Siwa Ratri
Siwa Ratri is a holiday that honors Lord Shiva, one of the main deities in Hinduism. Siwa Ratri means “the night of Shiva” in Sanskrit. It is celebrated on the 14th day of the waning moon of the seventh month of the saka cycle. It usually falls in January or February of the Gregorian calendar.
The date of Siwa Ratri in 2024 is:
- Siwa Ratri: Tuesday, January 9
These are some of the major Hindu holidays that are celebrated in Bali in 2024 according to the Balinese calendar. There are many other holidays that are specific to certain temples, villages, or regions. If you want to experience the rich and diverse culture of Bali, you should visit during these holidays and witness the colorful and festive ceremonies.
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