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Bali Festivals and Events
A myriad of festivals and celebrations take place all year round in Bali, both traditional Balinese events and more international festivities. Festivities in temples are every day events and you are bound to stumble across one whilst exploring the island. If you spot a temple with lots of music, people and flowers, it’s festival time!
You will usually be welcome to tag along and enjoy these festivities so long as you take care to dress and behave with a modicum of courtesy.
Dates can be variable from year to year by western calendars so be sure to check with your travel agent before booking if you have your heart set on a particular event.



New Year’s Eve is a big night as virtually everywhere in the world. In Bali expect street dancing and festivities and, in places like Kuta, considerable consumption of alcohol. Generally everyone is out to have a good time.
Icaca New Year occurs in March or April and celebrates the commencement of a new lunar year. Everyone is expected to be quiet, not work and basically stay at home on this day, supposedly to encourage evil spirits to assume the silence means there is no one on the island and depart!
Easter Is celebrated by the Christian minority on Bali, largely in churches.
The Bali Art Festival is held each year around June or July in the Art Center in Denpasar. A variety of interesting local arts and crafts are displayed and those who enjoy traditional and modern Balinese art will enjoy this event.



Also held around June or July is the Bali Kite Festival, an eye catching event with scores of multi colored traditional kites of all shapes and sizes filling the sky. Many of the kites are very ornate, featuring colourful wings, tales, fierce faces and all manner of adornments. Photographers as well as kite fanatics will have a ball at the Kite Festival.
August 17 is Indonesian Independence Day, celebrating the nation’s escape from its colonial Dutch masters. Also in August or September is the Nusa Dua Festival which is a week long festival featuring parades, dancing and much fun in traditional costumes.
Finally Christmas is celebrated on 25 December, although it remains an event mostly of interest to foreign visitors and local Christians.


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